[Squidward]

I wanted to start a thread to discuss tuning strategies for a standard Pontiac motor - nothing exotic, maybe iron heads, mild performance cam. Think of something less than a Ram Air 4 build, but hotter than a smog era 350 stocker. Street motor stuff, not so much a full race build.

How does one set timing curves and AFR for various operating conditions, and how is this validated through data? There is of course the tried and true use of a vacuum gauge and reading plugs, but does any of that change substantially now that many of us run EFI (like me) where we have instant tunability of target AFR via a computer/handheld display? And with drag strips getting swallowed up these days by development, it is tougher and tougher to get track time to see if our tweak gave us an extra MPH, etc. And based on where you live, it might be tough to find a nearby deserted road for extreme testing that wouldn't get you thrown in jail.

So... what are some of your tuning strategies and measurement methods to set timing and mixture for various conditions, like:

- idle tune
- off idle acceleration
- WOT
- part throttle light load cruise

I guess I'm also curious to see how strategies might differ (if at all) on tuning typical carb/distributor combos vs EFI with electronic timing control. My car runs nicely, but it seems like I just emulated electronically what I achieved with a carb and vacuum advance distributor.

Any of you tuning gurus care to share your knowledge with the next generation? Take a whack at one, or maybe all of them.