winter time paranoia...

SHOgun77

New member
Ok, so... I live in a very cold area, During winter, it's usually 20 below zero with wind chill. LITERALLY UNSAFE TENPS. With that being said, I have a high boost running 93 unleashed tune with 3bar (it's summer now but that will change soon). I asked torrie if it's safe to run thus tune in below zero temps, and he said it could cause me to run lean with those temps and that kinda boost and bad things can happen. Does anybody have experience with the SHO and daily driving (with the kids and wife) with negative temps and an aggressive tune? How much can our stock fuel pumps handle?? My big bro has a 335 bmw and had to flash back to stock cause his his fuel pump. Maybe that's just bmw, or he got a bad factory car or what... chime in if you may. Thanks everybody.
 
I alway flash to my 91 octane tune in the winter. I still use 93 gas but with the winter gas Id rather be on the safe side. 
 
Definitely get another tune for when winter blend fuel & the lower temps arrive. The 93 will be subpar along with the e/85 losing quite a bit of ethanol % too. A buddy of mine with a built Subaru has ethanol gauge that was picking up as low as 66% here in Michigan over the winter.

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Should also always have the engine & trans fully warmed up before getting into it.  Takes substantially longer in colder temps.
 
The 335's are known to have those issues. If you run that tune and don't get on it you won't have an issue. I wouldn't go out and do a bunch of mile long pulls like you are tuning. I did two runs with my meth tune and no meth! The car is pretty good about closing the throttle and pulling timing but there is no reason to rely on that. Personally I would just stay out of it on super cold days, not like you will be doing runs in subzero temps anyways. I would make some logs as the temps drop to see what it can handle, 40 degrees, then 30, then 20 etc. If you see the fuel pressure drop into the uncomfortable zone then you know when to keep your foot out of it.
 
I live in Minnesota and we have a few cold days here too.  I run the same 93 octane tune year around.  The tracks are closed in winter so it is not like I am running the car through the quarter mile at WOT when it is 20 below but I don't hesitate to get on it when I want or need to AS LONG AS THE ENGINE AND ALL DRIVELINE COMPONENTS ARE FULLY WARMED UP.
 
Yeah, a Bluetooth OBD2 reader, old phone or tablet and a few PID's will help you keep an eye on it over the winter. I am doing that so I know if my Meth F's up again. On a side note I am also building a Arduino based sensor suite for meth to detect voltage to the controller, voltage from the controller to the pump and vibration of the pump, 3 greens means keep your foot on the go peddle! 
 
I am in MI.....same basic winter temps as you (but less wind admittedly) .    I run my 3 Bar 93 octane year round. Have done so for ever.  I always try to make sure the car is warmed up before engaging turbos AT ALL.  I would do this regardless of the tune.    I always treat a car more delicately in frigid weather.

Can't hurt to lower the tune, but I have not had any negative effects from not doing so.

 
Any other suggestions? More importantly experiences? Anybody drive like a maniac at WOT with a powerful tune all winter and was fine? Or anybodys fuel pump or motor gave out doing so? It would be much appreciated. The more the better!!
 
I live in Northwest Indiana near you. Last winter I drove rather aggressive most of the time. Wife said I drive like a teenager. I tone it down a bit with her in the car. So yeah I guess maniac. 93 4+x, 3-bar tune from lms.cai and no other mods. Used top tier fuel all winter no problems.Ran great with all that cold air just no traction.
 
I ran the unleashed 93 Octane 3Bar base tune this winter... and Torrie is correct. During the winter I did have some good lean spikes and the stft were adding quite a bit of fuel to compensate for the denser air. I ended up asking him for milder tune for the winter.. I did have the throttle close up with the base 3Bar tune from him during the winter under load...

I will caveat that with I did end up replacing my LPFP this spring, so I am sure that didn't help things. Although I never did get a DTC...
 
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