"Compared to the classic FAST box, the XFI's speed is really impressive-you can tell in places like the O2 correction," he explains. "The faster processing speed, even at idle, allows XFI to react so much quicker. And XFI's features are great, one of the most important being the variable scaling. Being able to set up the rpm and MAP scales is invaluable from the tuner's aspect. And for the end users, the flashable memory means you will never have to send XFI back in for a reflash when new features like the internal datalogger become available.
A few hours were spent at Ron's Custom to install and connect the XFI and its wideband O2, then I was off to Newark to pick up Hartline so we could do the streetability and dyno power tuning in nearby Toms River, New Jersey.
| PARTS & SERVICES: |
| XFI ECU with wideband O2 sensor | 30-1000 | $1,649 |
| Casper's Electronics ECU Adapter Module | 108112 | $249 |
| Casper's Electronics MAP Adapter Plug-In | 108119 | $30 |
| Hartline Performance XFI Fuel/Oil Logging Kit | 105038 | $245 |
| Hartline Performance Tuning (XFI purchased |
| elsewhere, including setup, drivability, |
| and performance tuning) | $100/hr | $500 |
| PART VI COSTS: | $2,673 |
| TOTAL COST TO DATE: | $17,883 |
ConclusionNeedless to say, I was blown away by the power and torque numbers that this XFI'd Turbo V-6 put down. But I was even happier that I had Cal Hartline there to zero in the tune. This session wasn't cut and dry, as a time crunch meant that I wasn't able to move the air temp sensor into the upper intake before the dyno session. This is important because the ECU had been reading the underhood air as opposed to turbocharged and intercooled air going into the motor, throwing off the tune a bit. This will be fixed eventually, but it altered the tune enough to where I was glad I had a pro making keystrokes when the boost was set on 24.
Could I have tuned the car myself, made OK power, and not grenaded the motor? Maybe-but to spend all this time and money on a project only to wing it with the tuning would have been downright foolish. Contacting Hartline Performance to create a smooth-driving, high-horsepower and, above all, safe, tune for my Buick was the smartest thing I could have done. When it comes to tuning, Cal gets it. Keep that in mind when it comes time for your project to get tuned.
559 ponies at the wheels, more boost to be had, and almost ready for the track-be sure to check out the next installment when I do some break-in maintenance then head up to Cotton's Performance Center. Jack and Brian will be upgrading my rear to handle this sick power, and cutting the frame rails to fit a fat rim/tire combo in the back. It's nearly time for a date with E-Town...