BoonDocker POLARIS: 11-12 PRO 800 Turbo 3D Tuning - Manual (Page 11)

BoonDocker Performance – 2379 Heyrend Way, Idaho Falls, ID 83402 – 208-542-4411 / 877-522-7805
www.boondockers.com – email: [email protected] – fax: 208-524-7381
Revised 1-20-11 Copyright © 2010 Boondocker Page 11 of 14
VI. Turbo EFI Tuning
Fuel Requirements:
Race gas MUST be used, even for low boost! Detonation will quickly destroy your engine! (see topic in Tuning
Tips)
SUNOCO 112 is recommended and has been determined to be adequate for boost levels up to 14psi. VP fuel is not
recommended - it has been found to have lower octane than other comparable fuels. Other suggested brands
include Unical, Rockett Brand, F&L Racing Fuel, and Trick racing gas. Always use fresh fuel from a sealed barrel.
Spark Plug Gap:
Use new spark plugs and reduce the gap to .018” - .020”. Carry extra plugs – leaded fuel and boost are hard on spark
plugs!
Recommended Control Box Settings:
Call Boondocker for suggested starting numbers.
Boost Controller:
It is recommended to start with your Electronic Boost Controller set below 4psi. If you are using a boost tee, set it
to the lowest boost setting. To find this starting point, remove the boost tee, loosen the knob all the way, blow
through it while tightening the knob until you start to feel resistance (the valve starts to close off). Make sure the
engine is tuned properly before increasing the boost and watch closely for proper fuel mixture and detonation (see
topic in Tuning Tips).
Tuning Instruments:
Air/Fuel gauge:
A good wideband O2 gauge is highly recommended as an effective tuning tool. The sensor will have a limited
lifespan due to exposure to pre-mix oil and leaded racegas, but in many cases it can last for a season and it is a very
valuable tuning tool. If desired, after initial tuning is completed the probe may be removed to prolong its life.
Be aware that too rich a mixture can cause the gauge to read lean due to unburned fuel not being read by the gauge
(the oxygen will produce a lean reading). Whenever the engine is decelerating, your A/F numbers will be lean -
these readings can be ignored. However, whenever the throttle is being applied, pay attention to the readings!
Higher numbers are leaner (less fuel), lower numbers are richer (more fuel). A 14.7:1 ratio means all the available
oxygen has combined with all the available fuel. Numbers from 11:1 to 13:1 generally produce the best power
(extra fuel helps cooling and can help prevent detonation). A lower A/F ratio (10.8 to 11.2:1) is considered safer on
a turbo since the extra fuel prevents heat build-up and helps prevent detonation. We recommend you find the lowest
ratio where the sled still runs without being too rich.
EGTs:
Exhaust Gas Temperature gauges can also be an effective tuning tool and are recommended, but they are not a
substitute for reading spark plugs and piston wash and for a general feeling of how the engine runs. Use EGTs only
as a backup to verify what you see. They can be misleading under certain conditions and safe readings can vary
greatly from engine to engine depending on such things as probe placement, fuel, timing, pipe design, porting, etc.
Typical EGT temps can be between 1250 – 1325degF after a long pull.
Plug and Pipe Color:
Color will develop inside the pipe and on the plug after running a while which can be used to determine fuel
mixture. A tan/cardboard brown color is desired. Light-gray is too lean, and dark brown is rich.
Tuning tips:
Important: Find the settings where your motor runs rich before you decide to go lean!
1. Tune with the engine and pipe at operating temperature. The sled’s ECU will make adjustments as the engine
warms up – you might think the engine needs leaner settings then later realize you are too lean once the engine
warms up.