08 Auto v6 C&L Tuner - Sputtering and stalling after tun

[Tamorand]

Hello,

I had a 2007 v6 with a C&L CAI and the CL7140 Tuner.

i have since traded out that car for an 08 v6 and i still own the tuner but not the CAI.

I cleared out the old backup tune, updated the tuner to the newest C&L update *cl7140_cnl_05-9r06.crom*
I followed the instructions to the letter and the tune was uploaded successfully to the car just like the last time I did it.
I am running 89 Octane gas atm and do not have a CAI installed.

Used the Automatic tune but I misunderstood/misread it was set at 93 octane. Also, I was under the impression that I didn't need to have the CAI installed in order to use the tuner as it would adjust appropriately to the un-modified vehicle setup.

So of course when I started the vehicle it started sputtering and stalling out when I touched the gas.

I reinstalled the original backup and the car is running fine again.

My main question is - is the difference between 89 octane and 93 octane so great as to cause these sputterings and stalls or is it the fact I'm using a C&L tuner with no CAI installed?

If it's not blatently apparant I'm new to this as when I did it before it went off without a hitch and never had to do anything but the original tune...the ease of this tool may be it's biggest hinderence as you really don't need to know much in order to do the uploads and possibly ruin your car if you aren't careful.

[MesaRec]

The tune is expecting the CAI kit to be installed as well. You're running too rich, and that's why the car runs rough with the performance tunes. You will need to get the CAI from C&L to run any of the tunes, or modify the tune you install.

Call C&L and they should be able to tell you how much to reduce the MAF table with the stock induction. ... or you could reduce it a bump at a time until the engine runs right. My guess is you'll still be rich if you do it that way. Best to call them, or maybe someone can tell you exactly how much to take off.

Good luck.

[Tamorand]

OK I'll give them a call and see if that fixes the issue.
Out of curiosity should i just start running at premium from now on?
I used too but I recently started using midgrade fuel for no particular reason.
I had heard that running 93 had a tendancy to reduce the life of your engine or is that an old wives tale?

[MesaRec]

Wives' tale for sure... truth is higher octane burns cleaner ... and a clean engine is a happy driver.

If I were you, I'd tune to stock until speaking with them. You will be running excessively rich without modifying the tune. They will give you a heads up.

The other approach would be to tune by trial and error. However, error is not going to be forgiving, so small changes at a time leaning it out would be the way to go.

Nevertheless, I'm sticking to my guns. Call, it's free advice from professionals.
(256) 882-6813

[GP-SE]

if you're running a 93 octane tune then use 93! running lower octane will cause detonation and harm the motor. If you have a 87 octane tune and run 93 octane fuel, no damage but you're wasting money.
Basically whatever tune you're running, run that octane.

[MesaRec]

+1 Only tune for higher octane if you are running higher octane fuel.

The best thing to do at this point is to start using 91 or higher octane fuel, tune for 87 Performance and buy the CAI kit. You'll run a bit rich, but the car should run fine. Once you install the kit, start running the Performance Auto Premium Fuel tune. Run two tanks worth before you use the Performance Auto Premium Fuel tune.

Try that and get back.