AFD ProFlex E85 Commander Journey w/ GT350

[mmakam2]

The knock data is probably not relevant to this issue - the ECU actually pushes spark toward incipient knock to get the most power out of the least fuel. It's constantly cycling up to the knock sensor limit and backing off just a touch.

It's unlikely you've done any damage. The ECU has a bunch of guardrails to protect the engine and it'll put you in limp mode if you really color outside the lines. You're not there at this point.

If the unit's powered up then you'll have to contact the manufacturer and ask them about it. Tell them you're getting high LTFT numbers (30%) with E70 and see what they say. Good luck!

I really appreciate your help, thanks for your attention on this!!!

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[mmakam2]

i wonder if this batch of proflex commanders is not optimal. i know they were rushing to get orders out and were programming them, testing them just prior to shipping. I've been wondering if my unit is off bc of the loud popping, backfiring I'm getting. still trying to tell if this is normal or not with the proflex.

You should get a ngauge or sct just so you can grab some logs. I hope you aren't in the same boat as me..

 

[JAJ]

I really appreciate your help, thanks for your attention on this!!!

No problem - you're welcome!

Just to be clear on where you are, you've got the next step of troubleshooting in front of you now - call the gizmo company - but that may not be the problem. It's possible that something else is wrong, but for now, that's the best theory based on the data.

Please update the thread on progress!

 

[mmakam2]

No problem - you're welcome!

Just to be clear on where you are, you've got the next step of troubleshooting in front of you now - call the gizmo company - but that may not be the problem. It's possible that something else is wrong, but for now, that's the best theory based on the data.

Please update the thread on progress!

I put 5 gallons of 93 in, brought the tank down to E46. LTFT on bank 2 just barely hitting 1.25 now under load and averaging around 1.2.

I also disconnected the module, and nothing changed, confirming the module is doing nothing. Gizmo company will be getting a call from me in the AM, already emailed them with our findings.

I am going to put in another couple gallons after work tomorrow, hopefully the codes should clear themselves after ethanol content gets to around E30.

 

[mmakam2]

No problem - you're welcome!

Just to be clear on where you are, you've got the next step of troubleshooting in front of you now - call the gizmo company - but that may not be the problem. It's possible that something else is wrong, but for now, that's the best theory based on the data.

Please update the thread on progress!

JAJ, is 6% on the higher side of normal for bank fuel trim variance? Seems pretty far off for my OCD self wanting perfection, symmetry lol.

 

[JAJ]

JAJ, is 6% on the higher side of normal for bank fuel trim variance? Seems pretty far off for my OCD self wanting perfection, symmetry lol.

The only way to know what's really happening is to go back to E15 (the maximum rating for the car) or less and see what's happening. However, a 6% difference (1.30 to 1.24) from bank-to-bank is only the average (1.27) +/- 3%. On that basis, it's not a big deal. But if you really want to know, get the gas back to "normal" with the gizmo disconnected and see what's happening. Until then, you're at risk of chasing phantoms and imaginary problems.

 

[mmakam2]

The only way to know what's really happening is to go back to E15 (the maximum rating for the car) or less and see what's happening. However, a 6% difference (1.30 to 1.24) from bank-to-bank is only the average (1.27) +/- 3%. On that basis, it's not a big deal. But if you really want to know, get the gas back to "normal" with the gizmo disconnected and see what's happening. Until then, you're at risk of chasing phantoms and imaginary problems.

Fair enough, we will revisit after the fuel is back under e15.

 

[rag11]

So, I filled up E85 with 1/8 tank left of 91 yesterday. Put me about 65% ethanol. I drove a half a tank away today at all throttles, accelerations, and up to 120 on my private road, and drove around town a bit. The Proflex works exactly as advertised for me. My observations are (1.) Slight kick to acceleration, more noticeable at high speeds. (2.) Cold starts are slightly rough for about 5-7 seconds. Smells wayyy better than petrol in my opinion (3.) The sound of the car seems lighter/cleaner, and I have considerably LESS noise, pops and gargles on E85. Best way to explain it is it causes more of a Ferrari sound and ditches a little of the muscle sound. Not sure if I like it or not, it's just different. (4.) With the unit installed and running purely on 91 gas, I have MORE pops and gargles than before. (5.) Suits you well to stay away from even slightly bogging the engine at all, as it has a harder time dealing with that condition, so staying in the lowest gear applicable at low speeds is advisable. (6.) I do not experience any throttle lag on take off, or in hard rolling accels. (7.) Gas mileage is slightly worse, but I'm expecting it to drop further with full E-85. (8.) I'm hoping to get a little more kick once I get on a pure tank of E85 for the money spent (won't be much.) The install took a little over an hour and that's only because I had an issue with the sensor plug that ended up not being an issue at all, and I also like everything to be oriented/secured perfectly and cleanly. Pretty easy. Hope this helps everyone who is curious. I'll post another reply on an E85-only tank, and after I've driven it a bit more.

 

[Mjc1241]

rag11,
Is your exhaust still fully stock? I think that with the resonators removed the pops and gargles may be a bit more pronounced even on either 93 or e85, With no cats or resonators, as in my case, it is definitely more pronounced on either fuel with the ProFlex. Your feedback is dead on; aside from #3 for me, but again I don't have cats, resonators and have an H pipe so the muscle car sound is still there, albeit cleaner as you state. I actually prefer the slightly cleaner sound of the exhaust on e85 over 93 honestly with my setup.

 

[mmakam2]

T

So, I filled up E85 with 1/8 tank left of 91 yesterday. Put me about 65% ethanol. I drove a half a tank away today at all throttles, accelerations, and up to 120 on my private road, and drove around town a bit. The Proflex works exactly as advertised for me. My observations are (1.) Slight kick to acceleration, more noticeable at high speeds. (2.) Cold starts are slightly rough for about 5-7 seconds. Smells wayyy better than petrol in my opinion (3.) The sound of the car seems lighter/cleaner, and I have considerably LESS noise, pops and gargles on E85. Best way to explain it is it causes more of a Ferrari sound and ditches a little of the muscle sound. Not sure if I like it or not, it's just different. (4.) With the unit installed and running purely on 91 gas, I have MORE pops and gargles than before. (5.) Suits you well to stay away from even slightly bogging the engine at all, as it has a harder time dealing with that condition, so staying in the lowest gear applicable at low speeds is advisable. (6.) I do not experience any throttle lag on take off, or in hard rolling accels. (7.) Gas mileage is slightly worse, but I'm expecting it to drop further with full E-85. (8.) I'm hoping to get a little more kick once I get on a pure tank of E85 for the money spent (won't be much.) The install took a little over an hour and that's only because I had an issue with the sensor plug that ended up not being an issue at all, and I also like everything to be oriented/secured perfectly and cleanly. Pretty easy. Hope this helps everyone who is curious. I'll post another reply on an E85-only tank, and after I've driven it a bit more.

Thanks for your feedback! If you have a logging device, it would be great if you can run one to compare with my vehicle. Let me know if you have a SCT and I can send you the config file for logging.

Update: I talked to Gray at AFD today, he agrees that he thinks the gizmo brain box is bad and they are going to send me a new unit to try. While I am waiting for it, I am going to disconnect the harness to see if there is any change in fuel trims to rule out the harness causing any of this.

 

[rag11]

T

Thanks for your feedback! If you have a logging device, it would be great if you can run one to compare with my vehicle. Let me know if you have a SCT and I can send you the config file for logging.

Update: I talked to Gray at AFD today, he agrees that he thinks the gizmo brain box is bad and they are going to send me a new unit to try. While I am waiting for it, I am going to disconnect the harness to see if there is any change in fuel trims to rule out the harness causing any of this.

I spoke too soon. On my way home this morning I popped a light. Nothing noticeable from a driving standpoint, just a service engine light. In fact I still took it to 7k+ with the light and didnt notice any difference...got home, let it idle, everything seemed perfect so I have no idea. I'm going to read it when I can. I get the feeling its somehow messing with the emissions sensors and flagging it, because the engine operation, temps, pressures and sounds are perfect. Disappointed though....not only did they take over 2 weeks to send it out, it's now doing this. Im going to remove it once I get through this quarter tank and just deal with crap California 91.

 

[mmakam2]

I spoke too soon. On my way home this morning I popped a light. Nothing noticeable from a driving standpoint, just a service engine light. In fact I still took it to 7k+ with the light and didnt notice any difference...got home, let it idle, everything seemed perfect so I have no idea. I'm going to read it when I can. I get the feeling its somehow messing with the emissions sensors and flagging it, because the engine operation, temps, pressures and sounds are perfect. Disappointed though....not only did they take over 2 weeks to send it out, it's now doing this. Im going to remove it once I get through this quarter tank and just deal with crap California 91.

Let us know what code you have, probably same issue I have. My car ran perfect too, but not because the AFD, it was the stock PCM doing all of the fueling adjustments.

 

[rag11]

Let us know what code you have, probably same issue I have. My car ran perfect too, but not because the AFD, it was the stock PCM doing all of the fueling adjustments.

Yeah you may be right. I might have a bum AFD box and finally the pcm said screw it. I'm still wondering how the oxygen sensors aren't popped every time using e85 in a car that's meant to use 15 max...

 

[lightrules]

i have been emailing gray. asked the other day to swap out a new brain, and if not better, full refund. still waiting to hear back.

 

[Mjc1241]

Good things is you guys have a warranty on the unit. Hope all gets sorted out for you guys. Still knocking on wood that I haven't had similar issues.

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