86-88 Ford Fox Body Mustang / DA1 Speed density

Categories: Ford - setups

Introduction

Early Fox Body Mustangs used a speed-density metering system from 1986-1988.  Uses TFI distributor, 8 injectors, speed-density metering.  This EEC-IV system isn’t as well-supported as the MAF cars that followed but tools are available.  These ECMs have the hardware ID “SFI-SD1”

Hardware for Tuning

  • QuarterHorse – integrated device brings unique functionality to the table.  It is a “chip on steroids” that allows you to make changes while the vehicle is running and (with supporting software) log live data from the vehicle.
  • F3 – simple chip module that can store one or two tunes and switch between them while vehicle is running.  Requires Jaybird programmer or BURN2+FA.
  • F8 – fancy chip module that can store eight tunes and switch between them while vehicle is running.   Can also be programmed while installed – no need to remove chip to reprogram it.  Requires Destiny programmer
  • BURN2 + FA + FE – generic chip programmer with Ford adapter (FA) and ECM interface (FE) that can be used to read the current program from EECIV and EECV ECMs on the bench.

Software for Tuning

Although several different strategies (or “operating systems”) were used on this generation of computer, all of them are capable of using the GUFB (i.e. A9L) code.  This can be downloaded with tuning software so it is not critical to read your own ECM.  This is a very common, well supported application.  Any of the three tuning softwares that we sell will work for this application.  Any tunes developed using a QuarterHorse can be programmed to F3/F8 chips for long term use

  • Binary Editor ($100 – $171 available from Moates.net) is a Ford-specific graphically oriented tuning software that supports many EEC-IV and EEC-V processors.  There are several options:
    • Free built-in definitions for BE2012 come with the software.  They’re reasonably complete and work really well.  Support DA1, DA2, etc.
    • Core Tuning definition (available through Coretuning.Net) – uses same standards for organization as other Core Tuning defs, very complete.
    • EEC Analyzer ($50 available from Moates.net) is an optional companion program to Binary Editor to assist with analyzing data and automating tuning tasks.
  • TunerPro RT ($40 / free trial available from Moates.net) is a universal tuning software that supports editing but not QH logging using definitions available on TunerPro’s website.
  • EEC Editor ($20 or $45 / available from Moates.net) has basic support for editing the DA1,DA2 mustang ECMs.  Datalogging support seems to be glitchy or non-functional as of April 2018.