I built a 2.4 4g64 block and I'm getting pretty close to being ready to start it up for the first time. I'm remote tuning using ecuflash but I'm just wondering if I should be okay to start it up without it being tuned yet. Also if I'll even be okay taking it for a drive.

Other than the 2.4 it's stock except for a LICP and O2 Housing/Downpipe

 

if the mechanical timing is right, belt, cams and crank. i think you should be fine. but that's my theory i've never done it. no revs or driving though

any experts know?

 

Yeah the timing is perfect. I mostly want to be able to flush the coolant/radiator and make sure it at least starts. I have a AFR gauge so worst case scenario if the AFR is way off I could just shut it right off right?

 

Yeah I assumed so.

 

Did you ask your remote tuner?

 

You should get base map. It's going to be way underfueled..

 

see if you can get a base map

 

Just as a way to further my own understanding of tuning: I did end up starting it up without the basemap and it idled great. The AFRs were right around 15 (a bit high I think). I did a quick idle log and there wasn't any registered count of knock. Knock is really the only thing to worry about, right? Does a lean or rich AFR matter as long as it's not knocking? Again, more of a theoretical question.

 

Does anyone have an responses to that? Mostly just curious

 

an afr of 15 is pretty high but you will probably be fine just idlin or moving the car across a shop or driveway. really wouldnt recommend driving it beyond that without at least a base map.

while a lean mixture can and will cause engine damage, knock is the real killer to worry about here. lean mixture can also cause knock, but lean conditions will also burn extremely hot and can melt pistons, cause head gasket failure or damage valves. that would be something that wouldnt cause instant damage such as a serious knock event, but could still cause some harm pretty quickly.

 

15:1 is fine for closed loop. You will never get a car to knock at idle, unless it absolutely busted. AFR of 14.0-15.5 is fine for light acceleration and cruise, NO BOOST.

 

At this point, I'd be more concerned with the mechanical side of things. Oil pressure? Valvetrain noise? I would also measure the turbo oil flow at idle.

15:1 AFR at idle isn't going to hurt anything. As long as the idle is stable, no hunting, no hesitation with crisp throttle response, nothing wrong with it.

 

Driving should be fine as long as you don't rip on it. Just drive it like a grandma.