Storch MAF Install Issue

[NC944er]

One thing I really wanted to try, but didn't have the opportunity, was to test something like the Lindsey Racing 944 Max Performance Chip in combination with the Storch MAF. The chip supposedly optimizes the fuel and ignition maps to richen some of the lean peaks in the factory maps, which seems like a good pairing with the Storch kit given the data I collected.

[944m3]

One thing I really wanted to try, but didn't have the opportunity, was to test something like the Lindsey Racing 944 Max Performance Chip in combination with the Storch MAF. The chip supposedly optimizes the fuel and ignition maps to richen some of the lean peaks in the factory maps, which seems like a good pairing with the Storch kit given the data I collected.

You could potentially still have the root issue which is that something might be getting lost in translation between the MAF and the DME. I’m not sure you can ever get that to work without reprogramming the code, which is what Rogue and Vitesse did with their solutions. Maybe why MAP was important, which was to account for boost. You needed new code for that.

[PSU_Crash]

Full disclosure, I have an A-tune available for sale.

With that said, I do wonder if the Rogue A-Tune was a much better solution than a MAF trying to trick the DME that it’s an AFM signal. A-tune uses MAP and new code on the chip. Still keeps the AFM. My butt dyno did feel better throttle response and better torque everywhere. No hesitations.

I think the A-tune was a very underrated chip and MAP combo. Not sure why it wasn’t more popular. Maybe folks got scared off by having to splice the MAP sensor into the stock harness. It honestly wasn’t that hard.

I'm not sure what the A-tune is, but I'll be looking it up. I'm well versed in megasquirt, so if I ever really wanted full control and diagnostics, that's the route I'd take. I even have a spare MS2 on the shelf waiting for a home. The simplicity of a MAP based speed density system is nice. That's really not the plan for the 944 though. I just want it to run the best it can in stock, or mostly stock, form. I thought the MAF would be an improvement.

@Tom I dive into the FQS adjustment. Straight to position #3 which should be +6.3% fuel. It was slightly better, although not "good".

Then I tried setting #1. A little worse off... I think.

At this point I think the stock unit is just going back in. I won't argue with anyone about getting my injectors cleaned and flow tested. I'm sure they could use it. For now, at least, time to go back to what works.

[Tom]

Full disclosure, I have an A-tune available for sale.

With that said, I do wonder if the Rogue A-Tune was a much better solution than a MAF trying to trick the DME that it’s an AFM signal. A-tune uses MAP and new code on the chip. Still keeps the AFM. My butt dyno did feel better throttle response and better torque everywhere. No hesitations.

I think the A-tune was a very underrated chip and MAP combo. Not sure why it wasn’t more popular. Maybe folks got scared off by having to splice the MAP sensor into the stock harness. It honestly wasn’t that hard.

I think the A-Tune was pretty popular back in the day, though it got over-shadowed by m-tune. But I thought it was only for the turbo, no?

[Oringojin]

At this point I think the stock unit is just going back in. I won't argue with anyone about getting my injectors cleaned and flow tested. I'm sure they could use it. For now, at least, time to go back to what works.

This is kinda sad to read. When I first saw write ups and videos about the Storch kit, I thought that might make modernising/upgrading easier for a lot of people, but it looks like trying to get it to work with the stock ECU is complicated.

Going with the programmable Augment ECU with its MAP sensor has worked great for me, and I imagine the classicecu set up would work similarly, but these solutions as well as going stand-alone means more time and at least a little more expense.

In my case, my original AFM had spent a month under a couple of feet of seawater, and I was doing a full rebuild, so it made sense for me. I can understand the "if it ain't broke..." conclusion for a daily street driver.

[944m3]

Full disclosure, I have an A-tune available for sale.

With that said, I do wonder if the Rogue A-Tune was a much better solution than a MAF trying to trick the DME that it’s an AFM signal. A-tune uses MAP and new code on the chip using stock DME board. Still keeps the AFM. My butt dyno did feel better throttle response and better torque everywhere. No hesitations.

I think the A-tune was a very underrated chip and MAP combo. Not sure why it wasn’t more popular. Maybe folks got scared off by having to splice the MAP sensor into the stock harness. It honestly wasn’t that hard.

I think the A-Tune was pretty popular back in the day, though it got over-shadowed by m-tune. But I thought it was only for the turbo, no?

Correct, just for turbos. Thinking back with everything I’ve learned from experience, it really is the best solution without going to full standalone. Engine bay remains stock, you get new code to take advantage of MAP to read boost, and it just works. I installed a wideband sensor and AFR was right on the money for idle and cruising and under boost. As I mentioned, you do have to splice into the harness to connect the MAP sensor. But if you’ve installed a car stereo then you can install the MAP sensor.

[PSU_Crash]

At this point I think the stock unit is just going back in. I won't argue with anyone about getting my injectors cleaned and flow tested. I'm sure they could use it. For now, at least, time to go back to what works.

This is kinda sad to read. When I first saw write ups and videos about the Storch kit, I thought that might make modernising/upgrading easier for a lot of people, but it looks like trying to get it to work with the stock ECU is complicated.

Going with the programmable Augment ECU with its MAP sensor has worked great for me, and I imagine the classicecu set up would work similarly, but these solutions as well as going stand-alone means more time and at least a little more expense.

In my case, my original AFM had spent a month under a couple of feet of seawater, and I was doing a full rebuild, so it made sense for me. I can understand the "if it ain't broke..." conclusion for a daily street driver.

It's sad in my shop too. I was really excited to install this. I don't blame the Storch kit. My theory is that I have a small issue being masked by the stock AFM. It's probably something simple once I continue diving in. The "if it ain't broke" is something I've never been very good about

Stock unit is reinstalled and I'm off to cars n coffee

FYI that bottom front bolt on the AFM is a pain to get to. This is the answer. Flex extension for the win!

[whalenlg]

Maybe a little off topic, but since I saw the log file in the 1st post….. can anyone share some sample f9tech log files for a cleanly running, warmed up engine?
Idle, 3k rpm and 6k if possible. I’m correlating my software dme+klr modeling and those would help validate the answers I’m getting. Anything would help! Thanks!

[NCGermerican]

I can't believe I didn't come by this post sooner - I need to stop putting all my attention to the turbo forum.

By the way - did you guys see that Rennline has partnered with Storch and now sells them on their website, along with Pelican Parts? I think the price is slightly higher than the Storch site, but you don't have to pay any tariff's or duties:
https://www.rennline.com/porsche/944/pr ... ort=newest

I actually need to reach out to Julian - because of my LR j-boot putting rearward pressure on my Storch, it broke one of the small (3D Printed, I assume) retainer clips that hold the "tube" portion to the part that bolts to the factory airbox. They're only held in by one screw each and i wish it was held in by something a little more sturdy. I'm sure if I had the factory j-boot installed it wouldn't be an issue.

So much in this thread that is exactly what I was experiencing with the Storch MAF. Granted, I had so many other variables at play (low idle vacuum, John Behe chip, larger injectors, etc). I also have no faith in my AFR readings because of the documented exhaust leaks I documented on my YT channel.

However, with the Storch installed, the AFR gauge showed lean at idle until the o2 corrected in closed loop. Once I gave it some gas, it was 15.5 - 16 at around 2K RPM (stationary). Scary enough that I didn't even take it out to drive it.

That being said, I had a lot of trouble with the Vitesse MAF system a few years ago, despite John Vitesse doing everything he could to help. One thing he noticed on one of the logs.....LOW IDLE VACUUM! Initial hesitation was so bad (I pressed the throttle, nothing happened) that I almost got rear-ended at a stop light. At that point I went back to the AFM and sold the Vitesse kit.

I still plan to test out the Storch again after 944Fest (will be in a future video) but I'm not too convinced I'll have better results. First will be with the LR MAXX HP chip, then I'll try out the 3 John Behe chips with the 50lb injectors.

[PSU_Crash]

I can't believe I didn't come by this post sooner - I need to stop putting all my attention to the turbo forum.

By the way - did you guys see that Rennline has partnered with Storch and now sells them on their website, along with Pelican Parts? I think the price is slightly higher than the Storch site, but you don't have to pay any tariff's or duties:
https://www.rennline.com/porsche/944/pr ... ort=newest

I actually need to reach out to Julian - because of my LR j-boot putting rearward pressure on my Storch, it broke one of the small (3D Printed, I assume) retainer clips that hold the "tube" portion to the part that bolts to the factory airbox. They're only held in by one screw each and i wish it was held in by something a little more sturdy. I'm sure if I had the factory j-boot installed it wouldn't be an issue.

So much in this thread that is exactly what I was experiencing with the Storch MAF. Granted, I had so many other variables at play (low idle vacuum, John Behe chip, larger injectors, etc). I also have no faith in my AFR readings because of the documented exhaust leaks I documented on my YT channel.

However, with the Storch installed, the AFR gauge showed lean at idle until the o2 corrected in closed loop. Once I gave it some gas, it was 15.5 - 16 at around 2K RPM (stationary). Scary enough that I didn't even take it out to drive it.

That being said, I had a lot of trouble with the Vitesse MAF system a few years ago, despite John Vitesse doing everything he could to help. One thing he noticed on one of the logs.....LOW IDLE VACUUM! Initial hesitation was so bad (I pressed the throttle, nothing happened) that I almost got rear-ended at a stop light. At that point I went back to the AFM and sold the Vitesse kit.

I still plan to test out the Storch again after 944Fest (will be in a future video) but I'm not too convinced I'll have better results. First will be with the LR MAXX HP chip, then I'll try out the 3 John Behe chips with the 50lb injectors.

Welcome to the party!
Glad to hear someone else had a similar experience. When you say low vacuum, are we talking closer to true vacuum or closer to ambient pressure? I could always put a gauge on one of the manifold ports to check. I kept the MAF, for now, hoping to find a solution.
That hesitation off a stop almost had me roll into the car behind me on the test drive. Nope. Enough of that!
To the best of my knowledge everything is stock. I haven't opened the DME to take a look at the chip. Seems highly unlikely based on everything else on the car though. A wideband may be in my future, even if just installed temporarily for diagnostics.
Let me know when you get a chance yo test it out again. Wish I was headed to the fest!! If it's at VIR again next year, I'll be there.