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Injector Dead Time: A Small Number That Changes Everything

Good injector data is a big part of clean starts, stable idle and fueling that does not move when voltage changes.

ECU calibration in a race car

The injector does not open instantly

The injector needs a short amount of time to physically open. That delay changes with battery voltage and fuel pressure. If the ECU uses guessed data, the mixture can change whenever an electrical load switches on.

Bad data shows up at idle

At full load, dead time is a small part of the total pulse. At idle it is much bigger. That is why poor injector data often creates unstable idle and hard starting.

Use real data, then verify

Use data for the exact injector, pressure and ECU driver. Then watch lambda while voltage changes. Correct data should make the tune easier, not hide another problem.

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