About

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Project Black Pearl

🔧 What is Project Black Pearl?

Project Black Pearl is the live development and validation of a structured, AI-assisted ECU tuning framework — proven on a rebuilt 2005 Subaru WRX.

It is both:

  • A real-world ~305whp performance build
  • A documented, constraint-based calibration system

The car is the proving ground.
The framework is the asset.

🎯 What is the horsepower goal?

Target output is ~305whp on pump gas, tuned for:

  • Repeatable power delivery
  • Midrange torque bias
  • Heat consistency
  • Engine longevity

We are not chasing peak dyno numbers.
We are building stable, usable performance.

🧠 How is AI actually used in the tuning process?

AI does not “auto-tune” the car.

It assists by:

  • Scoring WOT pulls (Stability / Knock Risk / Boost / Fueling)
  • Detecting knock clustering patterns
  • Identifying boost control oscillation
  • Flagging injector duty risk zones
  • Highlighting AFR deviation trends

All changes are human-approved and constrained by strict safety limits.

AI analyzes.
The engineer decides.

📊 What makes this different from a typical stage tune?

Most stage tunes:

  • Increase boost
  • Add timing
  • Hope knock control catches problems

Project Black Pearl operates under hard constraints:

  • Timing changes ≤ 0.5° per iteration
  • WGDC changes ≤ 2% per iteration
  • No boost increases without stable fueling
  • No timing increases with unstable IAM

Every revision is logged, scored, and validated with repeatable pulls.

No guesswork.
No ego tuning.

🔥 What turbo setup is being used?

The current platform runs a VF-series turbo configuration tuned conservatively for stability before escalation.

Boost increases only occur after:

  • Stable IAM
  • No sustained knock
  • AFR within margin
  • Injector duty within safe headroom

Power is added only after the system proves it can support it.

🛡️ How do you protect engine longevity?

The tuning order is fixed:

  1. Mechanical stability
  2. Fueling accuracy
  3. Boost control precision
  4. Knock consistency
  5. Torque smoothing
  6. Peak output

If validation fails at any stage — changes are reverted.

An extra 10whp is never worth a damaged engine.

🧪 How are revisions validated?

Before escalation:

  • Two repeatable clean pulls
  • Stable IAM
  • No sustained FBKC/FLKC events
  • Boost tracking within tolerance
  • AFR tracking target

If it cannot pass validation twice, it does not move forward.

📁 Is the framework documented?

Yes.

Each map revision includes:

  • Version naming
  • Change summary
  • Risk analysis
  • Before/after log comparison
  • Validation results

The long-term objective is to convert this methodology into:

  • Log scoring templates
  • Safe-iteration playbooks
  • AI-assisted analysis tools
  • Educational digital products

🚗 Is this a track car or daily driver?

Both — by design.

Calibration bias favors:

  • Strong midrange torque
  • Smooth boost ramp
  • Predictable throttle modulation
  • Heat consistency under repeated pulls

This is rally-oriented drivability, not dyno theatrics.

📈 What is the end goal of Project Black Pearl?

To demonstrate:

  • A stable ~305whp WRX
  • A repeatable AI-assisted tuning system
  • A documented framework others can apply
  • A monetizable calibration methodology

The build proves the system.
The system scales beyond the build.

🤝 Can others use this framework?

That’s the plan.

Templates, scoring sheets, and structured playbooks will be released as the system matures and proves itself.

Authority first.
Products second.