Ape Factory

iTrader: (3)

I'm planning to have my G tuned after I install a set of high flow cats and have pretty much settled on the ECUtek after reading a zillion threads here and on the 370z forum.

I have a local shop that can do the tune on a dyno and the price is $775. That does NOT include a cable which is apparently an additional $300.

I see used ECUtek's come up for sale periodically and I thought I might be able to save a few hundred doing it that way. I asked what the cost would be if I brought my own ECUtek cord and license and he said he'd take $150 off. Essentially I'd be paying substantially more money doing it that way and it sounded fishy to me.

Maybe he didn't hear correctly and I should have asked what the breakdown was between the cost of the ECUtek and the tuning.

I see there are options like SpeciatlyZ where it's about $800 for an ECUtek license, cord and remote tune. I can make three runs on the dyno for $125 and log the runs or I can just do pulls on the street. Looks like the basic ECUtek is $600 through them.

My preference would be a local tuner on the dyno to not only tune WOT but part throttle, tip in, timing, the whole nine yards.

I want the cord so I can flash back the original map before heading into the dealer. The shop will do it for me but that's a real pain.

Thoughts?

ANMVQ

iTrader: (13)

I think you kinda answered you own question, I would with Seb and the remote tune and cable for $800. I didn't start out with him but I ended with him and all I can say is WOW. The street tune is perfect cause that's where you will be driving the car. The dyno is great if you can use it, for safety but the tuners drive the car on the street after to finishing dialing the car in. You'll make more than 3 pulls also on when tuning, I spent 2+ hours with Seb on my local dyno and then still need street pulls to finish. Go with Seb and remote tune and you'll be more than happy!

zer099

iTrader: (2)

Echoing what was said: I talked to Seb a lot about a tune. Only reason I didn't is because I found a local shop with a AWD dyno and flex fuel tuning experience. I still have thoughts in my head of "what if I want with Seb"?

For what it's worth I found a cord and dongle on ebay for $150. If you want a cord hunt around. It doesn't matter if you get the cord somewhere else, just have your tuner set it up once you get it. That's what I did and it was real easy.

Ape Factory

iTrader: (3)

Good points guys, thanks for the feedback. The local shop does have lots of 370/G37 experience. My only worry is that I'm not really a priority due to the limited mods I'm running and I'm a relatively small fish. No full engine build, no turbos, etc...they've got some hellacious cars in there and guys spending big bucks. So that's a bit of a concern. I'm not interested in tuning to the last nth of a degree, just a safe tune with great part and full throttle response and responsible a/f and timing. Seb may be the way to go.

Waste86

As far as I know, no one has ever had less than stellar praise of Seb. Unless you have lots of friends that give glowing recommendations of the shop's tune, I would go with Seb.

JakeG37

I just had my first tune with Seb and I am very happy with his work. The limiting factor for me was my fuel choice (generic/Chevron mix) which he said I would easily break 300whp with, and once I get back to FL and use 93 I will see even more

Presto

Go with an e tune with Seb. He good good reviews and pricing seems to be decent as well. Also he is quite experienced with vq and ecutek.
Are you planning on doing the ecutek traction control,launch control, knock warning, valet mode etc?

JakeG37

I wish I could find a way to put a 2009 ECU in my 2008 5AT, but as I understand it this is not possible. I would love to have a EcuTek tune but Seb had too much trouble trying it since EcuTEK doesnt have a base tune for my ECU and said he highly doubted EcuTEK would even bother.

Jdragon1974

So let me get this right!! I have an 08 coupe sport 6mt, Will EcuTEK work since it is a MT? Thank you, I am use to hondata lol..but love the g37.

ANMVQ

iTrader: (13)

ECUTEK wont work cause you have a 08 , something about the ECU space being smaller, I think

rm2342

So, what is the cheapest way to do this if one wasn't going to do a dyno tune, but wanted increased response, transmission tuning and a bit more power? I only have intakes and the 7at on my x.

Ape Factory

iTrader: (3)

Unfortunately cheap doesn't necessarily figure into it. You're basically looking at $850 for a custom tune, once all is said and done, assuming you have a laptop that you can datalog on for a remote tune. I think he also has "canned" tunes, ones that don't rely on you sending info on what the car is doing. That may be about $200 less off the top of my head. This is going through Sebastian at SpecialtyZ.

I'm not sure if UpRev is any less expensive. If it is, it isn't by much. I'd look into it if cost is a big consideration, you're not planning on further mods and you're not going for all out power. UpRev is literally less than an hour away from me but I'm going to go with ECUTek anyway.

As great as ECUTek is, we're really behind the tuning ball compared to say BMW, VW and Audi. They have some really great devices that basically get plugged in to the OBD port and they get pretty massive gains (on turbocharged models). The best part is, they unplug it and there's zero evidence left behind. And you can self tune. With your smart phone.