Nah, I won't be getting new plugs or messing with my throttle bodies. As you mentioned, there's only 45k on the car, and it's been cared for very well during that time... or as well as I can.

It's going to be tough sticking to plan, and waiting out the next two months. But I really want warmer weather and summer wheels/tires back on the car before I apply the remote tune and start data logging. Gotta stick to the plan, man.

Plus, I still have half a tank of 91 Octane gas to burn off before I start filling up with 93.

 

Very nice, glad to see some progress being made on this. Really looking forward to what I’m sure will be a very depth review of the process and tuning outcome.

Also it just occurred to me that you, and everyone else, could use a USB extension from Amazon, similar to the OBD extension, to reduce the chances of breaking the dongle while attached to the laptop. The idea just came from the 3 ft extension I have on my phone charger right now.

Im sure adding to the amount of wires in the car isn’t ideal but the trade off of not breaking a $115 dongle is worth it IMO.

 

Thanks. And that's a reasonable precaution. I've got a bunch of USB extensions collected throughout the years that came from various purchases. I'll grab one and put it in the EcuTek box.

 

I've been thinking about what's next when the time comes in May, assuming receipt of a base map from Moncef, and I found a blog from Seb at SpecialtyZ:

https://specialtyz.com/blog/?page_id=2891

Seems the tuner will be needing the "ECU Program ID" from the ProEcu software. So I followed the ridiculously kludgy user-interface to get to this screen, and ran "Query ECU". You can see how it identified the car. Thought that was interesting. I suspect you "Choose ROM File" to load the map from the tuner, then select "Program ECU" to apply the map.

We'll see... still a couple months out. Trying to be patient with this project.

 

Yup you got it, that's how it works!

 

Thanks for the confirmation and encouragement, backman_66.

Finally (!!) burned through that tank of 91 a few days ago, ran it down to almost empty, then filled up with 93. Hoo boy, 93 is expensive! LOL

Also, I was reading back in this thread, and the car is actually just a hair under 47,000 miles now. Still a baby... barely broken in.

 

Wow, I was unaware the cost of a tune from reputable tuners is around $900-$1k with all the equipment needed

Now I wont be looking forward to it as much when the time comes . I can see why you've put it off for so long. Hard to justify spending that much for maybe 15-30WHP?

I'm really curious to see what you end up thinking of it. You've had your car for so long and know how it drives untuned, so w/o a doubt you'll be able to provide valuable feedback

I know to date you've said the most worthy mods have been sway bars and 4.083 gears, wondering if this will fall on that level.

 

A remote tune, at least. A dyno tune could be less if you don't buy the cable and only do a few pulls. But it could also cost more because of the dynameter. At least that's where my head is at comparing the two. Opinions will vary.


TBH, I think $1000 for 15hp is money well spent, particularly if that's a solid 15hp gain all throughout mid-range. But this will be a remote tune with no dyno, so it's anybody's guess.


If I walk away from this as happy as I was with the gears, again... money well spent.

 

If I recall correctly, Moncef says the reason EcuTek is better is because of the degree of control over timing.

 

Found myself re-reading this thread, getting excited for the remote tune. My schedule is still on track for May 2021, and that's coming up in a few weeks.

 

I received my mail in tuned ecm yesterday and Uprev tuner cable. This option was $730 shipped.
I chose to buy another ECM so technically an average of $800 for an extra ECM flashed + Uprev Tuner cable.

My car is auto and just has modified stock boxes and overall results are positive, I'm in communication with the tuner since I did send a few ECMs at a time and were different.
Map 2 which should be modified 93oct map is a night and day difference, neck jolt at WOT shift yet stubble at part throttle. Even on that map and a couple of beatings I'm getting 17.5 mpgs.
I've been driving in town more often and have been averaging 16-16.9 recently. I have not used ECO yet but overall I'm happy with this.

I have some old HFCs I would like to try. I can't begin to imagine what full bolted would feel like.
Dont want to hype you up but I did and I still am.

 

With theses short gears on a 6MT, as well as poly engine mounts, tranny mount and diff mount, I'm already very content with the perceived throttle response in my car. Not really looking for any neck-jolting experience, LOL. I just want more mid-range power to play with.

I don't want to get too hyped. I'd rather be pleasantly surprised with realistic expectations.

 

The neck jolt is I believe for autos only, I know Martin altered the TQ/line pressure the trans sees at WOT for sure. I mean chirps going into 3rd. The midrange is there for sure and this was only on a email tune.
The throttle response difference is an interesting one, I too was contempt with mines due to not thinking it could get better but it does without sacrifice.
In my opinion focus a bit more on what you want your in your other maps. I was expecting map switching to be a bit more complicated. I put the car in Valet mode while in the highway, realized valet is a waste of a map for me.

I would rather do:
highest octane + current bolt ons(best overall)
highest octane + 1 Future bolt on
highest octane + 2 Future bolt ons
Eco highest octane
Eco lowest octane

 

Honestly, I just don't drive the car enough for it to matter switching between octane rating. So I'm pumping 93 in prep for the tune, and will be doing that from this point forward.

As for future bolt-ons... I *may* someday upgrade to a large bore, long-tube intake, at which time I'll get re-tuned. But that's just on the table, not in the works. Actually, it's more like it's on the shelf, LOL. But it's a possibility nonetheless.

And I *may* someday go aftermarket with clutch and LW flywheel, but I'm not actively chasing that mod yet either. Plus, it won't have anything to do with the tune.

 

Hello, May 1st.

Reached out to AdminTuning this morning.