ECU Tuning on a 986
 

I've been looking at having my ECU remapped with a new software product. I've seen a few out there, with all promising about 15 HP & 15 ft lbs of torque for 986 S models.

Has anyone purchased and installed any of these products? One company provides a basic Durametric cable (with on one vin) along with their software (which would be usefil in the future).

Where do you notice the difference in power? The low end, mid-range of the ability to reach a higher speed on top end. Are there any other mods (cat deletes; larger throttle body) that would need to be done to enhance the gains?

I don't plan on tracking the car.

Any experience or advice would be appreciated.

I've got the software that you've referenced, the reflash from Softronic. It's a good product, but it works best if you have completed other modifications such as exhaust and intake work. A significant piece of it's success comes from advancing the timing.
On my car, I've got the larger throttle body, a cone air filter mounted outside of the engine compartment, headers, 100 cell cats, a Borla muffler, lightweight flywheel, and underdrive pulley. On the dyno, the car showed 244 RWHP, which is about 290 at the flywheel. Gains are across the board. Fuel economy improved as well.

As mentioned, re-flashes work best on cars that have been substantially modified (intake, exhaust, cat by pass, etc.). While Softronic has traditionally been more conservative in their gain estimates, but their literature also does not say if the test car was otherwise modified prior to the re-flash.

What you have to think about is the economics of doing this. On an "S" model, they advertise a 15HP increase, which is about 6% over stock, and at a cost of about $60/HP if the 15HP can be verified on a dyno.

I've yet to see one that worked as advertised.

Before buying a tune, ask the Tuner what the 4 strokes of a 4 stroke engine are in the order they occur. I'll bet that he can't answer you with an immediate recital.

Most of these guys raise timing limiters, remap the throttle and just guess at everything else.

JFro, JFP & Jake,

Thank you all for your thoughts and insight. It is much appreciated.

Don E.

Sure.. We do live tunes here, when necessary, and I don't trust my tunes to anyone else.

Oh common Jake you mean its not just Suck - Squeeze - Bang - Blow... you mean there is more to it than that LMAO sorry I couldn't resist! :cheers:

Hey Don

No personal exp with Softronic but I'm sure it is top of its class. The guys there does just that and from 9 to 5 and possibly 7 days a week.

One however that I had dealings with is GIAC (giacusa.com). Write to them bud... tell then what kind of set-up is current on your car and be very clear to them RE how you want your car to drive e.g. want power in the lower/mid or top range, better fuel economy, etc. At that point - "trust them" - and let them do their magic.

Yes it works... even if its for an additional 10~15HP imo it worth every pennies. Stock or modified.

ps. they won't advance your timing to a point where it is dangerous lollll. As I said, they do this all day long and have do so for more than a decade mate. Top Quality people as well

Hoe this helps a little.... I'll say go have fun man

Fred,
Thanks for the information, I will write to them - Because I TRUST YOU.
Thanks
Don

We have a friend here who very recently received back his ecu from Irvine. That went back in his Turbo S and got dyno'ed at 495 HP. That was a +45HP beautiful day for someone here.... I wasn't there but heard that he was giggling like a little girl :D

+45... read correct

Not saying you'll end up with a rocket fast car but you get the idea. Like I said... even if you get +10 or 15hp more, it certainly won't be the same car ;) So much more responsive, cheaper in petrol, etc etc etc

Not necessarily cheap but still, not that super expansive considering /hp gains for just a small tweak lol

I've seen people remap it with softronic.

It is very easy to generate 50-100HP increases on the Turbo cars with a re-flash and some exhaust system changes; it is one Hell of a lot harder (and more expensive) to get 25HP out of a normally aspirated version.

Turbos are great for getting big power gains with a tune and a few supporting mods. On my 2011 MK6 GTI with just a tune and down pipe I saw a 45 hp gain at the wheels. This is from a small 2.0l motor. Bigger gains are possible with other mods. The kicker was all of it installed was just $800. Try getting 45 hp out of a Boxster for $800.

Yep, lots of power right up to the point where connecting rods separate from the crankshaft and things start sticking awkwardly out of the case.

I'm not much of a fan of either software hp solutions or bolt-on FI. If I want a motor to produce more power, I prefer to start at the drawing board and build it from the bottom up accounting for increased stresses, balance, rpm, cylinder pressure, and heat management. It's not cheap or sexy but it works well. I have scattered more than a few motors in my past and not scattering parts is better.

Hi
Can you link me to the parts that you got to mod your engine, I have a boxster 1997 and I don't think that the reflash is possible? I have called a few places here in the UK and some say it is and others say it can not be done due to the age of the car (but I know it can be done).

Will the parts you fitted in yours fit mine as I have the 2.5L engine if so could you provide the part numbers or where to purchase the following, (I have looked on ebay but I dont know if their the correct parts as they all claim to be performance)..

throttle body
air cone filter
headers,
100 cell cats,
Borla muffler,
lightweight flywheel,
underdrive pulley