[RehabJeff86]

Product: EcuTek Stage 1 tune by FT86Club forum vendor/master tuner
Impressions: FRS feels responsive for normal driving, easy to pass on freeway and going up hill. FRS does feel stronger at normal driving RPM 2-3.5k rpm. Acceleration flat spot still noticeable and not much different compared to stock file from 3.5k rpm to 4.5k rpm. On the track, not much different noticed at WOT. Engine sounds harsh and rough with EcuTek stage 1 tune.
Pros: Easy to use software and fast programing ECU. Fun RaceRom features, i.e. auto blip, flat foot shifting, and launch control. Easy to switch between 4 built-in maps.
Cons: Locked tune file for end-users. Hard to find local master tuners. Only EcuTek tuners can change RaceRom features. Auto blip, flat foot shifting, and launch control are all useless for me on the track. License not transferrable.

Product: OpenFlash Tablet by Vishnu Tuning
Impressions: FRS immediately feels smoother and responsive both normal driving and with WOT. Acceleration flat spot became minimal and feels linear now. FRS pulls strong from 3.8k rpm to 7.2k rpm. Engine sounds very smooth not harsh and rough.
Pros: Open tune file - you see whats been altered. End-users ability to tune the map and custom features i.e. flat foot shifting and launch control. No license required. Tune maps can be exchanged amongst all tuners around the world. Easy to use Tablet with tons of features to be added in the future.
Cons: Slower than EcuTek in speed of programming the ECU - per Vishnu Tuning - will be improved shortly at least 50%. Thats all I can think of for now :happy0180:

Final Thoughts: It is shocking to see the truth of EcuTek Stage 1 tune by a FT86Club forum vendor/master tuner - Only Throttle map was increased by about 25% to give buyer a sense of the car is faster. It is shocking again that there is minimum HP and TQ gain compared to stock file - vendor claimed 10-13 whp gain. Its even more shocking to see AFR running so lean above 14 from 4.7k rpm to redline. The Rev Limit should remain stock for Stage 1 tune IMHO given no HP gain after 7k rpm but post excessive stress to the engine. Im extremely satisfied with Vishnu Tuning by spending the time demonstrating what has been done step by step for a end-user like me with zero ECU tuning knowledge. The Dyno Tuning result was so solid and I bought a OpenFlash Tablet on the spot and never flash back to EcuTek.

Addendum: IMHO EcuTek product is excellent but selecting a truly experienced tuner is the key. Data-logging tuning is just not accurate. I will only recommend Dyno Tuning because you see the process and result in front of you that a Tuner cannot hoax you with a fake tune. It is more expensive but well worth it. OpenFlash Tablet will introduce our ToyoBaru twins ECU tuning to a new level that is End-Users based not Vendor/Authroized Tuner based. Cheers!! :happy0180: