ECU: Where do I start????

[chiefshayan]

Hey guys, I'm interested in purchasing an EcuTek but I don't know where to start! I noticed that the cable alone is $300, would I need the cable or can I borrow one and save that money. It seems pretty straight forward but
I don't know where to start and what to buy, like what the hell a license is?? I've never done reflashing or messed the car's computer before

I also have no clue about the tuner situation. How do I get situated with a tuner? Also if you could please list your tuner and the work they've done for you that'd be great! And also what exactly you bought (cable, license, etc.) thanks!!

[Nightbringer]

You can borrow someone's cable or rent one. Many places provide a rental if you don't want to own it yourself, however having one is handy for datalogging and switching maps on the fly (You can revert to stock if you have a warranty situation arise).

In the case of EcuTEK you buy a license for your specific car/ECU and can then flash as many times as you'd like. If you're borrowing a cable you would only need a license+tune. There are many topnotch tune providers. I personally went with Visconti's pumpgas+E85 offering and it was an amazing improvement over stock. Many also recommend FA20Club and report great service.

Non-EcuTEK offerings would include UniChip. There are many threads on the board for this one with many happy customers. It's more affordable than EcuTEK, but it is a piggyback system and not a "complete" tuner. Consensus seems to be that it depends on how far you want to go with your car.

BRZedit is the final mainstream offering with a lower pricepoint then EcuTEK. It allows you to tune yourself if you choose, or have a local dynoshop tune for you. Some vendors can also provide an off-the-shelf map similar to EcuTEK above.

Tune is the best bang for the buck on these cars, minus forced induction. I'm loving my Visconti tune and the free updates I receive if I add any additional modifications down the road, but you'll see a noticeable improvement with any of the offerings. Just research it thoroughly and decide what's best for you.

[chiefshayan]

Originally Posted by Nightbringer

You can borrow someone's cable or rent one. Many places provide a rental if you don't want to own it yourself, however having one is handy for datalogging and switching maps on the fly (You can revert to stock if you have a warranty situation arise).

In the case of EcuTEK you buy a license for your specific car/ECU and can then flash as many times as you'd like. If you're borrowing a cable you would only need a license+tune. There are many topnotch tune providers. I personally went with Visconti's pumpgas+E85 offering and it was an amazing improvement over stock. Many also recommend FA20Club and report great service.

Non-EcuTEK offerings would include UniChip. There are many threads on the board for this one with many happy customers. It's more affordable than EcuTEK, but it is a piggyback system and not a "complete" tuner. Consensus seems to be that it depends on how far you want to go with your car.

BRZedit is the final mainstream offering with a lower pricepoint then EcuTEK. It allows you to tune yourself if you choose, or have a local dynoshop tune for you. Some vendors can also provide an off-the-shelf map similar to EcuTEK above.

Tune is the best bang for the buck on these cars, minus forced induction. I'm loving my Visconti tune and the free updates I receive if I add any additional modifications down the road, but you'll see a noticeable improvement with any of the offerings. Just research it thoroughly and decide what's best for you.

Thanks for the response! I wish I could go e85 but there are no pump stations around here that have the corn. Visconti is probably the best known on these forums, so for his tune, did you go directly to his site and purchase? Or purchase from another vender then contact him later.

[hanspfall]

I ended up going with fa20club's 93/e85 tune, with license and cable, and am super satisfied with both the results of the tune and the customer service that I've received. The tune is really the only modification that I have done to the car other then Perrin's drop in filter but, man what a difference. Even on 93 I could feel an increase.

I agree with Nightbringer that the tune is the best bang for the buck, it's the foundation that you build on for future mods and for the tuners that offer free updates it's just a win.

[whitefrs]

for NA tunes go with toni from @FA20Club.com

[chiefshayan]

Originally Posted by hanspfall

I ended up going with fa20club's 93/e85 tune, with license and cable, and am super satisfied with both the results of the tune and the customer service that I've received. The tune is really the only modification that I have done to the car other then Perrin's drop in filter but, man what a difference. Even on 93 I could feel an increase.

I agree with Nightbringer that the tune is the best bang for the buck, it's the foundation that you build on for future mods and for the tuners that offer free updates it's just a win.

Jealous of everyone that can get e85.. Did they ask you what parts you have installed on your car? I'm wondering if they take into account the mods already on the car to optimize the most power

[chiefshayan]

Originally Posted by whitefrs

for NA tunes go with toni from @FA20Club.com

Thanks! If I decide to go FI with a turbo or SC, can I just get another tune from my tuner?

[hanspfall]

Originally Posted by chiefshayan

...did they ask you what parts you have installed on your car? I'm wondering if they take into account the mods already on the car to optimize the most power

Yes I think most, if not all tuners do this, fa20club certainly did. Not all of them re-tune for free for future mods though so you would have to clarify that with whomever you choose to go with.

[Nightbringer]

Originally Posted by chiefshayan

Jealous of everyone that can get e85.. Did they ask you what parts you have installed on your car? I'm wondering if they take into account the mods already on the car to optimize the most power

They take your mods into account for the initial tune. You also send them datalogs to adjust the tune accordingly. If you add a part, they will redo the tune for you for free.

Adding a supercharger or turbo usually requires purchase of another $300 tune (if it doesn't come with the FI kit). This is the only modification that isn't covered under the free updates as it's such a drastic change.

As others have posted, you can't really go wrong with what you choose. It's not all about the power gained. The drivability improvement just on the pumpgas map is amazing. Makes the car vastly more enjoyable even just part-throttling around town.

Loving the Visconti tune, but hoping to pick up the FA20Club tune from Tony as I haven't seen a decent comparison on a bolt on car in over a year. N/A results should be more or less the same between tuners however.

[86_ZN6]

Want to save money on cable? Find a local tuner.

I can offer you $599 for a tune and license.

No cable purchase needed

[chiefshayan]

Originally Posted by 86_ZN6

Want to save money on cable? Find a local tuner.

I can offer you $599 for a tune and license.

No cable purchase needed

Where are you guys located in the city? I'm almost done with all my mods and in a month or so I definitely will need a tune.

[86_ZN6]

Originally Posted by chiefshayan

Where are you guys located in the city? I'm almost done with all my mods and in a month or so I definitely will need a tune.

sonoma. inside the racetrack