OpenFlash Tuning Tech: Tales from the Dyno (Stock, Ecutek and OpenFlash tunes)

[pixel67]

Exactly. This is a tool. BRZedit, Ecutek, Hydra, Unichip, OpenFlash... They are all just tools to achieve an end result. If someone were to revolutionize the torque wrench by designing a breakthrough model then i would love to hear about that too, but openly commenting about who uses the original torque wrench and calling them inferior shouldn't be part of the discussion. If I were to purchase this and elect to tweak it myself or have Toni, Mike, John etc grab the file and continue to tweak it then that is my prerogative. That is what i want to hear about. The flexibility of the tool. What tuner i trust is my business and will earn my business...

[sierra]

Originally Posted by pixel67

What tuner i trust is my business and will earn my business...

How do you know you can trust them until they've already had your business? The only way is by judging their worth based on the experiences of others.

[Gary in NJ]

I don't see this system replacing the relationship with a good dyno tuner, I see it creating a better transaction. Having the tools will never replace the knowledge that an experienced tuner possesses. This system has a few benefits that interest me:

- The ability to bring the system to a tuner for a dyno tune, and my ability to see what was done. With a greater level of understanding I can ask the right questions for further improvement. I enjoy the education associated with modifying.
- The ability to tweek the tables, see the result, and then keep or revert.
- The fact that there isn't a flag to the dealership that the ECU has been reprogrammed or worse, locked.
- The ability to share tables or be able to review tables that others have had success with
- The ability to work, view or log the ECO with out having to lug my company owned laptop around in the passenger seat.
- I like the price point. Even if the controller is a reworked unit that can be purchased for 1/2 the cost, by customizing this platform for the -86 I think OpenFlash has brought good value to that unit.

Here's my only question...WTF are there 3 threads for this product? They really should be combined.

[u/Josh]

Originally Posted by Rombinhood@OpenFlash

Also, there were no mapping changes to important things like acceleration enrichments, over-run maps, o2 sensor calibrations, closed loop delays, etc,. I don't consider these maps very high level. Any competent tuner would adjust these immediately as are very responsible for throttle response, drivability and knock resistance.

I don't want to jump to conclusions but shouldn't every base map at least have corrections to stop the DI seal issues?

[jamesm]

FWIW i see it this way: Toni is doing his best to provide value within the shitty framework ecutek provides him. He is negating the 'locked in' argument by just offering free updates for life, essentially. the problem is that this is a completely unsustainable business model, as every new customer mean just a little less time to service the existing ones (or any new ones, or do anything else for that matter). it will eventually consume him and the negative reviews will pour in as people wait for updates, just as it did with visconti. i can't imagine the stress of trying to keep up with such a workload, and for nothing but to fulfill an obligation, provide a great service, and maintain a (well deserved) positive reputation. it's really a sacrifice we should appreciate.

that said, the model is still broken, and it just cannot go on forever. the time will come that servicing existing customers is not possible and people get 'looks good' emails. it has to happen, because of math, not because toni wants it to.

the solution is to combine the two: experienced tuning professionals working on open platforms. users would download a FREE base map, and pay a-la-carte for updates and customizations from their preferred, trusted tuner. this couples workload to revenue, and provides a sustainable model for the tuners (not to mention a lot less stress/burnout).

as is so often the case, the ideal lies in the middle somewhere.

[FRSTEVE]

I think like all things ... we need to practice discernment.

There is "good" information here, as individuals, we need to responsible for our ability to understand and retain what is useful. Discard the rest as noise.

I did pick quite a few good tidbits on the technical side. I also picked up a few data points on a few posters' internet personalities.

And in turn, I will need to practice discernment in reading those comments too.

[pixel67]

Originally Posted by sierra

How do you know you can trust them until they've already had your business? The only way is by judging their worth based on the experiences of others.

Don't disagree... word of mouth, seeing the success of others, etc. The same way we all chose the car to begin with. I already have a decent relationship with a tuner but still can appreciate this platform and wouldn't mind paying a few hundred extra to leverage the experience of a master tuner that can leverage it.

I think Gary in NJ did a good job expanding on my point. It doesn't replace the relationship with a good tuner but sure does improve on the transaction between owner and tuner.

[jamesm]

Originally Posted by pixel67

Don't disagree... word of mouth, seeing the success of others, etc. The same way we all chose the car to begin with.

People were on here posting about how great Visconti's tunes were, recommending them left and right until he literally burned someones car to the ground, then people came out to speak up.

People aren't generally quick to announce to the world that they've made a purchasing decision they regret. Also once you've given someone $900 or so, you're not quick to bash them in public, since they're the only person on earth that can make that investment worth anything.

word of mouth is reliable in theory, not so much in practice.

[RehabJeff86]

Originally Posted by sierra

So the tune on your car wasn't the base map but the first tune based on your data log?
Did you ask for the throttle pedal response to be increased as was found?

Yes it was the tuned map after first datalog with 3rd gear WOT to redline and 1-6th gear pull.

I Did NOT ask for throttle change or removing rev limiter

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by jamesm

People were on here posting about how great Visconti's tunes were, recommending them left and right until he literally burned someones car to the ground, then people came out to speak up.

People aren't generally quick to announce to the world that they've made a purchasing decision they regret. Also once you've given someone $900 or so, you're not quick to bash them in public, since they're the only person on earth that can make that investment worth anything.

word of mouth is reliable in theory, not so much in practice.

While you make some great points, I agree most people never like to admit they made a bad purchase, it is not true people were not posting bad reviews and shitty work from JV only until after the fire. My turbo experience thread had it all way before it. Also the FF kit leaking and requiring a paid upgrade was also subject to criticism before it. So while its true that a lot of people don't like to admit bad purchases, there is also a percentage of users that really don't care and just want to help share their experiences in hopes future customers make a more informed decision. :happy0180:

[stevo_12v]

Originally Posted by jamesm

FWIW i see it this way: Toni is doing his best to provide value within the shitty framework ecutek provides him. He is negating the 'locked in' argument by just offering free updates for life, essentially. the problem is that this is a completely unsustainable business model, as every new customer mean just a little less time to service the existing ones (or any new ones, or do anything else for that matter). it will eventually consume him and the negative reviews will pour in as people wait for updates, just as it did with visconti.

Totally agree with that, but over THREE WEEKS for a lousy *.BIN file?? and after FOUR unanswered emails?? This email is a requisition for my FIRST 3rd > WOT pull, not for an updated re-tune/re-cal. I'm in Australia, so it might be an OK stunt for him to pull it off with me, but I'm not gonna hold back from badmouthing EcuTek and FA20Crap.com any chance I get.

Not my fault if he has a shitty business model and over promises 'lifetime tunes' and can't even deliver within at least a fortnights timeframe to a customer *one single lousy tune file*.

If he can run a decent business he will have more people onboard to help him.
Still waiting on my P3cars vent since paying for it June 26th..

[jamesm]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

While you make some great points, I agree most people never like to admit they made a bad purchase, it is not true people were not posting bad reviews and shitty work from JV only until after the fire. My turbo experience thread had it all way before it. Also the FF kit leaking and requiring a paid upgrade was also subject to criticism before it. So while its true that a lot of people don't like to admit bad purchases, there is also a percentage of users that really don't care and just want to help share their experiences in hopes future customers make a more informed decision. :happy0180:

Credit where credit is due, your thread was one of very, very few that thre up warnings early on. There weren't many like it, though.

[j.F.c.R.a.S]

yeah, Ive tried that. He finally got back to me and said he would work on it today. So hopefully i get something.

[phatpanda]

Impression and photos added on page 1.

-PP