Visconti Tuning - Latest BRZ Flash Info

[Visconti]

Originally Posted by jpit

If $950 is the price for this canned tune it is outlandish. Over the past few years I have had a 370Z and a Mini Cooper tuned with software and several dyno runs for less than $600 each.

The tune wont be for everyone - but that is the price.

EcuTek License - $250
EcuTek Cable - $350
Tune - $350

-John

[Memphis]

Ok I am sorry but am I the only one that thinks $900 for a tune is a little ridiculous? I have owned and tuned many a car for the cobalt scene and tunes for them are half that. Hell the N/A cars run between $180 to $300 for one.

I know that this is a new car and all but when tuning first came out for the cobalts I do not recall them being that high. Tunes for higher end cars usually run that high.

This is supposed to be a poor man lotus and that is by far a rich man tune.

I am well aware this is a completely different engine and one that has direct injection and that you are first on the block with tuning.

I truly am not trying to be a **** and am merely curious. An explanation of pricing would be very helpful to me.

Could we as members here get on a group buy and possibly bring the price down for every x amount of people that sign on for it?

And I was wondering Visconti if you have had a chance to work with an auto yet? Or is that further down the line?

[Memphis]

Originally Posted by Visconti

The tune wont be for everyone - but that is the price.

EcuTek License - $250
EcuTek Cable - $350
Tune - $350

-John

What is this license? Why would we as customers need it?

[mike2100]

Originally Posted by Visconti

I think a lot of it has to do with emissions...

Tune doesn't lean the car out except a little but during WOT - but nothing crazy.

-John

In general terms (i.e. without disclosing proprietary info) can you talk about what tuning you did for other-than-WOT conditions? I mean I know basic tuning is air:fuel ratio and timing adjustments. Anything else?

Additionally, I agree with the theory that stock tuning doesn't maximize power for emissions reasons. I think there are 2 specific reasons: 1) minimize emissions and 2) protect the catalytic converters from accelerated deterioration. I wonder if there's any more to that story...

[mike2100]

Originally Posted by Memphis

What is this license? Why would we as customers need it?

License to use the software. Technically you are using the software for you car. It's like the license to use Windows operating system.

BTW, capitalism is a wonderful thing. ECUtek will charge what they think people will pay for 1) the software license and 2) the hardware dongle. Tuners will charge what they think people will pay for a tune and all the knowledge required to do it.

If it doesn't sell well (demand down), the price goes down.
If more competitors enter the market (supply up), the price goes down.

How many people own an FT86? How many people own a WRX/STI? How many own Civics?

The time required to build the knowledge base required to tune a specific vehicle is fairly constant from vehicle to vehicle. And the money a tuner's time is worth is fairly constant. So if the number of vehicles/customers goes down then the price per vehicle must go up in order to recoup the time investment.

[Visconti]

The EcuTek license is how EcuTek gets paid.

The more cars I tune, the more licenses I use.

In other markets that don't have great tools like EcuTek you buy all the software and hardware up front and can tune as many cars as you want. - this is the way with bosch and siemen computers

The investment ends up being more than $25k - your also working with a company that has absolutely no incentive to continue development on their work.

Originally Posted by Memphis

Ok I am sorry but am I the only one that thinks $900 for a tune is a little ridiculous? I have owned and tuned many a car for the cobalt scene and tunes for them are half that. Hell the N/A cars run between $180 to $300 for one.

I know that this is a new car and all but when tuning first came out for the cobalts I do not recall them being that high. Tunes for higher end cars usually run that high.

This is supposed to be a poor man lotus and that is by far a rich man tune.

I am well aware this is a completely different engine and one that has direct injection and that you are first on the block with tuning.

I truly am not trying to be a **** and am merely curious. An explanation of pricing would be very helpful to me.

Could we as members here get on a group buy and possibly bring the price down for every x amount of people that sign on for it?

And I was wondering Visconti if you have had a chance to work with an auto yet? Or is that further down the line?

Yes - I have worked with a auto - it's neat but I prefer the manual

As for the price of the tune I'm not really sure what you want me to explain.

There is a cost for the hardware to flash the car, then a license that goes to EcuTek. That adds up to $600.

My time and hard work on the tune is worth something....

On sub-30k cars I normally do $350 for tunes unless I'm on the dyno etc

The more expensive cars are $500 a map

Currently selling EcuTek Juke packages for $975 - they are flying off the self - they also have the same price break down.

-John

[Stu baru]

Originally Posted by Gen

So forgive me ignorance, but I have to ask, if a simple tune can increase engine power a fairly significant amount while increasing MPG, why would Subaru and Toyota have left it as is? There must be some reason. I don't imagine there's a significant emissions difference between stock and flashed. How much does this tune lean things out?

They're the ones offering the 5 year/60,000 mile warranty, so to them it's about RELIABLE excellent performance and fuel economy. They always leave some cards on the table, hence the tuner and aftermarket parts scene.

[JoeBoxer]

$950 is a little steep but the gains are more significant than a catback/intake combo most likely. By the time you buy an intake($350), header($500), catback(up to $1000), and tune($950) you might as well buy a turbo kit it almost seems.

[fenton]

I think 799 would be nice price point.

[SkullWorks]

Originally Posted by JoeBoxer

$950 is a little steep but the gains are more significant than a catback/intake combo most likely. By the time you buy an intake($350), header($500), catback(up to $1000), and tune($950) you might as well buy a turbo kit it almost seems.

...for which you will need a tune.

[Memphis]

Originally Posted by Visconti

The EcuTek license is how EcuTek gets paid.

The more cars I tune, the more licenses I use.

In other markets that don't have great tools like EcuTek you buy all the software and hardware up front and can tune as many cars as you want. - this is the way with bosch and siemen computers

The investment ends up being more than $25k - your also working with a company that has absolutely no incentive to continue development on their work.



Yes - I have worked with a auto - it's neat but I prefer the manual

As for the price of the tune I'm not really sure what you want me to explain.

There is a cost for the hardware to flash the car, then a license that goes to EcuTek. That adds up to $600.

My time and hard work on the tune is worth something....

On sub-30k cars I normally do $350 for tunes unless I'm on the dyno etc

The more expensive cars are $500 a map

Currently selling EcuTek Juke packages for $975 - they are flying off the self - they also have the same price break down.

-John

Im sure you prefer the manual lol. I would too. I was more or less asking if you have or are going to start working on trans tunes or features like launch for the auto?

Im sure its a ways down the road as everyone right now is more concerned about the engine.

Thank you for the explanation although I am not to sure whether I agree with it or not. There are other tuning companies out there that have their own custom made software that do not charge license fees to their customers but only a one time fee to their vendor for their product. An example would be Trifecta Performance.

I am glad they are flying off the shelf for you though I am truly interested and when the time comes I will be getting one as well.

[GirlyScions]

Originally Posted by Gen

So forgive me ignorance, but I have to ask, if a simple tune can increase engine power a fairly significant amount while increasing MPG, why would Subaru and Toyota have left it as is? There must be some reason. I don't imagine there's a significant emissions difference between stock and flashed. How much does this tune lean things out?

Car manufacturers have to leave some wiggle room in ignition timing just to be safe and reliable. Not saying your car wont be reliable with a tune. Manufacture leave room for error such as clogged air filters, dirty plugs, minor faults ect.

[fenton]

I want to know more about the auto blip!

Is it Syncro Rev match 370z type stuff because that is what I am imagining

[jeebus]

ecuTek is overcharging for the license. You guys are overcharging for the tune. The cable is vastly overpriced.

Just sayin.

Should be more like $150 -license, $250 -tune, $150 -cable.

There's plenty of profit margin in there.