OFT comments for Summer Kickoff

[Pwolf]

I was originally mulling around the idea of going ECUTek in the future but never realized how bloody easy OFT is (to be honest I'm still researching the options). Have to be careful this weekend or I might walk away with one if Vishnu brings some to the bbq.

[bkblitzed]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Care to share your reasons? Just curious.

Just that most of the tuners im familiar with in norcal use ecutek. I plan on getting a protune later down the road

[buzznasa]

Originally Posted by bkblitzed

Just that most of the tuners im familiar with in norcal use ecutek.

I would venture to say that this is an accurate assumption. However, the associated costs with paying someone to create a custom tune, just for you, can be pricey. If I were to go FI down the road I may opt for ECUtek too but for an inexpensive (relatively) solution, I think this is a pretty good deal.

[overlookedx]

Not that it really matters, because I think the OFT is a great product, but I was one of the people who bought it at the last big meet and there was no discount. So if you're holding out for that, don't be disappointed

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[bkblitzed]

Originally Posted by buzznasa

I would venture to say that this is an accurate assumption. However, the associated costs with paying someone to create a custom tune, just for you, can be pricey. If I were to go FI down the road I may opt for ECUtek too but for an inexpensive (relatively) solution, I think this is a pretty good deal.

yea i plan on going sc but that will probably be around next year

[MagicBobert]

Another OpenFlash Tablet user here, currently flashed to Stage 1. I'd definitely recommend it.

My OpenFlash Header just shipped today, so Stage 2 (and perhaps E85) is on the horizon.

Depending on what your plans are for forced induction, the OFT may suit your needs as well. Vishnu sells the Vortech kit for a discounted price to OFT users (more discounts if you own an OFH, too), and they have a free tune for it. Shiv also has free tunes for the Phantom Electric Supercharger kit as well, which I'm eyeing very closely since it's much more reasonable (price-wise) for a daily driver setup.

[PMok]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

This thing sounds sweet and like there's no downsides except maybe the price.

before everyone just assumes its a perfect product with no risk... be sure to do your own research and weigh the pros and cons. I can think of a few additional pros and cons:

+more power and better tune. I think after you install a tune (any tune) you realize how poorly the factory tune performs in some respects. Most of these aftermarket tunes despite being tuned somewhat conservatively, will make your engine feel stronger and smoother.

-unknown or uncertain long-term effects of running an aftermarket tune and/or E85 fuel. Sure people have been using it with good results, but you just don't know if something will go wrong that we haven't seen yet -- our cars are still relatively new and it's a new engine platform, etc. etc... however small it is, it is still a risk and despite all reasonable precautions there is some chance you might encounter an issue down the road. If a dealership could prove you were using an aftermarket tune that changed timing, fuel, and raised the redline (these are all things a tune typically does), they could use that to deny you coverage should something bad happen to your engine. In other words, you might find yourself paying out of pocket for repairs due to your modifications.

E85 specific considerations:
-Buzz already touched on this but E85 is not available everywhere. Depending on your proximity to the existing E85 stations, you may have to plan driving routes/trips a little more.
-others have recommended more frequent oil changes while running E85. I'm not sure why this is, but I was doing my oil changes at 2x the frequency suggested in the manual anyways even while running 91.
-E85 requires more fuel compared to 91. So your MPG will suffer. I was averaging about 24MPG on 91 now I get about 18-19MPG on E85.

+On the plus side it's cheaper cost than 87 octane gas at the moment.
+and of course it's more power.

Final conclusion: I bought one, and use it, and enjoy it. If someone came to me with a totally stock BRZ/FR-S and said they wanted to spend ~$500 to get more power, I would say get a tune, over buying an exhaust or header. Sure you may get some power, and a nicer sound from exhaust/header but for straight up power it's hard to beat the tune, especially when E85 is an option. Of course if you have $1500+ to spend then sure, get them all.

Originally Posted by Pwolf

Thought so... There are tuning options that require that right? Wasn't sure if that's an ECU/Vehicle specific thing or based on the tuning device.

I think piggyback solutions like UniChip are what you're thinking of... those require hardwiring a module into the ECU harness, but typically not through the OBD2 port. Ecutek and OFT both take more of a software route.

[s2d4]

Originally Posted by bkblitzed

yea i plan on going sc but that will probably be around next year

You can always get the shiv to tune it then everyone will have tunes for that sc if you share it.

[bkblitzed]

if mike at gst tunes frs's and brz's, than im going to gst.

[unsurety]

The more I read about tunes, the more I want one.

I didn't realize or consider that tunes were free. I might just pick this up and run a 91 octane tune until I get a header/full exhaust. I've mulled it over and I don't think I want to run E85. But I know a tune will help, and that I'll definitely want one after a header.

More than anything I just wish we had 93. Eff this weaksauce 91.

[buzznasa]

Originally Posted by PMok

before everyone just assumes its a perfect product with no risk... be sure to do your own research and weigh the pros and cons. I can think of a few additional pros and cons:

+more power and better tune. I think after you install a tune (any tune) you realize how poorly the factory tune performs in some respects. Most of these aftermarket tunes despite being tuned somewhat conservatively, will make your engine feel stronger and smoother.

-unknown or uncertain long-term effects of running an aftermarket tune and/or E85 fuel. Sure people have been using it with good results, but you just don't know if something will go wrong that we haven't seen yet -- our cars are still relatively new and it's a new engine platform, etc. etc... however small it is, it is still a risk and despite all reasonable precautions there is some chance you might encounter an issue down the road. If a dealership could prove you were using an aftermarket tune that changed timing, fuel, and raised the redline (these are all things a tune typically does), they could use that to deny you coverage should something bad happen to your engine. In other words, you might find yourself paying out of pocket for repairs due to your modifications.

E85 specific considerations:
-Buzz already touched on this but E85 is not available everywhere. Depending on your proximity to the existing E85 stations, you may have to plan driving routes/trips a little more.
-others have recommended more frequent oil changes while running E85. I'm not sure why this is, but I was doing my oil changes at 2x the frequency suggested in the manual anyways even while running 91.
-E85 requires more fuel compared to 91. So your MPG will suffer. I was averaging about 24MPG on 91 now I get about 18-19MPG on E85.

+On the plus side it's cheaper cost than 87 octane gas at the moment.
+and of course it's more power.

Final conclusion: I bought one, and use it, and enjoy it. If someone came to me with a totally stock BRZ/FR-S and said they wanted to spend ~$500 to get more power, I would say get a tune, over buying an exhaust or header. Sure you may get some power, and a nicer sound from exhaust/header but for straight up power it's hard to beat the tune, especially when E85 is an option. Of course if you have $1500+ to spend then sure, get them all.

Very well said. I think that sometimes people tend to get caught up in the Pros of something and then forget the Cons. In retrospect, I think I need to add a couple of Pros and Cons that this discussion has brought up. Running an aftermarket tune is not "warranty friendly" and, as you so astutely noted, no one knows what the long term effects will be.

Doing any modifications to your car is a calculated risk. Fortunately, the calculations tend to favor the car not breaking down, but it is a risk all the same.

[phanguy]

i'd get one if i could get rid of my unichip without losing a gazillion bucks on it.

[unsurety]

Another underrated pro is that E85 gets rid of crickets too, right?

[Clipdat]

In that case, I'm no longer interested.

Originally Posted by unsurety

Another underrated pro is that E85 gets rid of crickets too, right?