Is there a tune option that meets my needs?

[againstliam]

Never tuned a car before and looking to get a stage 1 tune that I can run at the strip and then switch back to stock when not. Is this something a tune through a Cobb AP would be good for?

I have heard good things about IE, Unitronic, and EQT. Do all of these meet what I am looking for? I understand APR is more conservative which I like but not something I can switch on the fly.

 

[Luva]

I recommend (cue shocking music) EQT stage 1. The EQT OTS stage 1 is perfectly fine on the track or street, so why would you want to switch on the fly?

 

[jimlloyd40]

Never tuned a car before and looking to get a stage 1 tune that I can run at the strip and then switch back to stock when not. Is this something a tune through a Cobb AP would be good for?

I have heard good things about IE, Unitronic, and EQT. Do all of these meet what I am looking for? I understand APR is more conservative which I like but not something I can switch on the fly.

Welcome to the forum.

Yes to answer your question. Get a Cobb Access Port and a tune, I recommend EQT, and then you can flash the tune back and forth by yourself. A little bit of a hassle but at least you don't have to go to a dealer to do it.

 

[againstliam]

I recommend (cue shocking music) EQT stage 1. The EQT OTS stage 1 is perfectly fine on the track or street, so why would you want to switch on the fly?

Not surprised! I just don't need the extra most of the time so switching would be nice.

 

[xXDavidCXx]

Not surprised! I just don't need the extra most of the time so switching would be nice.

I really don't think it's worth your time to swap. It's not like all of a sudden stage 1 tune makes the car undriveable. You still have to keep your foot in to make anything happen.

 

[RisingFallens]

Why not just pick up a JB4? You can bounce back between maps at the click of a button

 

[Subliminal]

It wouldn't be a good idea to switch to a drastically different tune and then full send it down a strip would it? Doesn't the ecu need time to adapt & adjust?

Other than that, yes the ap3 would be the easiest and most convenient for switching tunes as far as I know of

 

[jimlloyd40]

It wouldn't be a good idea to switch to a drastically different tune and then full send it down a strip would it? Doesn't the ecu need time to adapt & adjust?

Other than that, yes the ap3 would be the easiest and most convenient for switching tunes as far as I know of

Not really. I've never noticed any difference once I've run a tune for a while when the ECU had time to adapt or adjust.

 

[aloha_from_bradley]

Not really. I've never noticed any difference once I've run a tune for a while when the ECU had time to adapt or adjust.

With any new calibration, you're supposed to give the car ~25ish miles to relearn fuel trims before data logging. There is some benefit to letting a tune "settle," though all safety parameters remain in place regardless. You won't harm the car immediately after flashing, but some minor changes will take place during the first few miles after.

 

[DarkArrow]

I would say the JB4 would be the easiest.

Plug in OBD2 connector when you want the bump in power, unplug it when you don't. You don't have to worry about flashing anything. With the newer firmwares, unplugging the OBD2 connector deactivates the JB4. (Post from George stating this)

 

[Fastlax16]

JB4 will be most cost effective/easiest and you can get to ~ where a flash tune is with one on an R (I run 11.8@115 with a jb4 and bolt ons). Cobb AP would work as well.

I'd imagine once you've got the tune on you're not going to want to drive the car stock. I inadvertently drove around w my jb4 unplugged and the car feels sluggish af once you know how it feels with a little extra umph. Car should have come with the extra power from the factory, it doesn't turn it into some uncontrollable machine.