Hey guys. I have been reading a bit and I've found quite a bit on the very first mods to go about getting but have run into some things that I haven't been able to find answers to.

One, I've been reading about both HPtuners and trifecta tunes. I like the idea of the trifecta tune a little better and the price is reasonable. As I don't want to have to find someone to do it for me with the HPtuners tune. However I've read the trifecta tune is great. And that's it's horrible and doesn't let the no lift shift work.

Another, I've read that a CAI isnt necessary for these cars. That it just messes of the MAF stock and just causes problems. Is this true ? If not what is the best one to get now ? I read a post from 2009 talking about the K&N and a few others.

Lastly, I would like the turbo noise to be more defined. I have read that just adding an intake will make it sound very nice. Is that what should be done, or go even further and adding a BOV.

Any opinions help ! Thanks guys

 

An HP tune is way better than trifecta. Tuning for an intake is no big deal it's normal everybody has one. An intake will make both the turbo and BPV louder

 

What if I were to get an intake, then wait a few months to get a tune. Would their be potential problems with that ?

 

You will likely end up with a MIL, high fuel trims, and possible engine power reduced mode.

 

That's no good. So it's bad to get a tune too long after mods. And it's bad to get one before because then it's not tuned for the intake. ? Lol. There's no winning.

 

You need to tune for the mods you get when you install them. The e69 PCM in the LNF is a finicky computer and has factory learn down. If you increase the flow it sees without tuning, it uses the nanny features to learn down to the set parameters. If it learns down too much, MIL lights are set and engine power reduced mode can occur until the issue is reseolved.

 

Alright. So would HP tuners be the best route to go ? Needing to get it retuned every time you add something new. I read somewhere that the trifecta tune can do that as well.

 

K&N Intake with filter clocked to 11 o'clock and GMS1, my Long term fuel trim is +- 3% which will not set a light and drives normally, but in the upper RPMs and flow that airflow is off by about 10-15%.

So yes the K&N is driveable without major issues, but does benefit from a tune.

 

Ahh. Now are there other cold air intakes that are better than the KnN that have been proven safer to drive without a tune for a little while ?

 

On some cars. Elevation and air density play a HUGE factor in this.

 

Yes.
Trifecta is a joke.

They set a member with upgraded injectors and turbo a base tune and tell him it's fine and that 4 degrees of knock is normal.

 

Ahh lol okay trifecta=bad
And I have bad luck. So I already know something would happen like that. Now about the HPtuners tune, is it possible to do it yourself ? Or is it a definite take it to a good tuner/tune shop.

 

How savy are you at the tables and numbers that make your car do everything it does? Do words like DAL, WGDC, Dynamic Air Flow, Optimized Spark, Kr, etc. mean anything to you?

 

A tune will actually make power where an intake without a tune will just make noise

 

No sir ! Haha. So, in general, would it be best to find someone local that could tune it. Or take it to a shop and just have them do it. With what ever tune program they have.

 

Trifecta is crap, I was a fan boy at first, then I saw what crappy tuners they were when I got my turbo upgrade. Stay away. Yes their select a tune is nice but not worth the crappy tune. Yes u can run an inane with no tune for a bit, it probably won't put ur trims off enough to throw a code, I ran one for months with no issues, trims were off but nothing that would be damaging. Cai is useless seeing as the air will get heated by the turbo anyway. Short ram k&n is perfect for sound and performance. Cold air intakes are only good for getting wet filters and not being able to drive through puddles.

 

Ahhh. Okay. Good to know. So, is everyone that is smart getting the HP tune ? I know it's a "canned tune" but what about the zzp tune. ?

 

All you have to do is buy hptuners and contact kmo43 to remote tune you and you'll be happy

 

Ahh. Okay. He actually contacted me ! Haha Now how in the world does the remote tune work? He said if I buy my own cord. He would be able to do it. What does the cord do ? And how much is it. ?

 

The cord is 500, and it's basically the hptuners software, you will then log the car and email him back and forth

 

Yikes. Haha. I swear I saw the standard for $299 somewhere. With only 2 credits. Not the 8 it usually comes with.

 

Agreed! I had trifecta it was cool worked alright. But I had kmo43 tune me and the car pulls better then it did. He's also awesome to work with fast and helpful guy! I need to get my final log to him now that the rain is gone haha

 

I barely getting my logs done again since I had kr issues in the top end seemed to have fixed the problem now tho

Yeah it's not cheap but it's worth it for sure and you can always sell it if you don't need it anymore

 

Very true. I guess if my girlfriend ever gets her SS. I'd have the tuner already. How much does he usually charge to do it ?

 

It's comes down to the tuner really but add a few bills on top for his services, it's not cheap but definitely worth it if the tuner knows what he's doing and that's the reason I recommend you kmo43