An Xede makes an safc look primitive by comparison. Check out the Xede's demo software. I presume the UTEC does as well.

I'm one of a good several making an easy 300whp DD (350whp DJ) on pump fuel and stock turbo running an Xede, and AFAIK, none of us are experiencing any knock. Go figure, huh?

Anyway, like I said, good luck!

 

Yea I think I'll be able to pretty reliably be able to get 420 whp or 380-390whp on a DD. That Xede does sound like a good idea if I run into problems though. I like the driveability of the stock ecu.

 

Thanks to competent, experienced EVO programming, the driveability of my car at the 300whp (DD) level is better than stock even with the HKS 272 cams, and it gets significantly better fuel economy as well. It does not knock...and it shouldn't.

The blurb about knock being acceptable waves a BIG red flag, simply because there should not be any...at all. If there is, that indicates the ECU cannot remove enough timing to control it, and that's bad news. Ultimately, it's your car and you are going to be the only one who has to contend with it, but I strongly suggest seeking another source of advice. Fortunately, good advice is free. Replacing engine parts isn't.

That knock is telling you something.

 

The UTEC is more similar to a standalone when you deal with open loop tuning.. But generally I agree..

Also, with a good tune, you should never have to "Deal with" any sort of knock.. knock protection is for when things go wrong, not as a safety net... any tuner who uses the knock protection as a feature in part of their tuning is NOT a good tuner and I would question their judgement and abilities.

 

With the right set of bolt-ons, it's not very hard to make 400-440bhp on pump gas. And this with the complete absense of knock. Whatever little knock you may get during regular street driving is going to turn into a A LOT of knock if you were ever to run your car hard in the heat or at a track day. Be carefull....

Shiv