before you flame me, yes i have searched. There is so much damn misinformation. So many different programs, so many different tools, it is honestly a bit overwhelming. I need help.

From what i gather, there are 4 separate programs/mods you have to buy in order to tune...

1) Program/device to flash a map onto an ECU
2) Seperate Program & extra mods needed in order to log the data you need to tune
3) Seperate program & a laptop to read the data and turn it into a power curve (taken care of by a dyno computer in the case of a pro tune)
4) Seperate program & a laptop to make changes to data tables obtained in 2
(taken care of by a dyno computer in the case of a pro tune)



I'll start by going into questions and Issues with each of the 4 above

1) Program/device to flash a map onto an ECU

1. So there is cobb AP, ECUTEK, and atleast a handfull of other options. Each locks your ECU to that device. None are comprehensive, and some require a laptop. If you buy an evo that is locked, you're ****ed. Time to buy a new ECU.
2. Cobb AP - great idea, terrible execution. I don't wanna pay for a device that's more expensive than a tablet only to use it once or twice.
3. I'm not a ****ing programmer. I don't want to deal with open source stuff i have no idea how to use.
4. I want to be able to switch maps easily on the fly. No, i don't want to forfeit my cruise control button as some open source programs allow. I want a separate switch for this.

2) Seperate Program & extra mods needed in order to log the data you need to tune

1. I have found zero information on the exact type of data you can log without adding sensors/guages (lots of stuff for evo 8&9 but X stuff is sparse). Exactly which parameters can you measure in stock configuration? Some parameters important to me - Intake air temp, Pre IC air temp, Manifold Air Pressure, knock, AFR
2. What sensors do i need to add in order to log enough data to tune properly? I'm assuming a wideband o2 sensor. Also, whats the deal with all these o2 sensor deletes?? Some people require a legal emission car.....
3. Again, there are so many damn programs out there that can log data. Which one should i choose and why???? Evo scan seems to be the most popular, and since it can load onto a tablet, it makes turning your radio into a tablet a very attractive option (think GTR guage capabilities).

3) Seperate program & a laptop to read the data and turn it into a power curve (taken care of by a dyno computer in the case of a pro tune)

1. Thinking of Virtual Dyno here. Can any other programs do this? The less programs i have to download and maintain the better. I think its bull**** i have to have 3-4 different mods/programs just to tune a car. Makes a megasquirt sound incredibly attractive considering it costs almost the same as a cobb AP and is way more capable......

4) Seperate program & a laptop to make changes to data tables obtained in 2

1. Again, the less programs i need the better, but i don't want to sacrifice functionality and user friendliness. There are so many damn programs it seems to serve this function it isn't funny. Which should i choose, and why? Keep in mind, i have no interest in open source bull**** i need linux in order to upload or open.

As you can see, i need a complete comprehensive solution to tuning. If there is one, it isn't easy enough to find. The idea of replacing the radio with a Tablet is incredibly attractive if you can use it to log, flash ecu, load maps on the fly, play music, display a custom guage layout, & upload/download maps via USB.

Also, i want to create some sort of alarm in conjunction with a kock sensor. Where it plays a noise & flashes your guage different colors when it senses 'X' counts of knock.

I'm tired of digging through 30 pages in a thread just to come up empty handed or only find 1 or 2 bits of useful information. So for the sake of this thread and others who may stumble upon it, please keep the posts to a minimum unless you can significantly contribute.

 

it really comes down to that:

A) You pay, go to a tuner and do not think: ecutek, Cobb

B) You do not pay but you need a brain and time: ecuflash, evoscan, VirtualDyno

Mart

 

Is there any way i can consolidate any of those? Has anyone tried to turn their carputer or tablet into a tuning/flashing device?

 

Whats the benefit of ECUTEK, the FQ300, 330, 360, 400s all are tuned on ECUTEK, why?

 

FQ are uk based. Ecutek is uk based.

same result can be achieved with Opensource, Cobb or any other solution using the stock ECU.


Mart

 

My notes in bold:

If you are tired of it, then just give up and pay someone to do your tune. It really isn't that hard to do a basic tune, but you seem completely unwilling to learn and expand your knowledge. If you were experienced enough to tune yourself, you wouldn't be asking these questions.

That said, I encourage you to learn, grow, and understand your vehicle. Those who just fork over money might not know what they are getting themselves into.

 

Either way you go (Pay tuner / Tune yourself) get some dyno time so you can safely measure your progress. Don't be one of the guys drag racing down some back road for the seat-of-the-pant-o-meter.

 

Haha, the easy way to tune your evo..? There's only way to tune yourself and it involves lots of studying. Only other route is to pay to play, a tuner that is.

If you take a good month or 2 studying Merlins guide to tuning a evo x while cross referencing all cobbs tuning guides you will figure it out. "ALL" not just the evo ones. There good info in all of the guides, some are just more in depth than others. There is tons of other good info online. Read, read, read, then read some more

Good luck