Hey guys! I'm thinking about getting a Tractrix Openport 2.0 soon and wanted you guys input on it. Then Openport seems more versatile compared to the Cobb AP. I relatively new to modifying cars and have never tuned any car before. I've been checking out EcuFlash and it doesn't seem that hard to use. I'm guessing there are maps on the forums I can use that are similar to Cobb's prebuilt 'Stage' maps?

At the moment I only have an ETS SRI and Perrin CBE. I know I won't be getting that much gains from tuning but I for now mainly wanted to have my car run more efficiently, and use less gas (sitting at about 11mpg now )

Will there be a big difference from bringing it in to a pro tune shop compared to figuring it out myself? A pro tune will run about $4-500 more, right? Should I just wait till I get more stuff before bringing it to a tuner?

Let me know what you guys think! Thanks!!

 

This thread makes me laugh, no offense. I'll keep it simple, just get a pro tune.

 

Is there a specific reason why?

 

Cause they're a professional, it's their job, and they do it everyday.

 

I thnk what he is saying is there is a lot more variables then just makeing it run more lean. There is boost, AFR, Timeing, IDC and not to mention making it work well with Mivec.

 

If you want to learn how to tune, have a budget to replace your engine and pay a professional to tune it if you blow it up.

 

There is a reason the factory car runs so rich ( engine preservation) so I suggest you download Merlins EVO tuning guide and do some serious reading. You also need a wideband and setup the tactrix to data log. Make logs, analyse the data then make small changes. Like most are saying if you have no experience tread lightly as it's very easy to blow an engine if it's slightly out of tune. Good luck.

 

You need years of practice and almost an apprenticeship to do this ****. You'll blow your crap up so just get a protune.

 

Thanks for the input. I've been lurking the forums and it seemed like it wasn't that hard to learn how to basic tune as long as you have a Cobb AP/Tactrix and a wideband. Tuning intrigues me and seems like an interesting thing to learn. Do you know any good tuning shops near Norcal?

I see. I'll definitely read up on the subject before touching the ECU. Thanks!

Quick question - I see people on here buy brand new crate engines straight from Mitsu. Is that something you can just waltz into the parts department and order? How much does a new engine run? Just wondering

Thank you! Super helpful advice. I've been checking out some guides and so far it doesn't seem that daunting of a task but people are making me rethink that. I'll definitely read the guide and see where to go from there. Thanks again!!

Hmm I see. It just seemed like everyone is getting a Cobb AP or Tactrix Openport and figuring this **** out themselves so I figured I might give it a shot

 

Being a personal turner is def. doable if you have the discipline to learn everything.I'm in the process of reading, reviewing and understanding all the key tuning components and I told myself that prior to buying anything more then a drop in filter, I would need to know every aspect and how they work.
It's a motivator to learn before spending mass amounts of money for parts and other fixing components that could be costly in the future.

I would start with reading the ecu flash tuning guide and becoming a master at the whole process and understanding all the components before moving forward with messing with your ecu.

http://evoscan.com/ecuflash/Merlins%...ersion%20K.pdf

Keep in mind no one tune is for every car! I live in ~50 degree weather with a standard drop in filter tune. If you live in LA where its always 70 + degrees with the same parts and tune as me, the tune can differ A LOT!!

Best of luck!

 

If you're in NorCal hit up Cobb Tuning Surgeline

 

Thanks! I'll throw that book on my laptop to read when I'm bored. I'll look for this weird "OBD" port on my car tomorrow

All jokes aside, have you tuned your Evo?

Thanks for the recommendation! I'm in the Bay Area so Oregon is a bit of a drive for me. I'll keep them in mind! So presumably I would buy a Cobb AP3 to have them do a custom tune? Would they lock this tune?

 

I'm laughing at your laughter. Tuning is the easiest part of working on a car. I had zero tuning experience prior to owning my evo and only tinker in a purely novice capicity, but even at that pace it was a simple learning curve.

For the OP, this forum is an amazing resource. Virtually any question you could run into has already been asked and answered. Start reading the ecuflash forum, get a good understanding of the tuning process, log your car, pick one table to make slight changes to, log the results. If they're positive changes you're moving in the right direction. Learn more about how the tables interact with each other as you go and always remember to save your backup rom so you can go back to a known good tune if you stray too far.

 

I'd also suggest checking out this video series which focuses on tuning an Evo using our EcuFlash software.


If you want to send me an email to support at tactrix dot com, I can send you a ROM image appropriate for your year/model so you can open it up in EcuFlash to check it out even without an Openport. You can download EcuFlash from our site.

-Mike
Tactrix

 

This is what I was hoping to hear! Thanks for the encouragement!

Thanks Mike. I actually watched the first few parts of this series. I believe he owns an Evo 9 though. I don't suppose that makes a difference?