I'm thinking of going with UTEC, but am in need of someone whom really knows what they're doing and can answer my questions. Any recommended shops or tuners in Colorado??

 

I could probably help you out if you wanted. If you really want a shop or tuner, I would suggest either TC Performance or MAC Auto.

 

I have heard about MAC, but where is this TC Performance??

 

TC's Performance Inc.
5415 W. 59th Ave. G-Unit
Arvada, CO. 80003
720-974-0888
e-mail: tobi@tcperf.com
Website: www.tcperf.com
Monday - Thursday 9am to 6pm
Friday and Saturday by appointment only
Closed Sunday.

 

If I can't get my maps figured out, I plan on going up to 9 sec in Broomfield and talking to them.

If you want to talk about the issues that you are having with it, fell free to pm me - I'd be happy to tell/show you anything that I know about it - etc...

 

The point of getting a UTEC is not to then go pay someone to tune it. The point is that you have your OWN tuning device with which you can set it however you want on multiple maps. That's a lot of money to spend on a tuning device that you don't even tune yourself. Might as well do a flash if you won't tune yourself. It would cost 1/3rd the price with more features, but if you want to tune yourself, then get a wideband o2, a datalogger, and then prepare to learn how to use it yourself.

If you choose not to do UTEC, then let me know, and I can help you with getting flashed.

 

Please leave this forum clayton. Dont talk about something you have no idea about. Go help your sponsors in another forum....

Might as well tell everyone who buys an AEM EMS to tune it themselves too cuz they spent way to much money for something that someone else has to tune.

**** it everyone go out and buy techtom and start flashing your own ECU's... Why pay someone to flash your ecu????

 

No to start up **** here, but there are merits to using it both ways.

A pofessional tuner has more flexibility on an "on going basis" if they choose to tune with it (or, are asked to tune with it by the owner) ... than alot of the other approaches.

The XEDE (now) has a similar approach - (They can tune it or You can tune it) When I had my XEDE there was far less support than there is now for the do it yourself-er , it was possible, but not really promoted. I swithced to the UTEC for the very reasons Clay brought up, but that wouldn't stop me from having a "Tuner" (that might be able to get a better tune out of the car), create some maps of their own on it - there's room for 5 map sets - so I could even learn by comparing things.

True, the idea of the UTEC is "User Tunable Engine Computer" but not everyone has to learn to use it, to benefit from it. I know flashes are popular and are less cumbersome, but even if I have someone tune it because I can't, or just can't get the best maps together, I'm minutes, not days, from returning it to stock (as far as the ECU goes).

The UTEC forum has many posts about the benefits and pitfalls of the UTEC, so I won't stray off too far on that.

I will say that for those that don't have a lot of tuning experience and wisdom - (I fall in to that group) - TurboXS's documentation is not their strongest point. They presume that the end user knows a lot of technical stuff. The user is often left to themselves to figure out, or find out how to set things up properly.

 

You won't need a Tectom tool soon.. Flashing your own ECU is something I've been wanting to do for a long time..

I do somewhat agree with Warrtalon though, The UTEC (and any other self-tuning device) can be somewhat expensive for someone not interested in doing any of their own tuning.

HOWEVER, there is one thing that the UTEC does that very few other EM solutions can do, and that is switch between maps, and for some, that may already be worth the added expense of having it and paying someone to tune it.

I always felt that if a person has the nads to tear their car apart and install stuff, then they should also have the nads to follow it up by learning to tune and doing it themselves.. Only it is valid that if your really uncomfortable doing it, then paying someone to do it the first time does kinda make sense, but you have to take the time to learn from the experience.

The UTEC is not a set it and forget it tool, yes it can be used that way, but a majority of the enjoyment of having a tool like this is to be able to make adjustments for any changes you make, without having to spend a large sum of money several times.

A reflash is a great value if your getting it done once, maybe twice, but if you are reflashing for changes you make on a regular basis, then its just not cost effective to pay someone to do. Anyone considering this needs to take that into account and have a reasonable level of expectation and understand what they REALLY are going to do.

Its alot of fun to see people constantly upgrading and changing parts, then complaining when they don't run well because they refuse to spend the money for a retune, or worse, do damage..

I could go on with a huge "Cheap fanboy modder" rant, since I seem to see that alot now.. Why nickle and dime EVERY DAMN THING, then complain about something not working, not fitting right, or not complete.. Or worse yet, the damage getting done because of it.. More money spent once, is always a better and cheaper deal than less money spent several times over..

 

One more quick thought, If it weren't for MalibuJack and a few others who have been very helpful on the UTEC forum, I probably would have never purchased the UTEC and TunerPro. I know that my logic was a bit risky (at least at the time) but I learned as much if not more from Jack about stuff "after the initial set up" as I did from the manual to begin with.

That boy ought to be on their payroll ;-)

EDIT: BTW, I had no idea Jack was posting the above post when I was typing out this one - just further proof

 

If I may (and I can cause it's my thread), I'd like to respond to this. The point of getting a standalone, like the UTEC, is 1. to tune to a level that a flash CAN'T. 2. to be able to run multiple maps for differrent situations. 3. To be able to either tune yourself or have tuned with very little vehicle downtime. What I spend on tuning is MY perogative. I do thank you for the offer, however I find myself irrefutably having to pass it up.

BTW, a wideband and datalogging capabilities are mandatory without reguard of what tuning path one takes.

 

And for all whom are wondering, yes I bought a UTEC. For those of you who've kindly answered my questions, I thank you.

 

Awsome to hear. I personally think you made the right choice. This is the 2nd time Im running a UTEC in my car (speed density bug got me and i bought into it then down the line kinda dissapointed)

I really think this is the best unit (piggyback) out there and is worth every dollar spent, especially if you have to be OBD compliant.

I have learned so much over the last 2 years using this, I had a wrx beta tester teach me the unit and some of the tricks in using the utec.

What kind of wideband did you choose? If it isn't a TXS tuner there is a program out there that will let you use a LM-1, LC-1, AEM, and one other one I can't remeber the name off hand.

Once again welcome to the club.

 

tricks ? TRICKS ???? I WANNA KNOW THESE "TRICKS" !!!

please explain :-)

 

Any and all useful tricks are already posted in this forum..