Im is a debate between buying the UTEC or getting a dynoflash can anyone help me choose between them Ive never tuned an ECU before and I dont know anyone who does I live on long island and to tell you the honest true Im NOT worry on the money factor just whats better over all
current mods:
UR turbo back 3" exhaust w/ high flow cat
cone filter
B&M shortshift
HKS grounding kit
HKS turbo timer
cusco oil catch can
warlbo fuel w/ ECU upgrade
Thanks
Adam

 

Coincidentally I'm also on Long Island.. the Dynoflash is a great option if you aren't going to make changes frequently, or are unsure or unable to tune a car yourself. The Utec's main advantage is its "Tweakability"

There's really nothing wrong with doing both, getting a tune for what your already running by Dynoflash, and also installing a UTEC to refine/alter settings after you make additional changes and boost control.

These products really do cater to two different ideas of "tuning" the Dyoflash is the tune once and leave it alone type of deal.. (though you certainly can reflash any time you make changes)

The UTEC is a great product, but If you don't have alot of experience tuning, it can bite you.. I actually have very similar mods currently on my car (alot of additional stuff to come) but I'm making changes almost twice a week, so I needed something tunable and OBD-II Compliant in order to be legal for inspections..

I see you already upgraded your fuel pump and say 'ECU Upgrade' can I assume its a "through the mail flash?"

Al's a good guy, and knows how to tune a factory ECU, so you'll certainly be happy with any option you choose. I can't help you make your decision, I can only say that if you are planning on frequently upgrading parts.. or you like playing with things.. or even the extensive data logging available to the Utec.. Then its the right choice for you. If your not sure, then get the flash and add the UTEC later.. If your certain you won't be changing things more than once or twice a year.. then get a custom tuned Dynoflash...

Oh, and I finally found an AWD Dyno on LI thanks to another member Fury656.. so if you can afford their rates, you can invite Al down to do a custom tune for ya, or ask someone who knows how to tune the UTEC to give you a hand on the dyno.

 

Thanks Jack I appreicate the input I have been following your thread on the blowthrough MAF
which I will get soon MY CAR IS MY LIFE!! So the thing is Prob. once a month Ill be doing something

Adam over @ Z1 spoke highly of you and Al so Im prob going to do both like you said
money is no issue when it comes to my baby
again thanks
oohhhh.... BTW do you per chance know where I can get a 4G63 motor/or block looking for one going to build 2nd drivetrain over the winter

 

I wish.. I'm going to be building a 2.3 engine with a stage 4 or better head over the winter.. there's a few wrecked Evo's in the salvage yards already.. and very few people besides ourselves can use those engines so unless its someone building one up.. its unlikely the engines will disappear. I'll keep an eye open since purchasing multiple engines may offer us a better deal..

 

My 2 cents,

I was scared *hitless when I first decided to go with the utec (watta u mean there aint distributor cap in thar Because I had no experience with EFI tuning. But after spending a few hours on this board I started feeling alot more comfortable. There are some great people here and they give GREAT advice, Hell they answered all of my dumbass questions!!!!

also most good "tuners" can "tune" with any of the great stand alone or piggyback systems out there. They all do pretty much the same thing, and once the "tuner" understands the nuances of the utec and your evo its a snap. I say it this way because once you feel a comfort level that your not going to blow your engine up you can tune your self.

Good luck, and I do here great things about dynoflash, I just love the instant gratification of tweeking with the utec.

 

A piggyback will offer better resolution than a reflash on our stock ECU, and even if you can't tune it yourself, there are several shops that can. You can really zero your car perfectly into your mods with a piggyback and a custom tune. A mail in reflash has to have a greater margin of safety, and obviously can't be quite as dialed in because of that.

 

I'm somewhat trying to decide the same thing. I'm very familiar with DIY EFI engine management and have reflashing and datalogging software for my other car. My concern with the Evo is how to know how to set timing without detonation. Is the factory knock sensor reliable for dialing in timing? I use it on my other car, but it's NA so the risk of blowing a piston is much less. I do have a wideband already so I'm covered on fuel maps. I'm also unsure of all of the differences between the UTEC, XEDE, Power FC, etc. Why did you folks pick the UTEC over those others?

 

Adam....if you are going to build on your *project* get the UTEC. Or if you are really serious get a full stand alone. Like Jack said, dynoflash is for people who wants a one time tune, more like set it and 4get it.

 

Ok, so tell me this, what advantages/disadvantages am I going to run into with the utec, and the dynoflash? On the old wrx utec a lot of people would do the ecutek reflash along with the utec when running larger than 700cc injectors so they didn't have to offset the fuel map so much. With the sti however that isn't necessary. I'm really new to the 4g63, i'll have my car on friday, and the utec will follow shortly. The car already has a dyno flash, so I wonder what it will entail.......................

 

You can run both.. In fact its a pretty nice deal to run both.. get a baseline flash and then tune with the UTEC.. It really shines if you have an upgraded pump and injectors since the UTEC's scaling is effective only when the UTEC is enabled.. whathappens if you need to remove it?

BUT, I would stay away from a radical tune on a flash, I would do a basic flash for your mods, and then tune fully with the UTEC..

 

Nice to see an informative, balanced post for a change... coming from the perspective of a aem ems, you make an eloquent arguement for something between a flash and a standalone. One isn't better so much as getting the appropiate fuel management for the mods are doing .

Good luck!

 

My attitude towards tuning and modifying cars in general (when done correctly and not carelessly) is there is no real wrong way to modify your car.. You need to balance your needs for your ultimate goals.. In reality big dyno numbers or super fast drag times may not make for a fun car to drive. Also, every modification ultimately comes with compromises that someone is either willing or unwilling to make. The constant debate on what product is better just isn't valid, everything has its place, and even similar products have their place, such as proximity of the tuner, flexibility of the product or even personal preference.

Don't get me wrong, there are bad products on the market, but when you start comparing reputable and tested products, it really ends up being a personal preference, or a decision based on your needs. I really think as a performance community, people need to put their egos aside and contribute knowledge and positive information.

One thing I'm really tired of is the secretive attitude that is out there about HOW to make the power.. I realize there's trade secrets, but tuning is meant to be shared, not hoarded..

 

preach on!

 

I'll once again agree with Jack. The difference depends on what you plan on doing as a whole. If you are done modding then a dynoflash will probably be good enough, but if you plan to keep adding parts then the utec would be the way to go. The utec gives you the flexibility to change your tuning as is needed. BTW I am now up to 296 whp after adding the front mount.