Up until recently, I was pretty set on getting a UTEC for my EVO. Then I started thinking back about how things were back when I had DSMLink on my 2g. I found myself constantly tinkering with it and never felt like it was optimized. I had to invest a lot of time into it and the results weren't too pleasing. I think I've reached the point where I just want to get my ECU flashed and be done with it. So now I am seriously considering getting the P2 flash.

I've weighed out the pros and cons of each here:

Pros:
- WORKS has done all the homework on figuring out optimal, safe, and robust tune
- Don't need to buy a wideband to tune
- Don't need to get an EGT gauge (although it might be a good idea to get one to be safe)
- Don't need to do speed on the street to tune my car and risk getting tickets or getting my car impounded
- Don't need to go to the dyno to tune
- Don't need to go to the track to tune
- Don't need to check my tune whenever the weather changes to make sure it's safe
- once it's flashed, it's done and ready
- it's significantly cheaper than a UTEC
- looks OEM

Cons:
- need to have blind faith that flash will not knock and destroy my motor
- Lack of adjustability
- lack of datalogging capability
- might have to reflash after adding more mods
- every car is different and the flash might not be optimal for my car

The one feature that I would like the flash to have is some sort of warning light in the event of severe knocking. DSMLink had this feature where it would flash the CEL if the ECU retarded timing more than a user defined value. I set the warning to come on if the ECU retarded timing more than 3 degrees due to knock. This would definitely eliminate the need for an EGT gauge. Can this be done w/ a flash?

 

You bring up some excellent points! WORKS has definitely done (and continues to do) its homework. We engineer all of our Brain Flash software to keep all the OEM safety features (knock detection, timing retardation, fuel cut, etc...) in place to assure you that nothing is comprimised when it comes to engine safety and reliability. The DSMLink features do come in handy and we may look into something similar. Stay tuned!

 

Dude - clearly I'm biased but I dont know of anyone who has been dissappointed with the P2 flash. I doubt that anyone out there has put as much R&D into their products as Works.

Good luck!

 

dyuyeno...Hey just curious have you dyno'd your car? If so how much power did you make. I am in the same boat as marksae, I have been looking into different engine management and have decided that I should go with the P2. I am going to add the 269 cams and Aperture as well, but im curious what hp # your making. Basically adding the P2, Aperture and Cams would give me the equivalent of the WORKS TR340 so I could assume 340 hp?

 

Just remember if you get the P2 now, it doesn't mean it will get out dated in the future. Works is always tinkering with the flash to meet the demands of future mods. it's evolving constantly. Such as if you want more boost and have the safety features like ARP head studs, P2 can raise the boost above stock.
And I only know the surface of the P2 and it's capabilities. Maybe Works will give me more in-depth info on the P2.

 

I haven't dyno'd the car. Haven't gotten around to it. Works does quote the 340hp number at the flywheel on their website for the TR340. Their estimates seem to be pretty conservative. I've seen others with the 340 package saying 290 at the wheels. (there's a dyno graph on the boards somewhere)

I've been pretty pleased with the P2 flash and my other mods. dont think you'll be dissappointed. Keep in mind that Works is trying to create more power, w/o loss in driveability, and lots of area under the curve, not high peak numbers, so I dont think that their dyno graphs/numbers will look as pretty as some other tuners'.

The only downside to the P2 (imho) is that it is a reflash, and designed to work with their parts. It kinda locks you into their upgrade path. What if I wanted to add a larger intercooler? (Works doesn't have one, at least not that I know of), do they have a flash for that? - I dont think so . At one point I was so tired of waiting for my 269 cams, I almost went with HKS cams. What held me back was knowing that the P2 flash was designed for the Works 269 cams, not the HKS cams, and not knowing how the P2 flash would work with the HKS cams. Just food for thought.

 

I've seen customers with a bigger FMIC get a P2 and not have any problems.. except for hitting 25pounds of peak boost and then hitting fuel cut. A quick reflash that lessened the boost and all was well. Point is that just because WORKS does not have a flash for your particular mods does not mean they cannot put something custom together or address your situation.

 

I've heard of people with the P2 and HKS cams getting the 'cam reflash' from works. I'm sure it wasn't optimal, but maybe better for some than investing in a piggy-back or stand-alone. I'm doubting this is a recommended approach, but just something I read once.

 

Yes, this is an option, but not our prefered approach. WORKS puts a number of R&D hours into each flash that is specified for our product lineup. This doesn't necessarily force you into only buying our product (although we don't mind ), but it does allow us to fully enhance what we have to offer to our customers. In an ideal setting, we could have an upgraded flash for every part out on the market, but the hours involved in doing so would be rediculous. To keep our engineers sane, we are strictly working with our product line and making them the absolute best they can be. If you happen to stray from the WORKS lineup, we're still here to work with you and provide you with what's best for your EVO

 

I have an HKS downpipe, stock cat, and hi-power cat-back. I also have a JDM MR BOV. So the boost control solenoid duty cycle might differ from what you use on cars w/ the stock BOV. Do you guys have a flash specifically for this combo? I wouldn't mind working w/ you guys to develop a map for this in my car.

 

Throw in an Aperture and you'd be about the same point as the WORKS TR303 with the flash all ready to go

 

If I were to get a flash and upgrade parts later, how many successive reflashes am I entitled to before I get charged?

 

I believe if you buy a WORKS part, the price of the reflash is included. For example, if you buy a DP from WORKS, they will reflash your ECU for you because it is included into the price of the DP.

 

You can test drive my car at the next norcal meet, or we can meet up if you want to try it out before you buy.

 

WORKS does not limit the reflashes you are entitled to. They are typically only "necessary" for a few items such as the Aperture, 269 Cams, Water Injection, etc...