Ruskee
Senior Member
- Thread starter
- #1
So I finally got the FlashPro for my 2016 EX-T sedan. First off, I would like to say I only got it because I will be able to re-use it on an Si (which I plan to trade in for in a couple years). I had some concerns about how this tune would perform on a CVT EX-T, and as it turns out those concerns proved fairly accurate.
Weather: when it's hot outside, the car feels pretty much just as slow as it always did when it was hot outside. The tune can't do anything about this. If anything, the extra boost is probably creating even more heat. The Si comes with a better intercooler and intake, which should help with this issue.
CVT: this is the really big issue for me. Yes, response is (usually) better with the tune, but it's still far from perfect. Every once in a while, I will floor it, and the rpms will go up slowly, hesitate, and only then the car will start to pull hard. I must say this is rather frustrating, as it pretty much ruins that whole feeling of being pushed back in your seat when accelerating. It does go fast eventually, but that weird delay is such a buzz kill.
Another CVT issue: it gets very hot under extended periods of aggressive driving. I've taken my car on quite a few canyon runs (both before and after getting the tune). Even before the tune, you could hear the CVT whine louder towards the end of a spirited drive. Now it only takes a few minutes for the transmission to start whining in the canyons. At the end of a hard run, I can actually feel the heat coming off it inside the car, and giving it some gas immediately causes a fairly loud whine. These transmissions just weren't designed for performance driving. Of course, this won't be an issue on the Si because manual.
Handling: with how much faster I can approach/exit corners now, the floaty suspension and shitty all-season tires really make themselves known. Again, the Si will take care of this.
Overall, if this tune was just for my current car, I would be slightly disappointed. When it works, it works great, and the car definitely feels much faster. But that's only when the conditions are optimal. I don't always get the performance I expect when I give it throttle, and that inconsistency is a pretty big let down. I know just how fast the car can feel when everything goes right and it rockets away, so not being able to reach that full potential every time can be frustrating.
Just to be clear, I am not criticizing Hondata. It is just a software reflash after all, and there's only so much it can do within the physical limits of the car.
I think the tune will be much more effective and consistent on the Si, thanks to better cooling, airflow, and no CVT to worry about.
As for now, it's fun to play around with, but if you have a CVT Civic and are considering tuning it, be realistic and don't expect it to transform into a performance car, because there's only so much a software reflash can do on what is otherwise an economy commuter car. If you're just looking for a bit more passing power on your daily commute, it's good for that.
Oh and by the way, a 2013 GTI with a stage 1 tune is still faster, but you will be faster than a stock 2005 WRX. In case anyone wanted some reference to other cars.
Weather: when it's hot outside, the car feels pretty much just as slow as it always did when it was hot outside. The tune can't do anything about this. If anything, the extra boost is probably creating even more heat. The Si comes with a better intercooler and intake, which should help with this issue.
CVT: this is the really big issue for me. Yes, response is (usually) better with the tune, but it's still far from perfect. Every once in a while, I will floor it, and the rpms will go up slowly, hesitate, and only then the car will start to pull hard. I must say this is rather frustrating, as it pretty much ruins that whole feeling of being pushed back in your seat when accelerating. It does go fast eventually, but that weird delay is such a buzz kill.
Another CVT issue: it gets very hot under extended periods of aggressive driving. I've taken my car on quite a few canyon runs (both before and after getting the tune). Even before the tune, you could hear the CVT whine louder towards the end of a spirited drive. Now it only takes a few minutes for the transmission to start whining in the canyons. At the end of a hard run, I can actually feel the heat coming off it inside the car, and giving it some gas immediately causes a fairly loud whine. These transmissions just weren't designed for performance driving. Of course, this won't be an issue on the Si because manual.
Handling: with how much faster I can approach/exit corners now, the floaty suspension and shitty all-season tires really make themselves known. Again, the Si will take care of this.
Overall, if this tune was just for my current car, I would be slightly disappointed. When it works, it works great, and the car definitely feels much faster. But that's only when the conditions are optimal. I don't always get the performance I expect when I give it throttle, and that inconsistency is a pretty big let down. I know just how fast the car can feel when everything goes right and it rockets away, so not being able to reach that full potential every time can be frustrating.
Just to be clear, I am not criticizing Hondata. It is just a software reflash after all, and there's only so much it can do within the physical limits of the car.
I think the tune will be much more effective and consistent on the Si, thanks to better cooling, airflow, and no CVT to worry about.
As for now, it's fun to play around with, but if you have a CVT Civic and are considering tuning it, be realistic and don't expect it to transform into a performance car, because there's only so much a software reflash can do on what is otherwise an economy commuter car. If you're just looking for a bit more passing power on your daily commute, it's good for that.
Oh and by the way, a 2013 GTI with a stage 1 tune is still faster, but you will be faster than a stock 2005 WRX. In case anyone wanted some reference to other cars.
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