Low profile k-tuner setup

any have pics of low profile k-tuner setup. I am considering getting a tuner but don’t want to be obvious that it’s Tuned. Also couple other questions.
1. Is reflashing ecu back to stock a simple process or time consuming?

2. I know si runs at 19 psi so can I run my cvt and 19 and be ok? I think someone said si rods are stronger?

3. Should I even bother if I’m worried about warranty or engine failure?

When you say low profile setup, I'm assuming that you don't know that the Ktuner unit doesn't need to be plugged in after tuning. I only hook it up to change tunes or datalog.

Returning to the stock tune is similar to uploading any other tune.

All the Ktuner base tunes are very conservative but if you're main concern is warranty than you may want to hold off on a tune. There's always some small amount of risk when you're adding this much power, but to me, it's worth the risk/reward.

gtman said:

When you say low profile setup, I'm assuming that you don't know that the Ktuner unit doesn't need to be plugged in after tuning. I only hook it up to change tunes or datalog.

Returning to the stock tune is similar to uploading any other tune.

All the Ktuner base tunes are very conservative but if you're main concern is warranty than you may want to hold off on a tune.

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So it’s generally just for people that don’t care if their car trashes itself? I noticed a lot of tuners have 3 or 4 cars lol. But I want that performance increase lol.

That's not what I'm saying. I certainly care about reliability. But, if you're overly worried that something might happen, don't tune. Ktuner and Hondata for that matter offer no guarantees.

My Civic is my daily driver. It's tuned with Ktuner and I have a CVT. I love it and I'm confident the base tunes are basically safe..

agreed, leaving it unplugged is the best low-key method, but for those of us with the v2, is there any way to turn off k-tuner screen off, and hide in glovebox or something, and still get the tunerview app on headunit to work.?

The unit would be running if plugged in.

Other than the flashes and a data log to verify the car took to the flash ok... I never, ever have my tuner plugged in. That's why I had them make me a version of the TSP Stage 1 with the hot map as stage 1. I didn't ever want to have to do anything to select it... even with as easy as it is to do the OTF switching... and I didn't want to leave anything plugged in to remember my last selection. Not even a consideration if you're just running the base maps or some single map.

Any yeah... if you're going to have a lot of anxiety about flashing with regards to your warranty... I'd pass on it. The worry will wreck your enjoyment. I was pretty fearless on base maps… heck, I even modified the base maps with regard to their ignition timing and boost a little... but I made the most minimal changes I could regarding timing and ran a datalog after doing so... and that after doing a whole lot of reading far beyond what this forum had available (and it has a decent amount). There's getting to be a bit of history and a small pile of dead tuned Civics. Some from some excessive custom tuning... a couple from using 2 step (I think these were between the basemaps and on TSP Stage 1)... some from over zealous folks modifying their own base maps. Folks... chime in if I'm wrong... but I don't recall any claim of a failed engine from a basemap user just driving the car.

Anyways… "low key" is flashing a basemap and unplugging the unit, tossing it a drawer in your house... forgetting about it... and driving the car like it's any other stock Civic... only with less rev hang, quicker spool, a bit quicker opening throttle for your pedal position and higher boost targets for more power.

charleswrivers said:

Other than the flashes and a data log to verify the car took to the flash ok... I never, ever have my tuner plugged in. That's why I had them make me a version of the TSP Stage 1 with the hot map as stage 1. I didn't ever want to have to do anything to select it... even with as easy as it is to do the OTF switching... and I didn't want to leave anything plugged in to remember my last selection. Not even a consideration if you're just running the base maps or some single map.

Any yeah... if you're going to have a lot of anxiety about flashing with regards to your warranty... I'd pass on it. The worry will wreck your enjoyment. I was pretty fearless on base maps… heck, I even modified the base maps with regard to their ignition timing and boost a little... but I made the most minimal changes I could regarding timing and ran a datalog after doing so... and that after doing a whole lot of reading far beyond what this forum had available (and it has a decent amount). There's getting to be a bit of history and a small pile of dead tuned Civics. Some from some excessive custom tuning... a couple from using 2 step (I think these were between the basemaps and on TSP Stage 1)... some from over zealous folks modifying their own base maps. Folks... chime in if I'm wrong... but I don't recall any claim of a failed engine from a basemap user just driving the car.

Anyways… "low key" is flashing a basemap and unplugging the unit, tossing it a drawer in your house... forgetting about it... and driving the car like it's any other stock Civic... only with less rev hang, quicker spool, a bit quicker opening throttle for your pedal position and higher boost targets for more power.

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i am considering KTuner and this is very informative as to the information i wanted to know.. thank you... anyways, do you think that the TSP stage 1 tune is more than your Minimal modifications on the base maps.. "I even modified the base maps with regard to their ignition timing and boost a little... but I made the most minimal changes I could regarding timing".. 2stageperformance is including the stage 1 tune with a purchase of ktuner. I've also heard of people replacing their clutch few months after installing the Ktuner. thanks in advance for any info. appreciate it!!!

pnoypride81 said:

i am considering KTuner and this is very informative as to the information i wanted to know.. thank you... anyways, do you think that the TSP stage 1 tune is more than your Minimal modifications on the base maps.. "I even modified the base maps with regard to their ignition timing and boost a little... but I made the most minimal changes I could regarding timing".. 2stageperformance is including the stage 1 tune with a purchase of ktuner. I've also heard of people replacing their clutch few months after installing the Ktuner. thanks in advance for any info. appreciate it!!!

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Oh yes. TSP stage 1 had noticably greater acceleration in instances were you were already at speed and using the upper RPM range. "Passing power" I guess you could say... Running, say 3rd to it's top (a smidge over 80) when at highway speeds. And this matches up with the Dyno differences.

As to clutches... all I can say for me is my clutch has been fine. I will drive the car aggressively but don't try to accelerate in the higher gears at low RPM. I went to a basemap the very beginning of 2018... running 23# basemap or some variant most of the time and have been on TSP stage 1 for... I don't know, 8 months now maybe? 10k miles over that time?

I can't say your clutch will be fine... but I wouldn't assume it's not going to automatically and preemptively replace it. Clutches that aren't slipping don't wear excessively, glaze and become unusable. Because mine isn't slipping at all... there's nothing saying it can't still last for years. I'd say it's a little bit of break-in... mostly about present driving style... and maybe a little luck.

I'm about to crack 15k miles tuned with tsp stage 1. Best upgrade I've done to my car was ktuner.

pnoypride81 said:

I've also heard of people replacing their clutch few months after installing the Ktuner. thanks in advance for any info. appreciate it!!!

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I've had my K Tuner installed for about 2 weeks now and run the Stage 2 base map 21 PSI. I don't have any other performance mods just yet and this is my daily driver so I don't drive very aggressively, but there are no issues with the stock clutch yet on the Sport Hatch. As time and money permit, I'll be adding the CAI, front pipe, down pipe, and exhaust, and I'll be monitoring the need for a clutch, but I'm not anticipating buying one at the moment. I don't race, auto cross, or whomp on the gas pedal much, but I really enjoy the throttle response and extra power from K Tuner. The fun factor in driving just went way up.

When I leave my house, I've got a little bit of traffic, stop signs, and stop lights, then it's highway for about 15 miles cruising at 70 mph, and then it's city driving for another 5 miles to work. I've learned to select the Economy mode once I get up to speed on the highway, then select sport mode in traffic. I'm averaging about 35 mpg on 93 octane, whereas I was down to about 30 or 31 if I left it in sport mode all the time.

Get the K Tuner, have fun while driving.