My KTuner experience - an ongoing journal

gtman · May 9, 2019

Today's post is mostly for members who haven't tuned yet and are wondering why a KTuner car drives so differently. I'll be comparing the factory 16.1 psi tune and my KTuner starter "commuter tune" set at 16.5 psi with some additional tweaks. On paper, 16.1 versus 16.5 seems like a pretty even match. The reality is, it's totally different.

First let's look at the boost tables:

Honda Civic 10th gen My KTuner experience - an ongoing journal compare

Keep your eyes on those red circled areas. I've separated them as up to 2750 rpm and 3000 rpm and up. Up to about 1500 rpm, the boosts targets are identical. Then you start seeing a big difference. While the stock tune only has a boost target of 12psi at 2750 rpm, my Ktuner commuter tune is already at the 16.5 psi target. And it stays there. This gives you incredibly smooth power. The stock setup sees a gradual increase in boosts targets that finally hits 16.1 psi at 5500 rpm. The KTuner tune feels more like you're driving a small V6 versus a soda bottle sized turbo 4. And that's just the way boost is setup. Add improved throttle response, a quicker ramp to hit the boost target, earlier turbo spool and better part throttle turbo response and it becomes night and day.

It is absolutely amazing how different 16.5 psi feels with KTuner compared to the factory tune with similar peak boost claims. This is the tune Honda should have given us base turbo owners. Now, imagine this same smooth power delivery with a 21 psi boost target. That one truly rocks.

Also, because boost in the low rpm range is kept low-ish, MPG numbers are pretty much like stock when you take it easy.

If you haven't got your KTuner yet, today would be a good day to buy one.

Best power mod EVER.

-gtman

FR32H OJ · May 11, 2019

@gtman is tune 3 your current "balls to the wall" tune?

I'm looking to start playing with a racing/drag tune for an option 3.

I still like the duel default tune supplied by KTuner but looking for more in certain circumstances.

Still love this continuous thread, thanks for continuing to post!

gtman said:
My current setup (early spool: on):

Normal targets: 17 PSI / 19.5 PSI / 21.5 PSI
Eco targets: Factory / 16.5 PSI / 18 PSI

gtman · May 11, 2019

FR32H OJ,

The 21.5 PSI Tune 3 is the my current balls to the wall tune. I've gone higher in boost to like 23 PSI from 4,000 rpm to 5500 rpm, but it may be too much reliability- wise, so I backed it down.

As far as your idea of a racing/drag tune, the upcoming Advanced VSA should really help as far as racing off the line.

Thanks for the props on the thread. One of the main reasons I post here is for people to see how much better a tuned car runs, while still keeping economy close to stock. So many people say they're waiting til the warranty is up to tune. IMO, five years is a long time to wait to really enjoy driving your car.

gtman · May 13, 2019

The tale of two drives.

Yesterday, I was driving in beast mode for about 20 minutes. On empty back roads that were hilly and super curvy, I gave it all she had. That tune 3 of mine hauls ass. Had it in S the whole time and the power was nuts. It's amazing how quickly 35 mph turns into 80 mph. The roads were a bit wet and I could tell traction control was kicking in quite a bit. The final fuel economy number for the drive? 15.5 mpg. My all time low. But if you were in the car with me you'd understand why that number was so low. My passenger was thoroughly impressed with the car's performance.

Today, driving home from work, in the rain, with traffic, I got 39.8 mpg on my "commuter" tune 1.

A Civic + a KTuner tune = a better and more fun Civic.

gtman · May 24, 2019

Still not convinced you need a tuner? Well, there was an event on the road today that clearly proved a car tuned with Ktuner (and properly set up for reduced lag) is a safer Civic.

This involved my car and a horribly driven senior citizen shuttle van. First, the van driver failed to yield the right of way and cut in front of me. Then it happened. We approached a light where the single lane expanded to two. One for a left turn. I put my signal on to go left. The van in front had no signal on but I anticipated he might veer left.

I decided to make my move to the left lane all the while wondering if he would cut in front. Just as I approached his bumper, he veered over, no signal. I could have either slammed on my brakes or trusted that my car had instant power to zoom by in time. And I did. She zoomed by like a rocket. Mind you, there was no margin for lag or error or I would have hit the center median.

I have so much more confidence in my car than when it was stock. Thank you KTuner! A car that can do 0-60 in 5.7 seconds and get 40 mpg? Fantastic is all I can say.

gtman · May 26, 2019

Add another car to the list of cars my tuned Civic is much faster than. The Acura RSX Type S. This one was lowered and appeared to have an aftermarket exhaust. Let's just say he had no chance.

I was just chiilin' at 65 mph on an empty highway this morning and he zoomed by at about 80+ mph. I decided to catch up to him. Once I did, he gunned it. I gave it a bit of throttle, caught up to him and then floored it. I surged passed him like he was standing still. I let off the gas and looked at my speedometer and was shocked how fast I was going.

This is where the on the fly tune switching really comes in handy. I was just cruising in low boost "commuter tune" mode. Then, with the press of a couple buttons I quickly powered up my boost and went into beast mode. Awesome feature.

gtman · May 27, 2019

That was fun/funny. A black Civic Sport hatch wanted to play this morning. I kept it in my 16.5 psi commuter tune to be "fair" then let him floor it. I caught up and passed him easily. I let him get close again and then pulled away with ease again. KTuner is so good. Wow this car is so much better than stock.

Cdupree87 · Jun 2, 2019

gtman said:
This post is for all those CVT owners on the fence about whether or not to get a tune. It's based on my nearly year and a half of running Hondata and Ktuner tunes on my 2017 EX-L.

First, let me get one thing out of the way. I like KTuner a bit more than Hondata. But, both are really good tuning solutions.

Why you should get a tune:
One word: Confidence!

I mostly loved my untuned car. What a great combo of looks, performance and economy. But I had one issue, and for me and where I drive, it was a big one. My area is congested with really aggressive, careless drivers. I need a car that goes when I need it to go. Sometimes simply to avoid an ahole in front of me doing an ahole move.

And that was my one huge gripe with the CVT/turbo combo. In an evasive maneuver, a split second counts. Untuned, there was a big delay at low speed when pressing the throttle until the car responded. S mode helped a bit but I hate using it in town cause the engine revs too high in city driving. I had a number of close calls due to this lag.

After a bunch of research, I bought a CARB Flashpro. It definitely boosted passing power but did little to improve throttle response and lag. After more research, KTuner seemed like my answer. And the second time was the charm with my tuning.

KTuner has so many driveability tweaks to try. Right now, after lots of trial and error, I have the combination of throttle response, turbo response and ramp that minimizes lag. It makes my driving not only more fun, but safer. And that's confidence inspiring.

But with a CVT, there are limits to how much you can (or should) push it beyond the base tunes. I've pushed my tunes as high as nearly 24 psi, and sure it felt awesome, but I always backed it down because I knew it was potentially too much. That Stage 2 or Starter 21psi tune is probably the sweet spot of excellent power and reliability with the CVT turbo.

Honestly, even running my 16.5 psi "commuter" tune feels so much better than stock even though the boost is on the low side. Those throttle and early spool tweaks make a huge difference.

Finally, fuel economy. If you put your foot into it, it sucks. But so did the factory tune. Cruising around though, it's pretty much as good as stock.

Hope this helps some of you on the tuning fence.

Hey, man. Thanks for sharing this. I bought the FlashPro CARB for my '18 Sport Touring like a year ago and didn't tune until just yesterday. Lol It's nearly impossible to find info about how it effects the cvt. I may eventually swap to a KTuner but it'll most likely be a while. So, I was wondering what all you did during set-up for the Hondata. I didn't tweak anything because right now I'm still learning about it. I just selected the "+6 with high octane" and uploaded it. I'm not complaining because it definitely made a difference that I'm very happy with, but is there anything else I can do with the settings to make anything better?

gtman · Jun 2, 2019

The problem with the CARB (same one I had) is limited adjustability. You can't tweak the throttle or ramp rate or turbo responsiveness like Ktuner. It's a nice bump in power over stock though. You may want to try "Hondata mode" which gives you stock type power when you press the Econ button. Sort of a dual tune.

If you want to read about my full experience and tweaks I did with Hondata, this is the thread you'll want to read:

https://www.civicx.com/threads/hondata-flashpro-6-psi-my-ongoing-review.21931/

gtman · Jun 3, 2019

51 mpg tuned! Holy crap.

My commute today in perfect 60 degrees temps and light traffic yielded me over 50 miles per gallon. That's nuts! Hybrid type numbers.

gtman · Jun 5, 2019

Did a long test loop with my latest 3 tune setup and I like it. It's 17/19.5/21.5 psi (with factory econ boost) and seems to be nearly perfect for my driving situation. I say nearly perfect because there's one aspect of the KTuner base tunes that I wish was a touch better...

Don't get me wrong. KTuner's base tunes are incredible overall. Power is super smooth, with a potent midrange. With additional user tweaks, driveability is great too. I just wish it had a bit more top end oomph. I dont think it's a lack of boost or the turbo being small, it's more of a fueling/timing thing maybe? 95% of the time it totally rocks though. I think the upcoming TSP CVT tune for the base 1.5 should be addressing the top end a bit.

KTuner rocks.

OceansX · Jun 6, 2019

Not sure what i should do now...i have prl dp fp greddy exhaust prl sri with race maf and a ktuner with the stage 2 map loaded....is my next step getting a custom tune for all these bolt ons?

grocerygetter · Jun 6, 2019

gtman said:
Did a long test loop with my latest 3 tune setup and I like it. It's 17/19.5/21.5 psi (with factory econ boost) and seems to be nearly perfect for my driving situation. I say nearly perfect because there's one aspect of the KTuner base tunes that I wish was a touch better...

Don't get me wrong. KTuner's base tunes are incredible overall. Power is super smooth, with a potent midrange. With additional user tweaks, driveability is great too. I just wish it had a bit more top end oomph. I dont think it's a lack of boost or the turbo being small, it's more of a fueling/timing thing maybe? 95% of the time it totally rocks though. I think the upcoming TSP CVT tune for the base 1.5 should be addressing the top end a bit.

KTuner rocks.

TSP is making a CVT tune?? Is there a post about this somewhere? I hope they make a flex fuel tune for the CVT also that would be sweet

gtman · Jun 7, 2019

They are beta testing it as we speak. There's a couple posts about it within the main TSP Si tune thread.

gtman · Jun 7, 2019

OceansX said:
Not sure what i should do now...i have prl dp fp greddy exhaust prl sri with race maf and a ktuner with the youstage 2 map loaded....is my next step getting a custom tune for all these bolt ons?

Honestly, you really need a custom tune. Also, have you considered an IC?

My KTuner experience - an ongoing journal

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