KTuner
Elite Sponsor
- First Name
- J.R.
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2017
- Threads
- 30
- Messages
- 2,796
- Reaction score
- 3,434
- Location
- Chandler, Arizona
- Website
- www.KTuner.com
- Vehicle(s)
- 2017 Si
- Thread starter
- #1
For more information please contact us via email:[email protected]
We set out to perform extended testing and verify tune results with the help of one of our dealers on the east coast, Derek at Innovative-Motorworks. One of his customers was one of the first to schedule ECU unlocking with us after we announced and offered up the vehicle for a few days of testing. We couldn't have asked for a better mix of testing. The cooler air in the northeast along with 93 octane fuel allowed us to achieve and verify much better results than were possible here in Arizona with 91 octane. More on that in a bit...
With a mix of simple setting changes that are common practice in the BMW world we were able to get this ECU to cooperate. The only issue we hit early on was Honda wanting to target these vehicles extremely lean in boost, regardless of the amount of boost that was added. With fueling under our full control it was ready to make easy power after that.
Our original announcement stated 20whp and 60wtq as a Stage 1 target, but... we decided in the end to take a slightly different path to release. Our Stage 0 will hit a nice clean 20whp 35wtq and operate on 91 or 93 octane without a hitch.
Throttle response is significantly improved all around, especially in Sport or R mode. Comfort mode will also notice some improvement to responsiveness, but still keeps the day to day style finesse that it was intended to. At WOT, though, it's all out just like Sport and R.
Our initial Stage 1 tune is taking the platform to a new level with a crisp and clean 50whp 65wtq gain in power output.
That is some serious fun, let me tell you. The added torque can be a bit much for the factory tires, especially when cold, so we will actually also be including a hybrid of these two tunes. One that keeps torque at the 35wtq increase from Stage 0 and allows the power to soar to the solid 50whp gains we're seeing on the top end.
Limitations:
We've already seen the next round of limitations as far as the top end is concerned. The MAF is just about maxed out with our Stage 1 tune, as we tapped anywhere from 4.90-4.95 volts during these runs. We even tripped the CEL for MAF voltage too high. The max MAF voltage for the error was raised a little bit to allow for a little extra room in those colder climates without sacrificing the functionality of the code when a real error is present. We're confident @PRL Motorsports will come up with a Race MAF solution to help us get to the next level and we'll be right there to support it.
We've pulled back ever so slightly in the 4400-5800 RPM range, as this was a problem area for noise on 91 octane, which we verified with knock ears. We're trying to keep things as safe as possible for everyone.
What to expect from Stage 2:
Additional gains in the low to mid-range are definitely available on 93 octane. We will also be testing some additional points of potential to unlock a bit of power on the top end without the need to increase flow.
Additional comparisons:
We've all seen how great power and torque has turned out for the Civic Si using ethanol and our KTuner Flex Fuel Kits, but with tuning on the Type-R now available... it's remaining the leader in every way. Even on the low end spool up, there's just no match for the R.
And we'll throw in a comparison of the Stage 0 vs Stage 1 so those who are looking can make an easy choice on which route they want to go!
Final:
We are making multiple parameters available to tuners who want to tinker and also releasing the basics in an 'easy' mode, as all it would take for anyone to go from Stage 0 to Stage 1 power, or any blend between, is a couple of simple changes to only a few tables. These ECUs are super simple to work with once the settings have been changed to allow for more output. The ECU does all of the work for you, practically.
We do have a lot of more advanced functionality that will be available for this platform as our software is updated over the coming weeks and months. There are tons and tons of factory tables and settings that bring additional functionality other tuners may try to sell you on as being custom features.
I REALLY appreciate the amount of people who have contacted us to be a part of this platform's release. Last week was a bit overwhelming between calls and emails. I'm still catching up. It was a huge decision whether or not to move forward and offer something for the R. We almost didn't offer an option with ECU unlocking at all due to the time that goes into the process, but we are now very glad we took the leap. It will force us to grow and we're looking forward to growing with all of you here at CivicX. We're also very glad that we were far enough ahead to make it to market first and keep pricing from getting inflated on this platform for no good reason. Thank you!
We set out to perform extended testing and verify tune results with the help of one of our dealers on the east coast, Derek at Innovative-Motorworks. One of his customers was one of the first to schedule ECU unlocking with us after we announced and offered up the vehicle for a few days of testing. We couldn't have asked for a better mix of testing. The cooler air in the northeast along with 93 octane fuel allowed us to achieve and verify much better results than were possible here in Arizona with 91 octane. More on that in a bit...
With a mix of simple setting changes that are common practice in the BMW world we were able to get this ECU to cooperate. The only issue we hit early on was Honda wanting to target these vehicles extremely lean in boost, regardless of the amount of boost that was added. With fueling under our full control it was ready to make easy power after that.
Our original announcement stated 20whp and 60wtq as a Stage 1 target, but... we decided in the end to take a slightly different path to release. Our Stage 0 will hit a nice clean 20whp 35wtq and operate on 91 or 93 octane without a hitch.
Throttle response is significantly improved all around, especially in Sport or R mode. Comfort mode will also notice some improvement to responsiveness, but still keeps the day to day style finesse that it was intended to. At WOT, though, it's all out just like Sport and R.
Our initial Stage 1 tune is taking the platform to a new level with a crisp and clean 50whp 65wtq gain in power output.
That is some serious fun, let me tell you. The added torque can be a bit much for the factory tires, especially when cold, so we will actually also be including a hybrid of these two tunes. One that keeps torque at the 35wtq increase from Stage 0 and allows the power to soar to the solid 50whp gains we're seeing on the top end.
Limitations:
We've already seen the next round of limitations as far as the top end is concerned. The MAF is just about maxed out with our Stage 1 tune, as we tapped anywhere from 4.90-4.95 volts during these runs. We even tripped the CEL for MAF voltage too high. The max MAF voltage for the error was raised a little bit to allow for a little extra room in those colder climates without sacrificing the functionality of the code when a real error is present. We're confident @PRL Motorsports will come up with a Race MAF solution to help us get to the next level and we'll be right there to support it.
We've pulled back ever so slightly in the 4400-5800 RPM range, as this was a problem area for noise on 91 octane, which we verified with knock ears. We're trying to keep things as safe as possible for everyone.
What to expect from Stage 2:
Additional gains in the low to mid-range are definitely available on 93 octane. We will also be testing some additional points of potential to unlock a bit of power on the top end without the need to increase flow.
Additional comparisons:
We've all seen how great power and torque has turned out for the Civic Si using ethanol and our KTuner Flex Fuel Kits, but with tuning on the Type-R now available... it's remaining the leader in every way. Even on the low end spool up, there's just no match for the R.
And we'll throw in a comparison of the Stage 0 vs Stage 1 so those who are looking can make an easy choice on which route they want to go!
Final:
We are making multiple parameters available to tuners who want to tinker and also releasing the basics in an 'easy' mode, as all it would take for anyone to go from Stage 0 to Stage 1 power, or any blend between, is a couple of simple changes to only a few tables. These ECUs are super simple to work with once the settings have been changed to allow for more output. The ECU does all of the work for you, practically.
We do have a lot of more advanced functionality that will be available for this platform as our software is updated over the coming weeks and months. There are tons and tons of factory tables and settings that bring additional functionality other tuners may try to sell you on as being custom features.
I REALLY appreciate the amount of people who have contacted us to be a part of this platform's release. Last week was a bit overwhelming between calls and emails. I'm still catching up. It was a huge decision whether or not to move forward and offer something for the R. We almost didn't offer an option with ECU unlocking at all due to the time that goes into the process, but we are now very glad we took the leap. It will force us to grow and we're looking forward to growing with all of you here at CivicX. We're also very glad that we were far enough ahead to make it to market first and keep pricing from getting inflated on this platform for no good reason. Thank you!
Last edited:
looking forward to stage 2 results....
