Another "need some advice on a tune" thread...

[busterbrown]

I've only had my car for a week and am anxiously awaiting my new window tint (next week hopefully) and a ECM tune. After reading pages of pages of forum reviews on different tunes, I'd like to get some input on which tuner would be best suited for my needs.

I'm looking for a CAI setup in conjunction with a performance tune. I'm not 100% sold on a CAI as my Gm truck had one but didnt' really notice a difference until after I installed a new tune. In fact, I took off my CAI, in favor of drop in K&N filter, and haven't noticed a difference with my truck's tune. The sound was nice though.

So, this is what I really want. A tune that provides additional HP and Tq to the drivetrain without sacrificing mileage (when not hard on the turbo). I want 30+ additional horsepower that can accelerate interstate on-ramps better as well as offer a sense of security when you need to pass someone as conditions dictate. I don't want to change my stock exhaust (not yet anyways). Would consider a CAI if the price was right. But that's about all right now. Does switching to a BOV help with HP gains?

I'm just looking to mod my LTZ conservatively now as I have a lot of warranty left. Would like some input on which tune (or tuner) I should go forward with and if it's worth while making any other bolt on modifications to the engine for real-world gains.

Trifecta seems to have a few options for me as far as the tune...but I don't know the difference between them. Thanks in advance.

 

[busterbrown]

Anyone???

 

[sonic21]

You probably won't notice any gains until you do the tune. I have a 2014 Ltz. I put a ddm works cai and zzp catback exhaust. And it sounds great but I don't really notice any gains. I have a mpfab intercooler in my living room but I'm waiting on a bov and a tune to put it in. From what I've heard the tune helps a lot personally I plan on going with trifecta through bnr


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[EPYON96R]

The trifecta tune adds 30+ hp. That's was Im rocking. No other mods

 

[Sneakerfix]

Most of the canned tunes on the market for the 1.4 Ecotec offer just what your looking for. Just go with fits your budget

 

[busterbrown]

You probably won't notice any gains until you do the tune. I have a 2014 Ltz. I put a ddm works cai and zzp catback exhaust. And it sounds great but I don't really notice any gains. I have a mpfab intercooler in my living room but I'm waiting on a bov and a tune to put it in. From what I've heard the tune helps a lot personally I plan on going with trifecta through bnr

I am considering a Trifecta tune. I read ZZPerformance can tune our 1.4 turbo Sonic's up in Grand Rapids, MI. It would be a nice road trip for me as they require an onsite dyno tune. Don't know if anyone has reviews on them?

The trifecta tune adds 30+ hp. That's was Im rocking. No other mods

More people talk about the Trifecta tune than all the others combined? Why? Did you use BNR to purchase that tune? How do you like the added HP and torque? Is the torque felt throughout the powerband or just initially off the line?

Most of the canned tunes on the market for the 1.4 Ecotec offer just what your looking for. Just go with fits your budget

My budget is less than $500 for a quality tune. ZZP offers a tune (with dyno) for around $249. From what I'm reading Trifecta is around $300 not including the red serial/OBD2 cable. Are there different canned versions of the Trifecta tune?

 

[EPYON96R]

I purchased the tune thru WOT tuning. The $300includes the red obd2 cord. I have the new canned tune. Called the advantage tune. There are older variants off this tune. But this is the tune they sell now. The torque is way more noticable on low end. High end torque isnt as strong.but its there. The $300 tune can be updated at a later date when your ready to add boltons.

 

[Sneakerfix]

Bullydog
Trifecta
Ipf

Honestly I would go with the ZZP tune since your near them and it's tuned just for you and can be set just to your specs and likes

 

[laborsmith]

ZZP has their own Sonic. I have had a lot of work done there altho not a tune but can highly recommend them. They do the HPTune.

Trifecta was one of the first if not the first to develop a tune for our turbo. VTuner was another early developer.


Laborsmith

 

[pssirab]

We have the tune from ZZP. Very happy so far but we've only had the car a month.

 

[Balsar]

buster brown,

I bought my LT hatchback the end of September. We actually bought the car as our a replacement tow car for our RV. So I plan to do no other mods aside from all the tow gear we've added and the Trifecta tune.

That said, I have had three Trifecta Tunes. First was the Econo-tune, loaded transparent and with the cruise control on and off option. I liked it a lot. The car drove so much nicer than stock. Noticeably more power with a big improvement in eliminating the turbo lag and way better milage.

However after a couple of weeks driving the car... I decided that I wanted to eliminate the Cruise control off and on option leaving the tune on all the time...I found no reason to ever turn it off. Coinicidentially at the time, Trifecta came out with the "new" Advantage tune which because of my purchase date I qualified for an upgrade. A week later I uploaded the new Advantage program... and hated it. The car was even quicker than it was with the econo-tune but the throttle response was way to sensitive. It actually made the car difficult to drive docilely. I felt like the turbo was screaming every take off to spool up. I complained...and because it's Trifecta got a new tune three weeks later with a newly mapped throttle response. This one I really like the performance...and the throttle response is great. Except...now my auto tranny shifts in manual mode. So I'm waiting now to see what Trifecta recommend fix...for that will be, however, the tune is perfect. But considering what I've been through...the first econo tune was just fine.

Hope that helps and doesn't add more confusion to your decision of...which tune you want.

 

[Sneakerfix]

What were your numbers on the ZZP tune?

 

[busterbrown]

buster brown,

I bought my LT hatchback the end of September. We actually bought the car as our a replacement tow car for our RV. So I plan to do no other mods aside from all the tow gear we've added and the Trifecta tune.

That said, I have had three Trifecta Tunes. First was the Econo-tune, loaded transparent and with the cruise control on and off option. I liked it a lot. The car drove so much nicer than stock. Noticeably more power with a big improvement in eliminating the turbo lag and way better milage.

However after a couple of weeks driving the car... I decided that I wanted to eliminate the Cruise control off and on option leaving the tune on all the time...I found no reason to ever turn it off. Coinicidentially at the time, Trifecta came out with the "new" Advantage tune which because of my purchase date I qualified for an upgrade. A week later I uploaded the new Advantage program... and hated it. The car was even quicker than it was with the econo-tune but the throttle response was way to sensitive. It actually made the car difficult to drive docilely. I felt like the turbo was screaming every take off to spool up. I complained...and because it's Trifecta got a new tune three weeks later with a newly mapped throttle response. This one I really like the performance...and the throttle response is great. Except...now my auto tranny shifts in manual mode. So I'm waiting now to see what Trifecta recommend fix...for that will be, however, the tune is perfect. But considering what I've been through...the first econo tune was just fine.

Hope that helps and doesn't add more confusion to your decision of...which tune you want.

I was peruising the Cruze boards and read many bad reviews of the new Trifecta Advantage tune. All the complaints came after an update to a "select-a-tune". Is the current Trifecta advantage tune still having throttle response issues along with a drop in MPG's?

Also, will buying the "advantage tune" from a vendor such as BNR give me access to upgrades/updates to the tune in the future? Or do I have to pay full price for additional updates?

 

[WillieD]

We have the tune from ZZP. Very happy so far but we've only had the car a month.

i actually plan on coming from chi to go get my car tuned and there cat back exhaust in 2 weeks. big difference in power?

 

[ranvette]

Vtune it and be threw with it with no problems.

 

[Conner06]

I am considering a Trifecta tune. I read ZZPerformance can tune our 1.4 turbo Sonic's up in Grand Rapids, MI. It would be a nice road trip for me as they require an onsite dyno tune. Don't know if anyone has reviews on them?


More people talk about the Trifecta tune than all the others combined? Why? Did you use BNR to purchase that tune? How do you like the added HP and torque? Is the torque felt throughout the powerband or just initially off the line?


My budget is less than $500 for a quality tune. ZZP offers a tune (with dyno) for around $249. From what I'm reading Trifecta is around $300 not including the red serial/OBD2 cable. Are there different canned versions of the Trifecta tune?

I'm gonna do the same thing eventually

 

[Brad Ferrell]

I've heard bad things about Trifecta's customer support. I don't want to trash the company, but if I am spending $400.00-600.00 on a tune, I'd rather have it done individually, on a dyno, for my car with it's mods. Personal opinion. I like the security a professional in a speed shop offers with a product like HPTuner.

 

[Papasonic]

Potential Warranty Issues If Tuned

Identifying Aftermarket Calibrations before Warranty Repairs

GM techs are now actively checking for aftermarket tune calibrations before powertrain components are warranted.
Click on link to read.
(courtesy of GM TechLink)

 

[Stew]

Alrighty so my powertrain warranty went from this:

"Engine coverage includes all internally lubricated parts, engine oil cooling hoses, and lines. Also included are all actuators and electrical components internal to the engine (e.g., Active Fuel Management valve, lifter and oil manifold) cylinder head, block, timing gears, timing chain, timing cover, oil pump/oil pump housing, OHC carriers, valve covers, oil pan, seals, gaskets, manifolds, flywheel, water pump, harmonic balancer, engine mount, turbocharger, and supercharger. Timing belts are covered until the first scheduled maintenance interval." Exclusions: Excluded from the powertrain coverage are sensors, wiring, connectors, engine radiator, coolant hoses, coolant, and heater core. Coverage on the engine cooling system begins at the inlet to the water pump and ends with the thermostat housing and/or outlet that attaches to the return hose. Also excluded is the starter motor, entire pressurized fuel system (in-tank fuel pump, pressure lines, fuel rail(s), regulator, injectors, and return line), as well as the Engine/ Powertrain Control Module and/or module programming.

To more like this:

Engine oil cooling hoses, and lines, valve covers, oil pan, seals, gaskets, water pump.

That's OK, I went into this with my eyes wide open, if you want to have fun playing you need to be aware of the risk.

 

[Kuntryboy865]

Identifying Aftermarket Calibrations before Warranty Repairs

GM techs are now actively checking for aftermarket tune calibrations before powertrain components are warranted.
Click on link to read.
(courtesy of GM TechLink)

Not surprised with the amount of tuned sonics around plua GM customer care is active on the forum so I wouldnt be surprised customer care didnt give a heads up to GM.