rodslinger
Member
Following the trend I figured I'd try a competing tune and post a subjective opinion on how the two compare. So first the summary - HOLY **** I can't believe I put up with that garbage of a tune from Trifecta for that long. Now for why I came to that conclusion.
And if you want to know how to take the standard Diablosport inTune and kick it up to a higher level, check here. http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/bad-news-racing/18163-bnr-custom-tune-diablosport-intune-review-2013-sonic-1-4-auto.html
1) Cost - Winner = almost a tie, slight advantage to inTune for not always needing a computer but essentially the same price as the Trifecta Advantage+. You might get a deal on group buy for Trifecta bringing the cost down some more or if you drop down to the basic Trifecta Advantage calibration which has ZERO support.
The Trifecta REQUIRES a laptop computer or a very long USB cable to connect the tuner cable from your car to your computer. It uses proprietary software you must install on the computer to perform the actual tune. If you don't have either you'll be plopping down even more money to get properly equipped.
The inTune is a stand alone device and in most cases should work for you without ever needing a computer.
2) Delivery - Winner = inTune
Time from order to receipt on Trifecta can be a crap shoot. You'll usually get the hardware in a day or two but there are some that have waited a few weeks or more for the base tune file. Something a little off on your initial file then expect to wait even longer for a fix.
Time from order to receipt of the hardware for inTune is similar but the tunes for all makes and models covered by that particular device are pre-installed. 99% of the time you wouldn't need to connect to a computer to get a vehicle specific file.
3) Setup - Winner = inTune
Setup for the Trifecta tune is generally straight forward but can be troublesome for a few people. You MUST install their tune software and cable driver package to your computer before any tuning can be done. Most issues are related to improperly loaded drivers or not having administrative access to putting the program on the computer you wish to use.
The inTune requires no special software on any computer and in most cases runs right out of the box. Just plug it into your OBD port on the car and follow the on-screen prompts. If your ECM calibration isn't found or the device needs an update just plug it into a USB port on a computer. It has a built in autorun program that opens and executes and automatic update on the device. When finished, just unplug it and take it back to your car to perform the tune. BRILLIANT!!!!
4) Tuning the car - Winner = inTune
Again, tuning with the Trifecta is generally straight forward once you are setup. Just connect the cable to your laptop, plug the cable into the car, open the program and follow the on-screen prompts. Be patient as the process can take a little while. Expect 15-20 minutes.
Tuning with the inTune is easier and seems faster. Just plug it into the OBD port, turn on the ignition and follow the on screen prompts on the tuner. You can choose one of the four built in tunes: 93, 91, mileage or stock w/ mods. You also have the option of making a few extra tweaks for fuel enrichment, timing, tire size, rev limiter, idle speed, speed limiter, etc... But start to finish takes 5-8 minutes. Super easy.
5) Peak power - Winner = Trifecta
This is where Trifecta might have the advantage. And please note I was using the Trifecta Elite with select-a-tune and comparing to the performance mode. Trifecta sometimes FEELS like it might be more powerful but haven't taken it to the track or dyno to get actual numbers. Midrange pull is very strong with the Trifecta tune but falls off on the top end. That last few hundred RPMs before the shift seem to take a long time. If you drive too aggressive for too long the power also feels reduced to near stock levels under some sort of engine stress management feature. It doesn't take much to hit this barrier either and can be a hindrance when you pull out in traffic and realize your power was cut. HELLO 18-Wheeler!!!!
The inTune feels almost stock until you put your foot into it then you realize this thing IS tuned. The power build is linear and consistent. It doesn't feel as strong in the mid range as Trifecta but it doesn't fall off on the top end either. This may also be due to how the power is delivered and the smoothness of it masks how stong it really is. It just pulls reliably and consistently all the way through the revs. I've also not experienced any artificial power cuts like I felt with the Trifecta tune.
6) Driveability - Winner = inTune, INTUNE, INTUNEEEEEE!!!!!!!
There is a HUGE difference here. Basically the driveability on Trifecta is fuqueing garbage. Throttle input is WAY too sensitive and difficult to modulate. The transmission tuning doesn't line up with the engine tuning either making the combination awkward and sometimes frustrating. When you are driving with what SHOULD be light loads the torque demand is through the roof and the transmission just doesn't know what the hell to do with it. It's always in the wrong gear, flaring or just being weird about it. The only real saving grace to this inconsistent and explosive power delivery was the ability to turn it off with the select-a-tune feature. This at least put the car into a near stock power mode to help save the transmissions life.
The inTune feels like something that would have come straight out of the factory. Low speed driving is smooth and predictable. The car feels bone stock under normal driving conditions. I honestly doubt anyone would ever know it was tuned unless they put their foot into it. Once you do start putting your foot into it the power delivery is linear and extremely predictable. The further you press the gas the more power you get. Seems a simple concept that Trifecta still can't figure out. The transmission upshifts are where they should be: fast, accurate and without drama. Stab the gas, downshift and go. It really feels like it knows what you want. I've not seen any flare, early upshifts or other issues I've seen with the Trifecta tune with regard to the trans behavior. In manual mode is holds the gear all the way to redline too.
7) Customer Support - Winner = Diablosport and their inTune
For Trifecta this is another hit and miss situation. As an example, BNR has shown to be an excellent supporter of all their products which includes Trifecta. But support from Trifecta direct seems generally unavailable. Requests for issues can be resolved anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. There isn't anything predictable about the service you'll get. While BNR will usually support you quickly and reliably, they may be at the unpredictable mercy of Trifecta for an issue related to them. (FYI - BNR is a Diablosport dealer too - get one from them)
For Diablosport you generally follow the same support path through their authorized vendors. But they also their own direct support and a pretty robust message forum to find and discuss any number of things about their products. An email to them or a post on their forum can get a response and solution within a few hours to a day or two.
BONUS - While some think that 'canned tunes' are garbage there are some distinct advantages to going this route. With a custom, VIN locked tune like Trifecta you are generally stuck with it on that particular car. Trade your Sonic for a Cruze and you are dropping another $400 for a tune. With a device like inTune, the tune is tied to the device itself, not the VIN. So if you sell your Sonic and buy an Fiesta ST next year, just remove the tune form your Sonic, plug the inTune into your new ST and start the process over. SWEET!!!!!
And if you want to know how to take the standard Diablosport inTune and kick it up to a higher level, check here. http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/bad-news-racing/18163-bnr-custom-tune-diablosport-intune-review-2013-sonic-1-4-auto.html
1) Cost - Winner = almost a tie, slight advantage to inTune for not always needing a computer but essentially the same price as the Trifecta Advantage+. You might get a deal on group buy for Trifecta bringing the cost down some more or if you drop down to the basic Trifecta Advantage calibration which has ZERO support.
The Trifecta REQUIRES a laptop computer or a very long USB cable to connect the tuner cable from your car to your computer. It uses proprietary software you must install on the computer to perform the actual tune. If you don't have either you'll be plopping down even more money to get properly equipped.
The inTune is a stand alone device and in most cases should work for you without ever needing a computer.
2) Delivery - Winner = inTune
Time from order to receipt on Trifecta can be a crap shoot. You'll usually get the hardware in a day or two but there are some that have waited a few weeks or more for the base tune file. Something a little off on your initial file then expect to wait even longer for a fix.
Time from order to receipt of the hardware for inTune is similar but the tunes for all makes and models covered by that particular device are pre-installed. 99% of the time you wouldn't need to connect to a computer to get a vehicle specific file.
3) Setup - Winner = inTune
Setup for the Trifecta tune is generally straight forward but can be troublesome for a few people. You MUST install their tune software and cable driver package to your computer before any tuning can be done. Most issues are related to improperly loaded drivers or not having administrative access to putting the program on the computer you wish to use.
The inTune requires no special software on any computer and in most cases runs right out of the box. Just plug it into your OBD port on the car and follow the on-screen prompts. If your ECM calibration isn't found or the device needs an update just plug it into a USB port on a computer. It has a built in autorun program that opens and executes and automatic update on the device. When finished, just unplug it and take it back to your car to perform the tune. BRILLIANT!!!!
4) Tuning the car - Winner = inTune
Again, tuning with the Trifecta is generally straight forward once you are setup. Just connect the cable to your laptop, plug the cable into the car, open the program and follow the on-screen prompts. Be patient as the process can take a little while. Expect 15-20 minutes.
Tuning with the inTune is easier and seems faster. Just plug it into the OBD port, turn on the ignition and follow the on screen prompts on the tuner. You can choose one of the four built in tunes: 93, 91, mileage or stock w/ mods. You also have the option of making a few extra tweaks for fuel enrichment, timing, tire size, rev limiter, idle speed, speed limiter, etc... But start to finish takes 5-8 minutes. Super easy.
5) Peak power - Winner = Trifecta
This is where Trifecta might have the advantage. And please note I was using the Trifecta Elite with select-a-tune and comparing to the performance mode. Trifecta sometimes FEELS like it might be more powerful but haven't taken it to the track or dyno to get actual numbers. Midrange pull is very strong with the Trifecta tune but falls off on the top end. That last few hundred RPMs before the shift seem to take a long time. If you drive too aggressive for too long the power also feels reduced to near stock levels under some sort of engine stress management feature. It doesn't take much to hit this barrier either and can be a hindrance when you pull out in traffic and realize your power was cut. HELLO 18-Wheeler!!!!
The inTune feels almost stock until you put your foot into it then you realize this thing IS tuned. The power build is linear and consistent. It doesn't feel as strong in the mid range as Trifecta but it doesn't fall off on the top end either. This may also be due to how the power is delivered and the smoothness of it masks how stong it really is. It just pulls reliably and consistently all the way through the revs. I've also not experienced any artificial power cuts like I felt with the Trifecta tune.
6) Driveability - Winner = inTune, INTUNE, INTUNEEEEEE!!!!!!!
There is a HUGE difference here. Basically the driveability on Trifecta is fuqueing garbage. Throttle input is WAY too sensitive and difficult to modulate. The transmission tuning doesn't line up with the engine tuning either making the combination awkward and sometimes frustrating. When you are driving with what SHOULD be light loads the torque demand is through the roof and the transmission just doesn't know what the hell to do with it. It's always in the wrong gear, flaring or just being weird about it. The only real saving grace to this inconsistent and explosive power delivery was the ability to turn it off with the select-a-tune feature. This at least put the car into a near stock power mode to help save the transmissions life.
The inTune feels like something that would have come straight out of the factory. Low speed driving is smooth and predictable. The car feels bone stock under normal driving conditions. I honestly doubt anyone would ever know it was tuned unless they put their foot into it. Once you do start putting your foot into it the power delivery is linear and extremely predictable. The further you press the gas the more power you get. Seems a simple concept that Trifecta still can't figure out. The transmission upshifts are where they should be: fast, accurate and without drama. Stab the gas, downshift and go. It really feels like it knows what you want. I've not seen any flare, early upshifts or other issues I've seen with the Trifecta tune with regard to the trans behavior. In manual mode is holds the gear all the way to redline too.
7) Customer Support - Winner = Diablosport and their inTune
For Trifecta this is another hit and miss situation. As an example, BNR has shown to be an excellent supporter of all their products which includes Trifecta. But support from Trifecta direct seems generally unavailable. Requests for issues can be resolved anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. There isn't anything predictable about the service you'll get. While BNR will usually support you quickly and reliably, they may be at the unpredictable mercy of Trifecta for an issue related to them. (FYI - BNR is a Diablosport dealer too - get one from them)
For Diablosport you generally follow the same support path through their authorized vendors. But they also their own direct support and a pretty robust message forum to find and discuss any number of things about their products. An email to them or a post on their forum can get a response and solution within a few hours to a day or two.
BONUS - While some think that 'canned tunes' are garbage there are some distinct advantages to going this route. With a custom, VIN locked tune like Trifecta you are generally stuck with it on that particular car. Trade your Sonic for a Cruze and you are dropping another $400 for a tune. With a device like inTune, the tune is tied to the device itself, not the VIN. So if you sell your Sonic and buy an Fiesta ST next year, just remove the tune form your Sonic, plug the inTune into your new ST and start the process over. SWEET!!!!!
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