I have a 2013 RS and I am looking to run the Trifecta Tune (full tune with budget features) with DDM's intake and no other mods. Almost everyone I've seen here is talking about upgrading injectors and down pipes, debating 2.5-3 inch exhaust... etc. I'm just looking for a little more power without hurting reliability. Is exhaust necessary to prevent reversion with the stock turbo on our cars?
I've also read some people reporting turbo issues both bone stock cars and running the 'eco' mode with select a tune, mainly CEL P0229 or an underboost condition, does the eco tune aggrivate a stock defect?
I know, I know. People are just gonna say "buy the tune you won't regret it". I just really want to keep my car running well for 100k miles plus, while still having a little fun.
You can run the Trifecta tune with any mod or lack of mods as you want. YOU DO NOT NEED AN INTAKE, EXHAUST, LARGER INECTORS, KA NOOTER VALVE, OR TRIPLE TURBO TO RUN A CUSTOM TUNE (Trifecta, VTuner, ETC.)
If you get the Trifecta "full" tune you can datalog and send in the log for review and trifecta will review and adjust the tune for any mods you've added, Free of charge; large mods such as bigger injectors or a turbo upgrade will require additional $$$, but typical bolt ons are free of charge.
And with current the ECP tunes the computer typically self adjusts after adding intakes &/or exhaust and doesn't require a tune adjustment.
If you plan
Here's a dyno thread of several sonics with their mods listed so you can see what to expect and how certain mods affect power:
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/general-discussion/8024-sonic-dyno-thread.html
As far as the turbo issue's there've only been a handful reported in a forum of several thousand so I'd say it's a fluke problem (And keep in mind more ppl would likely join just to b!tch about it if it happened or to get feedback on why.). I also Highly doubt the "eco" tune has anything to do with it, it doesn't even push the turbo in that mode.
To be honest I've only seen 1 or 2 post where the turbo definitely failed and they were due to poor maintenance. The other's could be caused by very minor things and misdiagnosed or just part swapping. Which is what I suspect, especially since someone went thru 2 turbos in a short amount of time with the same problem.
The Trifecta Tune is among the safest tunes you can get. Vince has done several hundred 1.4T's. He tightens up the fuel trims, optimizes ignition timing, ups the boost (powertune), a few other tweaks, and still retains all the Factory monitoring and safety countermeasures. Trifecta has all the signs of a good tuner and a good tuner is the safest tuner. Unlike most "chips" which essentially lie to the computer to get more power or someone who's never tuned this engine or ones like it
Since you are pushing more power your engine will be under more strain.
But here's the beauty, aslong as you don't beat the p!ss out of your engine and stay on top of maintenance it will last over 100k miles barring any underlying issues (but with transparency you can flash back to stock and get them fixed).
Basically drive normal most of the time, romp on it from time to time,get the maintenance done and you're car will last a long healthy life. My cars quite modded and I have no qualms about reaching 200k miles.
Oh and no worry about needing an exhaust. reversion is no concern on a turbo car (and if tuned right is a great thing on an NA car). You'd pick up some extra HP with one but it is not necessary in the least.
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