Trouble finding the right tune; can anyone give me some direction?

Hi guys,

 

Maybe you can help me out, here. I've been searching the forums looking for the best tune for durability. I have an 09 LGT with 44k on it. I've been hearing/reading that the stock ECU tune is bad for the engines, and runs a little more lean than it should? Is that the case? If so, what's the best way to fix it?

 

I plan on keeping it mostly stock for at least the meantime. I'm not interested in beefing up the valve body, fuel system, etc. I'm not trying to get 500hp out of it or anything like that. I see all kinds of info if I want to go down that high performance road, but that's not what I want to do to my car. I'm interested in keeping it as reliable of a Grand Tourer (long road trips) as possible for as long as I can.

 

This car is my daily driver, so I want it to last. I'm just interested in getting a better fuel-to-air mixture for my engine that doesn't stress it as much as the stock ECU tune, does (if that's the case). I don't want to stress my engine. I want it to be happy.

 

My mechanic suggested the COBB access port, but I don't really know much about those. Is there an ideal tune for these engines as they are, stock? Can the COBB product get me there, or should I take it to a local specialist? Durability is the goal, here.

 

Thanks in advance for any help/input.

http://xtremeracingtuning.com is the option I'm going with. People seem to be pretty happy with them. Not sure if applicable to you or not.

Your mechanic is correct, get an AccessPort. If you are unmodified, flash the Stage 1 tune. That will improve both performance and engine longevity.

 

The statement that the stock tune is too lean is correct; it burns exhaust valves, especially #4.

 

The previous poster's suggestion is relevant to people with performance goals and modifications.

 

Pretty sweet to score one with such low miles. With the proper tune and proper oil maintenance, you can expect a very long, very fun life from it.

Your mechanic is correct, get an AccessPort. If you are unmodified, flash the Stage 1 tune. That will improve both performance and engine longevity.

 

The statement that the stock tune is too lean is correct; it burns exhaust valves, especially #4.

 

The previous poster's suggestion is relevant to people with performance goals and modifications.

 

Pretty sweet to score one with such low miles. With the proper tune and proper oil maintenance, you can expect a very long, very fun life from it.

 

Thank you for your input. I appreciate it.

 

Really? It's as simple as that? Just flash the stage 1 tune and that addresses that issue? I looked at the manuals on the COBB website and it looks like it's pretty easy to do. I'm a firm believer in oil changes every 3k no matter what the manual says, so hopefully that will suffice.

 

I like to make my cars last, so anything I can do up front that will help in the long run is something I'm interested in doing. I drove my last car for 12 years with no major repairs because I do routine & scheduled maintenance. I'd like to be able to do the same with this one. It sure is a pleasure to drive. Awesome car.

 

Another question relative4, if you don't mind:

I heard that it mostly runs lean in boost, and not underneath boost. Is that the case? If so, is there a chance it could be too rich if I drive in "I" mode in the inner city a lot post-COBB flash?

I'll leave relative4 to give a better answer as he's probably better versed. But, from doing tons of data logging all the way back to bone stock tune....the bone stock tune, if I recall, operates Closed Loop all the way into full boost. At least for me. **EDIT I'm not sure at what point exactly it transitions, but it's pretty deep in it. Which is basically 'lean' running for all intensive purposes, presumably for emissions. Off boost I can't recall, I'll leave that for somebody else. I doubt it runs super rich though.

In addition to the above, I can recommend Torqued Performance and ThrottleHappy etuners.

My latest ThrottleHappy tune delivers 7,12 & 15 psi on the SI drive controller, equalised throttle angles, throttle as boost controller; and general improvements to drivability, economy and reliability, in all modes

I wrote a general faq on the tune thing here: http://forum.liberty.asn.au/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=20196&start=0

 

Or here:

http://forum.liberty.asn.au/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34980#p440084

In addition to the above, I can recommend Torqued Performance and ThrottleHappy etuners.

My latest ThrottleHappy tune delivers 7,12 & 15 psi on the SI drive controller, equalised throttle angles, throttle as boost controller; and general improvements to drivability, economy and reliability, in all modes

I wrote a general faq on the tune thing here: http://forum.liberty.asn.au/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=20196&start=0

 

Or here:

http://forum.liberty.asn.au/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34980#p440084

 

This is awesome! Thanks man!

We are aleays happy to help with any etune needs as well. We map the si drive as a boost controller on all 07+ cars vut an ap and the stage 1 map will run much better than stock as well.

 

Let us know if we can be of any assistance

 

Dave

We are aleays happy to help with any etune needs as well. We map the si drive as a boost controller on all 07+ cars vut an ap and the stage 1 map will run much better than stock as well.

 

Let us know if we can be of any assistance

 

Dave

 

Thank you.

 

I have a question: What are the advantages of mapping the SI drive as a boost controller vs how it works currently? As I understand, it currently changes the way the boost, throttle, and transmission work. I actually drive in I mode a lot because I live in the city. I probably do 70%-80% of my driving on city streets.

 

Whenever I get on the freeway, I usually switch it to S mode, unless it's gridlocked. in that case I'll leave it in I mode.

 

It hardly ever makes sense for me to drive in S# mode. Every now and then a slow left lane driver will agitate me into using it along with a paddle downshift, but I don't do it very often. Even if I do want to get around someone, S mode usually delivers more than enough goods. Also, 93 OCT isn't cheap if you constantly burn it up in S# mode right away.

 

My goals are engine, turbo, and drivetrain longevity. If I run it wide open all the time, I'll be working against my goals.

Thank you.

 

I have a question: What are the advantages of mapping the SI drive as a boost controller vs how it works currently? As I understand, it currently changes the way the boost, throttle, and transmission work. I actually drive in I mode a lot because I live in the city. I probably do 70%-80% of my driving on city streets.

 

Whenever I get on the freeway, I usually switch it to S mode, unless it's gridlocked. in that case I'll leave it in I mode.

 

It hardly ever makes sense for me to drive in S# mode. Every now and then a slow left lane driver will agitate me into using it along with a paddle downshift, but I don't do it very often. Even if I do want to get around someone, S mode usually delivers more than enough goods. Also, 93 OCT isn't cheap if you constantly burn it up in S# mode right away.

 

My goals are engine, turbo, and drivetrain longevity. If I run it wide open all the time, I'll be working against my goals.

 

 

Yeah but WIDE OPEN is soooo much fun!

 

smiles per gallon > Miles per gallon

 

My advice would be to give Cryo a call and he'll get you lined out.

Hey there,

 

Most people never use the I mode so thats a different setup than most of our other customers. I have had cusotmers have me remap S to be S# so its always aggressive as well.

 

The benefit of having it as a boost controller means you dont always have the full power potential regardless of throttle so it can limit or make things more usable for big power builds etc as well.

 

Dave

Not to take away anything from e-tuners but you have two great local options for tuning as well. Devin at JM Automotive in Osseo and Shane at DB Performance in Rogers. My LGT was tuned by Shane and I was very happy with it. I hear good things about Devin's tunes as well, and Jesse (owner at JM) is good people.