So far my "performance" path has been...
-MBRP exhaust
-LMI CAI
Now it's time for a tuner. So, I purchased a combo pack from Speedlogix (CAI+InTune = discount!) in addition to 180° thermostat.
For those who have not installed a tune before, it can be a little nail biting in the sense that you can't help but think you might mess things up. Just give yourself plenty of time and read the instructions carefully. Probably took a total of 2hrs since half of that time was updating the firmware/programing of the actual InTune. I was unaware of this step, but the tuner did not find my ecu in the database so it asked to hook up to a computer where it updates everything then you return to your car to start the actual tune.
I did the 180° first. Pretty straight forward. Just taped a 1gal bag under it to catch coolant, loosened bolts, pulled old tstat out and put new one in.
Now for the tune... I popped the push-button out to use the key which makes turning the car on/off more visual. Like I said, this process takes a while. I washed another car in the driveway and would check back on it every now and then to cycle the ignition or whatever it asked for. Btw, I set the ignition timeout for 1hr just in case.
I changed all the fan speeds to low=190, mid/high=198, set the throttle to 10%, changed the rev limiter to 6,000, and used the 91 octane tune. There aren't really any more options beyond that (maybe because I have manual) that I would mess with (spark/fuel settings). I think the skip-shift is automatically disabled as there is no option for it.
I have driven it for about a week now and can make a fair assessment I think. It is noticeable, but not quite the kick I was expecting. There seems to be less power loss due to heat soak with the new tstat/fan settings. There also seems to be a smoother delivery of power, especially at lower rpms. I also like the higher rev limiter, as it was too easy to bounce off the old one.
Can't say I notice any difference in the throttle response, but I'll leave it. The one negative I notice is that my exhaust is quieter?! No really it is!!! I think the reason is that with the "stock" ecu settings the rpms would drop faster off throttle and cause more engine braking and thus more exhaust noise. The tune seems to hold the rpms longer and quiet things down. Maybe this makes it faster during spirited driving, but I miss the de-accelerating burbles .
I definitely want a custom tune now to get its full potential, but until then, I'd say it's not a must have.
Any other thoughts on this...?
-MBRP exhaust
-LMI CAI
Now it's time for a tuner. So, I purchased a combo pack from Speedlogix (CAI+InTune = discount!) in addition to 180° thermostat.
For those who have not installed a tune before, it can be a little nail biting in the sense that you can't help but think you might mess things up. Just give yourself plenty of time and read the instructions carefully. Probably took a total of 2hrs since half of that time was updating the firmware/programing of the actual InTune. I was unaware of this step, but the tuner did not find my ecu in the database so it asked to hook up to a computer where it updates everything then you return to your car to start the actual tune.
I did the 180° first. Pretty straight forward. Just taped a 1gal bag under it to catch coolant, loosened bolts, pulled old tstat out and put new one in.
Now for the tune... I popped the push-button out to use the key which makes turning the car on/off more visual. Like I said, this process takes a while. I washed another car in the driveway and would check back on it every now and then to cycle the ignition or whatever it asked for. Btw, I set the ignition timeout for 1hr just in case.
I changed all the fan speeds to low=190, mid/high=198, set the throttle to 10%, changed the rev limiter to 6,000, and used the 91 octane tune. There aren't really any more options beyond that (maybe because I have manual) that I would mess with (spark/fuel settings). I think the skip-shift is automatically disabled as there is no option for it.
I have driven it for about a week now and can make a fair assessment I think. It is noticeable, but not quite the kick I was expecting. There seems to be less power loss due to heat soak with the new tstat/fan settings. There also seems to be a smoother delivery of power, especially at lower rpms. I also like the higher rev limiter, as it was too easy to bounce off the old one.
Can't say I notice any difference in the throttle response, but I'll leave it. The one negative I notice is that my exhaust is quieter?! No really it is!!! I think the reason is that with the "stock" ecu settings the rpms would drop faster off throttle and cause more engine braking and thus more exhaust noise. The tune seems to hold the rpms longer and quiet things down. Maybe this makes it faster during spirited driving, but I miss the de-accelerating burbles .
I definitely want a custom tune now to get its full potential, but until then, I'd say it's not a must have.
Any other thoughts on this...?