Stock vs Tune vs Tune + FMIC (and other mods)

[Karmic Man]

Hi, can someone who has gone the path of either ECU tune only or ECU Tune + other power mods provide an opinion on

1. Difference between Stock vs Tune only
2. Difference between Tune only vs Tune + FMIC (or any other power mods)
3. Difference between Stock vs Tune + FMIC (or any other power mods)

If any dyno figures, on the road feel or track time difference can be provided that would be very helpful.

I understand some of this was discussed in previous threads but the information were kind of spread across different times and across various threads so just want to use this thread to collate all current information and opinion to make it easier for newcomer to follow. The purpose is not intended for a comparison between brands.

Thanks.

[Kabnine]

Originally Posted by Karmic Man

Hi, can someone who has gone the path of either ECU tune only or ECU Tune + other power mods provide an opinion on

1. Difference between Stock vs Tune only
2. Difference between Tune only vs Tune + FMIC (or any other power mods)
3. Difference between Stock vs Tune + FMIC (or any other power mods)

If any dyno figures, on the road feel or track time difference can be provided that would be very helpful.

I understand some of this was discussed in previous threads but the information were kind of spread across different times and across various threads so just want to use this thread to collate all current information and opinion to make it easier for newcomer to follow. The purpose is not intended for a comparison between brands.

Thanks.

When I went from Stock to Procede + DCI, I think I went from 165rwkw to 225rwkw. Mind you that was as calculated on Virtual Dyno and my trying to remember the results. This was on the normal map, not the aggressive one.

The difference is well and truly noticeable.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Quantitively speaking

1. ~45 rwkw gain or 21% increase
2. ~5-10rwkw gain (but as Ian has mentioned, the benefit of the FMIC is hard to measure in just peak numbers)
3. Sum of above

Qualitatively speaking,

1. Massive difference
2. Subtle difference
3. Sum of above

[skidz]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

A street car will be ok with a tune and no FMIC, but good idea to add one. It doesn't take much for the IATs to get over 40C and timing to be pulled when using the stock FMIC.

I went from tune, to tune, to the best tune, to better than best tune with aftermarket FMIC largely due to our hot climate and tracking the car and heatsoak issues.

With the variety of maps available in tunes, they cater for aftermarket FMIC vs OE FMIC accordingly, so you can't go wrong.

It really comes down to what you are wanting to achieve or use the car for. For example there is a huge difference when going to a Cobb S1 from stock, but minimal on the next step to S1+FMIC. Custom tunes, such as PTF etune are the real benefit and really smooth things out. PTF resulted in moving from 255kW to 290kW

Fixed

post a couple of your 300+ dynos saffa so the OP can see the difference of stock v stock w Black grills v stock w Black grills and smoke tails

[sliderpass]

Sorry to hijack but yyself I'm more worried about pressure drop of the standard intercooler, than the outright temp drop (which is obv. still key).

Once you have a tune, 14-18 PSI could actually be 20-23 PSI at the turbo..

Has anyone actually measured the pressure drop of the standard intercooler @ 14-18PSI?

Simon

[sparoz]

Most aftermarket intercoolers has better pressure drop than stock anyway and that improves response. The key with the intercooler is temp. My car pulls 270kw earlier on the track day, and goes to 285-290kw, as ambient dropped about 7 degrees.

Don't forget CAIs too, as stock dies after 5.5krpm and with a good CAI, it keeps going till 6.3k.

[TimMc]

Bigger intercoolers have some advantages as listed above, but can also introduce extra lag due to the extra intercooler volume that needs to be filled before the engine intake sees the full boost the turbos are pushing out.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

With a 1M, it is tuned from factory. You will not gain 21% as with a stock N54 with a tune. Gains with a Cobb S1 on a 1M are around 25kW (240kW to 265kW), 10%.

Adding catless midpipes will also yield an extra 10kW

IIRC sans M button 1M is ~210 atw stock and tuned ~250 ?

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

Mine was 238 in stock form, 245 with mids, 262 with Cobb S1 + FMIC, 290 with PTF. Joe's numbers were similar.

Agree...Pete@Advan has all dyno numbers from previous runs.

[RimasRS]

For me best difference was Tune + Fmic

[Alpine*]

Just get everything.

[PeteA]

Originally Posted by Alpine*

Just get everything.

hahahahaha this x10

[david.orr]

Originally Posted by Alpine*

Just get everything.

[Moocow]

i thought downpipes offer a bigger performance increase than FMIC.

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by Moocow

i thought downpipes offer a bigger performance increase than FMIC.

The 1M has high flow cats on their OEM downpipes, so most just leave them stock.

[Karmic Man]

Thanks for the great feedback

Looks like the general opinion is ECU tune offers the biggest difference which means the best bang for your buck mod.

Next is the Mid pipe and there after the FMIC and other stuff like intake.

Thank you Ian for your suggestion regarding the FMIC reducing the possibility of timing being pulled back when on a hot day. I can noticed timing being pulled back even now (all stock) when the temp gets a bit more humid. Don't want to image when it will be like during a hot summer day

[Alpine*]

Seriously though, tune it then get a farken full Akra system, don't stuff round with bits and pieces.

[Karmic Man]

Originally Posted by Alpine*

Seriously though, tune it then get a farken full Akra system, don't stuff round with bits and pieces.

Alpine, how much gain did you find the Akra system provided over stock?

Also how loud are they? Don't want to turn my car into a cops magnet...

[Alpine*]

Originally Posted by Karmic Man

Alpine, how much gain did you find the Akra system provided over stock?

Also how loud are they? Don't want to turn my car into a cops magnet...

No idea, we had the Akra and attune fitted same day. I wanted the system for a number of reasons, it sounds ballistic, it's titanium and hence very light over stock, carbon fiber tips AND it delivers some more kws (10-20, who knows, I don't care either lol).

Some also use the switchable butterfly option for noise and stealth. If you want subtle and full on then this is the system for you.

[sparoz]

I have the wireless switch on mine - it is the best of both worlds. There is not much gain from the exhaust, may be 5-7kw?

Honestly, you should do the whole drive train at the same time . The biggest restriction in the 1M is the intake.

[Karmic Man]

Looks like changing the exhaust will gain another 7kw, perhaps...

I take it as a full turbo back exhaust (DP, mid pipe included) change..not just changing the rear muffler.

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by Karmic Man

Looks like changing the exhaust will gain another 7kw, perhaps...

I take it as a full turbo back exhaust (DP, mid pipe included) change..not just changing the rear muffler.

Just replacing the mid pipes will give you a 8-12Kws.. FACT ..