ecohauler
New member
Sounds like a laptop isn't necessary, then. OP stated he has a sweet desktop, so if it's got an SD slot he should be good with Bully Dog.
Vtuner, SCR, Trifecta, bully dog, etc
- Thread starter gdisgr8t
- Start date
houser
New member
The micro sd chip has a USB adapter with it
You plug the USB adapter into the PC
Download the bully dog downloaded program
And use that to upgrade the sd to fit what ever
Car you have. The Micro SD into tha USB adapter
Then remove it and put into the programmer.
Once the car is programmed you use the
Programmer for a meter. Display
Or remove it like I did so you don't have to
Look at all the #s, bar grafts and gauges
While you drive.
You plug the USB adapter into the PC
Download the bully dog downloaded program
And use that to upgrade the sd to fit what ever
Car you have. The Micro SD into tha USB adapter
Then remove it and put into the programmer.
Once the car is programmed you use the
Programmer for a meter. Display
Or remove it like I did so you don't have to
Look at all the #s, bar grafts and gauges
While you drive.
sx sonic
New member
I haven't had a tank below 40 mpg in a dozen fill ups. That's manually calculating my mpg. The DIC has not read below 45mpg and It's reset at every fillup.
Usually I'm running about 45 mpg hand calc.
I've even had a few tanks over 50 mpg.
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Insanika
Super Moderator
Not to mention I'm sure we could ask for something similar, up the hp and fun a little and increase mpg even more. In fact, I plan to talk to someone next month about just this.. Maybe more like 18-20psi and give me a little more Eco.
You can look at and compare the numbers all day but what I wonder- and I'm sure this is a noob question- is how the others FEEL. I know even without seeing much if any boost, just driving easy does it, the car just FEELS more loose, smooth, less restricted.
You can look at and compare the numbers all day but what I wonder- and I'm sure this is a noob question- is how the others FEEL. I know even without seeing much if any boost, just driving easy does it, the car just FEELS more loose, smooth, less restricted.
Well I have had both a Trifecta and VTuner and here is my two cents.
Vermont Tuning:
Drives almost exactly like stock when you drive it normal in everyday traffic, but has a nice power boost when you open it up. It drives really smooth which is what I like - and since my wife occasionally drives my car she prefers this one. This is really what it should have been of the dealer lot in my opinion. My PID for torque is at 181 tuned for 93 octane.
Trifecta (BNR):
Almost seems like a GM Stage 1 compared to VTuner. It is a little harder to drive smooth at least with the automatic since the throttle is much more sensitive than VTuner. Although its mostly noticeable when taking of from a dead stop. I don't have a PID from a data log for this tune, but I would say seat of the pants Trifecta feels stronger in the lower RPM's on torque. In the upper range I would say about the same or maybe even VTuner has a very slight edge.
Response Times for updates and data logs is faster with VTuner. BNR is great in responding right away, but once they forward it over to Vince it takes longer to get back to me on any updates. I have had my idle raised slightly on both tunes and Vince (Trifecta) took about a month to get back to me and Brian (VTuner) had me an update the next day. In full disclosure though Vince did it for no charge and I did may a small fee for Brian to make this customization for me.
I am not trying to slam either one of these companies so don't get me wrong! I am only stating my actual experiences with them so that it might help others thinking about purchasing a tune.
Hope it helps out!
-Mike
Vermont Tuning:
Drives almost exactly like stock when you drive it normal in everyday traffic, but has a nice power boost when you open it up. It drives really smooth which is what I like - and since my wife occasionally drives my car she prefers this one. This is really what it should have been of the dealer lot in my opinion. My PID for torque is at 181 tuned for 93 octane.
Trifecta (BNR):
Almost seems like a GM Stage 1 compared to VTuner. It is a little harder to drive smooth at least with the automatic since the throttle is much more sensitive than VTuner. Although its mostly noticeable when taking of from a dead stop. I don't have a PID from a data log for this tune, but I would say seat of the pants Trifecta feels stronger in the lower RPM's on torque. In the upper range I would say about the same or maybe even VTuner has a very slight edge.
Response Times for updates and data logs is faster with VTuner. BNR is great in responding right away, but once they forward it over to Vince it takes longer to get back to me on any updates. I have had my idle raised slightly on both tunes and Vince (Trifecta) took about a month to get back to me and Brian (VTuner) had me an update the next day. In full disclosure though Vince did it for no charge and I did may a small fee for Brian to make this customization for me.
I am not trying to slam either one of these companies so don't get me wrong! I am only stating my actual experiences with them so that it might help others thinking about purchasing a tune.
Hope it helps out!
-Mike
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Thanks!
A couple things I forgot to add:
My weekly commute consists of about 250-300 miles and I did see an average of 2-3 MPG increase with both tunes. I do about 65-70% freeway driving at 72-75 MPH and the remainder is stop and go city driving. I consistently get about 33-34 MPG hand calculated now. I was only getting about 31-32MPG prior to the tune. If I slow it down or only do freeway driving I have see it hit 40 MPG a few times - once again hand calculated.
My Trifecta tune takes about 20-22 minutes to load on my bare bones net book. My VTuner tune takes about 2-3 minutes tops to load with the supplied hand held AutoCal.
I don't why I forgot to add it in the original post...
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ecohauler
New member
Kinda guessing here, but a higher idle could help torque off the line by keeping a little bit of boost going as well as reducing engine wear by driving the oil pump at a higher speed. Stock idle should be just high enough that the engine isn't oil-starved, but if someone's a little paranoid about it they may want to raise the idle a bit. With an auto trans, it could also change the feel. Some people like their cars to pull forward when they let off the brake before they hit the gas pedal, and a higher idle would encourage that as well (IDK how much the auto Sonic does this stock).
The auto trans is designed to go into neutral when the vehicle is stopped and in drive.Raising the idle could render that system inop.Al hough i would need to look into how it works to verify this.I am not one that feels playing with the trans in any way is a good idea.I also run the stock trans tune with the tuned engine.playing with the trans could cause un wanted hydraulic pressure in trans circuits.Just my thoughts ! The stock trans tune in the sonic or cruze does a excellent job of power management.Although tuneing does make the tran seem better.The GM tune is hard to beat for power management and durability
Thanks guys.
I only wanted the idle raised because it idles much smoother raised a bit. Especially on a hot day with the A/C on you can really notice a difference.
I only had it raised up to 875RPM. It usually idles at 700-775RPM stock depending on engine temp and run time.
It still goes into neutral when stopped at lights so I don't really notice any negative effect from having it raised up slightly. In fact one positive thing that I notice is a slightly firmer brake pedal feel when in stop and go traffic. Usually only when you are just creeping a few miles per hour and are constantly on and off the brake. I would think it could be due to a slight increase in vacuum with the higher idle. Only speculation on my part though...
I only wanted the idle raised because it idles much smoother raised a bit. Especially on a hot day with the A/C on you can really notice a difference.
I only had it raised up to 875RPM. It usually idles at 700-775RPM stock depending on engine temp and run time.
It still goes into neutral when stopped at lights so I don't really notice any negative effect from having it raised up slightly. In fact one positive thing that I notice is a slightly firmer brake pedal feel when in stop and go traffic. Usually only when you are just creeping a few miles per hour and are constantly on and off the brake. I would think it could be due to a slight increase in vacuum with the higher idle. Only speculation on my part though...
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Here is the table for desired idle speeds from EFILive on my stock tune. Thought you guys might find interesting how many tables there are just for the idle.
I don't have a license to edit things, but it is cool to look around and see what you can find. I may one day buy a license who knows?! Hehehe
I don't have a license to edit things, but it is cool to look around and see what you can find. I may one day buy a license who knows?! Hehehe
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ecohauler
New member
Thanks, I was hoping someone would correct me on that. I knew some similar vehicles (Focus is one) had that feature, but couldn't remember if the Sonic did. It was never really relevant to me since I don't drive automatic unless I absolutely have to, so I forgot it. Is the auto in the Sonic the one that GM and Ford developed together that I read about a couple of years ago?