trifecta Confusion

[Mikeygoolsbay]

So I am getting ready to pull the trigger on the much need tune, but the more I read about it the more confused I get with the blue pill, red pill, 93 octane, full tune vs premium tune. what do I need to know before I buy it, I obviously want the biggest bang for my buck.

 

[sx sonic]

Red pill= Full power E-85 tune...... Requires larger injectors, a retune over the normal "full tune" aka premium tune (+$100 I believe)............. For manual trans it requires an aftermarket clutch to hold the increased torque. Auto trans can hold the power w/o upgrade

Blue pill= The same as the red pill in all regards, EXCEPT peak torque is limited to power levels that the stock manual clutch can hold or about 200 ft lbs..

The reason for the name came from "The Matrix". Manual owners could take the "red pill" and jump down the rabbit hole for max power (and spend $$$ on a clutch). OR take the "blue pill" and forget about Maximum power (keep the stock clutch).


Then there's the 2 gas tunes. Full tune, aka premium tune which has datalog support for maximum optimization of modes (full power, best for adding mods).

Or the Budget tune which does not include dataloging.
Either can be specified for intended mods and octane.

 

[Mikeygoolsbay]

Red pill= Full power E-85 tune...... Requires larger injectors, a retune over the normal "full tune" aka premium tune (+$100 I believe)............. For manual trans it requires an aftermarket clutch to hold the increased torque. Auto trans can hold the power w/o upgrade

Blue pill= The same as the red pill in all regards, EXCEPT peak torque is limited to power levels that the stock manual clutch can hold or about 200 ft lbs..

The reason for the name came from "The Matrix". Manual owners could take the "red pill" and jump down the rabbit hole for max power (and spend $$$ on a clutch). OR take the "blue pill" and forget about Maximum power (keep the stock clutch).


Then there's the 2 gas tunes. Full tune, aka premium tune which has datalog support for maximum optimization of modes (full power, best for adding mods).

Or the Budget tune which does not include dataloging.
Either can be specified for intended mods and octane.

So I've read that small modifications to the tune are free, if I get the tune and then mpfab's turbo to cat-back exhaust with no cats will I need to pay the $100 or is that considered a small mod

 

[Mikeygoolsbay]

And if I get the e-85 tune down the road all I need is an alcohol sensor to run premium gas?

 

[sx sonic]

So I've read that small modifications to the tune are free, if I get the tune and then mpfab's turbo to cat-back exhaust with no cats will I need to pay the $100 or is that considered a small mod

You are correct that minor tune adjustments are free. Large mods, that drastically change the operating behavior require a $100 retune.

Examples of mods that require a major retune ($$$) would be larger injectors, porting the intake manifold, turbo swap, cams, etc.

Almost all bolt on parts do not require a major retune, so they are free. Intakes, intercooler swaps, BOV, and exhaust are minor adjustments.

For example if you get the tune AND then get a turbo back exhaust you would only need to datalog the car after adding the exhaust, send in the log for analysis, and either get a free revision OR very likely receive an "all's good" response. Even thou exhaust work yields more power they usually don't require any ECM tweaking.

You will also need to disable the catalyst monitor using EZFlash to keep the CEL from popping up.



There's 2 ways to switch between E-85 to gas and vice versa (after getting the 42# injectors).
1. Is to run the car really low on fuel, refill with the desired fuel and reflash the correct tune (gas tune for gas, E-85 tune for E-85). If you go this route request both fuel tunes so you have them when need be.

2. Install a fuel composition sensor from a buick regal and wire it to the ECM. TriVince can then enable the flex fuel tables and you can safely run any mix of fuel and ethanol without any additional work.

Swordsmith did a nice DIY install that's somewhere on the forum, I recommend finding it as It's very informative.

 

[Mikeygoolsbay]

You are correct that minor tune adjustments are free. Large mods, that drastically change the operating behavior require a $100 retune.

Examples of mods that require a major retune ($$$) would be larger injectors, porting the intake manifold, turbo swap, cams, etc.

Almost all bolt on parts do not require a major retune, so they are free. Intakes, intercooler swaps, BOV, and exhaust are minor adjustments.

For example if you get the tune AND then get a turbo back exhaust you would only need to datalog the car after adding the exhaust, send in the log for analysis, and either get a free revision OR very likely receive an "all's good" response. Even thou exhaust work yields more power they usually don't require any ECM tweaking.

You will also need to disable the catalyst monitor using EZFlash to keep the CEL from popping up.



There's 2 ways to switch between E-85 to gas and vice versa (after getting the 42# injectors).
1. Is to run the car really low on fuel, refill with the desired fuel and reflash the correct tune (gas tune for gas, E-85 tune for E-85). If you go this route request both fuel tunes so you have them when need be.

2. Install a fuel composition sensor from a buick regal and wire it to the ECM. TriVince can then enable the flex fuel tables and you can safely run any mix of fuel and ethanol without any additional work.

Swordsmith did a nice DIY install that's somewhere on the forum, I recommend finding it as It's very informative.

Thank you for all your help

 

[sx sonic]

No problemo.