Hulty's Sonic

[Hulty]

I've talked to Vince a few times about this.

Not sure when you got your tune I got mine end if April of 14 he said as he tweaks peoples he updates the baseline tune. He has been doing that since day one also when you order your tune you give a list of your mods and most of the time it's taken into account then. So we already have like 2 years of adjustments already made with just the baseline. I'd assume if the tune falls within a certain range in the tables then no adjustment is needed. Imagine the hell he'd have to go through to tweak something minor by a percent or decimal point for each individual car. Etc. it makes since to me.

But I was much like you are at first cause I got the same response.

I will say that I'm planning on checking into hptuners after I do a dyno if my dyno tech feels like something is sketchy as the place I'll be dynoing at will be the place that tunes me via hptuners if I end up going that way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I totally understand what you're saying about the tune and it's not like I don't like Trifecta's product, in fact I'd still likely recommend them to anyone who asks. All I'm saying is, if I buy a $500 computer I still have the option to PAY someone to help me with it, that's all. I'd happily pay to get personalized service and have the option to recover those small percentages in random tables should I want to. If you got tuned at your local dyno shop, you'd have to pay them for one on one time as well. I simply wish you could pay for "tech support" and have a TELE-tune over the phone(or Skype would be better yet) with a trifecta tuner. I'll proudly support their product, just simply wish for product support.

As a matter of fact, I'd wager that it'd be more lucrative to only sell base tunes but yet offer the ability to submit a datalog and pay $30/15min phone call with a tuner to review the log and decide what's necessary and/or optional. That's $120 and pretty well in line with what you'd pay a dyno tech per hour. I know I'd place at least a couple calls just to learn what everything meant.

 

[94383Z71]

Before I say any more, I will add to the fact that I am VERY happy with my tune as well. Favorite and arguably best value mod yet. Since I am essentially stock in the powertrain, I did datalog after I got the tune but was not surprised that it needed no adjustments, obviously.

But I do feel like they tout the datalog as a huge feature for the full tune, and from what I'm seeing the end users aren't feeling much benefit there. I understand that they have been fine tuning their base tune for two years, but at minimum they owe us more dialogue than "everything looks good".

I know that when I purchased, I was under the impression that we would be datalogging so we could chase down those few percent that open up as you improve the car. But maybe that was just me looking too far into it.

 

[krakenredbeard]

Understand I'm in no way defending trifecta I also questioned as you guys are I still do. I'm just sharing my experience.

Early on that was necessary as they didn't have it dialed in exactly where they wanted it.


You guys do realize to have a car dyno tuned your looking at 600$ to just start.

We paid what $315

I read somewhere that if you went to a dyno Vince could skype in or remote control your laptop to squeeze out a lil more.

In not sure if they still do that or not.

I honestly can't imagine them telling you everything is within spec if it wasn't. Could lead to huge liabilities on their end if say you blew up your car and found out it was a result of the tune.

Regardless of them warning you before you purchased the tune.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[94383Z71]

Oh no, I'm glad you're sharing. I haven't had much interaction with them, and while I somewhat assumed that was the case, it's good that you have that clarification. I was also not aware about the remote dyno tuning option.

Trust me, I understand full well the time, money, effort and expertise it takes to run and interpret dynamometers, especially in a tuning scenario.

I must admit that my thoughts on the datalog adjustments stemmed from the tune thread, which is fairly old in terms of what we're discussing and it would have been more necessary then, which I didn't account for. I also forget sometimes that the tune was $315ish, and that the ~$500 price tag was from the cable, shipping etc.

Again, I'm in no way accusing them of having a poor product or giving us "dangerous" product.

 

[Hulty]

Understand I'm in no way defending trifecta I also questioned as you guys are I still do. I'm just sharing my experience.

Early on that was necessary as they didn't have it dialed in exactly where they wanted it.


You guys do realize to have a car dyno tuned your looking at 600$ to just start.

We paid what $315

I read somewhere that if you went to a dyno Vince could skype in or remote control your laptop to squeeze out a lil more.

In not sure if they still do that or not.

I honestly can't imagine them telling you everything is within spec if it wasn't. Could lead to huge liabilities on their end if say you blew up your car and found out it was a result of the tune.

Regardless of them warning you before you purchased the tune.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree on all counts, my point exactly is that it's not about the money, I'd simply like more ways to give them some more.

We all have a blast playing with our Sonics like we are 16 again, but bottom line they are still $20K multi year investments we are talking about here and I'd simply like to be more involved in the process. More transparency, less ambiguity.

 

[94383Z71]

Very well put Hulty.

 

[krakenredbeard]

I'm with you one that, they are already on a 3 week backlog imagine how much more back logged they would be if they had to explain everything to each person.

I submit through bnr maybe it's them giving the all in spec not trifecta themselves. I honestly don't know ha ha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hulty]

I'm with you one that, they are already on a 3 week backlog imagine how much more back logged they would be if they had to explain everything to each person.

I submit through bnr maybe it's them giving the all in spec not trifecta themselves. I honestly don't know ha ha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kinda makes you wonder, how much(if any) would the backlog delay be reduced if people had to cough up $30 for a 15 minute phone appointment to discuss the datalog with a real person??

 

[94383Z71]

Probably not a lot, I would think. Most of that backlog probably consists of people that are just receiving the OK on their current files.

Could be wrong though.

 

[94383Z71]

So I'm reviewing your thread, and I wanted to be clear- you only dynamatted the interior support panels, going right over the empty voids?

 

[Hulty]

So I'm reviewing your thread, and I wanted to be clear- you only dynamatted the interior support panels, going right over the empty voids?

I guess I'm not totally understanding what it is that you're asking, but I'll try. I installed Dynamat on 95+% of the doors, hatch, and likely 70% coverage in the spare tire area. If you know anyone with a Cadillac/Buick type of car, go open and close those doors, THAT is what your Sonic will be like when you're done. Aside from the acoustic benefits, your car just feels more solid. For under $120, it's highly recommended by me.

 

[krakenredbeard]

How much weight hulty?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[94383Z71]

Thank you.

There's two surfaces of any door: the door skin which is the back side of the exterior panel, and the interior support where the speakers, etc mount. Those interior supports have "voids" in them - access holes to the window, etc.

It looks like you did the support panel and didn't trim it around the holes - closing that resonance area off with dynamat.

I appreciate it- your review convinced me to do it when I was looking it up, now I'm making sure of things. Debating on doing the floor too.

 

[Hulty]

How much weight hulty?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm guessing, but I'd say that each package (I used 2) was 6-7 lbs each. You're adding at least ten lbs to your car, but trust me, you'll be glad you did. Even my wifey, who loves cars but doesn't know much about them mechanically, said WOW upon closing a finished door.

 

[Hulty]

Thank you.

There's two surfaces of any door: the door skin which is the back side of the exterior panel, and the interior support where the speakers, etc mount. Those interior supports have "voids" in them - access holes to the window, etc.

It looks like you did the support panel and didn't trim it around the holes - closing that resonance area off with dynamat.

I appreciate it- your review convinced me to do it when I was looking it up, now I'm making sure of things. Debating on doing the floor too.

No worries, you'll be glad you did. I wouldn't see a need to do the flooring but decide that after doing what I did. You'll likely think it's enough as the flooring is for road noise and you'll find that the doors took care of most of that. However, if you do, use the Dynamat product that's specifically for flooring.

 

[2014 Blue RS]

Gotta say man, your write ups and info are a godsend. Only had my Sonic RS a few days and everything I've been thinking about you've done. Plus great bonus ideas! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.

 

[Hulty]

Gotta say man, your write ups and info are a godsend. Only had my Sonic RS a few days and everything I've been thinking about you've done. Plus great bonus ideas! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.

Thanks brother, I appreciate it. I'm enjoying it like crazy and if my knuckle-buster prevents someone else's, all the better!!

I actually just finished installing my Eibach springs at 1am my time so I'll be posting pics of the new look very soon as well....

 

[94383Z71]

Looking forward to it!

 

[blutrotsonic]

I'm guessing, but I'd say that each package (I used 2) was 6-7 lbs each. You're adding at least ten lbs to your car, but trust me, you'll be glad you did. Even my wifey, who loves cars but doesn't know much about them mechanically, said WOW upon closing a finished door.

Did you know about the Dynamat SuperLite? Seems to be more expensive, question is, how much lighter is it in comparison to the original?

 

[Hulty]

Did you know about the Dynamat SuperLite? Seems to be more expensive, question is, how much lighter is it in comparison to the original?

Couldn't tell ya brother, I have the luxury of never needing to care how fast I am according to the stopwatch as I'll likely never run for numbers in a competitive situation so I just get to stick with products that I know work.

Dynamat is pretty thorough, if their site doesn't say just drop them a line. I'd be curious to know the dB/lb comparisons between their products so please share if you find out!