Jagcode3, thanks a ton for the input! I'm with ya, yes I'd like to stick to the safe side of a tune even if it means slightly less hp gains..keeping reliability and reducing the odds of causing any major damage. Have you had this tune for a while on your car and put some decent miles on it? Nervous on spending a few thousand on something that could end up burning out a motor or any other serious costly repairs.

 

There are several members that have had VAP tunes on their cars for years without issue. I had one on my '18 V6 and now my '23 V8. I ran one tank of gas through the stock setup on my '23 when I bought it new then applied the tune. Two years and 10K miles later and no issues at all (other than it makes me drive a LOT faster than I would otherwise).

 

love hearing the positives, thank you!

 

I've had the VAP stage 2 tune running for over seven years now and not a single problem.
One thing not yet mentioned in this thread is that the stage 2 tune releases a bit of SC whine, a fair bit more than the stage 1 (tune only no crank pulley upgrade) does.
But to release a LOT more SC whine you need an after-market lower intake system such as Mina Gallery's offering.

 

Thanks a ton for the reply, sounds great, yes if I end up going for the tune I'll likely go for the intakes as well then. Would be fun to hear that noise a bit better if already spending a fair amount. Sounds great👍🏻 7 years is huge, that's really great.

 

I have 5000 miles on my tune - my engine and I love it - @Ksducati YOLO - Go for it!

@Therock88, a true legend here, made some great posts on the procedure (and many other procedures, thank you!), and Connor (YT legend, thank you too!) made a nice video on his channel to get an idea of what's involved:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...coming-237326/

 

Can't thank ya enough, excellent info. 👌 I'll watch now😎

 

A tune that gets rid of pops and bangs should be called a detune... I prefer paying for insurance that covers cat and O2 sensor and keep on banging! 😂

 

@WSHudds Haha yes I get that, and I realize I am a minority in this forum regarding the subject. Also the pops, bangs and crackles are a very different experience for the automatic transmission F-Type.

Can I ask you when your overruns appear during shifting and can you manipulate the sounds? As a reference, I would get a large gunshot bang after depressing the clutch past 4K unless I let the revs come down to 3.5K before depressing the clutch. The more pleasant pops, crackles, burbles only occurred during deceleration.

@Ksducati Here is another good thread - @Bierry managed to do the install entirely from the top which is amazing! I tried but dropped a wrench to the bottom in the first 10 minutes and couldn't locate it necessitating removal of the bottom tray.

http://https://www.jaguarforums.com/...-265444/page2/

 

We're definitely a minority but there's more of us. Getting rid of the pops and bangs is the only reason I have considered getting mine remapped but so far have decided against it.

 

@MajorTom Thanks for that What is your overrun situation over the shifting spectrum?

I think you would like the tune and it can be returned to stock if needed.

 

The SC sound from the Mina Gallery intake (I have upper and lower) at half throttle is fabulous. Over half throttle, the exhaust roar steals the audience's attention. As Oz implies, only the lower section is needed as that eliminates the OEM intake baffle designed to mute the whine.

 

The overrun on the MT is fully controllable as it occurs primarily during engine braking. Don't want the pops...simply depress the clutch.

 

@Unhingd It's during acceleration that the issue came up - fast shifting from 1>2 and 2>3 as soon as the clutch is depressed there is a loud bang. Only way to stop it was to let the RPMs down to 3.5K then depress the clutch. Thoughts?

 

gotcha, so no real need for the full kit? You would just recommend the lower portion of the Mina intake kit?
thank you!
Kevin

 

To @jagcode3 @unhingd @wshudds @ozxfr and @thunder dump
When you guys did the tune did you guys end up swapping anything else out? I guess first thing that comes to mind would be spark plugs..is this necessary or recommended for a stage 2? Surely can't hurt..I have a 2016 with 29k miles so likely original plugs which probably would last plenty longer but if going for the vap stage 2 would changing plugs out prior be a good idea? Any of you with input on this? Staying with original oe plugs or something else to handle the altered tune better?

 

Here's a picture I took when I installed the lower pulley. The only other thing needed is access underneath. I think I used ramps and put up with it being a little lower than would be optimum.



For spark plugs, the standard ones are fine. The reference I have here on my computer says to replace at 6 years or 96,000 miles, but I have a vague recollection of that being halved for the V6 at some point (or maybe was half for earlier cars?). When mine were replaced I asked for the originals to be marked by cylinder and saved for me. I saw no indication that the heat range was off and even the wear did not look unusual, but thought that the factory recommendation for my usage was a bit optimistic. I think that was at 43K miles total, 33K with tune, 1K with lower pulley. My recommendation would be 3 years, 36,000 miles. If you drive with at least one pedal on the floor at a all times, you might want to adjust that.

 

Mine has the auto box so I guess it's a different story. When shifting there are just some nice farps but the pops and bangs that I wouldn't mind getting rid of come when I release the throttle. With the auto box I think the amount of pops depends on how quickly you release the throttle.

Yeah, I'm no stranger to tunes. Had several cars including two other Jags remapped and returned to stock before trade in and this is the first one I've left stock. I previously had an XF with the same AJ126 engine with 340 hp stock that I ran remapped to some 415 hp for three years. It didn't have pops and bangs stock and didn't get any after the remap either. I don't mind the pops that much but the concept just feels a bit tired now. I guess it was kind of cool 10 years ago but not so much now that every cheap hot hatch and every pimped old beemer does that. Also it just feels stupid to slowly fry the cats and O2 sensors.

 

Sounds like I may be due for some plugs since I'm at 8 years and 29k miles..worth starting fresh especially if going forward with the tune and pulley. Thank you!

 

I used the time interval because that's what the factory does. Some things need replacing by time, e.g. wiper blades, but with plugs, I'll amend my previous statement and would go by mileage alone.

Still, if you are going to get the pulley and tune, it won't hurt to start with fresh plugs.