The VAP tune doesn't ''eat cats" and if you hanker after more power your best bet is to start slow and build up later as finances permit.
Just get the tune only to start with which doesn't cost a helluva lot and the installation is DIY so free, then if down the track you spring for a pulley or two the associated tune will cost you no extra.

 

I get your point. I just know that if I went "just a tune" for now, I'd immediately regret not doing pulleys too. And from what I've heard, the TCM tune makes a huge difference. I just wish they had a package deal to do the ECU and TCM tune together because it seems like they go hand in hand. And maybe I'm completely wrong about the cats, but I swear I've read multiple threads on here that people's stock cats were shot within 6 months or so of going the tuning route.

 

How so? The bit that makes the difference (noting the earlier point about how the waste gate will just dump any excess boost generated) is the tune.

Plus, unless you have the SUV variant*, it's a very traction limited chassis. Even the V6 could do a rolling burnout to the rev limiter in 3rd on dry tarmac (you start in first and then upshift as you run out of revs - but save trying this for the day when you give a worn set of tires the full 'Viking Funeral').

*it lacks the ride height, but has the drivetrain

 

One issue with a "Package" deal on TCM and ECU tuning, is that they have to use different platforms to modify the modules. For example...My TCU is HP Tuner, and the ECU uses a different device (Powergate 3) to install the tunes. They may be able to find a platform that works on both? But have not seen that yet.

DC

 

Well, I do indeed have the "SUV variant" (2017 FType R), so I am not particularly traction limited from a dig.

 

I am pretty sure F-Type R's are NOT considered SUVs. 2016 and on are AWD, but when I look at mine, I never think of it as an SUV. I have an SUV....But the F-Type is not one ?? Am I missing something?

DC

F-Type R



SUV (Porsche Cayenne S)

 

What you're missing is an absence of rational thought.

 

I've been running the tune and pulleys for 3 years now with no cat damage. Almost 25k miles.

 

if you're looking to save money with VAP stuff, now's the time to pull the trigger because the Black Friday sale until Dec 10th.

With respects to the ECU tune burning through your cats, here are my thoughts and what I've come to understand:

The F Type from the factory, with the way it's tuned, will burn through your cats at some point. Depending on a number of things (how aggressive you drive i.e. constantly revving to get the pops, how many miles, etc) you will eventually burn through your cats. It seem like F type owner's factory cats are starting to go anywhere between 60-80k miles with the stock tune. Others have mentioned that this is why Jaguar dialed back the aggressive exhaust pops in the 2020 cars (I may be off by a year or 2). So even without any mods, your cats will eventually go depending on how you drive.

When you get the VAP ECU tune, you can keep the factory Pops, Burble and Bang (PBB) OR you can get the tune with "additional" PBB, and that's much more aggressive and that will definitely burn through your cats faster. You can request from VAP to provide 2 tuning files... with and without the additional PBB. That's what I did. I currently have the factory cats and I'm run the VAP ECU tune without the additional PBB but I have both tunes.

Even though I'm not running the additional PBB in my tune, if I were to drive aggressively and trying to get pops, I would naturally burn through my cats faster and that's not necessarily VAP's fault, that's really on me and my driving style...

Having said all that, I do like the additional PBB and would like to run my car with that in the tune. My car has 67K miles and it's at that point where the cats will potentially go if I run it with the additional PBB tune so I ordered the VAP 200 cell cats and Exhaust system. Will it burn up the 200 cell cats? Sure, at some point it probably will but since these VAP cats are free flowing, I'm less worried about that and just want to have fun with it.

So I would say 1) if you want to get this VAP stuff at a great price, nows the time to do it. 2) If you're worried about your burning through your cats, don't get the additional PBB tune. Does this guarantee you won't have issues with your cats? No because it's hard to say without knowing your car's driving history.

*****I'm far from an expert on this stuff but from research, personal trial/error efforts, and "connecting the dots" on some of this stuff, this is what I've come to understand. I hope this gives you some details to make your decision.

 

I appreciate the input @datriani . I'm with you that now's clearly the best time to pull the trigger on the VAP stuff if you're going to do it. Which is why I've added the tunes, pulleys and sport cats to my cart at least 5 times over the last week. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, I was out of work for about 8 months end of 2020/beginning of 2021, so I just can't bring myself to justify spending $6k+ (after install), when I already love my car as is. As I mentioned before, rallies, track days, and trips to the drag strip have given me the sickness of always wanting just a little bit more. I didn't mean for my post to come off as complaining or anything; just bummed that VAP basically has the one sale a year which means if I don't pull the trigger now, I'm gonna end up waiting at least another full year.

@Therock88 yeah I'm not really sure what the whole "SUV variant" thing was about, but I assumed he was referring to the AWD FTypes, so I just went with the joke. On a semi-related note, if anyone's curious, a stock AWD FType R is basically a dead draw with a Jeep Trackhawk on an 1/8th mile non-prepped surface. I'd have definitely have pulled on him at a 1/4 or longer though . That was a race I was particularly very curious about since I sold my Trackhawk a couple months before getting my FType last year.

 

The only thing that comes to mind on the "SUV variant" comment.

 

Yeah....That is why we don't leave them stock! ...I have some videos posted on here somewhere of some of my 1/2 mile airstrip runs, beating most cars I raced. I recall one was a modified Saleen Mustang, and one was a modified Mercedes AMG GTS.

DC

 

Glad you're able to get your footing after a rough drought. Best of luck to you. PM sent.

 

No, no. What you're missing is a sense of humour.

His car is not so traction limited as the RWD, so can probably handle more torque.

HTH.

 

Are you sure? No one else has ever accused me of that in 70 years ....

 

I assumed you were being humorous in your response, and not accusing ME of not having rational thought....Otherwise I would have a much different response as well...

Take care,
DC

 

I was suggesting that you were missing an absence of rational thought - I had to read it few times myself to make sure that sort-of double negative said what I intended. You strike me as a very rational individual (intakes of meths notwithstanding! ).

 

Yes, the bypass valve will dump excess boost (unless commanded not to.) But the pulley also makes a difference, if the vehicle is tuned concurrently because you can generate more boost when the bypass is fully or partially close.

 

Just ordered the basic V8S tune because I'm not (or more accurately a mechanic is not) going to screw with my supercharger's pulleys. Fully rear wheel drive is still a bit crazy at 495 HP, but now it's time to see how much wilder 605 will be.

Fortunately, I live in a state that has not required passenger vehicle emissions checks in something like 20 years so I can avoid this whole new debate.

Stuart, you were very helpful in answering my questions.

Now considering taking odds on whether I manage to brick my ECU.

 

You won't. The ECU flash, while time-consuming (figure 30 minutes for the first read and 15 minutes for the first flash) is very easy and VAP provides excellent step-by-step instructions. And their tech support both pre- and post-sale is second to none. I've never seen an aftermarket company with such thorough and quick tech support.

You are definitely going to want the car to be on a battery tender when you do it though. It is *strongly* recommended.