When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
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.
I have a V8S and installed my tune (no pulleys) about a month ago. Very easy and no issues. Just don't unplug it while it's writing the file and there's nothing to worry about. And yes, that RWD with the tune is crazy fun!
I meant to post this a few months ago but got busy and then kind of forgot about it: a brief list of impressions that I jotted down shortly after I finally pulled the trigger on the pulley + tune in early September of last year.
I knew I'd have to write the initial impressions down since after a while I'd get used to the new performance characteristics and forget the specifics of what it used to feel like.
- engine runs smoother, makes shifting easier too
- more torque in low rpm (less downshifting in town) -- actually gives better mpg for day-to-day
- better acceleration
- easier to break traction on 1-2 shift
- broke traction on a 2-3 shift in TracDSC on a warm-ish dry day (rears are 295 Michelin Pilot Sports) -- never happened before
- pulls harder, longer ("lag/sluggishness" is gone)
- noticeable supercharger whine at high rpm, sounds amazing
- much easier to hit milestone speeds; milestone speeds achieved & exceeded more often
- regularly hitting speeds that are +10 on old top-out speeds on a given stretch of road on my regular routes
- belt squeal is gone, hallelujah
- car now has the torque & speed to match its sound & looks
- this is the way that one would *expect* a 6-figure sport GT to feel; VAP has ironed out the wrinkles
I meant to post this a few months ago but got busy and then kind of forgot about it: a brief list of impressions that I jotted down shortly after I finally pulled the trigger on the pulley + tune in early September of last year.
I knew I'd have to write the initial impressions down since after a while I'd get used to the new performance characteristics and forget the specifics of what it used to feel like.
- engine runs smoother, makes shifting easier too
- more torque in low rpm (less downshifting in town) -- actually gives better mpg for day-to-day
- better acceleration
- easier to break traction on 1-2 shift
- broke traction on a 2-3 shift in TracDSC on a warm-ish dry day (rears are 295 Michelin Pilot Sports) -- never happened before
- pulls harder, longer ("lag/sluggishness" is gone)
- noticeable supercharger whine at high rpm, sounds amazing
- much easier to hit milestone speeds; milestone speeds achieved & exceeded more often
- regularly hitting speeds that are +10 on old top-out speeds on a given stretch of road on my regular routes
- belt squeal is gone, hallelujah
- car now has the torque & speed to match its sound & looks
- this is the way that one would *expect* a 6-figure sport GT to feel; VAP has ironed out the wrinkles
Agree with all of that!
I have been running a Eurotoys larger crank pulley and the VAP tune for nearly four years now with zero problems and it's a joy to drive.
The main thing is the increased torque and hence throttle response in the mid-range.
Next is the improvement up top and they way it now revs right out to 7,000 rpm when before it used to give up the ghost at around 6,500 rpm.
And if you want mucho more SC whine at all revs and not just at the top end then fit a Mina Gallery lower intake kit!
The main thing is the increased torque and hence throttle response in the mid-range.
I agree, this is certainly the most noticeable improvement.
Originally Posted by OzXFR
Next is the improvement up top and they way it now revs right out to 7,000 rpm when before it used to give up the ghost at around 6,500 rpm.
Now that reminds me of the first backroad fun drive I took after the install: being acclimated to the previous drop-off near the top of the rev range, I kept my foot in it just a bit too long and ended up carrying more speed than I intended into a curve. Nothing bad happened, but it was a bit of a pucker moment!
It took me a little while to recalibrate my driving habits to the newfound performance.
I haven't read the entire 65 pages of this thread, I didn't see the following brought up for F-Type S owners who live in California:
With the tune and lower pulley, was your car able to pass emissions testing?
With the OEM tune, but with the lower pulley, did it pass emissions testing?
It's easy enough to back out the tune if required, but it would be nice to know both of the above.
I haven't read the entire 65 pages of this thread, I didn't see the following brought up for F-Type S owners who live in California:
With the tune and lower pulley, was your car able to pass emissions testing?
With the OEM tune, but with the lower pulley, did it pass emissions testing?
It's easy enough to back out the tune if required, but it would be nice to know both of the above.
But if I read your reply correctly, if the new sniffer test actually matches the CVN against a database of software tunes, you're unsure if flashing back to stock map will pass...or at least that's how I interpreted it. Do correct me if I'm wrong.
Just to add a data point here. I flashed my V8 S with a VAP tune back to stock, drove 100-ish miles until my code reader told me all the monitors are ready, and it passed California smog without issues.
I assume this means CARB is happy with the CVN and doesn't care about the P167F code (which btw only appeared after I flashed the ECU back to stock).
Just to add a data point here. I flashed my V8 S with a VAP tune back to stock, drove 100-ish miles until my code reader told me all the monitors are ready, and it passed California smog without issues.
I assume this means CARB is happy with the CVN and doesn't care about the P167F code (which btw only appeared after I flashed the ECU back to stock).
Thanks Samit that is great news,.I think you are the first person on this forum that has said they have passed the CA smog test with a tuned car by flashing back to stock.
Lossking was going through CA the Smog check with his car but his only answer if he passed was "yes and no" but he also had 200 cell cats. But I wish he would give us a detailed count of what he had to do to pass,if he has.
Thanks Again,
Just to add a data point here. I flashed my V8 S with a VAP tune back to stock, drove 100-ish miles until my code reader told me all the monitors are ready, and it passed California smog without issues.
I assume this means CARB is happy with the CVN and doesn't care about the P167F code (which btw only appeared after I flashed the ECU back to stock).
I'm just wondering what the OEM tune will do when it sees slightly higher MAP due to the bigger crank pully. I think I read that it's "fine" but would like to confirm. I do realize that VAP probably knows...
I'm just wondering what the OEM tune will do when it sees slightly higher MAP due to the bigger crank pully. I think I read that it's "fine" but would like to confirm. I do realize that VAP probably knows...
The stock tune/PCM does not like a larger crank pulley and it will play up and revert to Restricted Performance (limp home mode) if you give it the beans.
A few of us me included have driven home after having a larger crank pulley fitted to then install the correct tune and the advice was to take it easy and keep the revs under 4,000.
So theoretically, it could work, (re)install the OEM tune and keep the rpm low until tested. As far as I know, they don't rev it that high during the test, though I'm assuming that they also don't rev it when they start it and move it into the shop...
So theoretically, it could work, (re)install the OEM tune and keep the rpm low until tested. As far as I know, they don't rev it that high during the test, though I'm assuming that they also don't rev it when they start it and move it into the shop...
Yep, that should work.
The stock tune won't let you rev it past 4,000 in N or P but a VAP tune removes this limiter, dunno what happens with this limiter if you whack a VAP tune on then revert to the stock tune but my guess is the 4,000 rpm limiter is reinstated. Also I dunno how a CARB test works, what gear(s) what revs etc, lucky there is no such thing/test in my neck of the woods!
Hi Guys,
what's your take on a product like this. Snake oil or legit?
As far as the VAP Tune, it's my understanding that they don't recommend raising or removing the rev limiter because the engine can get damaged from the super high rev range. I'm sure someone will confirm this is clarify my statement.
