ECU Tune and Pulley Upgrade Satisfaction for 5L SC
Banned
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 438
Likes: 67
From: Ohio
I met Jags from ETG with Ralph, yesterday, and have made an appointment to discuss doing the pulley swap and tune in two weeks. I suggested that I'd like to see before and after dyno numbers, and he seemed pretty comfortable with it. He said that they do a lot of the 5.0L engines and that it should top out at 618hp.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,008
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From: Los Angeles
sts-v,
Yes, that's my car with the F/X Designs rear bumper/diffuser. The front bumper is stock but has the Mina 3 pieces front splitter which we joined together to make it one piece (looks cleaner and more custom). The side skirts are the Mina RS sides, and it also has the Mina performance exhaust. Unfortunately, the beautiful (and huge) Mina exhaust tips were too wide to poke through the F/X Design's exhaust opening without cutting, and the bumper/diffuser is fairly flimsy, so I didn't want to compromise any of it's integrity, hence the smaller, but still nice exhaust tips.
Here are a few more pictures of the additions.
Yes, that's my car with the F/X Designs rear bumper/diffuser. The front bumper is stock but has the Mina 3 pieces front splitter which we joined together to make it one piece (looks cleaner and more custom). The side skirts are the Mina RS sides, and it also has the Mina performance exhaust. Unfortunately, the beautiful (and huge) Mina exhaust tips were too wide to poke through the F/X Design's exhaust opening without cutting, and the bumper/diffuser is fairly flimsy, so I didn't want to compromise any of it's integrity, hence the smaller, but still nice exhaust tips.
Here are a few more pictures of the additions.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 438
Likes: 67
From: Ohio
sts-v,
Yes, that's my car with the F/X Designs rear bumper/diffuser. The front bumper is stock but has the Mina 3 pieces front splitter which we joined together to make it one piece (looks cleaner and more custom). The side skirts are the Mina RS sides, and it also has the Mina performance exhaust. Unfortunately, the beautiful (and huge) Mina exhaust tips were too wide to poke through the F/X Design's exhaust opening without cutting, and the bumper/diffuser is fairly flimsy, so I didn't want to compromise any of it's integrity, hence the smaller, but still nice exhaust tips.
Here are a few more pictures of the additions.
Yes, that's my car with the F/X Designs rear bumper/diffuser. The front bumper is stock but has the Mina 3 pieces front splitter which we joined together to make it one piece (looks cleaner and more custom). The side skirts are the Mina RS sides, and it also has the Mina performance exhaust. Unfortunately, the beautiful (and huge) Mina exhaust tips were too wide to poke through the F/X Design's exhaust opening without cutting, and the bumper/diffuser is fairly flimsy, so I didn't want to compromise any of it's integrity, hence the smaller, but still nice exhaust tips.
Here are a few more pictures of the additions.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,008
Likes: 2,623
From: Los Angeles
sts-v,
The rear bumper/diffuser from F/X was $1450. plus $150 shipping from Chicago to Los Angeles. It probably took between 3-4 weeks as the first one they shipped, they claimed was lost in delivery, and when they found it, supposedly it was severely damaged. So, they sent out a second one. The F/X product needs quite a bit of work to fit as well as to be ready for paint. They will tell you that it's primed and ready for paint, but this is far from the truth. The Mina products were probably around $600 and needed work as well, but not as much. Also, on the F/X, the mesh that was shipped with the bumper was a black honeycombed, plastic mesh, not what's shown on their webpage or what's been put on my car. I bought a couple of front grill custom meshes from Mina for $25./each. They are heavy gauge and very nice quality and approximated the front grill only much smaller spacing.
I just wanted to make my XKR look a little different, and I thought the F/X rear was the nicest one. I didn't really want to change the front. If you end up going with the whole kit, I'd love to see the finished product and find out what kind of experience your body shop had with it.
Good luck.
The rear bumper/diffuser from F/X was $1450. plus $150 shipping from Chicago to Los Angeles. It probably took between 3-4 weeks as the first one they shipped, they claimed was lost in delivery, and when they found it, supposedly it was severely damaged. So, they sent out a second one. The F/X product needs quite a bit of work to fit as well as to be ready for paint. They will tell you that it's primed and ready for paint, but this is far from the truth. The Mina products were probably around $600 and needed work as well, but not as much. Also, on the F/X, the mesh that was shipped with the bumper was a black honeycombed, plastic mesh, not what's shown on their webpage or what's been put on my car. I bought a couple of front grill custom meshes from Mina for $25./each. They are heavy gauge and very nice quality and approximated the front grill only much smaller spacing.
I just wanted to make my XKR look a little different, and I thought the F/X rear was the nicest one. I didn't really want to change the front. If you end up going with the whole kit, I'd love to see the finished product and find out what kind of experience your body shop had with it.
Good luck.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 438
Likes: 67
From: Ohio
sts-v,
The rear bumper/diffuser from F/X was $1450. plus $150 shipping from Chicago to Los Angeles. It probably took between 3-4 weeks as the first one they shipped, they claimed was lost in delivery, and when they found it, supposedly it was severely damaged. So, they sent out a second one. The F/X product needs quite a bit of work to fit as well as to be ready for paint. They will tell you that it's primed and ready for paint, but this is far from the truth. The Mina products were probably around $600 and needed work as well, but not as much. Also, on the F/X, the mesh that was shipped with the bumper was a black honeycombed, plastic mesh, not what's shown on their webpage or what's been put on my car. I bought a couple of front grill custom meshes from Mina for $25./each. They are heavy gauge and very nice quality and approximated the front grill only much smaller spacing.
I just wanted to make my XKR look a little different, and I thought the F/X rear was the nicest one. I didn't really want to change the front. If you end up going with the whole kit, I'd love to see the finished product and find out what kind of experience your body shop had with it.
Good luck.
The rear bumper/diffuser from F/X was $1450. plus $150 shipping from Chicago to Los Angeles. It probably took between 3-4 weeks as the first one they shipped, they claimed was lost in delivery, and when they found it, supposedly it was severely damaged. So, they sent out a second one. The F/X product needs quite a bit of work to fit as well as to be ready for paint. They will tell you that it's primed and ready for paint, but this is far from the truth. The Mina products were probably around $600 and needed work as well, but not as much. Also, on the F/X, the mesh that was shipped with the bumper was a black honeycombed, plastic mesh, not what's shown on their webpage or what's been put on my car. I bought a couple of front grill custom meshes from Mina for $25./each. They are heavy gauge and very nice quality and approximated the front grill only much smaller spacing.
I just wanted to make my XKR look a little different, and I thought the F/X rear was the nicest one. I didn't really want to change the front. If you end up going with the whole kit, I'd love to see the finished product and find out what kind of experience your body shop had with it.
Good luck.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 124
Likes: 31
From: Granite Bay, Ca
sts-v,
Yes, that's my car with the F/X Designs rear bumper/diffuser. Unfortunately, the beautiful (and huge) Mina exhaust tips were too wide to poke through the F/X Design's exhaust opening without cutting, and the bumper/diffuser is fairly flimsy, so I didn't want to compromise any of it's integrity, hence the smaller, but still nice exhaust tips.
Yes, that's my car with the F/X Designs rear bumper/diffuser. Unfortunately, the beautiful (and huge) Mina exhaust tips were too wide to poke through the F/X Design's exhaust opening without cutting, and the bumper/diffuser is fairly flimsy, so I didn't want to compromise any of it's integrity, hence the smaller, but still nice exhaust tips.
I sure hope you find something worthwhile to do with those HUGE Mina tips!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 124
Likes: 31
From: Granite Bay, Ca
Wrapped up my 100+ mile Sunday Harley ride thru the NorCal Sierra Nevada foothills (gave the Jag the day off) and decided to check in here on the Forum to work on where I'm headed with my '12 XKR. Need brakes, want exhaust, want body kit, a pulley, lowering spring and an ECU tune. When I got to your reply Ted, I laughed so hard I spit on my monitor. 
Man do you have a way with words, but i agree, they will look great!!
Now back to pulleys and tuning...I knew about Eurotune and RSC but RICA was new to me. Now its 3 tuners to evaluate, this isn't going to be as easy as I had hoped. All you pioneers, please keep the info flowing.
Man do you have a way with words, but i agree, they will look great!!Now back to pulleys and tuning...I knew about Eurotune and RSC but RICA was new to me. Now its 3 tuners to evaluate, this isn't going to be as easy as I had hoped. All you pioneers, please keep the info flowing.
Veteran Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 1,240
From: Los Angeles CA
Bob - For the tune, I went with ETG because they are local. There hq is in Beverly Hills. I must sy that I am very pleased with the results. 2012 xk with the ETG tune and Mina exhaust system dynos at aroun 422 - 429 bhp as adjusted. The results are just Jags (ETG guy) said they would be. He spends a lot of time in the SFO area. suggest you give him a call, his mobile is (310) 993-3990. By the way he gives a discount to forum members. You can find ETG in the marketplace or vendors section. Also ETG shows up on the right side of your screen; just click on the icon.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 505
Likes: 104
From: CC IOWA
Bob - For the tune, I went with ETG because they are local. There hq is in Beverly Hills. I must sy that I am very pleased with the results. 2012 xk with the ETG tune and Mina exhaust system dynos at aroun 422 - 429 bhp as adjusted. The results are just Jags (ETG guy) said they would be. He spends a lot of time in the SFO area. suggest you give him a call, his mobile is (310) 993-3990. By the way he gives a discount to forum members. You can find ETG in the marketplace or vendors section. Also ETG shows up on the right side of your screen; just click on the icon.
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 45
Likes: 10
From: Michagan
Can anybody report on their satisfaction with ETG tune with pulley on a 4.2 XKR? I found a shop in the Atlanta area that does ETG tunes. However, at a cost of $1600 including labor to install the pulley - I'd like to hear some good feedback first.
With the euro/dollar exchange rate so low, I might be more inclined to get a RICA isoftloader remote tune and install a Mina pulley myself.
With the euro/dollar exchange rate so low, I might be more inclined to get a RICA isoftloader remote tune and install a Mina pulley myself.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,460
Likes: 2,582
From: Florida
Can anybody report on their satisfaction with ETG tune with pulley on a 4.2 XKR? I found a shop in the Atlanta area that does ETG tunes. However, at a cost of $1600 including labor to install the pulley - I'd like to hear some good feedback first.
With the euro/dollar exchange rate so low, I might be more inclined to get a RICA isoftloader remote tune and install a Mina pulley myself.
With the euro/dollar exchange rate so low, I might be more inclined to get a RICA isoftloader remote tune and install a Mina pulley myself.
Never heard of RICA so I went to the site. It is very affordable but has anyone done a tune with one? It seems to be engineered for SAAB or Volvo although they indicate it will work with most any car.
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 45
Likes: 10
From: Michagan
Sorry I'm a little late to the party...
1. Your year and model (XKR, XKR-S, XKR-S GT, XF SC, XF-R, F-Type 8S, F-Type R)
2012 XFR
2. Vendor that has done your tune
RICA Engineering
3. Type of tune (remap only or remap with pulley upgrade)
RICA's tune is intended as a tune only, but I already had the pulley installed, so I have tune and pulley, these ECU's are quite adaptive, so a 1.5 -1.8lb pulley is within adjustment parameters for the ECU
4. Dyno charts with numbers
See attached charts:
First is All three (3) final runs overlapping (tune, pulley and exhaust):
Second is all three stages overlapping, Stock vs Stock Tune with Pulley and Exhaust, vs Final Run:
Third is a comparison of Stock Tune with Pulley and Exhaust vs Final Run (to see effect of Tune):
Final is a comparison of Stock vs Final (to see full gains):
5. A brief explanation of your satisfaction level and why
At the moment I am extremely satisfied... It was a rough road for me, but I am extremely happy with the results. I remember saying that our cars make plenty of torque, and when I added the pulley I noticed a drastic improvement in torque and throttle tip-in, which can be seen in the above graphs (all three overlapping). When I added the tune all I had hoped for was to have the boost not bled off resulting in torque drop off and finally resulting in less than ideal power up top.
The tune has further enhanced torque and throttle tip in, and on top of that the boost isn't bled off resulting in torque not fading, and my power just keeps climbing... So where other members have commented that the car just doesn't seem to pull up top... that does not apply in my case, the graph fully captures how this thing pulls on the road.. in fact when I am driving and gunning it the sweep from 5500rpm to 6500rpm is unreal...
I couldn't ask for more...
6. Experience with vendor
RICA Engineering themselves have been great, I used their iSoftloader which you simply register on your computer/ laptop, you go read the file from your car, then simply sync the iSoftloader to your computer, it in turn will send the vehicle information off to Rica where they will create a tune based on the information submitted. within 24 hrs a tune file notification email is sent to you where you are instructed to sync your iSoftloader to your computer and download the file. and then go and download the tune to your car's ECU.
There are some glitches with the iSoftloader, for me I appear to be as a Beta Tester for the iSoftloader with Jaguar (not the tune, which is rock solid). I get an error message when I try to sync my iSoftloader with my computer after the tune is successfully loaded to the car. This doesn't impact the tune or car it simply disables the iSoftloader (defeating the convenience of having a handheld tuner). Given they are in Netherlands and I am in Canada, we have worked together with multiple iSoftloaders to ensure that I get the correct tune loaded, and the results speak for themselves. I will update once they update me with a fix for the iSoftloader, I imagine in the mean time they may instruct their dealers to offer flashes to people who are local to them.
This iSoftloader is Rica's iSoftloader 1 which is primarily intended to be used with Volvos, so I am sure they will work it out...
7. Was the TCU (TCM) also remapped
Not with the RICA Tune, but I did have a local tuner to me flash a ECU & TCU tune, and the results were not that great... The RICA ECU tune on its own is just what I was looking for.
8. Any other engine or power enhancement mods done or will like to do
Mina Pulley and Mina Exhaust (cat back). No other mods are anticipated, just going to enjoy... for now....
9. Track times and top speed 0-60, 1/4 mile before and after tune
Unfortunately I do not have a track local to me, Calgary's track was shut down almost 3 years ago, and there isn't anything due anytime soon... If I go to any of the neighbouring city's tracks over the summer I will update accordingly.
1. Your year and model (XKR, XKR-S, XKR-S GT, XF SC, XF-R, F-Type 8S, F-Type R)
2012 XFR
2. Vendor that has done your tune
RICA Engineering
3. Type of tune (remap only or remap with pulley upgrade)
RICA's tune is intended as a tune only, but I already had the pulley installed, so I have tune and pulley, these ECU's are quite adaptive, so a 1.5 -1.8lb pulley is within adjustment parameters for the ECU
4. Dyno charts with numbers
See attached charts:
First is All three (3) final runs overlapping (tune, pulley and exhaust):
Second is all three stages overlapping, Stock vs Stock Tune with Pulley and Exhaust, vs Final Run:
Third is a comparison of Stock Tune with Pulley and Exhaust vs Final Run (to see effect of Tune):
Final is a comparison of Stock vs Final (to see full gains):
5. A brief explanation of your satisfaction level and why
At the moment I am extremely satisfied... It was a rough road for me, but I am extremely happy with the results. I remember saying that our cars make plenty of torque, and when I added the pulley I noticed a drastic improvement in torque and throttle tip-in, which can be seen in the above graphs (all three overlapping). When I added the tune all I had hoped for was to have the boost not bled off resulting in torque drop off and finally resulting in less than ideal power up top.
The tune has further enhanced torque and throttle tip in, and on top of that the boost isn't bled off resulting in torque not fading, and my power just keeps climbing... So where other members have commented that the car just doesn't seem to pull up top... that does not apply in my case, the graph fully captures how this thing pulls on the road.. in fact when I am driving and gunning it the sweep from 5500rpm to 6500rpm is unreal...
I couldn't ask for more...
6. Experience with vendor
RICA Engineering themselves have been great, I used their iSoftloader which you simply register on your computer/ laptop, you go read the file from your car, then simply sync the iSoftloader to your computer, it in turn will send the vehicle information off to Rica where they will create a tune based on the information submitted. within 24 hrs a tune file notification email is sent to you where you are instructed to sync your iSoftloader to your computer and download the file. and then go and download the tune to your car's ECU.
There are some glitches with the iSoftloader, for me I appear to be as a Beta Tester for the iSoftloader with Jaguar (not the tune, which is rock solid). I get an error message when I try to sync my iSoftloader with my computer after the tune is successfully loaded to the car. This doesn't impact the tune or car it simply disables the iSoftloader (defeating the convenience of having a handheld tuner). Given they are in Netherlands and I am in Canada, we have worked together with multiple iSoftloaders to ensure that I get the correct tune loaded, and the results speak for themselves. I will update once they update me with a fix for the iSoftloader, I imagine in the mean time they may instruct their dealers to offer flashes to people who are local to them.
This iSoftloader is Rica's iSoftloader 1 which is primarily intended to be used with Volvos, so I am sure they will work it out...
7. Was the TCU (TCM) also remapped
Not with the RICA Tune, but I did have a local tuner to me flash a ECU & TCU tune, and the results were not that great... The RICA ECU tune on its own is just what I was looking for.
8. Any other engine or power enhancement mods done or will like to do
Mina Pulley and Mina Exhaust (cat back). No other mods are anticipated, just going to enjoy... for now....
9. Track times and top speed 0-60, 1/4 mile before and after tune
Unfortunately I do not have a track local to me, Calgary's track was shut down almost 3 years ago, and there isn't anything due anytime soon... If I go to any of the neighbouring city's tracks over the summer I will update accordingly.
This is the post that I found.
Veteran Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,460
Likes: 2,582
From: Florida
Can anybody report on their satisfaction with ETG tune with pulley on a 4.2 XKR? I found a shop in the Atlanta area that does ETG tunes. However, at a cost of $1600 including labor to install the pulley - I'd like to hear some good feedback first.
With the euro/dollar exchange rate so low, I might be more inclined to get a RICA isoftloader remote tune and install a Mina pulley myself.
With the euro/dollar exchange rate so low, I might be more inclined to get a RICA isoftloader remote tune and install a Mina pulley myself.
Did RICA give you a quote with tune?
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 45
Likes: 10
From: Michagan
Not yet - just kicking ideas around.
A custom tune is 695 euro (approx $780 usd) - so I imagine a remote tune would be somewhat less. I'm e-mailing them in a few minutes and will share info.
EDIT: On their webshop = 678 Euro for isoftloader II and ecu upgrade services - but indicates not available for '07 XKR. Waiting for e-mail.
A custom tune is 695 euro (approx $780 usd) - so I imagine a remote tune would be somewhat less. I'm e-mailing them in a few minutes and will share info.
EDIT: On their webshop = 678 Euro for isoftloader II and ecu upgrade services - but indicates not available for '07 XKR. Waiting for e-mail.
Last edited by Timmah!; Jan 25, 2015 at 06:23 AM.