Category Archives: All

2015+ WRX/STI: Remote Tuning Support

2008+ WRX STI No Comments
Image result for 2015 subaru wrx FA engines
XRT Remote Tuning Support for the 2015+ WRX/STI, through ECU Reflashing will be a new addition to our value added services, where customers who are looking for that X in Calibration, Response and Performance, can use us to fulfill their needs, knowing that we offer Precise Calibration and Superb Enhance Customer Service to accomplish their tuning needs and goals. We believe based on our accomplishments of 11yrs, we can achieve great results very quickly, safely and efficiently – https://xtremeracingtuning.com/about/our-achievements/
The addition of this new service will means that it will play very well into our aims; where over the years XRT have been developing its tuning strategies, for example, where persons using Cobb & EcuTek has made a switch to XRT and cannot believe how well the car works on stock boost. By doing so, we have put those others solutions to the test where those same solutions are running Stage 1 and 2 mappings. We just spend more timing Calibrating (Fine Tuning) and tremendous amount of logging and replaying logs in a format one can see issues and determine where, what, when and how a technique is applied. Many wonder how this is possible but the latter just shows you. We really care about real tuning (Calibrating) like a surgeon.
 
Once there strategies are applied, and especially on the FA platforms, we can expect to see the XRT Engine Response and Performance (XERP) increase tremendously in comparison to the competition. We do not follow or adhere to the general trend of tuning below. We believe in fully calibrating the Car for its environment, modifications and the owner’s needs.

2015+ Subaru WRX CVT Upgrade Path

2008+ WRX STI 2 Comments

XRT Recommendations: Modification Scheme for 350-400whp

Gauges

Fuel System

Exhaust System

Intake System

Boost System

Oil Recommendations: Motul

CVT Transmission Cooler: Tru-Cool LPD

Tuning:

KennethB – 2011 USDM Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT 6MT

2010+ Legacy GT 2.5L 6MT No Comments

Modifications

Racerx intercooler and charge pipe
2008 wrx reticulating bv.
Remove Cobb AP to be tuned with XRT

Review

From: KennethB
Sent: Tuesday, 01 August 2017 17:48
To: west_minist@xtremeracingtuning.com
Subject: Re: lgt v2d

Ed at XRT has superior customer service and coming from me if you know me means something.
My 21psi was caused by a faulty boost controller.
The dyno that he showed was during the discovery of this issue.
We will find out what numbers I make on a actual dyno toward the end of the month.

I haven’t taken the time to post due to unbelievably busy.

Backstory:
I bought my car from a forum member that had a COBB tuner and maps from other forum sponsors. Logan and Bren.

Mods were: Racer X TMIC and charge pipe GFB BPV

Me and Logan went back and forth with my car and my concerns of how my car ran and the fact that the boost would run away past 20 psi.
He eventually capped it at 18 but I still didn’t like the way my car ran with the tune.

Turns out the previous owner sold me the car with a blown head gasket. Which didn’t show till high boost pressure leaked into the cooling chamber and caused the radiator overflow bottle to over flow.

I got the head gasket replaced and needed off of this tune. I also had bought a downpipe and exhaust but waited to install them when I was going to get a new tune.

After many discussions with my Dad (lives in Hawaii) about the information on Ed’s website, we decided to give him a shot. (My Dad built and tested F1 race engines for over 15 years.)

My XRT journey:
I contacted Ed and told him my backstory and that I wanted to install my new parts and do a tune. The day I installed my new downpipe and exhaust he had me send him a log from the COBB and then un-marry it.
I was not excepting him to be ready that moment and didn’t even have the software installed. Ed called me, remoted into my laptop and installed RomRaider and ecuEdit. I hooked up the taxtirx cable and saved he saved a stock ROM. (I do this shit for a living on servers and software build machines so when someone navigates through my laptop and software like I do it impresses me.)

He then proceeds to ask me if I have time to take a ride. (I mean like right now. I’m like fucking right I do knowing I have to go COSTCO ) He emailed me a new ROM and showed me how to install it and how to take a log. Then he tells me let’s go but ease into it. (Ok I’ll call you back….) Can you do a hot spot on your phone he asked? (Hell yeah I can.) So off we went

No bullshit when I laid that pedal down and took off on my on ramp to route 70 I giggled like a little school girl. 2nd gears responsiveness was beautiful. The car had no restriction too it. Third was even better. Big ass smile on my face. I loved my car all over again. And bam lost boost and a check engine came on. I start freaking out and Ed tells me that the car is fine it cut boost and throw a code. P0244 Wastegate Solenoid A Range/Perf (High) my boost was 21psi. He asked if the boost controller could be dirty. (Well what had happen was…. I had to drop the turbo to get a stripped nut off the stock downpipe when putting the new one on and I may have spilled a shit ton of antifreeze all over everything that was discounted.)

Besides this he said the logs look good and my car ran great

Sometime had passed (Like I said insanely busy) and I had took off the boost controller and cleaned it and put it back and received a new rom. I drove the car around and the timing just kept getting better and did a 3rd gear pull. (The one he posted and it had me at 21psi again. Yes it is a concern and no he is not cranking everyone up.) And it wasn’t until I tried to pass someone at WOT in 5th gear when the car threw a code again.
Ed said that he is not seeing the wastegate function properly in the logs and wanted me to take the boost controller off and give it power to see if it opens. Low and behold it doesn’t open.

This is why I have been getting 21 psi boost. I have ordered a new boost controller and installed it and that has resolved the issue.

I have not had time to get any more logs for Ed although he asked me and follows up every day.

I will keep everybody posted as always to how my build is going.

Sent from myMail for iOS

Remote Tuning

Tuning No Comments

Years of experience: Less than 2 decades
Tuning capabilities: OEM ECU, SYVECS, HYDRA, LINK ECU, Vi-PEC

Education is Power, once done right 🙂

Remote Tuning vs Physical Tuning

In starting, there is no difference between Remote Tuning and Physical Tuning. Remote Tuning takes a little longer and can capture events more easily and time is the factor to allow true fine tuning. Taking a car on a dyno and you have a prefect tune is not possible. Taking a car on the road for a few mins and have a prefect tune is not possible. If that was the case, OEM manufacturers and racing teams will have limited research and testing. In other words, those countless hours you hear would just be lies.

Remote tuning requirements expected by the experience and knowledgeable tuner details that the customer communicates with his tuner in real-time as much as possible and communications channels opened extensively for tuning determination. That is, through you the customer, that knowledge transfer is achieve on any matter.

There are some who due to magazines and because of the bad information from many “Tuning” business seeking a quick way to make money, misrepresent real and detailed tuners who cares about Customer Relations, Service, Stability, Performance, Response, etc. This is a specialised service and should be treated so. That being said, there is no tune for $99, $199 or even one-off tunes. What took your OEM manufacture or racing team years to get right, just cannot come in the form as a pill. Please be wary. Because of the pricing war, tuning prices have been driven down and the quality of tunes have gotten worst. I am sad to say, the customer now expects less, and poor-quality tunes are fantastic. This indeed is very saddening. In addition, every man is a tuner because of having software in his hands to tune.

Dyno’es – Not created equally
Dyno’es are good. But it is a tool, and you should understand this. Not all dynoes are created equal and not all are operated properly. The best Dyno to used is here – http://www.rototest.com/index.php?DN=1&Visitor=4
RRI Research Institute

Dyno Testing Information – http://www.rri.se/index.php?DN=29

Noting the above, this will help you determine what is used out in the field. This is extremely important!!!!!!!

The dyno must create a real-life environment as much as possible and the quality of the hardware and software is key. That being said, a car dyno tuned should really spend some time on the road to gather data for stability, function and operations. This can take a few days or as long as possible for varying environmental conditions. Remember OEM manufacturers and racing teams. Please make sure your tuner offers this. Don’t be carried away with numbers.

Dyno usage – What it is good for

  • Dialing in areas that needs cruising time
  • Dialing mods that changes the dynamics quickly or drastically
  • Safe area to tune.
  • Ability to see changes easily on a close to control environment. The dyno facility should be controlled as much as possible. This can minimised the number of dyno pulls. Example, Humidity, Temperature, pollution, Noise, etc.

Remember and don’t take it as my word – Research, research, research. The tuning should finish up on the road, covering varying environmental conditions. Example, morning to night; hot to cold.

For those who love Dyno figures, having a correction of over 1 is useless. To verify Dyno figure, perform a quarter mile run and determine your realistic power figures.
Xtreme Racing Tuning – Drag Racing: 1/8-MILE TO 1/4-MILE CONVERSION TABLE

So let us get started.

Note: I am going to be precise as much as possible!

What are we talking about based on the subject?
Tuning the stock OEM computer that comes in the car. The majority stated below are also key points for Engine Management Systems or Powertrain Solutions.

Mechanical needs

  1. Try to understand what tuning is. Tuning allows the car to compensate for the environment for which it operates in. Either for general purposes or having high performance needs.
  2. What is needs before tuning – Mechanically
    1. Full Engine Oil service
    2. Spark Plug change
    3. Check for air leaks in the intake and header system – A boost test should be done.
    4. Clean the MAF sensor
    5. Throttle body Clean
    6. Injector Cleaning. Professionally cleaned or using a good quality Injector cleaner
    7. Verification of all necessary sensors and solenoids through logging – Xtreme Racing Tuning – XRT Diagnostic/Troubleshooting Support Service
    8. General maintenance of the car – Brakes, Coolant, Transmission oil, Gear oil, Tyres, Alignment, etc, etc.
  3. Tactrix Openport 2.0 Cable
  4. Ecuflash software
  5. Romraider Software – Romraider.exe | Latest RomRaider LOGGER Definitions

Tuner needs

Now after all of the prelim groundwork been done, the next task is finding a tuner. Remote tuning should not offer anything less. Actually, it should offer more!
The tuner should be: –

  1. Very well Experience
  2. Should have excellent Customer Service – The community should highlight this.
  3. His work broadcast and can be seeing online
  4. Excellent Customer Reviews
  5. Very knowledgeable about his job and the car to be worked upon
  6. Excellent knowledge in Diagnostic and noting issues before issues gets out of hand
  7. Excellent Support Services – Phone, email, messaging
  8. Excellent communication skills
  9. Quick to respond within 4hrs
  10. Understanding of family committment and factors that affects the tune
  11. Excellent abilities in setting up computers and instructing/lecturing
  12. Be quick and excel in highlight your tune to you with graphs and data, if needed.
  13. Etc etc etc

Testing/Logging

Testing should be done as follows: –

  1. Follow your tuners direction precisely. Don’t do more than what is needed. If otherwise, seek advice.
  2. Relate any issues to the Tuner, even if you do not think it is important
  3. Safe area
  4. Cruising to spirited driving in areas to create minimal to high load stress on the car. These are mentioned below.
  5. Hills
  6. Varying environment conditions
  7. Flat roads, especially for dyno pulls. When performing dyno pulls, do not sit waiting for the car to heat soak. This will reduce power tremendously.

Please note the above should just wet your interest and should drive dialogue between you and the company/Tuner of interest.

What makes XRT different to other Tuning Companies/Tuners?

Tuning No Comments
What makes Xtreme Racing Tuning (XRT) different in respect to other Tuning Companies/Tuners?

From time to time, I do get questions referencing XRT. So let me take some time to answer them.

XRT does not adhere to today’s trend in tuning that is growing worldwide where attaining the customer money is key and providing great service takes second place. We believe the service we provided is important and is second to none.

Q: What makes XRT different to others?
A: XRT core interest, passion and precision is what makes that difference. To achieve a thumbs up from its customers or a thank you is its aim. XRT prides itself in not giving up in the most difficult situations or say it cannot be done. We let our work speaks for itself. We just love to take what is given to us and optimise it. Our main focus is giving that SUPERB Experience to the customer, leaving a permanent smile on their face.

Q: Why does XRT costs a little more when compare to other ETunes?
A: XRT does not distinguish the difference between Etuning & local tuning as others do. We believe in given the customers the best quality of service, time and support. This is attest by our valued customers. XRT believes in full customised tuning, even to be there online through the process by the use of remote software like Teamviewer for Live Tuning. We do not offer off the shelf maps with minor tweets or one rom for all cars with the same ECU ID. We also believe in fine tuning to suit your car configuration and your needs. We brought this process over from working with EMS and with customers who race their daily driven cars. Please see our tuning strategy below that makes this all happen….ingrained in out DNA.

Q: What is XRT support service(s) and why is it different to others?
A: We give close to 24hrs of support through Teamviewer, Email, Whatsapp, BBM and BBM Group. Support is fast and reliable. Customers are welcome to even call. In all reviews, XRT is praised for this. It is above standard when compare to the tuning/tuner industries. We provide and request constant feedback from the customer and revisions of roms to reach optimum performance.  

Q: What makes your Transmission tuning different to others?
A: XRT takes the time to develop Transmission tuning based on feedback and countless customer reviews to make that difference. In addition, due to feedback, support is given to make changes to suit the car and the customer.

Q: What other services do XRT offer?
A: XRT collaborates with its customers for troubleshooting and diagnostics through data logging and reviews. XRT also offer support for upgrades, even Project Management Services.

Q: If my ECU is not defined or a definition is not available, can you support it?
A: Yes. we create our own definitions for full support, even able to offer better support as a tuner compare to other tuners using Cobbs, Ecutek, etc. We offer a more reliable and safe tune. This is attest by some of our customers who have replaced their Cobbs or existing tuners who used Ecutek to tune their projects and not getting the correct, safe and reliable results.

Q: Do you tune turbo cars?
A: Yes, we do. XRT was born out of WRX/STI tuning. Actually more STI tunes that any other model pre XRT founding. We have work on projects up to 600HP and consulted up to 1000HP.

VP Racing Fuel

Recommendations No Comments

The following is our recommendation racing fuel for performance and track.

VP100 – Street Legal Power and Performance
VP100 (aka StreetBlaze 100) is a 100 octane unleaded gasoline specifically engineered for high-performance street vehicles including luxury sports cars, muscle cars, street rods, tuner cars, sportbikes, cruisers and more. Oxygenated with ethanol, this CARB-legal fuel is environmentally friendly and street legal in most areas. It contains no metal compounds and won’t harm catalytic converters or oxygen sensors.

 

VP MS109 – Racing gas for any type of racing

VP MS109

R+M/2 (Octane): 105

 

VP RallyMax – XRT Favourite Racing Fuel. Takes a lot of timing and very powerful. All types of racing.

VP RallyMax

R+M/2 (Octane): 97.5

 

VP Q16

VP Q16

R+M/2 (Octane): 120+

XRT Subaru CVT Tuning

Transmissions 2 Comments

Subaru Tuning that affects CVT Operations & Performance by Xtreme Racing Tuning (XRT)

XRT have continue to master the operations and performance of the CVT through tuning and customer feedback and based on the results, we are offering that edge in tuning CVT models like what we did to the 5EAT and the 4EAT.

Generally, the following are expected when tuned (The Transmission Computer is not tuned):

  • Quicker shifting
  • Firmer shifting
  • Appropriate gear selection, if possible, for less labouring or load on the engine
    Less ping/knocking due to the transmission wanting to be in high gear all the time.
  • Less pedal moving to make the transmission shifting
  • Better fuel mileage
  • Easy over-taking and maneuvering due to quicker acceleration due to the above points.
  • Offers greater shifting and operations. This is the mode many requires if you want to have full control when the transmission shift for hill climbing, racing, over-taking etc.
  • Can offers increase response and less throttle lag. Direct throttle control. Now you maybe able to spin those tires on moving off or get that maximum torque to the ground. Transmission Cooler is recommended if you plan to drive her hard with advance CVT indirect tuning.

Graphical review of the CVT vs 5EAT – https://xtremeracingtuning.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=692

For further reading and customer reviews, please visit – https://xtremeracingtuning.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=122&t=695

Cobb AP Pro Tune & XRT

Tuning No Comments

I have been watching Rallying, Grand Touring, Touring and many other sports where named manufactures (BMW, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, just to name a few) never reprogrammed their ECU’s to run those cars for such Motorsports, even when the power is close to stock and I always ask myself what were the reasons why this was done. As I matured in ecuflashing, Instructing in EMS courses and tuning EMS over the years, I came to understand why this is so, even if such technology was tempting, accessible and cost effective.

The Stock/OEM ECU/ECM:

  1. By design is just enough to support all functions of the stock car
  2. Cannot log at a high rate. This is needed to capture events for remediation
  3. Not powerful enough and high storage areas for Advance Engine Strategies and Operations (Antilag, Fuel, Ignition – all inter-related to multiple level mapping, Complex features and operations). Such enhancements comes in the form of FPGA’s implementations, dedicated CPU Processors per functions and the type of Processors used. For additional reading, please visit the following link –
    1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field-programmable_gate_array
    2. https://www.design-reuse.com/news/6629/actel-fpgas-development-multiple-race-car-engine-control-units.html
    3. https://www.xilinx.com/video/hardware/what-is-the-difference-between-an-fpga-and-an-asic.html
  4. Do not have enough Inputs/Outputs (I/O’s) for additional functions for a sports car
  5. Ability to program in the field with new strategies for performance operations and access to new features. That is, changing the core functions of the device itself. Kind of like model versions upgrades all happening with just one devices without internal hardware architecture changes.

For a quick read, please review XRT owned link – EMS/Powertrain review thoughts

If all of the above continues to hold true going into the future (and I do not expect it to change due to production cost of vehicles), why then would I want to reflash the Stock/OEM ECU/ECM and as a tuner, not have the best in tuning for a very efficient and responsive engine?!?

That being said, we focus more on EMS tuning for specific operations and functions for an engine needing that edge in performance and development. 

The necessary skills, strategies, experience and mental aptitude is so extensive & intensive in this type of tuning and support, that one can achieve the highest goals needed for sports and performance tuning, in relation to the configurations of the car, driver needs and environments.

With such focuses highlighted and discussed above, XRT by its nature and having such backgrounds in these fields (tuning and support), can seriously, precisely and accurately provide reflashing services that is Top Class to none, taking every bit of time to provide the finest tunes in tuning your car, regardless if in Motorsports or every day street driving; especially when it comes to reflashing using Open-Source technology or Cobb Accessport for tuning.

Bringing along those core aptitudes, customers can gain a new experience in tuning support and better operations of their cars. That is, achieving great review in whatever we do when working with the clients. One could accurately say we are customer oriented 🙂

So what do we do?

  1. Provides the greatest level of known support to clients in the tuning industry- https://xtremeracingtuning.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=122&t=670
  2. Does not distinguish the difference between Local & Remote tuning
  3. Seek the best possible reviews as much as possible for the finest work in tuning of client cars – https://xtremeracingtuning.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=48
  4. Provide accurate detailed Diagnostic support throughout the tuning process or XRT Live Group supports
  5. Very log oriented. That is, clients must log for fine tuning; as much as possible. Logging defines the tune!
  6. Custom Tune all cars starting from Base-Line tunes to fine tuning. We do not make OTS (Off The Shelf) tunes the final tune.
  7. Work with the client closely in the optimisation of the tune while fine tuning.
  8. Encourage and insist greater levels of communication between XRT and clients. This provides the best possible experience in tuning and support.

So…. out of what we do, we just do it better by taking our time, which is reflected in our tunes and support that makes us different to other Tuners and tuning support companies. Logging and communication with our customers defines the outcomes.

 

AndrewC review on his XRT Tuned 2011 Subaru Legacy GT 2.5 6MT

2010+ Legacy GT 2.5L 6MT No Comments

AndrewC – 2011 USDM Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT 6MT

Atmospheric Pressure: 1017.3 hPa | IAT: 24C >> 22C

http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5641810&postcount=1
I was referred to XRT by a fellow member (golferdude1087) for a tune for my 5th gen LGT. I contacted Ed and he responded immediately with answers to my questions, helped me get setup with the necessary software, and sent the initial tune. Out of the box, it was a massive awakening for the car. Its the first time this car put that big of a smile on my face and even impressed my friend that drives a tuned 3 series. After a few days of back and forth with logs and tips, we are now on version 3 and it runs great. It pulls hard and smooth throughout the entire range and still gets decent mileage with “spirited” driving. The logger “dyno” numbers say about 275hp/340tq (wheel) compared to the stock 265hp/258tq (crank), a significant increase even if the software isn’t accurate. His tips on things to look for and areas to improve give me confidence that the tune will be safe too. I would definitely recommend an XRT tune to anyone looking for reliable power.

Atmospheric Pressure: 1013.3 hPa | IAT: 26C

From: AndrewC
Sent: Sunday, 11 June 2017 12:25 PM
To: EdwardM
Subject: Low end torque

Low end torque is much improved, to the point that small maneuvers like passing or cornering can be done without getting into boost. Accelerating from low rpm’s is also better, letting you stay in gear when you’d normally have to downshift.

Subaru Torque Management Patch (XTMP)

Transmissions 2 Comments

Subaru Tuning that affects the Torque Management Operations & Performance of the Engine by Xtreme Racing Tuning (XRT)

XRT continue to MASTER the Operations and Performance of the transmission (5MT, 6MT, 4EAT, 5EAT, CVT) delivery of TORQUE & POWER to the ground in any models utilising the 32bit ECU (Legacy, Impreza WRX & STI, XV, Crosstek, etc). This is seen through tuning, customer feedback and REAL results based and posted all over the internet, including here on XRT.

Addition reviews are here for Auto Transmissions:
Torque Management are already patched in those tuning!

Generally, the following are expected when tuned (The Transmission Computer is not tuned in the Automatic cars):

  • Quicker shifting
  • Firmer shifting
  • Appropriate gear selection for less labouring or load on the engine
  • Less ping/knocking due to the transmission wanting to be in high gear all the time.
  • Less pedal moving to make the transmission shifting
  • Better fuel mileage
  • Easy over-taking and maneuvering due to quicker acceleration due to the above points

Please remember that even Manual Transmission models are affected and are able to accelerate and spin tires easily and freely. Please disable Traction Control.

https://xtremeracingtuning.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=122&t=743