Subaru CVT Tuning by Xtreme Racing Tuning (XRT)

Important specifics in relation to XRT tuning
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west_minist
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Subaru CVT Tuning by Xtreme Racing Tuning (XRT)

Post by west_minist »

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 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.
Graphical review of the CVT vs 5EAT - http://xtremeracingtuning.com/forum/vie ... =100&t=692

http://www.atra.com/Webinars/Import/Sub ... uction.pdf

Videos of the CVT operations after Xtreme Racing Tuning tuning!
https://youtu.be/PWhiusLNjU8
https://youtu.be/Q1HKZNmm-t4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To3-Iq-zE74
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_jkyo-de6c (Stage 2)
https://youtu.be/Kot8P5cOZNE
https://youtu.be/UIdBFsc1Y20
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Brucey - 2017 Subaru Outback 3.6 CVT

Post by west_minist »

viewtopic.php?f=101&t=685
OK, so here are some of my thoughts after your throttle tune and trying the factory back to back:

The tuned is a definite improvement! I guess because I had gotten used to yours I had forgot how the factory tune was.

The best way I could describe the factory throttle is an on / off switch. I'm pretty sure Subaru did this intentionally to either trick drivers into thinking the car had more power than it did. "Oh man, it did that at only 1/4 throttle, imagine what 3/4 would do!" Or it was something dealing with emissions and gas mileage. Either way, I am not a fan.

At least, I'm not a fan after trying yours. Ignorance really is bliss here. The tuned throttle is MUCH more linear. I AM a fan of it. I have not got any times or trials for specific numbers, but the butt dyno says it's faster. It might be the same, but it certainly feels more responsive. It changes the driving experience of the car over all. It is constantly wanting to growl to life as I drive. It is absolutely infectious, I find myself smiling more when I'm driving after the throttle change. Isn't that the point?

Look forward to working with you more.

Thanks.
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MattW - 2017 Subaru Legacy 3.6 CVT - Main Contributor

Post by west_minist »

viewtopic.php?f=101&t=691

http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... stcount=35
Hi Ed - you're too kind. But I will take what I can get and keep the wonderful customer title. :lol:

I was able to have Ed live with me in the car while driving on the stock rom, and his modified roms. He monitored in real time my cars ecu via my laptop and team viewer all while on the phone with me listening to the car.

This morning I woke up to a new rom version and i'm :eek: impressed after the driving today! Huge progress made from the first rom and the difference between today's rom and stock rom is, again, :eek: ... Huge improvement in all areas over stock.

Anyone on the fence should not hesitate to let Ed/XRT dial in their 6th gen 3.6.... We're still working on mine but as of where we are at now I can recommend XRTs services with confidence.

As far as canned tunes vs. custom tunes there is no comparison in my 20 years of light modding experience. The custom tune is always much better than the canned tune.

The most modded car I ever had/did was a Mustang 5.0 liter, roots style supercharger, aluminum heads, and the rest of the expected mods one would have at that level. Next on the to-do list was a dyno tune but I had to stop with the car before that happened. Point is, I was on the Kenne Bell (supercharger manufacturer) canned tune and there was so much left on the table. At least a half second in the 1/4 mile. I was running high 12s low 13s and that was a mid 12's car all day long.

Anyways you get the point.

If anyone has any questions for me RE: XRT tuning don't hesitate to ask.
http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... tcount=491
I just added a cat back exhaust and air filter, plus committed to using 92 octane fuel. Between that and XRT tuning I'm seeing some real good improvements.

One rom back I got a .4 second increase in 0-60. I'm now on later rom, v6a, and without a doubt it is faster than the v6... so... I'm expecting an even faster 0-60 from the latest logs.

XRT also has a lot of my CVT complaints dialed in. It's, upon my command, much more controllable vs. before optimization it was as is named - constant variable - always keeping the engine in efficiency mode. I can still keep the engine/cvt working efficiently without issue, but with the slight adjustment of the pedal the cvt becomes very predictable and controllable. Very easy to keep the car in power with little pedal work. Increments are about 500 rpms with little pedal down adjustments and it holds the rpms/power nicely vs. instantly dropping down gears taking the car out of power.

Huge drive ability improvement. Huge!

Some of the below info is the same as above, but this is what I posted in my thread over on XRT. There's charts with times over there too. http://www.xtremeracingtuning.com/forum ... 2129#p2129

Happy to see these times, Ed. Good job! My butt dyno agrees. The v6a times have got to be better. If not, forget the times and just go with my butt dyno. LOL.

The rom v6a feels much stronger in the 3rd gear pulls, and the there is a good improvement from a stopped WOT run (drag pull). The car is really flying in the top end in v6a vs. v6. Again, 3rd gear pulls are a huge improvement over just the last rom, v6!

Pedal position is controlling where the CVT gearing is almost precisely now, where as before the CVT just had a mind of its own and would shift up to keep the engine in efficiency mode. Now I can still adjust pedal position for engine efficiency, but also adjust pedal position to hold the down shift for a good amount of time. It's the best of both worlds in regards to the CVT. It takes some of the VARIABLE out of constant variable, and gives some control to the driver. This is a huge drive ability improvement in my opinion.

Every version is getting better. As I was typing this I just got a v7. :shock: :shock: :twisted:

Will keep reporting back here as I have good updates.
http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... tcount=491
Happy to see these times, Ed. Good job! My butt dyno agrees. ;) The v6a times have got to be better. If not, forget the times and just go with my butt dyno. LOL.

The rom v6a feels much stronger in the 3rd gear pulls, and the there is a good improvement from a stopped WOT run (drag pull). The car is really flying in the top end in v6a vs. v6. Again, 3rd gear pulls are a huge improvement over just the last rom, v6!

Pedal position is controlling where the CVT gearing is almost precisely now, where as before the CVT just had a mind of its own and would shift up to keep the engine in efficiency mode. Now I can still adjust pedal position for engine efficiency, but also adjust pedal position to hold the down shift for a good amount of time. It's the best of both worlds in regards to the CVT. It takes some of the VARIABLE out of constant variable, and gives some control to the driver. This is a huge drive ability improvement in my opinion.
Every version is getting better. As I was typing this I just got a v7. :shock: :shock: :twisted:

Will keep reporting back here as I have good updates.
http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... tcount=496
From what you're describing your take off in s# is how mine used to be in the earlier tunes. Jumpy.

I've really been focusing a lot of my attention and feedback to Ed (XRT) on CVT drive ability and take offs/low speed WOT hits as opposed to overall power, which has been increasing also but to me as the customer doesn't seem like the challenge for tuning my car.

Or in other words, for me and my habits, the tuning needs to be done in the areas we're discussing here (CVT optimization) more so than top end balls out power..... though it does all tie together in the end.

My take off and low speed WOT hits have changed 110% and the best rom I've gotten has only a couple tiny hiccups on a WOT take off from stop.

Here's how I can best describe it using an analogy (and the behavior is normal to other cars).

When I go WOT from a stop or slow speed in auto the car will now act like a human blowing up a large balloon. Think of how you would blow up a balloon and that's exactly how my car is now behaving.

Blowing up a large balloon I would take a deep breath, then release the air with fierce pressure until I had no air left.

That's exactly what is happening now when I push WOT from stop or very slow speed. The car hesitates (in a good way) as if it's take a deep breath, the RPM needle shoots up and power is applied, for the most part, very smoothly. Again, a couple hiccups but they are very minor.

The key here is that the car is taking WOT input and jamming that RPM needle into the power zone to be applied at take off.

If that doesn't make sense I can try to clarify a bit more.
http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... tcount=500
Those longer videos were made for XRT to evaluate. They were long and not very clear because they weren't made to show perfection. They were made to try and highlight some positive points and one area that still needs tweaked. They were made for the tuner.

Power delivery from stop to WOT and slow roll to WOT is perfected. It's performing like I never thought it could. Video below to for viewing.

A lot of the tuning work, as I mention above, has been getting the CVT to behave in different ways. Some may like a little more control of the trans via the pedal, while others may like a little less.

I believe, for the ones that want a little less control, the tune for the 6th gen CVT is perfected and will only need to be tweaked per car/location etc. XRT can chime in on that.

I like to have more control over my throttle. This doesn't equate to a 'jumpy' car. Please don't confuse it for that.

Because I've kept mentioning this to Ed he came up with some test tunes and one of them really caught my attention. The behavior is perfect, total control of the CVT with the throttle. But there is still one tiny item that needs ironed out. Ed will get it figured out in no time and it's effect does not impact overall tweaking of the CVT control.

Ed / XRT has been up twice all night on the phone with me perfecting my tune. He is very passionate about tuning and perfecting and this shows in his customer service.

Here's some video that's shorter and really highlights what's been perfected in this venture. Notice how much faster v8a is vs. v7.

WOT take offs -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phuMBWiwWoM

Mid To Top Optomized - This tune is good to go It has the WOT takeoff optimization in it. It only lacks a some better CVT control via the throttle. This is what I mentioned some may prefer. Less control vs. more control.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To3-Iq-zE74

Example of CVT control via throttle - This is several tunes after WOT takeoffs were perfected -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_jkyo-de6c
http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... tcount=513
Thanks Ed. You've been great. Cars running real nice and smooth. And, did I mention it's just a huge blast to drive??

Maybe I should remove my ski box and see how fast the car really is.

Headers and high - flow cats on the way.

Oh yes.... and some 5-40.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SubaruT ... 218048817/
Funny you mention fuel savings. I'm still determining this on the latest ROM but it seems to be a noticeable improvement over any other ROM so far. Power delivery is disgusting. The car hauls ass. CVT is *DIALED*
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SubaruT ... 988043540/
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RobbieGT - 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 CVT

Post by west_minist »

http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... stcount=42
Well, I have officially begun tuning with XRT last night due to the lack of communication from Throttle happy.

What I can say is, in the short amount of time (weeks) he's been tuning the 6th gens opposed to throttle happy (years) he's already surpassing his tunes.

My previous tune with throttle happy was extremely, well, throttle happy.. The car was jumpy, hyper sensitive, there wasn't much drive ability at all.

My first night with XRT, he loaded a rom into my car, I drove around while he monitored the vehicle, had me pull off into a parking lot, made adjustments, and loaded an updated rom into the car.

Last night there were more roms loaded into my vehicle than throttle happy has loaded in six months.

As PDREALTOR has stated, there is a glorious rom that has some kinks to be worked out, but as far as acceleration it's a really really huge increase than anything I've loaded into this car before.. I'm very excited to continue working with XRT, and encourage you all to do the same.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
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AdamM - 2017 Subaru Legacy 3.6 CVT

Post by west_minist »

http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... stcount=43
After reading the various posts in this thread and being in the market for a tune (2015 3.6r), I started speaking to XRT. I started logging data yesterday and I've been sent multiple rom's already. I'm very happy with the results so far. As I told him, when I was testing out the acceleration from a dead stop, I had to laugh when all the contents of my storage compartment right below the Nav area flew out and hit the back of the passenger seat. I'll be installing my Takeda intake this weekend and hopefully start using higher grade fuel in the next week, so I can only assume that the results are going to get better from here.

I think one of the biggest things so far however is that XRT has been available basically whenever I've sent him a msg. I probably have sent him between 50-70 e-mails, multiple text messages, and a handful of phone calls (I'm a huge noob when it comes to cars, I'll admit that). I told him that I wake up early and could start first thing in the morning today, and sure enough I was talking with him around 5:30am EST after speaking with him and ME ending the talks the night before at around 10:00pm EST. This always available mentality has made the entire process a pleasure on my part, although I'm probably a huge pain in the ass for XRT

I lurk here all the time, but hardly ever post (only created an account when I tried to get in touch with Throttle as I don't use Facebook, and had to send him a msg via this forum). I'll try to post an update on my experience and results once I make the changes listed above.
http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... stcount=57
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JayP - 2017 Subaru Legacy 3.6 CVT

Post by west_minist »

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/138 ... sions.html
First let me say that initially I was going to get a '17 WRX 6 speed, however due to having a family and my wife wanting an automatic, we decided to get an Outback. I was not excited at first, but once we purchased our '17 Outback Limited 3.6R I was starting to realize how well built this car was, along with being so luxurious (from previous Subarus I've had), as well as how the 3.6R could sprint fairly well, and handle excellently for a car it's size after I put my 19mm rear sway bar on soon after purchase.

I learned about XRT with the post on here about Ed. First let me say, Ed is a very great guy to work with. He is extremely patient and walked me through the entire process. He went out of his way to accommodate the odd times I was available considering I have rug rats running around me at all times at home.

First I dropped in an AFE Pro Dry S filter in the air box. I immediately noticed that throttle response was better, with a tad more pull through the gears, and a nice "whoosing" intake sound, that's very subtle, but perfect for a car like this.

After I got my laptop setup, Ed was right there to help me via phone (BBM) and remotely to get me under way.

This tune is AWESOME! I was not expecting much considering my car is stock, save for a simple air filter replacement. After two revisions my Outback feels MUCH stronger, sounds better, and shifts like no other automatic I've driven.

You have total control with the input of your foot to get the exact gear, and amount of power you want as you drive. There are no more sluggish shifts, as the car confidently gets into "gear", snaps you back in your seat and continues to pull into the next gear.

Off the line is greatly improved. The weird "CVT" lunge that haunts these cars is gone. I feel that the car has improved so much from a dig than before, that it feels like a different car.

As I did some WOT pulls on the interstate the Flat 6 roared with delight and eagerness that seemed absent before. The car is SO much more fun to drive now. I have owned many cars, trucks, and performance vehicles, and I was mentioning to Ed on the phone yesterday that my Outback is the most BALANCED, solid vehicle I've had the pleasure to own. It does everything very well, and although it's 3800lbs+, it feels very nimble, and handles this amount of power increase just right.

I went with the 91 octane tune. Initially I tried the 87 tune by Ed, but wanted more. He was able to dial in the tune just right, and increased the timing. Now my Outback feels as strong as my mom's 2011 Volvo X70 T6, but handles much better, shifts better, and is far more responsive in the throttle response department.

For anyone that wants their wagon to have more power, and improved drivability should consider talking to Ed about this best mod. Once Ed heard me giggling over bluetooth after the second revision, he knew he had produced yet another satisfied and happy customer.

I'm looking forward towards the car running even stronger as it learns my driving style (spirited x10 LOL). Ed and I are going to do one more revision on the tune today to clean up a few minor things he had found through the log.

Thank you Ed, and thank you Subaru Forums for allowing him to introduce an excellent performance mod for a car, that is clamoring for a car enthusiasts touch and feel. :wink2:
2017-01-28
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/4597082-post88.html
Well, just when I thought the tune couldn't get better, I bought ecuedit and had Ed dial in the fuel.

What a difference! The car runs so strong and so smooth. The throttle is so responsive with every ounce of force you put on the gas pedal. After each shift the car pushes so much harder, all the way red line. I'll say it again, but I am so happy with my car that it feels like a very quick, capable wagon that drives like a sports sedan.

Off the line the car hauls amazingly! There is no lag, and no lunge like before. The shifts are so crisp, positive and fast. This CVT is the best automatic transmission I've driven. I took my wife out on a date night yesterday and she couldn't believe how much faster the car felt. She is not a car person by any means, but she felt like it drove like a different car.

The engine has a very mean GROWL to it. The flat 6 is a joy to drive, and utilizes all of it's torque very well on this ca, with the new tune.

I can't tell you how much patience Ed had with me. He spent many long nights guiding me through the process, as I was happy to learn more about the car, as well as the tuning software.

Overall I am very satisfied, and would highly recommend anyone getting an XRT custom tune from Ed. It's not just the power, it's the overall responsiveness and driveability that happens when he fine tunes the CVT.

I've had a few custom tunes on other vehicles, but this, by far was the best experience and end result. Now I'm a eager to add more power mods and improve the tune even further. Next up would be a catback exhaust, or muffler replacement that doesn't drone.

Logging was very fun, and it was so great to get a new revision and see how the car performed better and better.

WELL WORTH THE MONEY!
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CaiM - 2015 Subaru Legacy 3.6 CVT

Post by west_minist »

http://www.xtremeracingtuning.com/forum ... =125&t=720

http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... tcount=576
Just started my tune with XRT over the weekend. Only on the first revision as I am having ROMRaider issues, more to follow.

Initial impressions are wonderful, the car now drives like you would expect it to. Instant throttle response with improved CVT shifting. I am also hoping to see some improvement in fuel economy as well. Edward is great to work with and very responsive.

Another perk I noted is that the tune changed the exhaust tonal so it is not quite as harsh as it was before. A little more civilized but with more bite than before.
http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... tcount=582
Just another thumbs up for Edward at XRT. Switched to 93 octane over the weekend and he shipped me out a new rom right away. He is super responsive and will make corrections to the rom and ship out a new version pretty quickly (As in a couple hours). I am really starting to enjoy driving this car with the better throttle response.
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MikeG - 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i CVT

Post by west_minist »

viewtopic.php?f=127&t=725

This topic been deleted by bias Legacygt.com administrators who saw fix to not promote XRT as a legitimate tuner over the other tuners of those who they promote, but shows no results. XRT was attached and defended its name, but due to possible racist scenario's and other situations beyond understand, it was deleted. That topic was created by one of my customers promoting XRT excellent service to the community.

Below is all that is left to show that something did happen.
http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... tcount=511
http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... tcount=513
http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... tcount=515

Customer review - http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... stcount=36
The monkey with the camera is back from the dead. With due cause.

I will not post a comparison between tuners (I have experience with both) on this thread. This will come at a much later date, as I am still curious to see what Matt has in store as far as updates go.

I have been working with Ed for a few weeks now. Tuning the 2.5i has been a joy to say the least. Working with Ed, an even greater joy. First, his customer service is top notch. Response rate is quick, and quality responses can always be expected. Put it this way, reaching out to Ed is like reaching out to a friend: hit him up whenever you want, and he is always happy to talk, even if it's to bs for a bit. He is a genuine human being that enjoys working on cars, and enjoys the company of likeminded people. Ed has become my friend just as much as he has become my tuner. To date I have received three tunes (just as from TH):

Tune v0a - light work on the DBW, slight increase in power and responsiveness. I was not all that crazy about it, since I was just coming from TH's last tune, but I gave Ed the benefit of the doubt, as I knew he was close by to continue tuning regularly.

Tune v0b - much more response and power from the car. It was a **** of a pleasure to drive. Ed and I were ready to actually stop here since it was really that nice of a drive. It was aggressive when it needed to be, and could coast comfortably when I needed it to be. It was the car I wanted it to be. Of course it is still a 2.5i, but for what it was, it was a really great drive. Crisp shifts made driving fast easy and fun. The oil temp stayed at my normal 210-218 even under heavy driving. I was dipping through traffic without a problem. Today I actually kept up with a souped up Audi a4 on the highway, it was not a problem at all.

Tune v0c - Ed sent it to me a few days ago out of nowhere, said "Give this a shot for shits and giggles." Immediately after getting home from work, I flashed it onto my car. I turned the key, engine roared, then died. Then again, and again. As I sat on the floor in my basement wondering if I had been screwed over by Ed, I thought to myself, why not just reflash v0b and ask Ed what the deal is? After some discussion he advised me to refresh v0c and see if it would was just some sort of error in the flashing process. Anything is possible right? Well, it worked. I turned the key and was relieved to hear my engine continue to purr after a few seconds. I was getting ready to turn my car off and set up RomRaider, so that I could troubleshoot the tune with Ed, when my nagging girlfriend asked me to feed her. As much as I wanted to troubleshoot - and yes it was that serious, I was still so worried about the tune on my car that I didn't want to move it until it was sorted out, or determined that v0c was a bust and v0b needed to go back in - I decided to hop in the car, along with my laptop incase I ran into problems, and go grab some food with her. My God, am I happy that I decided to drive the car with v0c. At first, the car felt really weird, it was the first time I ever felt something like this in my car. I could not figure out what was causing this weird feeling though, until I realized my car was behaving pretty **** similarly to a manual transmission. Under 35 mph on flats and uphills, the car sits way high up in the rpm range, around 3-4k, as if I was in 1st or 2nd gear, EXACTLY HOW I WOULD KEEP IT IN MANUAL MODE. Downhills it sits nice and low around 1600, EXACTLY HOW I WOULD KEEP IT IN MANUAL MODE. The car was so freaking responsive, it was too much for me to take in. I didn't realize how fun it was until I got back into the snaking hills of my neighborhood. On one specific uphill snake, I decided to rip it. The car just sat high in the rpm range anytime I let off the gas (which wasn't often LOL) ready to play again. I ripped up these hills faster than I ever have, with more joy than I ever have. I FREAKING LOVE THIS TUNE. It isn't a tune for everyone though, it is quite radical in my opinion, but the best I have experienced yet.

Also keep in mind, these three tunes were log free so far. He has come quite a long way with my 2.5i even without logging. Once we log, I am sure further improvements will be made. Also, ignition maps still have not been touched, again further improvements.

So far this is my experience with Ed. It has been a great pleasure so far. If you are considering tuning with Ed, I recommend giving it a shot. If you want to know more about the experience feel free to pm me, or one of the many people part of a great community of like minded individuals that Ed has brought together to enjoy the beauty of the XRT tuned Subaru engine.

If you want to see the video Ed is referring to, and listen to me laugh like a little girl because of excitement, pm me and I will share the link with you!

I hope this has helped you become slightly more informed about Ed and XRT, updates will follow as we continue to improve the 2.5i.

Thank you for reading,
The Monkey with the Camera, Dr. Photo
https://youtu.be/R6ApMAWhYNI
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FHartell - 2016 Subaru Crosstrek FB20 CVT

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SethC - 2018 Subaru Impreza 2.5i CVT - Tuning

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SethC - 2018 Subaru Legacy CVT 2.5i v0a review.PNG
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