I had a discussion with a local performance shop about doing a re-flash on my current ride. His response was, with a GIAC re-flash I could expect between 60 and 100 HP without any additional mods.
Ignoring for the moment the accuracy of that statement, there will surely be some increase in HP.
My question and forgive me if it's been asked before, why wouldn't Porsche deploy the "better" flash to begin with? It seems like there should be something lost with this gain.
I think it must have something to do with engine life, or emissions or something.
Can someone help me out with an explanation?

 

The stock car makes .7bar of boost. Like most any car, yes emissions, gas mileage, etc, the car is setup to be more conservative. The stock K16 turbos can be run up to 1.2bar, where the K24 turbos like you have on your X50 will can run to 1.3bar. Getting 60-100HP with a GIAC flash or ANY flash on a X50 is not possible to the wheels. He might have thought you had a K16 car. The X50 K24 runs at about .9bar. A flash takes it to about 1.1bar. Usually a gain of 40-50HP is there. You will also need to replace your diverter valves and the biggest restriction then is the exhaust which will hold the boost back from where you need to be.

End of the day, ECU flash no matter who you go with is the best bang for the buck.

 

Hey Dan,

Why are there more gains for the k16s?

 

Larger boost increase, K16 flows less then a K24 so has more to gain with boost increase.

 

Hmmm...will I have to agree & disagree with a couple of points made. First the Porsche "tune" is a compromise for emissions, fuel economy, typical drivers (safety), reliability, other components on the car, etc. Most all manufacturers do NOT have the ultimate performance in mind.
I don't think K16s are efficient after 1.0 so flashing to 1.2 really is not a good idea. The statement on HP is obviously over stated (sounds like a sales pitch) regardless of your turbos (Especially without other mods, like exhaust).
Not sure what you mean exactly by gains (power, hp, torque). The right flash for the right hardware...there will not be more gain for K16s IMHO.

 

Standard K16 flash is set at 1.0bar, sorry.

 

OK...better

 

Back in my K16 996TT hayday, we did that whole external wastegate project on the stock turbos. We were running 1.3bar. We made a TON of torque, but yes efficiency on top end was limited. All flashes we do from Softronic on a K16 car go from .7bar to 1.0bar. I think other tuning companies are the same for a standard flash.

 

Hello all,

Yes it is correct that the stock 996tt w/K16 will make 1 bar with the Softronic Flash. The same car with added exhaust will then gen about 1.2 bar. I would also recommend replacing the Diverter Valves when done.


Best Regards,
Scott Slauson