UMW / ECU Flash
I am currently running EPL and love my tune. I was looking into both UMW and EPL and I chose EPL because I didn't like the way Kevins sells his services and products. He knows his stuff for sure though.
Their are several things to consider when shopping for tunes. #1 is whether or not the person you are buying from is the actual tuner. This is a possible bad scenario if they use an outside tuner and they no longer do buisness with each other. If so, will you still get support? Many "tuners" don't actually write and compile code. They pay other people to do it for them. The other thing to consider is that everyone here is going to rant and rave about their tune as if it is the only good tuner in existance. Even me
Because of this you will have to do your own legwork and make your own decision based on your expectations. I suggest you call the tuners you are considering and use your gut on their service.
Their are several things to consider when shopping for tunes. #1 is whether or not the person you are buying from is the actual tuner. This is a possible bad scenario if they use an outside tuner and they no longer do buisness with each other. If so, will you still get support? Many "tuners" don't actually write and compile code. They pay other people to do it for them. The other thing to consider is that everyone here is going to rant and rave about their tune as if it is the only good tuner in existance. Even me
Because of this you will have to do your own legwork and make your own decision based on your expectations. I suggest you call the tuners you are considering and use your gut on their service.I hope to keep the mod's simple - exhaust, flash, DV's and probably a clutch when needed.
I'll start making some calls Monday.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,696
From: Portland Oregon
Rep Power: 188
As for the DVs, save your money and go with bosch 710N valves. They last a long time at high boost and can be had for $90 a pair. The metal DVs can fail too and do require periodic lubrication.
Hi,,,,,I presently have an EPL tune,I have had about 6 different tunes total from others on my past and present Porsches....all I can say is that this EPL tune is the smoothest and no glitches,on and off the gas,that I have ever had.......Hope this helps..
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 86
From: USA
Rep Power: 19
I have the UMW tune, and am happy with it, but it's not like I bought a few and compared them (though I have wondered why these tuners don't offer a 30 day trial period). I got the UMW tune primarily through the Rennlist recommendations and my discussions with Kevin (who seemed confident enough that his product was an A+ and blunt enough to not really care about selling it to me (which I liked :P )).
Thanks!
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 972
From: San Francisco / DXB
Rep Power: 69
Why dont you tell us how you really feel about Kevin?
In your opinion, who writes his code then? And who would you recommend?
In your opinion, who writes his code then? And who would you recommend?
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,696
From: Portland Oregon
Rep Power: 188
It is just too easy to bad mouth another tuner's code due to differences in a customer's expectations when really it comes down to how you want your car to drive.
Jon
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,241
From: Truckee
Rep Power: 82
I don't know where you got your information. I have Kevin's tune on my car. We went through several iterations of customizing the tune on my car, where I sent him datalogs and he emailed me updated codes. Some of this was real time on a Sunday evening. Maybe you think that he had this mysterious coder on speed-dial?
Jon
Jon
Tuners can correct me if I am wrong, but this was the case with Subarus. I am sure this is probably the case for the larger software options like Softronic, Giac etc. It's not like each tuner is a computer programmer modifying the code.
Last edited by Nikolas; Feb 12, 2011 at 04:06 PM.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,958
From: Old line state.
Rep Power: 150
Anyone w/a x50 running the UMW flash, if so do you have dyno results? I saw that Kevin's (UMW) flash laid 480rwhp down on TX Gold's K16 car. Which is very impressive for a k16 equipped vehicle.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 62
From: so calif
Rep Power: 20
my experience with ecu flash
hi, i have a 2003 x50 tip and got a softrnoics ecu...it was easy to upload via your PC and have the orignal program on ur lap top....
BUT..i'm in so.calif and with the softronics, i can't pass the smog/emissions....i can easily telll the difference in smell of the exh...rich... i have to reprogram every two years to get smog passed....
i have some DV and exh and had ipd plenum changed but i can't really tell much what the ecu did....i'm probably a numb butt....but i thought i should be able to tell some obvious difference with power going from 450 to 525 or more.... it's louder alright with the exh...and a bit of drone at 2200....
i was actually searching here to see which ecu is the best for some one that doesn't track but just want some more power out of the car for weekend/canyon driving...etc....
jr
2003 x50 tip
BUT..i'm in so.calif and with the softronics, i can't pass the smog/emissions....i can easily telll the difference in smell of the exh...rich... i have to reprogram every two years to get smog passed....
i have some DV and exh and had ipd plenum changed but i can't really tell much what the ecu did....i'm probably a numb butt....but i thought i should be able to tell some obvious difference with power going from 450 to 525 or more.... it's louder alright with the exh...and a bit of drone at 2200....
i was actually searching here to see which ecu is the best for some one that doesn't track but just want some more power out of the car for weekend/canyon driving...etc....
jr
2003 x50 tip
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,319
From: Long island NY
Rep Power: 381
UMW has had his flash out for a decade and then some. I believe they where the first to have the flash loader so you could upload the flash yourself.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 972
From: San Francisco / DXB
Rep Power: 69
Word! Yer preaching to the choir ... Had UMW K24 flash .. UMW Stage 2 Zero Clearance snails AND flash ... I happen to like it quite a bit.
