So I've search all recent threads and we all know that the ECU flash is the best bang for buck...now which tuner is the best value for your money (gains to price)? Best overall and why? Am I missing other good tuners?

I have a bone stock 02' turbo and a flash will be the first thing I do when spring time rolls around. I know it is a very slippery slope but I do truly plan on this being my only mod (I have very strong will power ).

 

Markski tuning.
It's not really about hp/$ when it comes to the tune. Any tuner can advance your timing, lean out your a/f ratio and max out your turbos. If you just go for biggest gains from a tune, you'll sacrifice reliability if you don't start upgrading parts.
You can use the hp/$ when it comes the upgraded parts. The more you spend, the bigger the gains.
For example, $10k in parts might get you an extra 200hp, $20k 400hp, roughly speaking.
I went with Markski for his customer service, plus he'll update your tune for free if you start making additional mods. Talk to all the tuners and go with the one you're most comfortable with.

 

too many variables for "one" answer. an OTS tune VS a custom tune has to take into account current and/or future mods, and goals. but the real value added thing to consider is as jeanmarc has just said is the "help" one will need throughout the life of 996 turbo ownership, so that would lead me to a "custom" tuner or expert reseller that will help you after sale ( and you WILL need it if you mod/upgrade over time..). plan ahead, "no one" "stops" at just a tune.

so that leaves guys like sambo at bydesign here ( arguably the best if not one of! ).. markski@911 tuning also here.. kevin @umw does killer work anyone will tell you....all these guys can dial in exactly what you want/need and will help you after sale.

but today, setting aside for a moment all of the giac's and protomotives or a rapport with a shop ( seriously important! ) that can do all in house ( the bigger shop guys such as evoms/sharkwerks/protomotives/bbi/gmg et al, of the world ( all famous and beyond reproach, for good reason! ) and barring those choices, if it were me going to pick one and just ONE tune today everything else being equal and not even from personal experience.., it would be cobb, just from rep alone.

but seriously. pick a RESELLER you can work with long term, and get the tune thru them! better. gl w it! it'll be blast once done.

 

You forgot Cobb.

 

lol he did, i didn't! would be my first choice today. esp with that V3 accessport thing, it looks very handy indeed.
...but neglected to add EPL to his "list".. they have certainly earned their well deserved rep too....

 

You're in Cleveland, why don't you just drive down to switzer and have him tune your car?

 

I'm definitely considering it, I just wanted to find out as much as I can before making a decision.

 

lol. sorry. I saw EPL and COBB and it was definitely suppose to be a part of my poll but I made this thread at like 3:30 in the morning very quickly before I went to bed so I can get a few responses to read by the time I got up. Is there any way to edit the poll? Thank you very much for your input!

 

Indeed they did...

I'm voting for my Sambo/Cobb tune. Coming from the Subie world, I'm familiar with the Access and it's features, and absolutely love being about to quickly change tunes, datalog, and pull codes from the small handheld device.

 

i dont know about "polls" but i do know (a) that if you polled everyone here they would tell you to hit up sam at by design auto in here ( 2nd time today I've said that lol ) and (b) he is among other things, an authorized cobb reseller!

cobb is the latest and greatest but there isn't one mentioned yet, that wouldn't get you what you need. good luck!

 

I did a lot of research and went with UMW

 

interesting everyone voted "other"

 

i did the same, i'm very happy with it

 

I'm going to guess everyone will go with what tune they have as they think it's the greatest.

 

Sambo / COBB all the way!