Our next stage in performance modifications for our Porsche 997TT was the Softronic ECU Flash. Many others have proved their softwares potential and now it was time for Softronic to show why it has some serious power. Because our car already had the JIC Cross exhaust installed on it, we did 3 different tests to show where the ECU stood in performance.

First, lets discuss about Softronic a little bit. Softronic has been doing Porsche Performance for 20+ years. As the former PCA technical advisor and now working with Porsche Motorsports and even well known race teams for data checking and tuning, Scott Slauson brings a convenient, well thought out, and proven form of ECU Tuning to Porsche. Vivid Racing has had strong success with the Softronic ECU Tuning in the 996TT community. Softronic has been flashing 997TT's on the East Coast since the cars release and now Vivid Racing is bringing the proof to the mainstream. As everyone knows, the CAN software the 997TT uses does not allow for Client OBDII flashing. The ECU must be removed and sent in for a bench flash. What makes Softronic different is their ability to tune off the factory timing and lambda tables instead of "Global" changes like others may do. Another strong factor is that Softronic ECU Tuning is adaptive to race fuel and bolt on components such as an exhaust and intake, so there is no need to re-reflash the car. Softronic has also gone so far to have ECU maps developed for GT30 turbo kits, GT2 Turbos, and more.

As tested here at Vivid Racing, after installing our new flashed ECU, we connected the factory Porsche PIWIS tester to check for any faults or signals that the data has been tampered with. Many users are concerned about warranty. The PIWIS tool showed a ECU program was installed, but no other info about what was done. This could be a factory Porsche software update or anything. So no worries on the warranty being voided.

Before the car was dynoed to show the results, we did a variety of street and highway driving. We looked at characteristics of gas mileage, partial throttle driving, acceleration, and overall impressions. Gas mileage was only changed under full throttle circumstances. During normal driving characteristics, the gas mileage stayed consistant with what it was stock. Partial throttle driving had the car feel like a normal vehicle without being to "punchy". When you exceeded that throttle point and the boost kicked in, the car hit hard and was litterally a land rocket. For only having an exhaust and flash on the car, this car was as fast or faster then some of the 996TT with 650HP kits and over $15,000 invested in them.

Once we were happy with the cars performance on the street, we wanted to see how it would perform on the dyno. We strapped down our 997TT to our Mustang All Wheel Drive dyno. This dyno is also known as the "The Heart Breaker" for its low readings but more accurate results for tuning. With proper fans on the intercoolers and radiators, we ran the car in the summers 105 degree room temperature. We compared the car with sport mode and off. We did about 6 runs to make sure we had consistant results.

The first dyno graph shows a comparison of what the Softronic ECU Flash added for power. The car was first tested with the stock ECU and exhaust then tested with the flash ECU and exhaust. The Softronic ECU Flash added 66HP and 54ft/lbs of torque.


The 2nd dyno compares the Softronic Flash with JIC Exhaust to the Stock 997TT. This was a gain of 104HP and 83ft/lbs of torque. Now this is a hard one to compare to other products and companies because of 2 variables. Exhaust brand and temperature. The 997TT is very finicky in sport mode with different exhausts. Most aftermarket exhausts are running 200cell cats. So you have to have the ECU flash done to turn off the CEL caused by the cat inefficiency code. The JIC exhaust uses 80mm piping and is much more free flowing then other systems, so it adds alot of power.


The 3rd and final dyno compares the Softronic with and without Sport Mode turned on. Watching the boost gauge on the dash, in sport mode, the car held a constant 17psi to 6800rpm. Without sport mode, the car ran 15psi. These runs were done back to back. What was interesting is that without sport mode, the car made more peak at redline power. But if you look at the curve the initial boost from Sport Mode gave the car a TON more torque and mid range. It could be possible that the Sport Mode which caused the EGT to rise on a back to back run cut out at the high RPM. The inital torque and midrange is good as that is one thing you can TRULY feel when driving.


Baseline test of the completely stock vehicle was done on 91 octane. Exhaust Test and Softronic ECU test were done using a 93 octane map. These are all my opinions and observations from my own tests. If you are interested in the Softronic ECU Flash, View the 997TT Flash Product Here.

You can view more pictures from our Project 997TT and tests here - http://www.vividracing.com/forums/gallery/browseimages.php?c=342

If you are interested in this product - visit the Vendor Marketplace for our Special Pricing - https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...rketplace-102/

 

WOW, very impressive gains and insight on the Softronic. It's definitely my next mod, and only choice for ECU flash.

 

Thanks for the kind compliments. We do have core ECU available for those that dont want to have their car down for a day or 2...

 

Good luck with your product, buy I have to point this out.

If you use the proper Cat (HJS), there is no need to turn off the CEL in the programming. I pointed this out to another exhaust manufacturer a week or so ago.

 

Great results Dan!!

over 100hp on mustang dyno...WOW

So how many hp/tq difference between normal mode vs Sport mode ?

You may need to try MS103 on Sport mode

 

Mike - What exhausts are you talking about? Would like to know from your experience. Maybe PM me so we can keep this one on topic.

Shotcaller - thank you for your compliments. I will definitely try some VP109 in there after Gumball. We are going to install our Agency Power Headers next for some numbers.

 

Nah, there is no need for a PM as this is entirely on topic.

This is what you wrote:

The 997TT is very finicky in sport mode with different exhausts. Most aftermarket exhausts are running 200cell cats. So you have to have the ECU flash done to turn off the CEL caused by the cat inefficiency code. The JIC exhaust uses 80mm piping and is much more free flowing then other systems, so it adds alot of power.

Unless I am missing something, you just stated that Softronic has to turn off the rear O2's to keep the CEL off with your exhaust. Right or wrong?

The 997TT, especially the 2008's, are finicky. My point to you is, if you use the proper cat there is no need to turn off the rear O2's to keep the CEL off.

 

Great review and results Dan.

 

Softronic can turn off the O2s for people that want to run high flow cats or straight pipes. Very popular in the 996TT world. I do not want to get into a tuning discussion as I am not familiar with the process. Scott from Softronic can chime in here. This thread is really to showcase my tests and results. What I do know is that most 200cell and 100cell cats can throw CEL still. So yes maybe the JIC cat was to free flowing. The exhaust was also a prototype and used. So maybe that is an affect. The Milltek exhaust that we sell alot of their 200cell cat system we have never had an issue with.

Ron - Thank you for the compliment!

 

what would you loose running at 91 octane?

 

Same performance gains, just less of a peak number. If you had a 91 octane map and ran some octane booster or race gas, the ECU would adjust and you would still gain more power. Westlake Village??? We are running through California this weekend on Gumball. Come out to one of the stops!

 

is there a web site with the stops listed?

 

I would like to state for the record Softronic does not eliminate Post o2 sensors. These may be calibrated yet not eliminated and will always be functional.


All in all the stock run with factory cats or the aftermarket ones that were used show a very good increase in power and performance. Softronic also has 997TT's running over 700 at the rear wheels.

Best,
Scott SLauson

 

SoCalCFP - Check out the info on my blog www.vividracing.com/blog

Scott - Thank you for the clarification. I intended to use the language to suggest the variables are adjusted differently not eliminated.

To those that posted positive feedback, thanks! I spent a couple hours this morning doing this to show my project as it comes along. Whether you buy parts or not is not the point. But watching a progression of parts and stages to see how the car changes is my intention. This world needs alittle more brotherhood and positive reinforcement.

 

thanks for the info.