vcci

I'm getting ready to tune and trying to decide if I should tune with Renntech or for about the same cost go with a EC tune and get downpipes. I believe the EC tune nets 30-40hp less than Renntech, if downpipes add 20hp+- then the Renntech is still a better value. Thought?

Pumpkinate

I got EC + downpipes and I like the sound. Car is a real animal now, I can fish tail it accelerating on the highway. I'm about to get new tyres then I'll try and get to the dragstrip (not too close to me unfortunately). Are you sure the Renntech tune makes more power? ie is there an instance where the two have been compared on the exact same dyno?

Fairbird

only those 2 options ?

vcci

I'm only going by advertised gains.

I considered AMS but for $3k i'd rather go with Renntech. Weistec seems too unreliable. What tune are you running?

Fairbird

My own , custom

johnnyblaze

Can't really go wrong in the tune department. Most box tunes are within 3-5whp of each other by now. These engines have been out for a while. Why not consider OE Tuning as well? Someone was selling a set of used off road rado downpipes - save yourself some money and grab those with a tune and you would probably have enough left over for drop in filters and a car wash

loungn14

make sure your comparing apples to apples

meaning some vendors list WHP (wheel) and some just HP (Crank)

vcci

RennTech advertises 669 HP @ 5500 RPM; 734 LB-FT @ 3800 RPM at the crank.

Eurocharged advertises 643HP / 705TQ and though it doesn't state(unless i missed it) i believe its at the crank.

Thats a 26hp/29tq difference between the two. If i'm comparing by advertised numbers than there's only a $700 difference but i know EC has been offering their tune at a discounted price and thats where i come up with the EC tune and DP will cost roughly same as RenneTech tune alone.

silvers2k

EC's advertised HP/TQ number is WHP based on a Dynojet. Keep in mind, the result will vary from car to car and based on the type of Dyno used to measure HP/TQ.

Renntech is known to be somewhat conservative compared to some of more aggressive tuners. However, if you look at the real data i.e. 1/4mile and 1/2 mile time the Renntech cars are just as fast as other tuned cars with higher claimed HP/TQ if not faster.

Not sure if you read one of my threads, but I switched from EC to Renntech.

Shoot me a PM if you want my honest feedback and more info.

Ryan

vcci

If EC's advertised HP/TQ are at the wheels it would work out to roughly 755hp at the crank, that would be 85hp more than RennTech. I could be wrong but I still think EC tune is crank not wheel hp.

Astolfo

Hi Ryan, can you post honest feedback?
TIA

gaspam

Speedriven1

You also see some pretty wide variances in claimed HP with nearly identical WHP. If RT, for example, uses a 20% driveline loss to calculate claimed HP, then a 500 WHP car would be advertised as 625 HP. If EC is using 15%, then that same 500 WHP car is advertised as 590 HP.

The basic rule of thumb I give people is this: if it's the same hardware, it's going to be about the same tune. Just like in math class- if you're all working with the same variables (in this case, that's the hardware) you should all come up with the same answer. It's when you start changing the variables that you start to see differences in end results, and that's the big question here- do you want to go with a shop like EC that will re-flash your car and work with you on custom hardware you buy later, or a shop like RT that will charge you for expensive custom retunes every time you build it up?

Not to bash RT. Brabus is the same, Lorinser is the same, etc. Not to oversell EC. We're similar. OE is similar, maybe (I don't know those guys- but Jerry at EC is good).

Hope that helps.

silvers2k

That's asking for trouble haha.

Joking aside, read my thread and decide for yourself.

If you have any questions, send me a PM.

silvers2k

I would also look at the power curve (for power delivery) and not just the peak HP/TQ. Give the tuner of your choice a call and go from there. Obviously, I'm partial to Renntech based on my personal experience.

Best of luck to you!

vcci

Thanks, I read your post and don't remember you mentioning if you dyno'd after your RT tune. If you did, what were the numbers?

Gene Gorman

I have the Renntech tune and it is a beast with no problems. Drives like stock until you put your foot in it, then hold on.

vcci

my car is going to the dealer tomorrow for a quick look-over before my warranty expires next month. soon as its back i'm pulling the ECU and sending it to RT.

silvers2k

Excellent choice!

I would highly recommend replacing the spark plugs (oem) to avoid potential spark blow out.

Looking forward to your post tune thread!

vcci

Would it make sense to have the dealer replace the plugs before the tune since the car will already be there? If so do I have them gap them at .026?

Speedriven1

Couldn't hurt. If you're around 40K might want to do a trans. service as well.

vcci

i'm happy to report that my cpu is on its way back from RT. Shipped to them yesterday, they did their magic and sent it back. Should be here tomorrow. I asked my SA to replace the plugs and service the trans and was told its not necessary. He says trans service is not due till 60k and that the plugs should be fine. Hopefully they don't fail and cause the car to go in to limp mode. Will report back with with feedback on the tune. Though i can't comment on the tune(yet) i can say that RT was very professional and responsive to each one of my calls. I plan on DP's in the near future but first want to find some wheels with the right offset followed by the RT HAS kit.

Fairbird

If you have flashing CEl it's miss fires , turn the engine off , start it up , get to where you need , pull the spark plugs out , gap to 0.024 , enjoy . good luck

Ralcbah

Fairbird, did you find .024 to be best via trial and error? I ask as I'm replacing plugs soon.

Fairbird

Yes I did . Stock turbo should be sweet spot