VTune??

[stevey]

Hi,

lots of people on the forum have been talking about a V-Tune...is that just a name someone coined cos Vin does the tuning?

I'm coming up to my interval 1 service (62,500km service), would a Vtune cover all the usual servicing needs seeing its only a minor service? i'm hoping to get some performance gains and fuel efficiencies from the tune but don't want to double up with the service if i don't have to.

[chriskan]

I think that name came about because of Vinny, yep! Best to ring STI direct and ask for him and he can answer your questions, he's a very nice guy to deal with!

[WhiteGTB]

I think that name came about because of Vinny, yep! Best to ring STI direct and ask for him and he can answer your questions, he's a very nice guy to deal with!

Thats good to hear that he is a nice guy

Stevey, let us know how you go.

[stevey]

So if I do the tune, do I have to service my car still?

[Arith]

My understanding is the V-Tune is just the ECU tune itself. It does not involve any service work.

[chriskan]

As Arith said, the ecu tune doesn't involve any service work, however, if your car's due for a service, oil is old, filters are dirty etc, it would be better to do these first before the tune I guess. Are you in Melbourne Stevey?

[Spec B Wgn]

i dont think the V-tune is available for your car...

[bonski]

i dont think the V-tune is available for your car...

I think it is mate.

I know someone with an RB that got the V-tune. This was a while ago as well.


Bang for buck - its never going to be as good as the turbo cars.

[chriskan]

well depends what you mean by "good". i mean a tune is to iron out the flat spots, get a bit more power, factor in increased airflow etc as a result of mods, but most often the result most people are after for street/daily use is better driveability with a side effect of better fuel economy, and I think this is achievable with the H6 V-Tune.

[Spec B Wgn]

i would like to see some dyno proof..of the V- tune

[Mano™]

Not sure if it was on these forums or the last forums we had, but there was a few member from melb that had good results after the v-tune!!

[Arith]

My understanding is that the V-Tune started with STi Docklands trying to make the WRX more driveable day to day. Vinny eventually moved to the Liberty 3.0's (which a few GenIV 3.0's have done on other forums), and after popular demand, recently started doing the GT's.

From what I've read and researched from other people's posts, gains is supposed to be from 10 - 15 kw. Like Chris said, it's mainly to make it more driveable, and not meant for large number gains. After all, it is performed by someone officially working for Subaru, so they need to keep it conservative so as to not void any warranties.

But cost is where I'm getting conflicting reports. The WRX people claim it's only $350 for the V-Tune. But some of the Liberty owners I know who called up got quoted $800. I'm guessing because of the volume done on the WRX explains it's lower costs?

[chriskan]

A V-tune isn't a product as such, as it's been established, it's called that coz of the man, not the technology . Vinny can do basic reflashes for around the 250-350 mark, then for others there's interceptors fitted which is the 800+. It depends on what the owner wants and what mods are fitted. He recently did an 05 sti which pulled 280 atw on the weekend at the wrx club dyno day.

[chriskan]

i would like to see some dyno proof..of the V- tune

Jump on the wrx.com.au forums, plenty of dyno graphs there from people who've had their car tuned by Vin. But not sure what you mean by "proof" if you mean before & afters, that's there I guess.

In reality, he doesn't do anything more special than any other reputable tuner. Most people take it to Vin because he has knows his Subarus from his BGT days, and of course now as the STI technical manager, spends a lot of time playing with Subaru tech day to day. The prices are quite reasonable too, and there's a bit more safety as they know the limits of the EJ engines. We went through a phase in Vic (late 90's) with cowboy tuners and powerFC's ending in tears with blown big ends and melted pistons.

[Spec B Wgn]

i would like to see some dyno proof..of the V- tune

Jump on the wrx.com.au forums, plenty of dyno graphs there from people who've had their car tuned by Vin. But not sure what you mean by "proof" if you mean before & afters, that's there I guess.

In reality, he doesn't do anything more special than any other reputable tuner. Most people take it to Vin because he has knows his Subarus from his BGT days, and of course now as the STI technical manager, spends a lot of time playing with Subaru tech day to day. The prices are quite reasonable too, and there's a bit more safety as they know the limits of the EJ engines. We went through a phase in Vic (late 90's) with cowboy tuners and powerFC's ending in tears with blown big ends and melted pistons.

im not doubting any of Vin's tuning expertise..and his prices are extremely reasonable

I own a STI tuned with Ecutek with some serious all day driving power and i also own a 3.0R Spec B wgn (well the wife does) also tuned...

trying to tune the 3.0R and gain power isnt easy, especially with the ACVS... more pwr isnt the answer with this model.. its about controlling the ACVS and working with the strict emmissions the ECU has learnt.

This feature (ACVS) on the 3.0R controls alot of the emmissions and from what i understand is the downfall of extracting more pwr from the 6.

On her WGN we have 125 kws atw from the auto but it drives a lot fatter and feels more punchy in the mid range... no need to rev the guts out of it which is ideal..