Head-to-Head comparison of tunes for stock FL5 cars. Round 2.

[Backmarker]

Hi folks…

So about a year ago I ran a head to head test of tunes you can buy for a stock car. The results of that test can be found here:

https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threa...ming-soon-updated-with-interim-results.52932/

Dyno chart from then:

The key learnings from that were:
- TSP and Phearable are very similar to each other.
- Both produce way more power than stock
- Quality of gas matters a lot. Both TSP and Phearable tunes had meaningful knock above 6k which pulled timing and limited peak power. This was on 93 octane.

So determined to try and get a clean read I went BACK to the dyno again to do the test again. This time I added a track-focused tune from Jester Tuned. To try and keep a clean read I used 93 octane from a different supplier this time AND I added an octane booster. I was going to use a gallon of E85 but could not find it near the dyno.

Caveat: These are results from a single car on a single day. Your mileage may vary.

Here is the results of round 2:

Once again knock was an issue above 6K rpm suggesting that a) these tunes are sensitive to fuel quality above 6k and b) 93 octane in Va sucks (remember I had added an octane booster). Peak horsepower for TSP and Jester was limited by knock retard.

There was a very small amount of knock on one cylinder with JesterTuned. TSP had more significant knock on two cylinders. Phearable had none. I ran 3 pulls each and picked the best result that was backed up. I also reran Phearable and Jesters again at the end to confirm the results and they were consistent with the first time.

- the Phearable tune appears to be the most conservative with timing and the only one without any knock. It previously was nearly identical to TSP when I ran this last year so I am guessing the performance difference was a fluke.

My conclusions:
- Objective dyno performance comparisons are hard - even when being as scientific as possible.
- All three of these tunes are solid options that will create loads more power than stock. I have had good experience with all three - and received good advice from all three. I have run all three tunes on my car and would feel totally comfortable running any of them long term. IMO A Hondata and one of these tunes is hands down the first mod people should do. They transform the car.

And for me… this story ends here. I put this together as a way to share back with the community. I have spent $1000+ on dyno time just to be able to share as I have known all along I would be modding the car - and that process starts soon. So take from it what you will.

Personally - I have run all three tunes extensively. I now run the JesterTuned tune and plan on him tuning the car as it goes under the knife. . Not because it made a bit more power… I actually expected it to make less. But I enjoy driving the car with his tune in it the most. I appreciate his willingness to develop a track day focused tune (vs peak hp) and his tuning philosophy seems well aligned to my goals. Does not hurt he has the patience of a saint putting up with my dumb and persistent questions.

You can’t go wrong with any of them. Don’t think I could own the car without a tune from one of them. All three tuners are great and I buy most of my parts from TSP .

Thanks all!
- Phillip

Sponsored

 

[Tougefl5]

This is all good stuff. Imo the best fun to be had with the car is between 400-450. Good luck with your build

 

[BuntaTypeR]

It's great to see that Jester Tune is very close in performance and even has higher torque. I don’t have a direct reference, but Jester is active on forums and always willing to help.

I’ve been running the Phearable tune and have never experienced any knock, even with poor-quality 91 octane fuel. I’ve tracked the car in extreme heat, ranging from 105°F to 110°F, with engine temps exceeding 300°F, and it has never given me any issues. I’d say Phearable is very reliable under high-stress and high-temperature conditions. So far, the engine is holding up well, though I plan to rebuild it if it eventually fails.

 

[Jester04]

It's great to see that Jester Tune is very close in performance and even has higher torque. I don’t have a direct reference, but Jester is active on forums and always willing to help.

I’ve been running the Phearable tune and have never experienced any knock, even with poor-quality 91 octane fuel. I’ve tracked the car in extreme heat, ranging from 105°F to 110°F, with engine temps exceeding 300°F, and it has never given me any issues. I’d say Phearable is very reliable under high-stress and high-temperature conditions. So far, the engine is holding up well, though I plan to rebuild it if it eventually fails.

So just add on this, this is my OTS map, which was developed with a certain quality fuel. This is why I don’t even like selling it. I like to do the custom route and dial in the car for what it likes.

 

[UCF120]

Can also attest to how good the Jester tune is! Been running his OTS map for almost a year now and love the power over stock! Only modification I have is a PRL HVI so the car is essentially stock. With his tune the car pulls significantly harder. I’ve been very impressed!

 

[jtlctr]

Thank you for spending your time and money on this, Phillip! This is great info.

 

[jcm]

glad to see some organized info. much appreciated

 

[chopsuey34]

So just add on this, this is my OTS map, which was developed with a certain quality fuel. This is why I don’t even like selling it. I like to do the custom route and dial in the car for what it likes.

Jester, do you do 1.5T tunes?

 

[Jester04]

Jester, do you do 1.5T tunes?

Not really, I can do it but don’t normally work on them.

I know Phearable and TSP both do sell tunes for them. Maybe I’m missing out on the market.

 

[FL5power]

On the first dyno chart why are the numbers so low? Was the fuel that bad? I thought fl5 dyno around 275-280whp stock?

 

[UCF120]

On the first dyno chart why are the numbers so low? Was the fuel that bad? I thought fl5 dyno around 275-280whp stock?

that number on the bottom is just an average. Peak power seems to be around the 280-290 whp mark which seems typical for a stock FL5

 

[FL5alive]

[/QUOTE]

What shop did you use for the dyno?

 

[Superhatch]

Awesome work, thanks so much for the time, effort, and money to get this done for the community.

Rather new to tuning, if I would get a 93 tune, but on occasion would have to refill with 91 how much of a boost does octane booster give?

 

[Clark_Kent]

Awesome work, thanks so much for the time, effort, and money to get this done for the community.

Rather new to tuning, if I would get a 93 tune, but on occasion would have to refill with 91 how much of a boost does octane booster give?

If you get the car tuned for 93 octane, you will not want to fill the car with 91.

As for the use of octane booster, I'm not a fan. You're better off using a splash of E85 to organically raise octane levels and it's significantly cheaper - <$3 per gallon vs. ~$8-$15 for 16 oz. Since you're located in Wisconsin it shouldn't be difficult to find E85. Ethanol pumps are historically concentrated in the Midwest, where corn production is the highest in the nation.

 

[UCF120]

@Jester04 or anyone for that matter, could yall maybe shed light on this question for me.

seeing as these tunes require a certain octane fuel (93 in my case) and since more than likely a little bit of 87 octane will be going into the gas tank from what’s left in the line from the person fueling ahead, would it be more beneficial to take each tank to near empty before refueling?

10 gallon tank. If you refuel at half a tank every time you refuel, wouldn’t that mean that more of a percentage of your tank is 87 vs taking the tank to empty and getting as much 93 in the tank as possible?

maybe looking too far into this just wondering what others do. I take my tank as low possible before refueling but I’ve heard it’s the not the best thing to do for your fuel pump

Sponsored