A few years ago, everyone was saying Ecutek was the best for tuning MKVs. But now, I hear bootmod3 might be just as good. Anyone tried both? I’m about to tune mine after installing an active autowerke catted downpipe, a dinan catback, and an armaspeed cold air intake.
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. Isn’t bootmod3 and MHD pretty much the same now?
Ecutek isn’t the top choice for everyone anymore, but it’s still what the pros use when they want every last bit of power. MHD seems like the most popular option now, especially since it works with Motiv Reflex for running 12 injectors.I’m using Ecutek and making good power with e50 on a stock turbo.
@Baylen
How much hassle is it running blended fuel? This is my first time with a car where 93 octane isn’t considered a real tune. I know even a 93 tune would be better than stock, though.
Leif said:
@Baylen
How much hassle is it running blended fuel? This is my first time with a car where 93 octane isn’t considered a real tune. I know even a 93 tune would be better than stock, though.
No issues. I run a tank of regular gas with a stabilizer before storing it for winter to flush out the ethanol. Been running it this way for four years.E85 isn’t available near me, so I keep three VP fuel cans filled up for when I want max power. The flex fuel setup makes everything super easy. I can run anywhere from e10 to e55, and the tune adjusts automatically.
@Baylen
What kind of power are you making?
Reilly said:
@Baylen
What kind of power are you making?
500whp and 620wtq.
Reilly said:
@Baylen
What kind of power are you making?
500whp and 620wtq.
Is that the most you can get on a stock turbo?
Baylen said:
Reilly said:
@Baylen
What kind of power are you making?
500whp and 620wtq.
Is that the most you can get on a stock turbo?
That’s about where the stock transmission maxes out. Some people push up to 530whp, but you’re risking blowing the turbo. Also, at 620wtq, the stock auto transmission starts slipping in 6th gear. XHP transmission tuning helps with that.
@Baylen
Is this for the automatic or the manual? And what causes the turbo to fail?
Reilly said:
@Baylen
Is this for the automatic or the manual? And what causes the turbo to fail?
Stock auto. If you have the manual, the clutch will start slipping if you add much more power. Some people get lucky and hold more power on the manual, but if you drive hard, the clutch won’t last long.As for the turbo, if you push it too hard, a sudden downshift and boost spike can bend the shaft, causing the impeller to hit the housing. That can destroy it. Another issue is heat and oil starvation—if you run too much power for too long, the seals can fail.Once you’re over 500whp and 600wtq, you’re playing with fire on a stock turbo and auto trans.
@Baylen
That’s not really how turbos work. The impeller or turbine won’t just break from RPM alone. A sudden downshift isn’t going to kill it either. If you push a turbo too far, it’ll just lose efficiency and start making more heat instead of power.Also, turbos don’t have traditional seals, they use bearings. Load on the bearings doesn’t really change whether you’re at 100hp or 1000hp. If you’re getting oil leaks, it’s probably from high oil pressure, not power levels.
For hardcore tuners, maybe. But honestly, MHD and BM3 are just as good for most people. I’ve been using MHD and love it.
Shaye said:
For hardcore tuners, maybe. But honestly, MHD and BM3 are just as good for most people. I’ve been using MHD and love it.
Can you tweak your own ECU settings with those?
I looked into this, and Ecutek is way more expensive if you have a 2021+ model with the locked ECU. You need a 2020 ECU, then send both to Finland to be unlocked and cloned. I got quoted about $5-6k for everything, including the ECU.BM3 still needs an unlock, but you don’t have to swap in a 2020 ECU. I went through A90 Shop, and it was about $2250 total for the FEMTO unlock and BM3 license.Ecutek might be better, but for the mods you’re talking about, BM3 is more than enough.