[solomel]

I'm preparing my beast for the new 2020 season. One of the most challenging decisions was choosing some ECU tune provider for bumping the power. I was long time hesitating about which one to go: APR, COBB or Ehresmann.

• APR amazed by a great product and marketing, but no quick maps change yet and too much tightened to the distributor network.
• COBB showed weak gains (4-5%) and seems like didn't get the platform capabilities at all
• Ehresmann and similar - niche and obviously risky. No chance to read logs and control car health.

Last Thursday I've got a perfect st. Valentine gift: COBB Announced v2.0 Maps for 718 S platform. Now, the dyno charts look perfect and comparable to peers. And I can change maps in 5 min between different octanes and modes: track, drag, etc.

So I'm going to test these maps hopefully tomorrow and going to report in detail how good they are. Because it is not only about numbers but also about feelings.

Maps for 93 Octane shows peaks up to 375-380 rwhp which is about 420hp at the crank to expect.

My "favorite" but alternative 91 Octane produces ~10hp less and the curve goes down faster on the highest RPM which is typical and reasonable.

The explanation is very nice and promising:

• Heat Management – At increased power levels and aggressive driving, the 718 has issues with managing heat. Our engineering team uncovered some factory tables that are unused in the stock tune. These new tables give us more control over the cooling system on the car, allowing the Acessport to make more power while managing heat efficiently. The same table discovery also provided access to safety modes that can actively protect the engine in the event that excessive heat is experienced in extreme scenarios.
• Power and Control – Not only do the latest map revisions make more power, but they also do so more smoothly and consistently. Discovering and understanding new tables related to turbo and torque management along with a fundamental change in fuel injection characteristics greatly improved the overall power curve. As seen in the graphs above, torque peaks almost instantly and holds steady throughout the rpm range while also producing large horsepower gains under the curve all the way to redline.
• High Load Transmission Smoothness – The engine and transmission are connected both literally and figuratively. Changes in engine management have an impact on transmission behavior even when no direct PDK adjustments are made. More precise airflow control in the latest maps proves that point as the cars now shift more smoothly and consistently in high load conditions. Ensuring that the car is predictable and responsive when pushed to its limits at the track.

Original article on their blog:

 

[purekoryo]

Launch control and no lift shift feature would be awesome for our manuals...

 

[chester7]

I'm in a holding pattern on the APR tune. Given I have a 6 MT, the Cobb switchable maps seem very enticing. I'm not after max power, just more power with an eye towards long-term drive-train reliability. Thanks for keeping us informed!

 

[johan]

I cant find any info if the Ecu still needs to be unlocked at Cobbs?
Waiting on the GTS numbers

 

[DriveInHouston]

Our engineering team uncovered some factory tables that are unused in the stock tune. These new tables give us more control over the cooling system on the car, allowing the Acessport to make more power while managing heat efficiently. The same table discovery also provided access to safety modes that can actively protect the engine in the event that excessive heat is experienced in extreme scenarios.

Sounds like my son found some loose change in the cracks of the sofa seats...

 

[johan]

Sounds like my son found some loose change in the cracks of the sofa seats...

As i understand it, now when the ECU are unlocked both Apr and Cobb can do more Hp without any new hardware.
I talked with Ehresmann about the heat issue and it is real problem and thats the main thing that prevents him to go above 450hp.
So if you track alot he only recomends a tune that gives 430hp otherwise the Ecu will down tune the engine to hold the heat at bay.

But the text above are not very well written.

 

[solomel]

I cant find any info if the Ecu still needs to be unlocked at Cobbs?
Waiting on the GTS numbers

It doesn't need to be unlocked anymore. It happened a month or so earlier.

As i understand it, now when the ECU are unlocked both Apr and Cobb can do more Hp without any new hardware.
I talked with Ehresmann about the heat issue and it is real problem and thats the main thing that prevents him to go above 450hp.
So if you track alot he only recomends a tune that gives 430hp otherwise the Ecu will down tune the engine to hold the heat at bay.

But the text above are not very well written.

I may assume that COBB got lots of insights from the APR solution and I don't think what they have something too different in major aspect now.
Heat soaking is bad - that's right. But you can reach it only having an active track day as I understand. The benefit I see is that I can tweak COBB maps with respect to my current activity style. I can put 450+hp for a few bright drag pulls some cool evening or night and have 430hp or even less for the track. This is why I'm going to do most likely: 1) install downpipes and make 2) pro-tune for safe and really fast modes for both 91 and 93.

 

[Korung 718]

No longer have to send in ECU to COBB, according to Suncoast heat soak is an issue an they recommended to install 3rd radiator as they did in there 718 S and results no more heat soak. I have installed the Soul down pipe already, Monday my 718 S goes into the local Porsche dealer to install the 3rd radiator kit I bought from Suncoast Porsche. By then I will have my Accesport from COBB and will be off to Cobb pro tuner to tune. I have a Dyno of my car before all this so will have real numbers to report in couple weeks ???

 

[purekoryo]

Wish they could increase more power on the gts since it already has the 3rd radiator...

 

[solomel]

Wish they could increase more power on the gts since it already has the 3rd radiator...

They will.

My first experience of new v200 maps from COBB: it is crazy. Car is definitely faster. Unfortunately I was not able to measure metrics after tuning because of heavy traffic in city, will do tomorrow. But car became so powerful so it even loses the traction on heavy start for a second.
Also I found a temperature of engine oil went down from 105 to 95C which answers why overheating comes later: thermoregulation now is synced better to heat output.

Will keep you posted.

 

[solomel]

After being physically infected by the "tuning" virus I was researching a lot what I can expect from particular decisions. I know many say: "cars are different", "there are different conditions" etc. But I like numbers and hungry of them, maybe because I'm from IT and work with lots of data So here are my facts and math:

Having stock BS I've received such results yesterday:

• 0..100 km/h: ~4.5s (the best 4.3s)
• 100..200 km/h: ~10.4s
• 1/4 mile: ~12.4s (the best 12.23s)

Notes, I have Cup2 tires and outside we have 10*C which is too cold to get the perfect start from stop. Too much spinning... So only once I've got the good traction and my results improved 0.2s for 0..100 and 1/4.

After installing COBB Stage 1 91 octane maps (v2.00) I tried a few pulls and got:

• 100..200 km/h: ~10.15s (-0.25s vs stock)

Of course, it was very small increase and I moved further installing COBB Stage 1 93 octane maps (v2.00). Then things start changing more seriously:

• 100..200 km/h: ~9.6s (-0.8s vs stock)
• 1/4 mile: ~12.25s (-0.15s vs stock)

What is important - these numbers were received consistently. So I can replicate them in 2/3 of cases with ease (I did 5-7 pulls of each). But anyway traction is a kind of lottery now and better wait for warmer weather and find a good road too.

Based on my simple proportional math (very approximate and wrong but...) which works well enough for fun I would suppose I have now at least 375hp * (10.4s / 9.6s) = ~406hp at the flywheel.
Just a reminder - 375hp is an average of measured stock of 718S by COBB and rest.

Conclusion - COBB Maps v2.00 for 718 S is just good. Not impressive game-changer, but solid boost, consistent, safe and of course easy to maintain for multi-purpose and multi-condition env. Will not highly recommend so far - need to test it more, but from first feeling - it worth the price for sure!

 

[chester7]

Cool. I suspect your 93 octane gain is better for 100-200 km/h than 1/4 mile because of limited traction. Warmer weather would likely improve the 1/4 mile time, but in reality 100-200 km/h is a more important measure of real world "feel".

 

[[email protected]]

I cant find any info if the Ecu still needs to be unlocked at Cobbs?
Waiting on the GTS numbers

No longer needs to be unlocked at COBB, just order the AccessPort, install in 10 minutes or less in the comfort of your own garage

 

[solomel]

Cool. I suspect your 93 octane gain is better for 100-200 km/h than 1/4 mile because of limited traction. Warmer weather would likely improve the 1/4 mile time, but in reality 100-200 km/h is a more important measure of real world "feel".

Yes. You got it.

BTW, I checked proportion of 100..150 km/h and here my "math" gives 419 hp (375hp * 4.1 / 3.67) which totally match the COBB chart. And this is exactly "real world feel" speeds.

Some dragy screenshots just in case:

.

 

[don]

Yes. You got it.

BTW, I checked proportion of 100..150 km/h and here my "math" gives 419 hp (375hp * 4.1 / 3.67) which totally match the COBB chart. And this is exactly "real world feel" speeds.

Some dragy screenshots just in case:
View attachment 25595 . View attachment 25596

Nice, what Ap are you using?

I agree looks like COBB have uncovered what APR discovered. Look forward to seeing COBBs results for the GTS. They were good before but lets see what they can do now.

Not that the stock car is not fast enough already!

 

[purekoryo]

I would've expected more. GTS guys with PDK are doing low 8's 100-200 kph, albeit on Ehresmann tunes.

 

[johan]

I would've expected more. GTS guys with PDK are doing low 8's 100-200 kph, albeit on Ehresmann tunes.

Thats stage 2 maps with new downpipe, correct?
One thing to remember with Ehresmann is that if you visit him you can get a custom tune
Thats the best solution but Ehresmann aint the cheapest one around.
But i offers the best solution for sure.

 

[johan]

Yes. You got it.

BTW, I checked proportion of 100..150 km/h and here my "math" gives 419 hp (375hp * 4.1 / 3.67) which totally match the COBB chart. And this is exactly "real world feel" speeds.

Some dragy screenshots just in case:
View attachment 25595 . View attachment 25596

What do you use to get the graphs, is it from the accessport?

 

[johan]

After being physically infected by the "tuning" virus I was researching a lot what I can expect from particular decisions. I know many say: "cars are different", "there are different conditions" etc. But I like numbers and hungry of them, maybe because I'm from IT and work with lots of data So here are my facts and math:

Having stock BS I've received such results yesterday:

• 0..100 km/h: ~4.5s (the best 4.3s)
• 100..200 km/h: ~10.4s
• 1/4 mile: ~12.4s (the best 12.23s)

Notes, I have Cup2 tires and outside we have 10*C which is too cold to get the perfect start from stop. Too much spinning... So only once I've got the good traction and my results improved 0.2s for 0..100 and 1/4.

After installing COBB Stage 1 91 octane maps (v2.00) I tried a few pulls and got:

• 100..200 km/h: ~10.15s (-0.25s vs stock)

Of course, it was very small increase and I moved further installing COBB Stage 1 93 octane maps (v2.00). Then things start changing more seriously:

• 100..200 km/h: ~9.6s (-0.8s vs stock)
• 1/4 mile: ~12.25s (-0.15s vs stock)

What is important - these numbers were received consistently. So I can replicate them in 2/3 of cases with ease (I did 5-7 pulls of each). But anyway traction is a kind of lottery now and better wait for warmer weather and find a good road too.

Based on my simple proportional math (very approximate and wrong but...) which works well enough for fun I would suppose I have now at least 375hp * (10.4s / 9.6s) = ~406hp at the flywheel.
Just a reminder - 375hp is an average of measured stock of 718S by COBB and rest.

Conclusion - COBB Maps v2.00 for 718 S is just good. Not impressive game-changer, but solid boost, consistent, safe and of course easy to maintain for multi-purpose and multi-condition env. Will not highly recommend so far - need to test it more, but from first feeling - it worth the price for sure!

I am torn if i should choose Cobb or Apr but i need a baseline before i take the plunge.
My bone stock BGTS does 100 - 200 in 9,3sec.
Recorded with Sport Chrono and the i imported the file to race render.
That was with pdk in manual mode, shift points @ 6K and 6,2K rpm - i will also try in auto mode to see if there is any difference.
My guess is that the numbers will be a bit lower.

 

[solomel]

I am torn if i should choose Cobb or Apr but i need a baseline before i take the plunge.
My bone stock BGTS does 100 - 200 in 9,3sec.
Recorded with Sport Chrono and the i imported the file to race render.
That was with pdk in manual mode, shift points @ 6K and 6,2K rpm - i will also try in auto mode to see if there is any difference.
My guess is that the numbers will be a bit lower.

I use the 10Hz GPS based solution called Dragy (here is the lot: Amazon.com: dragy 10Hz GPS Based Performance Meter: GPS & Navigation).

COBB or other ways are good, but only when you compare results within the same method. E.g. COBB shows faster 0..100 for my Macan, but slower 1/4 mile comparing to Dragy. The difference is usually 0.1-0.15s.

9.3s is OK result for GTS. BTW, I'm heavy, almost 140 Kg so if I were lighter on a 50-60Kg car will gain 0.3-0.4s (for 100..200) for instance for the same conditions.

Interesting you mentioned about shift points at [email protected]+. I need to test them too. It may happen that 7-7.5K RPM has lower power because of torque is going down.