[GTS Daddy]

Just brought in a new VR Tuning box to try in a (customer's) 718 here at the shop. I'll update you once we get it installed with ease of install and perceived performance differences from stock.

Box looks good but bigger than they show on their website. Everything looks top quality and is labeled. Nice touch.

 

[Nithros]

Subscribed.

 

[WRTFLYR]

I have the VR Tuning Box on my 2017 BS and I am going to have it on the Dyno in a few weeks to get some real numbers! Seat of the pants I could not tell the difference between an ECU tune or the Tuning Box on my 718. I had an ECU tune that was awesome which dynoed at 347/353 hp/tq which works out to be about 30 hp and 50 ft/lbs increase from stock. I went back to stock ECU and added the tuning box because my car for some reason kept throwing a nuisance engine code that kept popping up! I can’t tell the difference between the ECU and Tuning box seat of the pants feel. I am very pleased with how the Boxster S performs with the VR Tuning Box! I was lucky and actually had my local dealer install the box and it took them about 2 hours and they test drove the car and made sure it didn’t throw any codes and worked as advertised! My dealer is very customer friendly, owned by Penske, and have been very helpful in performance upgrades in all my former Porsches. I highly recommend the VR Tuning products!

 

[Slade]

Really looking forward to seeing the dyno results after you get this thing installed. Hopefully its less problematic that an ECU tune, and delivers a similar level of performance.

 

[Sails Call]

I look forward to the results.

 

[Andros X Thomson]

I just ordered one myself. I was going to wait for Cobb, but I can’t send my ecu out and I want to wait until my warranty goes before I flash tune.

 

[autobahn]

You guys are brave tossing one of these at such an expensive car.


I just want to voice my 2c that I'd never let a "tuning box" come close to any car I cared about. Simply the improper way to tune such a complex engine.

 

[GregW]

You guys are brave tossing one of these at such an expensive car.


I just want to voice my 2c that I'd never let a "tuning box" come close to any car I cared about. Simply the improper way to tune such a complex engine.

Interesting.
Can you please say more on this?
Thanks.

 

[autobahn]

Interesting.
Can you please say more on this?
Thanks.

I've said it in other threads, but the way these work is by intercepting and changing communications between sensors and actuators and the car's native ECU/controllers. The ECU is no longer fully "in charge" of the engine anymore.

ECUs are designed with a robust set of fail safes and operating parameters, when you add a tuning box into the mix, those may or may no longer apply.


Tuning with a remap/flash/"chip" ensures that the ECU's original failsafes are in place and there are no additional components to fail and cause engine damage.

Furthermore, tuning boxes can push the limits and cause engine damage over time, by potentially overboosting turbos, running leaner than is safe, etc... The tuning box cannot make certain decisions and does not have access to the same information the ECU does.

 

[[email protected]]

I'm not familiar with this product at all but I think you're exactly correct. I was Unichip North Americas lead tuner for 4 years. The Unichip is a signal interceptor and manipulates the ECU's perceived load and crank angle sensor to manipulate fuel and timing. I'd assume this is no different. That said they work really well for certain applications. I would always go for a reflash if it's an option but it's also import to temper that with the availability of custom tuning in your area.

I think your last statement is possible but it's just as likely with a crappy reflash to run lean or overboost or damage turbos. I get what you're saying about the limited information available to the 'box', we're a COBB pro-tuner and I have access to tons of factory timing, boost and fuel correction maps in addition to the main maps, cam timing, DTC control, etc... Like I said, certain applications work really well with piggy back tuning and some don't.

I've said it in other threads, but the way these work is by intercepting and changing communications between sensors and actuators and the car's native ECU/controllers. The ECU is no longer fully "in charge" of the engine anymore.

ECUs are designed with a robust set of fail safes and operating parameters, when you add a tuning box into the mix, those may or may no longer apply.


Tuning with a remap/flash/"chip" ensures that the ECU's original failsafes are in place and there are no additional components to fail and cause engine damage.

Furthermore, tuning boxes can push the limits and cause engine damage over time, by potentially overboosting turbos, running leaner than is safe, etc... The tuning box cannot make certain decisions and does not have access to the same information the ECU does.

 

[GTS Daddy]

First impressions...unedited.

It does what it says. The driving characteristic hasn't changed save for the noticeable power increase. That is a compliment. Especially considering the quality OEM power band being so well engineered. VR Tuned says +60hp and +40lb/ft in the 718. It feels like it.

For those of you with an MT (and PDK to some extension) 718, you are familiar with the laggy take-off from stand-still that the 718S cars do not suffer from due to the greater displacement and VTG. For some reason, that take-off delay has seemed to have subsided.

I'll update you after more impressions. What I'd like to arrange with the customer is a short demo strictly for science purposes and of course, off public roads.

For those of you with questions, please post here. For those of you that plan on bashing this product, save it for later unless you have actual experience with it and plan on sharing insights that help the community.

 

[cipher]

Any new news on this? How hard is it to install?

 

[GTS Daddy]

Any new news on this? How hard is it to install?

I don't know. I had a Porsche tech perform the install. I also had him uninstall as I am trading the Cayman in next week. Selling this tuner, short throw shifter, and my 19" 981 wheels.