Arin@APR

What's the general consensus on this forum and platform when it comes to tuning? Have you tuned your engine and/or transmission? If you did, why did you do it, and if you didn't, what's holding you back?

We've been tuning Porsches for over 20 years at APR. You can see a list of Porsche Models we tune here. It's not all of them, but a good chunk of models. The software we have is also on sale until the end of October right now.

When it comes to some of the other brands we tune, some of the more high end models, like the Audi RS6 and the Audi RS3 are heavily tuned. On the RS3 front it's hard to find one that isn't tuned. We see the same on some Porsche models, but on others it seems some are hesitant.

So, what's your take on tuning?

enzotcat

My C2S 7MT is tuned. GTS Turbos + APR stage 3 tune (thank you @Arin &#128513. It's also got Essex Part's AP Racing 380mm big brake kit (thank you @JRitt@essex ) and DSC Tuning's suspension controller with a custom map. On the list to do is Tractive DDA or Bilstein B16 along with some monoballl LCAs. I've had it tuned now for about 2 years and am very happy with the tune and reliability thus far. I think I've put about 10,000 miles onto it since it was tuned, and have not had any issues thus far. It's a 7MT, so no transmission tuning.

Why I did it - well, on track I wasn't able to keep up in a straight line with GT3s and Nissan GT-Rs, which made me sad with a frowny face. After the tune, I can now keep up with them in the straights, but I still need to do something to the suspension to keep up with a GT3 in the twisty bits. The brakes were changed after a single track day with the tune - I destroyed the rotors and pads in 2 x 20 minute sessions because of the extra heat generated from the extra speed - hence the BBK. If you increase the power, you really have to increase the stopping power and reliability.

It's a rabbit hole - you start on one thing and then "need" to do the next thing. That said, I would most definitely do it again. Ideally I'd like to also tune my A6 allroad, but what's holding me back there is that the Audi transmission can't take the additional torque, so the tune is effectively neutered. This is relevant only because I think with a PDK transmission, if you go the engine tuning route, you really also should do the transmission tuning.

madsedan

I haven't done a tune on my last 2 cars because bother were under CPO warranty, but once out of warranty I would have bought a tune. I currently have a 991.1 S with PSE and soul long tubes so once the CPO expires if I still have the car I will likely add a tune to take advantage of the other parts.
I've been using APR tunes since the early 2000's on Audi's and VW products, my last Jetta GLI had everything you guys made thrown at it, but the dealerships usually would work with you on anything warranty related if it had the APR tune because it was seen as a safe option, and my local VW dealer was an APR dealer as well.
Porsche likely is not the same case and their engine replacements cost more than most VW/AUDI cars lol.
The power gaines on the 991.2 cars is insane though, like what we were used to seeing on VW/AUDI products the last 10+ years, if I had a 991.2 car I'd already have your tune on it.
My next car may be a 991.2 or 992 base model with PSE and your tune on it. If the turbos started acting up I just buy GTS units to replace and update the tune.

TBK911

Why not a 991.1 tune? Sorry if this is a dumb question... And a general question, best tune(s) for this gen?

shammerman

I have not as I have read (learned) that the tunes for 991.1 NA engines are not worth it with minimal gains that can be achieved.

George from MD

No and I wouldn't and consider it a waste of money. The car has more than enough power for the street and if I wanted a track car I'd buy one.

Atheist

I totally agree. My 991.2 GTS is a daily driver and under warranty. Plus all the time I have owed it, since I do not track it, I have never once needed to go faster, quicker or corner harder. It is perfectly balanced and I like a high end car left is factory condition. If I wanted to race I would have just bought a GT3 RS. If I wanted to go faster on the street ( very bad idea ) or I wanted to say I have 600 HP or beat a Tesla between stop lights I would have sprung for a TTS.
I get it for racing but not much else.

doctj

Yes , why: because more power please.

991.2 C4S

BMC filter
Tial inlets and elbows
Flat 6 diverter valves
IPD plenum
Soul performance cats on PSE
Tial M660 turbos
Vektor headers
AWE intercoolers upgrade
Cobb Protuning

Lee Rambler

yes, no brainer for the gains available on a 991.2 ... fwiw, my q5 is also tuned and about to do an a6 too. previously I had a stage 2+ s7, a couple m3's, a couple 335's, a 951 (944 turbo), a bunch of dsm's (eclipse/talon), a volvo 850r - basically every FI car I've had I've tuned. I've had a few NA cars tuned too, but it's not the same easy gains as in FI. If I had a 991.1 I probably wouldn't bother for the small gains per $, but a 991.2 is a huge value in a tune.

the comment about power for the street is accurate - honestly a tuned 991.2 is almost too much for daily use. the good news though is you have control over how much of it you use with that thing under your right foot, lol...and for ~$1500 an extra horsepower is a nice toy

rensoyka

2017 C2 with Softronic tune.
more torque and power and seems relatively safer over the big power gaining tunes.
previous was 13 psi boost above 5k rpm
now 15 psi boost above 3k rpm
car drives exactly like stock until you jump on the throttle, best of both worlds.

Arin@APR

When the 991.1 came around we just didn't have the resources to jump head on into it. It was on a new ECU platform we didn't have any experience with, so It just wasn't in the cards.

dvalera001

My 2 cents... I have not tuned my 991.2, just don't think it's worth it for my daily traffic filled commute and don't plan on tracking the car. For me, it's great to drive as is and I would not benefit any from a tune. Also, IMO tunes seem overpriced too, rather spend 1-2K+ on other mods/things.

Arin@APR

What other mods would you consider at those price points?

dvalera001

I'm more drawn to aesthetics and sounds.. Something that improves exhaust and audio sounds. Perhaps an x-pipe and adding an outboard amp/sub. I also look for aesthetic improvements - maybe some side/rear skirts. Not many options for the front on a 991.2, already got the sport lip.

rensoyka

tuning a N/A engine will not produce much of anything extra unless you install hardware mods as well. the engine is an air pump and if you aren't forcing air and fuel into the cylinders by turbo or supercharger you have to free up the restrictions to the flow first to increase flow though the engine. I used to drive an acura rsx-s and I increased power about 30%. in addition to the programmable ECU I removed intake restrictions and added stage 2 cams and bigger injectors, for the exhaust a race header, hi-flow cat and straight thru exhaust. for all of this the power gains were only noticeable above 5k rpms.