Tune choice for beginner
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 712
Likes: 504
From: Florida
Tune choice for beginner
As my warranty comes to an end I am looking at Tuning my base 992. Reasons for tuning are that while my base had plenty of power 90% of the time there were times when I wished for a little more. I certainly would like a little more HP and TQ in the ranges I spend most of my time namely the 4-5K RPM. Going to an S is always an option but I do love my base and with 30K miles on it I have certainly made good use of it and the S right now is running so high price wise. I am not Car Tech savy and despite reading all the threads there is a lot I do not understand as it pertains to logs etc and so I am looking largely for a plug and play.
I have narrowed it down to a stage 1 M vs Stage 1 APR. APR seems to be a little cheaper although that is not as much of an issue and the gains on the APR seem more substantial at 93 than on the M. Only downside I can see is that the APR need to be installed for you.
Given what I am looking for are these the best two options and is their one I should favor more.
Thanks
I have narrowed it down to a stage 1 M vs Stage 1 APR. APR seems to be a little cheaper although that is not as much of an issue and the gains on the APR seem more substantial at 93 than on the M. Only downside I can see is that the APR need to be installed for you.
Given what I am looking for are these the best two options and is their one I should favor more.
Thanks
Popular Reply
Apr 1, 2024, 11:58 PM
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 2,307
I have been running the M Engineering tune on my 992 S for almost 2 yrs and 9K miles without issue. I don't have any experience with APR but I'm sure it's a good tune as well. APR is also about $1K cheaper. With that said, here are some things I like about M Engineering:
- The M Engineering tune has been completely flawless and has run trouble free the whole time I've had it. No error codes, no limp mode, no problems with flashing or returning to stock, no drivability issues - drives as smooth as stock with excellent, non peaky or unpredicable power delivery. I've also driven with my stage 1 tune in hot as ***** AZ summers where it gets to 120+ degrees and have not had any issues. Of course, I'm not trying to do some extended high speed pulls as I'm sure the car would heat soak quickly but I haven't experienced it in daily even aggressive driving.
- It's very easy to install and remove/revert to stock completely by yourself. You can install and/or remove the tune in about 10-15 min max. This is handy for servicing, smogging your car, etc. without having to go back to the shop that installed your tune.
- M Engineering has excellent customer service. They are super responsive - often responding to emails within 15 min, sending updated tunes in 30 min after a request, answering their phones, etc.
- M Engineering provides unlimited updates to your tune. You bought high flow cats and/or want to switch to stage 2 or use E85 a year after you got your tune? No problem. They will send you a revision often the same day you ask.
- M Engineering provides some very useful features like: Open exhaust flaps 100% whcih is a must on our cars b/c the factory PSE is weak as hell. Also they allow you to increase the stationary rev limiter so you can rev the car higher than 3500 RPM when car is in neutral. This is great for just revving to hear your engine/exhaust or if you have a manual, and want to launch your car off the line, this is a must have mod. I have my stationary rev limiter set to 7000 RPM. They also allow you to disable auto start/stop so you don't have to press the button or switch to sport mode.
- I also like the software that lets you clear codes and also data log if you want to do that. You don't have to. in fact, I've never data logged my car but it's good to have that feature. I have used the clear codes feature before when I disconnected the battery a long time to install some mods on the car and when I reconnected the battery, the car was throwing codes and acting a bit unusual. Simply clearing codes fixed everything even though it had nothing to do with the ECU tune.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 804
Likes: 304
From: The Rocket City
APR sells a tune that will pay some amount if something should go wrong. Lots of folks here will advocate for M Engineering. I prefer APR cause they have a much more comprehensive testing program.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 846
Likes: 961
From: Boise, Idaho
M-Engineering for me and very happy. Several threads talking about the different tunes on Rennlist, and I read through before I made my decision.
Stage 1 and only 91 for me here in CA. Really woke the car up. Big gains. Other features they offer that were appealing to me are below. I selected all except I left the pops and burbles. Easy laptop connection, download current info, quick email with your car info downloaded and your features you want, emailed file back in a few hours. About 6 minutes install. PSE exhaust valve mod and loud cold start elimination were biggest features for me. Quick and easy and can flash back to stock at home, or alternate tunes if you decide to get crazy with E85 or other high octane fuels. Highly recommend. “M-Engineering also has unique custom features for your Porsche (no charge, available upon request). These are designed from custom code and are not available from other tuning solutions. If you are wanting to add any of these items below, please do so in your calibration request email.
Stage 1 and only 91 for me here in CA. Really woke the car up. Big gains. Other features they offer that were appealing to me are below. I selected all except I left the pops and burbles. Easy laptop connection, download current info, quick email with your car info downloaded and your features you want, emailed file back in a few hours. About 6 minutes install. PSE exhaust valve mod and loud cold start elimination were biggest features for me. Quick and easy and can flash back to stock at home, or alternate tunes if you decide to get crazy with E85 or other high octane fuels. Highly recommend. “M-Engineering also has unique custom features for your Porsche (no charge, available upon request). These are designed from custom code and are not available from other tuning solutions. If you are wanting to add any of these items below, please do so in your calibration request email.
- Raise Rev Limiter (standard on all M-Engineering maps)
- PSE Exhaust Valve Modifications (true ON or OFF function, no need to buy a standalone PSE valve controller). Our most popular modification! Adds sound and power without any hardparts modification
- Loud Cold Start Elimination
- Auto Start/Stop Elimination
- Stationary Free-Revving in Neutral
- Removal of pops and burbles in sport mode”
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 2,307
I have been running the M Engineering tune on my 992 S for almost 2 yrs and 9K miles without issue. I don't have any experience with APR but I'm sure it's a good tune as well. APR is also about $1K cheaper. With that said, here are some things I like about M Engineering:
- The M Engineering tune has been completely flawless and has run trouble free the whole time I've had it. No error codes, no limp mode, no problems with flashing or returning to stock, no drivability issues - drives as smooth as stock with excellent, non peaky or unpredicable power delivery. I've also driven with my stage 1 tune in hot as ***** AZ summers where it gets to 120+ degrees and have not had any issues. Of course, I'm not trying to do some extended high speed pulls as I'm sure the car would heat soak quickly but I haven't experienced it in daily even aggressive driving.
- It's very easy to install and remove/revert to stock completely by yourself. You can install and/or remove the tune in about 10-15 min max. This is handy for servicing, smogging your car, etc. without having to go back to the shop that installed your tune.
- M Engineering has excellent customer service. They are super responsive - often responding to emails within 15 min, sending updated tunes in 30 min after a request, answering their phones, etc.
- M Engineering provides unlimited updates to your tune. You bought high flow cats and/or want to switch to stage 2 or use E85 a year after you got your tune? No problem. They will send you a revision often the same day you ask.
- M Engineering provides some very useful features like: Open exhaust flaps 100% whcih is a must on our cars b/c the factory PSE is weak as hell. Also they allow you to increase the stationary rev limiter so you can rev the car higher than 3500 RPM when car is in neutral. This is great for just revving to hear your engine/exhaust or if you have a manual, and want to launch your car off the line, this is a must have mod. I have my stationary rev limiter set to 7000 RPM. They also allow you to disable auto start/stop so you don't have to press the button or switch to sport mode.
- I also like the software that lets you clear codes and also data log if you want to do that. You don't have to. in fact, I've never data logged my car but it's good to have that feature. I have used the clear codes feature before when I disconnected the battery a long time to install some mods on the car and when I reconnected the battery, the car was throwing codes and acting a bit unusual. Simply clearing codes fixed everything even though it had nothing to do with the ECU tune.
Platinum Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 2,357
From: SoCal / AZ / South FL
Hey guys!
We have the most comprehensive and most well-vetted and tested tuning solution on the market for the 992, and it's all tuneable from the comfort of your own garage or driveway. M-Tuner allows you to also take your car back to stock in a total of about 5 minutes, with a verified CVN and CALID. There is no need to have to drive to a dealer to go back to stock and pay a fee to do so. We also provide free updates and free calibration changes to basic bolt-on mods or octane changes.
-Charles@M
We have the most comprehensive and most well-vetted and tested tuning solution on the market for the 992, and it's all tuneable from the comfort of your own garage or driveway. M-Tuner allows you to also take your car back to stock in a total of about 5 minutes, with a verified CVN and CALID. There is no need to have to drive to a dealer to go back to stock and pay a fee to do so. We also provide free updates and free calibration changes to basic bolt-on mods or octane changes.
-Charles@M
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 225
Likes: 302
From: Portland, Oregon
I would also echo the comments by Jeff Whitten and Alterzego. I've a 21 C2S and I've had the M tune on this car since around 2,500 miles, I'm just under 15k now and absolutely zero issues. Daily driving is virtually as stock but when desires, the added torque is so impressive, this tune has really been great.
As an aside, I've dealt with various vendors on a variety of cars for decades and the team at M is so far beyond any other vendor I've ever dealt with. They are ultra responsive and helpful and I've had them make a number of tweaks (changed exhaust, new intercooler, intake plenum, etc) and they've immediately responded with updated files in a super timely manner.
Best,
Karl
As an aside, I've dealt with various vendors on a variety of cars for decades and the team at M is so far beyond any other vendor I've ever dealt with. They are ultra responsive and helpful and I've had them make a number of tweaks (changed exhaust, new intercooler, intake plenum, etc) and they've immediately responded with updated files in a super timely manner.
Best,
Karl
Trending Topics
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 850
From: West Coast
As my warranty comes to an end I am looking at Tuning my base 992. Reasons for tuning are that while my base had plenty of power 90% of the time there were times when I wished for a little more. I certainly would like a little more HP and TQ in the ranges I spend most of my time namely the 4-5K RPM. Going to an S is always an option but I do love my base and with 30K miles on it I have certainly made good use of it and the S right now is running so high price wise. I am not Car Tech savy and despite reading all the threads there is a lot I do not understand as it pertains to logs etc and so I am looking largely for a plug and play.
I have narrowed it down to a stage 1 M vs Stage 1 APR. APR seems to be a little cheaper although that is not as much of an issue and the gains on the APR seem more substantial at 93 than on the M. Only downside I can see is that the APR need to be installed for you.
Given what I am looking for are these the best two options and is their one I should favor more.
Thanks
I have narrowed it down to a stage 1 M vs Stage 1 APR. APR seems to be a little cheaper although that is not as much of an issue and the gains on the APR seem more substantial at 93 than on the M. Only downside I can see is that the APR need to be installed for you.
Given what I am looking for are these the best two options and is their one I should favor more.
Thanks
All maintenance should be current, and anything that is coming up should be done. I would also highly recommend starting off with fresh spark plugs, oil, and Intake air filters. At least a boost leak test should be performed with the higher boost of the tune in mind. I would also have a compression test performed to get a pre-tune baseline as well as establish the health of the motor. Collecting an oil sample to send out for analysis is also something I would do for baseline and to track the health of the motor going forward.
Just my .02
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Genius Porsche-Themed Gifts That'll Make Any Dad or Grad Smile
Joe Kucinski
10 Used Porsches Are Selling for Way Too Cheap
Joe Kucinski
Tuner Is Converting Porsche 911s Into Shooting Brakes
Verdad Gallardo
This Coachbuilt Creation Is A Modern Take on the Legendary Porsche 917
Verdad Gallardo
Is This Convertible Cayenne A Steal, Or A Returnless Investment?
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Non-Flat Six Porsches You Can Buy For Under $100K
Joe Kucinski
Porsche's Top 5 Most Questionable Naming Decisions
Verdad Gallardo
Pogea Racing's 964 Porsche 911 Reimagination Stands Out in a Crowded Field
Verdad Gallardo
6 Convertible Top MYTHS Most People Don't Understand!
Michael S. Palmer
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 84
Likes: 70
From: Williamsburg VA
Has anyone had experience with Softronic tunes on a 992? My son had one in his 2013 Boxster S with the naturally aspirated 3.4 and he had a good experience.
https://www.softronicsoftware.com/99...software-2020/
https://www.softronicsoftware.com/99...software-2020/
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 712
Likes: 504
From: Florida
since your vehicle is a little older, there are some things I would strongly recommend you do before any kind of tuning.
All maintenance should be current, and anything that is coming up should be done. I would also highly recommend starting off with fresh spark plugs, oil, and Intake air filters. At least a boost leak test should be performed with the higher boost of the tune in mind. I would also have a compression test performed to get a pre-tune baseline as well as establish the health of the motor. Collecting an oil sample to send out for analysis is also something I would do for baseline and to track the health of the motor going forward.
Just my .02
All maintenance should be current, and anything that is coming up should be done. I would also highly recommend starting off with fresh spark plugs, oil, and Intake air filters. At least a boost leak test should be performed with the higher boost of the tune in mind. I would also have a compression test performed to get a pre-tune baseline as well as establish the health of the motor. Collecting an oil sample to send out for analysis is also something I would do for baseline and to track the health of the motor going forward.
Just my .02
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 1,983
From: Boston, MA
>> since your vehicle is a little older, there are some things I would strongly recommend you do before any kind of tuning.
While these are all great recommendations, for a Stage 1 tune it's overkill IMHO unless you have spare time and money to fiddle. While Stage 1 offers a nice bump, these 'off the shelf' (OTS) maps are quite mild in the overall scheme of things and don't warrant the kind of scrutiny being suggested. So I'd categorize the above list as 'suggested', rather than 'strongly recommend' / 'required'. YMMV
ps I speak from years of BMW N55 tuning, which definitely warranted much greater preventative maintenance since we were running fairly aggressive maps.
While these are all great recommendations, for a Stage 1 tune it's overkill IMHO unless you have spare time and money to fiddle. While Stage 1 offers a nice bump, these 'off the shelf' (OTS) maps are quite mild in the overall scheme of things and don't warrant the kind of scrutiny being suggested. So I'd categorize the above list as 'suggested', rather than 'strongly recommend' / 'required'. YMMV
ps I speak from years of BMW N55 tuning, which definitely warranted much greater preventative maintenance since we were running fairly aggressive maps.
Last edited by jlegelis; Apr 2, 2024 at 11:55 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 850
From: West Coast
@Mike818 Could you comment a little more about the boost leak test with and compression test? I certainly get the oil, intake filter and spark plugs. Thanks
A compression test will tell you a lot about the health of the engine by measuring the pressure each cylinder is able to achieve on the compression stroke. The test looks at each cylinder as well as max deviation between cylinders. Ideally everything will be in spec and you will have a baseline to refer back to in the future. If there is an issue, you probably want that addressed before the warranty is up. There are many things that can cause a compression issue, but you certainly don't want to crank up the power if you are having an issue. If you are doing the spark plugs, then that's already a good chunk of the labor.
Boost leaks kill turbos. Basically a boost leak makes the turbo work harder (spin faster)to hit the target output. This is bad, but there is some safety margin built in from the OEM. Tuning usually involves cranking up the boost, which is essentially eating into some of the safety margin. The turbo like an engine has a max rpm, and If the turbo overspins it can cause all kinds of problems. Including catastrophic failure sending chunks into the engine. It's also just bad for performance and turbo response. Boost leaks are a pretty common issue as cars age, and something you need to be on top of especially as you start modifying the car.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 501
Likes: 342
Wondering what sort of custom features people are doing. Only example I've come across was someone playing with the PSE valve opening vs RPM curve.
Cruisin'
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
If you haven't ruled out Softronic I would seriously take a look at what Scott has to offer. Very user friendly and you can remove, restore and re-apply tune whenever you want with your own MyGenius unit...I've used his tunes twice on 718 Caymans and been happy both times.
