Originally Posted by qikqbn

So I have been interested in ECU Tuning for my cars for quite a while. I did several dyno tuning sessions on my Boxster 3.4 project when I did the engine conversion many years ago. I know the benefits of a proper tuning and adjusting air fuel ratios from rich to lean. I have an air fuel ratio gauge in my Boxster and also have a hand held computer/ MAF air signal controller I can adjust air fuel ratios from the drivers seat.
I have usually been on the optimistic side of bolt-ons and tuning, but like most of us, am always a bit skeptical. My first concern with any modification is that no harm is done, but that only an improvement is made, even if it seems small.

So, with that said, I decided to take advantage of the 20% discount offered a couple weeks ago. I Thought it was a fair price and I actually bit the bullet for Softronic tuning for 2 cars. My 987.1 Cayman S and 997.1 Carrera 4S.

It's taken me some time to put miles on each car. I have used about 1/2 a tank on each car or about 100-150 miles in each so far. This is my review of the Softronic tune and process so far:

First off, Thank you Scott for taking the time to answer all my questions and even have a lengthy phone conversation about maf housing diameters, plenums, exhausts, and air fuel ratios. I learned a lot from out discussions. So Scott is VERY knowledgeable about all things "Porsche tuning". This put my mind at ease and discussing specifics about how the Softronic tune works also helped me feel more at ease and that no harm would be done and performance would improve.

After payment was made it took a few days to receive the softronic obd dongle and usb chord in the mail. Scott emailed me instructions on which specific ecu/dme format to choose and steps to take. I also received an email with a download link to the Softronic Program to install on your windows laptop computer and a couple of video files showing the process to read the dme file from your car and then also a video on how to program the tuned file back to your dme. I must admit, I was nervous about doing this process because in a way it is not reversible and if something went wrong it could corrupt your dme.

So I started on the Cayman first and then repeated the process on the Carrera 4S. I downloaded the program, installed it on my windows laptop and watched the how to videos several times. It is a fairly easy process and you feel confident after the first run. I made sure to be safe and plugged a battery charger onto the car and the laptop in to a power source. Then I plugged in the softronic obd dongle via usb cable into my laptop and the dongle has a light so that you know it is powered and plugged in. Place your laptop on the ground or steady surface so that usb cable has no chance of being pulled out by accident during the reading process.

When ready to download/read the dme you plug the softronic obd dongle into your cars obd port and turn the car key to power on the vehicle, but without starting the engine. With the car switched on you can now open/start the Softronic laptop software. I just followed the steps that I watched on the provided videos.


Scott emails you which dme type file to select before the reading/programming process. Hit the "READ ECU MEMORY" and save the file to your desktop. The reading Process takes about 3 minutes and your car radiator fans will turn on full blast. Once ecu is read and file saved you can close the program and shut off the car. Send the original file in to Softronic and wait a few days to get a "TUNED" file back.

In a few days Scott will email you a few more specific instructions with the Tuned file. Follow safety measures as before and the same process for the program, but this time select "PROGRAM ECU MEMORY" and select the "TUNED" file when prompted. The programming will take 5-6 minutes and an extra step at the end to turn the key to car to the off position and wait to be prompted that process is complete. I sat next to the computer during the programming process to make sure nothing strange happened or computer shut down, move the mouse around to keep screen on and out of sleep mode. It's a nice relief when everything reads and programs without a hitch. I did this process to both cars and had absolutely no issues.

So here are my thoughts after driving the cars with the new ecu tune. I must admit that in CA we only have 91 Octane fuel. Scott recommended adding 104+ Octane booster for some added benefit, but not totally necessary. I added the 104+ Octane Booster to a full tank of fuel on both cars. So a 20 HP power increase is what is advertised for the Cayman S and a 24 HP increase is advertised for the Carrera 4S. These are basically about 7% increases in power. These are not night and day power increases for vehicles already running 300+ HP. (For night and day power increases you would need 50-60 HP) With that said, it is recommended to put about 30-50 miles on the car for the the ecu to rewrite some fuel maps because the previous memory was erased. I went through several scenarios of highway driving and also full throttle pulls to redline through each gear. I did this in each car several times over a few days.

Over all.... I am impressed. No harm was done and performance has increased. The power at first feels subtle, but as you put the miles on and the ecu adjusts you start to find yourself in familiar situations on the road, but this time the car feels like it pulls much stronger. It's not an OMG difference, but more of a smile and a nod and "Hey, that feels pretty good and definitely pulls harder to redline". The more miles I put on the more I feel it's making the right adjustments and the more I want to run to redline to feel the difference. It's hard to really know what a 7% difference will feel like, but I can say that the difference is noticeable. The cars just feel like they are running stronger and more eager to pull through the mid range than before, but the biggest difference felt is from 4500-7000 rpm. It just feels like it is pulling with more urgency. There is also less of a "flat spot to power surge" feel when the car comes on cam at 5000 rpm. The car feels like it's making more power before the cams hit so there is less of that flat spot on/off power surge.

You have to remember our naturally aspirated power curves take time to build and our cars make the most power above 5000 rpm. That is when the ecu tune makes the biggest difference too. It starts to improve around 3000 rpm, but really makes the most difference from 4000-7000 rpm.
Would I do this again? ... Yes... I think I would. I am happy with the modest increase in power and extra pull to redline. I like to tinker with safe/conservative mods. I feel Softronic has a good and safe product and it made a nice difference. After having my cars for many years and wanting a little more excitement, I think this did the job. I was always excited to drive my cars, but now I feel a bit more excited to explore the new power differences. Thanks Scott.

ps... This program should, technically, improve mileage because it's not as rich running as before.... BUT, with any new mod you can expect to be pedal to the metal more often too... so to hell with gas mileage

Originally Posted by RangerRick

I am currently awaiting some additional Mods - 200 Cell CATS / Headers, should be in this week - can you kindly how to obtain the Tune ? Thank you in advance

Originally Posted by martini_mike

Are the "pops and gargles" an always on/off feature?
For example, in my 07 997.1 S. is there a way to have a tuned map for POPS OFF in regular mode, and POPS ON in sport mode?
Thank you!

Originally Posted by Softronic

Thee feature would always be on if flashed for it . I would say that no customer has thought it was to excessive or beyond what Porsche does

Best,
Scott.

Originally Posted by Softronic

Thee feature would always be on if flashed for it . I would say that no customer has thought it was to excessive or beyond what Porsche does

Best,
Scott.

Originally Posted by Softronic

Thee feature would always be on if flashed for it . I would say that no customer has thought it was to excessive or beyond what Porsche does

Best,
Scott.