As with all of you, I’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to own a GT4. As you are all very well familiar, everyone is ranting and raving about how amazing the GT4 is. I, myself don’t mind the long gearing, but I do notice that it is not until about 5,000 RPMs that the GT4 starts to pull.

When I first took my GT4 autocrossing and would come out of a slow corner into the straight, the RPMs had to build up before my GT4 was able to really push.
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for more. I’m very careful with my selection of modifications for my GT4 and I have always aim to mod my cars as tastefully as possible.

I had the pleasure of dealing with Dan Mermelstein from Vivid Racing. He told me about the +20 hp /+15 tq gains of the VR Tuned ECU flash and was very helpful and prompt with the whole process.



My GT4:

No performance mods other than the racing stripes.
About 1,150 miles before the flash.

Before the ECU flash:

I drove over to a racing shop where’s Dan’s friend was able to do the flash for me. I brought my friend along so he can also use his objective seat of the pants (acceleration) judgement. It was a nice 1 hour morning drive so along the way I was able to do some pulls from various RPMs.

When I arrived, the flash was nice and easy. I was so busy gawking at all the race cars and slowly creeping around. There was even a Caterham Lola SP300-R, but for discretion I will have to keep the pic to myself. Looking at the timestamp of my pics, it appears that it took less than 30mins.



After the ECU Flash:

Off we go to terrorize the streets of this dainty town. Well actually on my way to the highway I keep my speed low- as if my bright red car, racing stripes, and aerodynamic picnic table on the back doesn’t bring enough attention. I give a quick little pull with about 80% throttle and wow! To my surprise I notice the difference immediately and so did my friend!

I hit the highway and do a few pulls and I’m actually amazed. There’s only one good way I can describe it. I used to have a 2005 modded Acura RSX-S as my first car and there’s a noticeable increase in acceleration when you crossover to VTEC. I get the same experience but even in the lower-mid range. When I am in the low RPMs (let’s say about 2,500 RPMs) and mash the throttle at about 2,800 RPMs you get an audible and perceptible VTEC-like crossover. It sounds as if the valves open up and you get a smooth and immediate surge of power. On a downshift, the acceleration is immediate! As per my passenger, the torque actually pushes you into the back of your LWB seats (or Sofas for the less fortunate…I’m kidding). The torque that was lacking in stock form was now apparent even in the low-mid RPMs. This makes driving around town much more fun than it was before! My lady also notices the difference in acceleration as well. As per her request, I now have to warn her if I’m going to suddenly downshift and accelerate.

Now some of you are probably wondering if the power drops off in the higher RPM range. I’ve driven about 300 miles since the flash and from my experience this little GT4 just keeps pulling and pulling all the way to redline.

Dyno? Sorry, I do not have before & after dyno figures and I honestly don’t care to have one as I love the way this flash added to my already euphoric experience with this car.

Sound! It was just brought to my attention that the vales open up at 3,500 RPMs. I don't know if that is 100% true but if it is, it makes complete sense! Since the flash my GT4 seems louder and more aggressive! When I step on the throttle you can actually hear the valves open up even below 3,000 RPMs. I even feel like the exhaust seems to pop and crackle a little more!

Overall the customer support and communication with Vivid Racing (Dan) was excellent and the VR Tuned ECU flash far exceeded my expectations. I’m more than happy with the results! I can definitely recommend this flash. Thanks Vivid Racing!



TL;DR Cliffnotes:

-Flash took about 30mins

-VTEC just kicked in yo!

-Definite feel of more power/torque

-More low-mid range pull

-LWBs vs. Sofas

-My friend and lady notice the difference

-Pulls all the way to redline

-Red is the fastest color

-Better throttle response

-Valves open earlier/more aggressive sound

Here's the link which also contains videos:
https://www.vividracing.com/catalog/...0sn6h1achpu313

If you're interested you can also email Dan directly as I'm sure you'll hook you up. Tell him BJ sent you:
dan@vividracing.com

Pics:

 

That much gain from only a flash seems too good to be true. Any objective data like before/after dyno runs? Often times, something as simple as remapping the throttle tip in can dramatically change the feel of a car. I love the idea that something as simple as a flash could gain significant power but as they say, if it seems to good to be true...

 

I am not going to dispute your findings only because other Vendors have also claimed better throttle response and modest gains in HP/torque. You are the first, yet, to convey that the tune is quite noticeable where a couple others' have said they did not really feel a difference until they took the tune-off and it became noticeable.

It will be interesting to hear from others as more tune their GT4s. I will also implement a tune after I have at least 500 miles on her with my New headers and cats and a possible new exhaust if the stock is not enough for me.

 

I understand there would be skeptics as it does sound a little too good to be true, but I'm just trying to be as honest as possible with my driving experience before and after the flash.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I always thought that since we basically get a detuned Carrera S engine, the potential power gain from a flash might be a little more than you would get from something like a 3.4 L 981 engine. That's just my speculation. From modding 2 of my cars in the past with bolt on mods, I never noticed as much of a difference from one single mod as I did with this flash which is why I was so pleasantly surprised after the ECU flash.

If anyone in the Manhattan area is interested, I would definitely be glad to give them a ride in my GT4 as I'm also curious to their opinion. It would be nice if I can get another GT4 owner to valid my personal claims/opinions.
Maybe I can give another stock GT4 owner a ride at the next meet I go to.

 

I wonder if VR is writing the tune or they are using a 3rd party. In otherwards; are they selling another tune under their name. Not saying it matters but looks familiar

 

mmmm VTAK now that is an analogy I understand

 

MrNurse: all feedback is encouraged and appreciated. Those of us who've modded a lot have come to view vendor claims of significant gains where other vendors have found none as somewhat dubious. That's why many use dyno's of before/after, same day, same car as a reasonable benchmark of performance. Butt dyno's by comparison tend to be notoriously poorly calibrated

user1029: based on your profile pic, are you by chance a young Richard Dreyfus?

 

Agree wholeheartedly with ChrisF. Dyno or this tune did nothing.

 

"Let it ride" - One of his best movies. Funny as heck.

 

I am not a person but an ideology

 

They have someone that writes the files. You can email him for anything questions that I may not be able to answer.

I've been modding my cars with bolt-on mods since my first car 11 years ago- Cold air intakes, race headers, race exhausts, etc, and as I said this is the one single mod where I've easily felt the biggest increase in acceleration.

I wholeheartedly disagree. Read the cliff notes. The car is overall significantly more fun to drive, sounds better, and pulls harder throughout the full rev-range. That's much more than "nothing".

 

I checked their website and the hardware they send when you don't take the car to their shop looks very similar to the one from FVD. The claim of adaptability with different mods also sounds like FVD......just saying some of the similarities.

 

someone is a turbo virgin

 

I think what we have here are the two "schools" of modding thought on display. One school says it aint' real if it ain't dyno'd...they want measurable and repeatable differences only. The other school goes by feel and perception, and that defines their reality. I have been modding cars for over 10 years now, and have done cams, headers, intercoolers, catbacks, ECU uploads and dyno tunes. Shocks, wheels, BBKs, race seats, shifters, air filters, ram air intakes. The list is a mile long. I've seen before and after dynos, I've driven before and after on every mod, together and separately.
I was trained in one school (PhD) to believe that only through careful measurements can we really be sure of an effect. Yet read any dyno thread on a car forum and you'll hear criticisms of the temperature, brand of dyno, measurement error, etc. that all bring the scientific method into question regarding those measurements.
But I've experienced my cars mostly in the second school. I've been blown away by some mods, and totally underimpressed by others. My butt dyno is uncalibrated, and mostly doesn't work...I have read most of the psychology literature on how powerful the expectancy effect, and other desires to experience what you expect to experience, are.
I have the following mods on my GT4: Fabspeed headers, FVD ECU software, DSC suspension software, corner balance, alignment, sway bar adjustment. Each of these mods affect the way the car drives. But honestly, I can't tell you which ones had what effect. (and I am a scientist...I try hard to apply the scientific method in everything I do.)
I certainly didn't feel anything like MrNurse felt, but that says nothing about his experience. He might be able to detect the gravitational pull of a gnat, I don't know.
In the end, I'm going to accept his experience on face value. I'm really glad the ECU flash makes his car a better driving experience.
Thanks for posting about your experience. It was a good read!

 

You got a PhD in car modification? What have I been doing with my life