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What is your preferred tuning method?

What is your preferred tuning method?

  • Piggy-back Tune

    Votes: 8 33.3%
  • Flash Tune

    Votes: 15 62.5%
  • Bench Tune

    Votes: 1 4.2%

  • Total voters
    24

Kale808

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2018 Micro Blue Kia Stinger GT
#1
Coming from the Focus ST and now an STi, tuning plays a huge role in the aftermarket community. Without proper tuning you won't get the huge power gains like the Kia Stinger's German competitors.

The only method currently available for the Kia Stinger is a piggyback tune. However, here are some popular ways to tune a car.

Piggy-back Tune
Pros: Piggy-back tunes are fairly easy to install as most of the time its just a matter of unplugging and plugging a few harnesses. It's also relatively cheap and safe on engines and harder to detect by the dealers.
Cons: Lacks customization abilities.

Flash Tune
Pros: Flash tunes are the most popular as it allows you to flash and re-flash your ECU indefinitely. This is very important for those that want to start making lots of horsepower. Most flash devices can also allow you to perform engine diagnostics, data-logging and clear engine faults.
Cons: Can get pricey with custom tunes, may require you to perform data-logging in order to complete custom tunes.

Bench Tune
Pros: Bench tunes are also an easy option as all that is involved is for you to either send in your ECU or take it to a shop where they perform a custom flash to your car.
Cons: Can get pricey with custom tunes, may require you to leave the car overnight or inoperable while you are waiting for the tune.
 

StingerMike

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#2
Without a doubt Flash Tune
 
Messages
420
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181
State
Non-US
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Bahrain
What I Drive
2011 - 997.2TT
#3
Flash-tune, preferably COBB.
 

Dan

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FL
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2015 Acura TLX
#4
Flash-tune, preferably COBB.
I sent Cobb an email and they said they have no immediate plans to have any products for the Stinger.
 

KiaFan

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#5
I would prefer a flash tune, but would be open to a bench tune if I?m doing all my mods at the same time.
 
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181
State
Non-US
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Bahrain
What I Drive
2011 - 997.2TT
#6
I sent Cobb an email and they said they have no immediate plans to have any products for the Stinger.
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Messages
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43
State
LA
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What I Drive
2010 Kia Forte
#7
1000% Flash Tune
 
Messages
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34
State
FL
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United States
#8
Without a doubt Flash Tune. Cobb are you listening?[biggrin]
 
Messages
97
Reactions
64
State
TX
Country
United States
What I Drive
2018 Kia Stinger / 2017 Camaro SS
#9
There?s something to be said for piggybacks that are undetectable for those who would really like to keep their warranty.. I think that flash tunes are the hands down better choice for quality, but I like the idea of a dealer not trying to make me pay for a repair that would have otherwise been covered under warranty.

I?m aware of the magnusson moss act, but there are a lot of guys who have lost that battle with a dealer.
 
Messages
173
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46
State
CA
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What I Drive
2018 Stinger GT1 + Drive Wise
#10
So why do most of you prefer flash? What are the overall pros vs cons?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Messages
97
Reactions
64
State
TX
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United States
What I Drive
2018 Kia Stinger / 2017 Camaro SS
#11
So why do most of you prefer flash? What are the overall pros vs cons?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So from my experience, reflashing the ECU allows the tuner to adjust more parameters than just boost. If the tune is done right, timing is adjusted throughout the rev range.. and not just at at WOT.. at every percentage throttle. Same for volumetric efficiency (fuel/air) at all rev/throttle ranges.

I?m not the be all, end all expert on tuning, but I spent a lot of time tuning my Harley and the hands down better choices were flash tuners.

Again, though, HD is a lot more mod friendly. No way would I reflash this car, knowing it would void my warranty. If I ever use anything, it?ll be a piggyback, and one that has consistently been reliable and problem free.
 
Messages
173
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State
CA
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2018 Stinger GT1 + Drive Wise
#12
So from my experience, reflashing the ECU allows the tuner to adjust more parameters than just boost. If the tune is done right, timing is adjusted throughout the rev range.. and not just at at WOT.. at every percentage throttle. Same for volumetric efficiency (fuel/air) at all rev/throttle ranges.

I?m not the be all, end all expert on tuning, but I spent a lot of time tuning my Harley and the hands down better choices were flash tuners.

Again, though, HD is a lot more mod friendly. No way would I reflash this car, knowing it would void my warranty. If I ever use anything, it?ll be a piggyback, and one that has consistently been reliable and problem free.
Thank you for your perspective. I?m watching the market right now for piggyback/uncle devices. Lap3 seems popular, I?ve heard good and not so good things about its effect on the Stinger. I?m hoping the not good things are OE (spark plug and coil burnout)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Messages
104
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9
State
MN
Country
United States
What I Drive
2018 Kia Stinger GT2
#13
So why do most of you prefer flash? What are the overall pros vs cons?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Flash tunes can give you very accurate adjustments that a piggyback tune cannot offer. For example on my Audi S4 with the APR Stage 1 tune, they can make adjustments to the air and fuel ratio, timing, as well as any knock corrections. This is really important for the safety of the motor as engine knocks can lead to piston damage.
 
Messages
44
Reactions
3
State
CA
Country
United States
What I Drive
Kia Stinger GT2
#14
FYI: I heard back from Burger Motorsports sales that JB4 is not available for sale within California due to California's emissions regulations. I will need to confirm that Lap3 and RaceChip are available.
 
Messages
394
Reactions
49
State
CA
Country
United States
What I Drive
2018 Kia Stinger GT2
#15
FYI: I heard back from Burger Motorsports sales that JB4 is not available for sale within California due to California's emissions regulations. I will need to confirm that Lap3 and RaceChip are available.
What did you end up getting?
 

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