When I first got the tuner I immediately ran to my SHO to go plug it in. I knew there were no tunes on it but I wanted to play with it anyways, as a techie I always end up breaking everything tech related, so I was on my way to go play with the tuner. After plugging it in and going through every menu I figured out there isn't much it does other than installing tunes. After I got the tunes from my email it was a pretty painless process getting them on the scanner. Getting them into the car was rather easy as well, this was the step I was most worried about. The initial tuning takes about 20 minutes to a half hour. After that, it only takes 5 minutes to flash between tunes.
My first ride in the tuned SHO was no less than awesome. The first start took a little longer than normal, but I noticed it always does that after replacing the file. I added the Stage 2 with reduced torque management as the first tune. Its what I'm running now as well. Pulling around the corner I can already feel the difference in the shift points and throttle response. Throttle responds near instantly instead of previously where the throttle responded similar to Obama taking his sweet ass time answering questions on the economy. The shifts are much firmer even with just the Stage 2. When the car goes you shift you feel the tip in, shift, and then smooth out very quickly. Its almost like the F1 shifting of a Ferrari but not as severe.
Getting on the throttle is much more exhilarating then ever before. Whether you are starting from a stop or doing 65 on the highway looking to pass someone there is power everywhere. From a stop, the tires break loose a bit, turbos spool up and you are gone. On the highway you will find yourself shooting for alot smaller gaps then you ever have before. Kickdown is near instant with the tune and it allows you to move much quicker. Before the tune I would have to kick down about 2 seconds before I would move over to ensure I had the power I needed to pass people. Now not only do I not have to use as much throttle but I do not have to wait for downshifts. The one part I cant stand about highway drivers is when you go to pass someone they speed up. Seriously, what are these people thinking? All I think is to push down a bit more and drop 1 more gear to show them what the letters SHO truly mean. I also feel the need to randomly push down on the throttle when the road is open just to hear the woosh of the turbos which has become much more evident after the tune.
I was rather hesitant about tuning my car for warranty issues but after doing it I would say its well worth the risk. The car doesn't feel any more fragile after tuning it. I actually used to get some glitches in the transmission where it would shift kind of clunky going gear to gear and from drive to reverse but those all seem to be gone as of now after the tune as well. It shifts much stronger then it ever has, and I honestly cant see going back to stock without at least keeping the transmission tune. The increase in the redline also adds to the excitement when going full throttle.
Add this with my new Borla exhaust and I feel like I have created somewhat of the perfect daily driver. Swift, docile, tamed, yet an animal when need be. The Borla has a nice down low grunt and rumble like a Subie STI, somewhat like a v8, and has a nice growl as you increase the revs. Hopefully I find someone with a decent video camera soon to make a good video for everyone to hear. It sounds completely different than the Corsa. I would say its rather loud for just a cat back exhaust too.
Hope this helps some of you guys on the fence. Feel free to ask any questions.
Hopefully this
My first ride in the tuned SHO was no less than awesome. The first start took a little longer than normal, but I noticed it always does that after replacing the file. I added the Stage 2 with reduced torque management as the first tune. Its what I'm running now as well. Pulling around the corner I can already feel the difference in the shift points and throttle response. Throttle responds near instantly instead of previously where the throttle responded similar to Obama taking his sweet ass time answering questions on the economy. The shifts are much firmer even with just the Stage 2. When the car goes you shift you feel the tip in, shift, and then smooth out very quickly. Its almost like the F1 shifting of a Ferrari but not as severe.
Getting on the throttle is much more exhilarating then ever before. Whether you are starting from a stop or doing 65 on the highway looking to pass someone there is power everywhere. From a stop, the tires break loose a bit, turbos spool up and you are gone. On the highway you will find yourself shooting for alot smaller gaps then you ever have before. Kickdown is near instant with the tune and it allows you to move much quicker. Before the tune I would have to kick down about 2 seconds before I would move over to ensure I had the power I needed to pass people. Now not only do I not have to use as much throttle but I do not have to wait for downshifts. The one part I cant stand about highway drivers is when you go to pass someone they speed up. Seriously, what are these people thinking? All I think is to push down a bit more and drop 1 more gear to show them what the letters SHO truly mean. I also feel the need to randomly push down on the throttle when the road is open just to hear the woosh of the turbos which has become much more evident after the tune.
I was rather hesitant about tuning my car for warranty issues but after doing it I would say its well worth the risk. The car doesn't feel any more fragile after tuning it. I actually used to get some glitches in the transmission where it would shift kind of clunky going gear to gear and from drive to reverse but those all seem to be gone as of now after the tune as well. It shifts much stronger then it ever has, and I honestly cant see going back to stock without at least keeping the transmission tune. The increase in the redline also adds to the excitement when going full throttle.
Add this with my new Borla exhaust and I feel like I have created somewhat of the perfect daily driver. Swift, docile, tamed, yet an animal when need be. The Borla has a nice down low grunt and rumble like a Subie STI, somewhat like a v8, and has a nice growl as you increase the revs. Hopefully I find someone with a decent video camera soon to make a good video for everyone to hear. It sounds completely different than the Corsa. I would say its rather loud for just a cat back exhaust too.
Hope this helps some of you guys on the fence. Feel free to ask any questions.
Hopefully this
