I have a 05 A4 Z51, and want the tune that will yield the most HP. What are the differences between the two(LS2 & HP)? Will the dealer know if i have a tune? Does/will the dealership routinely reset the computer after a scheduled maintaince visit; If so, will it mess up my tune?

 

 

What's the difference between a Snap-On screwdriver and a Craftsman screwdriver?

And the answer is, the skill of the person using it.

Same for tuning tools. Your results will depend solely on the skill and knowledge of the tuner who uses the tool. Both software tools allow a knowledgeable tuner to change the same parameters. What values he uses when he does the changes determines the results of the tune.

 

I don't believe you'll have a problem with the dealership reflashing unless something comes up unexpectedly. Be sure to work up a good relationship with the service writer of your preferred dealership.

 

Will the dealer be able to tell if there is an aftermarket tune on the vehicle?

 

yes

 

I was told "no". I'm not arguing, but I'd like to know for sure.

 

They can tell. The checksum will be different from the factory load if anything has been changed.

But a mod unfriendly dealer isn't going to want to do warranty work on a race car anyway, so just make up your mind that your warranty (on the powertrain anyway) is out the window when you start hodrodding.

We never used to worry about warranties. That was just something to take care of the rattles and squeaks the first few weeks before the new car smell faded. After that, we started to tear the car apart and rebuild it into the car we really wanted it to be. That made us the new manufacturer, and any repair work was paid by us.

Or more succinctly, if you want to play, expect to have to pay.

 

Not as a matter of more HP (or less), but HP Tuners has a better option set to it than LS2Edit. Also, there have been instances noted, where an LS2Edit'd computer cannot be written to by HPTuners (even if the LS2 flash is written UNLOCKED).

I had a computer go back & forth to Magnuson trying to get a base tune on it for literally 3 months. Only after purchasing a NEW computer and writing the GM Updates with a Tech2, while installed IN THE CAR, was Maggie able to write a HPTuners base blower tune (that takes care of the MAF table issues) onto the ECU. LS2Edit cannot write this area of the ECU (the MAF area), or alot of other parameters in the ECU.

HPTuners is a better product, even though they came out of the gate much later. Many tuners (including Magnuson) have dropped LS2Edit in favor of HPTuners because of this. For a NON-FI car, where extended parameters do not need to be mod'd, than LS2Edit in the hands of a competant tuner should be sufficient. LS2Edit also has no live-logging capabilities either. Were I to be purchasing a tuning package for myself, it would be HPTuners.

Too bad they changed the ECU in 06 - hopefully the tuners will still be paying attention to cracking the (remaining) mysteries of the 05 ECU, or us 05 owners may be "stuck" with cars that are not able to have "advanced" tuning performed.

My car is FINALLY running right, after 3 months of back-n-forth with my ECU's. Though I'm short about 40HP of what I expected, 542RWHP/571RWTQ is still very respectable, and tough for anyone I've come up against on the street to compete against...

Rick

 

Will the dealer reflash your computer without your permission or any notification? YES!

They did it to me when I took my '04 coupe in for the steering column lock recall. Took me a couple of weeks to figure out why I was getting lousy gas mileage and pinging going up hills.

This is one of many reasons why I avoid dealerships like the plague.

 

A and A used LS2edit the first time and switched to Hp, much easier and more accurate. Hp got rid of the poor idle, ping with being able to pull back 10 degrees timing along with 8 to 10 rwhp increase. Red Hp and blue LS2 edit