New Short Engine Block

[Kamauxx]

Did you notice the tune at all after installing? Do you have any logs?

 

[Brichinelo]

Did you notice the tune at all after installing? Do you have any logs?

No logs and that’s all on me. I was under the impression that lap3 was the far superior tune choice and not many ppl have been running logs and the tune has been reliable . I heard ppl were having issues running the jb4 and lap3 tune so I decided not to log thinking I was ok. This was the stage 1.5 93 octane tune and that’s all I have been using fuel wise for the car.

 

[Brichinelo]

Finances. all your questions need to be answered first regarding this car. if it looks like you can get your money out of it and your nervous about keeping it then of course sell and look for something else. Don't dig a hole for yourself, pay everything off. and better luck next time.

Yeah one step at a time I guess. Ish sucks though without a car and still having to carry on day to day activities. Thought I went with a reliable tune this around. First it was the jb4 with the q50 rs and now the stinger. Definitely feeling iffy getting any tune now or piggyback. I guess figure this out and ride this until i pay a good chunk off while keeping it stock and then consider trade in or sell it.

 

[Kamauxx]

No logs and that’s all on me. I was under the impression that lap3 was the far superior tune choice and not many ppl have been running logs and the tune has been reliable . I heard ppl were having issues running the jb4 and lap3 tune so I decided not to log thinking I was ok. This was the stage 1.5 93 octane tune and that’s all I have been using fuel wise for the car.

Everyone should monitor their tune. Even if it's been relatively safe on other people's cars there's always differences across multiple cars. Plug types, plug gaps, fuel differences, air temps, altitude, etc can all make yours different from others.

In your case I'd place the blame on your tune before blaming possible damage by the previous owner. If you decide to keep it I'd advise you to not reinstall the tune. At the very least log it after you reinstall. You can use a JB4 purely as a logging device - no boost added.

 

[Brichinelo]

Everyone should monitor their tune. Even if it's been relatively safe on other people's cars there's always differences across multiple cars. Plug types, plug gaps, fuel differences, air temps, altitude, etc can all make yours different from others.

In your case I'd place the blame on your tune before blaming possible damage by the previous owner. If you decide to keep it I'd advise you to not reinstall the tune. At the very least log it after you reinstall. You can use a JB4 purely as a logging device - no boost added.

Yeah that’s a hefty 2 grand down the drain now. I do want to keep it but I would like to figure out what’s going on and get the car Dyno tested so they can dial down the tune and get it to where it should be. Next case would be to just get a jb4 and do a swap for swap with someone who wants the tunes and just stick with the JB4 so I can monitor the car real time. It’s quite a few folks here in my area who have this tune but your logic of thinking is right on point. Point taken and noted . Thanks

 

[Brichinelo]

Everyone should monitor their tune. Even if it's been relatively safe on other people's cars there's always differences across multiple cars. Plug types, plug gaps, fuel differences, air temps, altitude, etc can all make yours different from others.

In your case I'd place the blame on your tune before blaming possible damage by the previous owner. If you decide to keep it I'd advise you to not reinstall the tune. At the very least log it after you reinstall. You can use a JB4 purely as a logging device - no boost added.

Once this situated is sorted out (covered through warranty or I pay out of pocket) what would you suggest my next step to be? I was thinking of another inspection of the car and definitely having a look at the transmission and other major engine components as well. At this point I just want to make sure the car is healthy

 

[StingerMG]

Everyone should monitor their tune. Even if it's been relatively safe on other people's cars there's always differences across multiple cars. Plug types, plug gaps, fuel differences, air temps, altitude, etc can all make yours different from others.

In your case I'd place the blame on your tune before blaming possible damage by the previous owner. If you decide to keep it I'd advise you to not reinstall the tune. At the very least log it after you reinstall. You can use a JB4 purely as a logging device - no boost added.

Agreed. Even though the Racechip GTS has no logging capability, I use a Bluetooth ODB2 scanner/reader for logging. My dyno curves are nice and smooth and my AFRs are good, so the car's reliability has been perfect (14500 miles on Map7 so far).

Sorry about your unfortunate luck with the car, I hope things get better

 

[Kamauxx]

Once this situated is sorted out (covered through warranty or I pay out of pocket) what would you suggest my next step to be? I was thinking of another inspection of the car and definitely having a look at the transmission and other major engine components as well. At this point I just want to make sure the car is healthy

I think you should contact LAP3 and tell them what has happened. I'm sure they will blame the previous owner but I'd at least want to see what their response is. I wouldn't reinstall it.

If you are nearing the end of the warranty, having the vehicle thoroughly inspected would be a good idea.

 

[I'm Tony Danza]

I think you should contact LAP3 and tell them what has happened. I'm sure they will blame the previous owner but I'd at least want to see what their response is. I wouldn't reinstall it.

If you are nearing the end of the warranty, having the vehicle thoroughly inspected would be a good idea.

I'm curious if this was all caused by the tune, which I would be a bit surprised by. There are a lot of mystery variables, especially with a previously chewed up turbo, questionable installations, etc... I also really wonder if the plugs were gapped properly to begin with (LAP3 does say to stick with 0.026-0.028 on their ECU tunes) and what all of the spark plugs look like, noting any lean conditions. Any solid tune will fall flat on its face if the supporting variables fail.

 

[Brichinelo]

I'm curious if this was all caused by the tune, which I would be a bit surprised by. There are a lot of mystery variables, especially with a previously chewed up turbo, questionable installations, etc... I also really wonder if the plugs were gapped properly to begin with (LAP3 does say to stick with 0.026-0.028 on their ECU tunes) and what all of the spark plugs look like, noting any lean conditions. Any solid tune will fall flat on its face if the supporting variables fail.

Plugs definitely were gapped appropriately. I agree I definitely could have had some underlying issues going on but the main issues that I was aware of I took care of (new turbos, staying on top of maintenance, ) but still something still could have went wrong even after doing all that. I definitely should have logged to see what was going on and I would highly recommend for anyone who this tune just so you can see what’s going on with the car and it’s adjusting correctly. I’ve been in contact with terry from bms somewhat and he stated the lap3 tune 1.5 leans way to heavy on the knock sensors and a lot of timing corrections. Terry also stated he has helped a lot of lap3 1.5 guys lower their fuel trims and timing corrections with the jb4 to dynamically lower the boost targets. Log if you can

 

[Brichinelo]

 

[Brichinelo]

I think you should contact LAP3 and tell them what has happened. I'm sure they will blame the previous owner but I'd at least want to see what their response is. I wouldn't reinstall it.

If you are nearing the end of the warranty, having the vehicle thoroughly inspected would be a good idea.

I don’t want to get into a back and forth battles just highlight some key areas that need to be addressed such as logging with this lap3 stage 1.5 tune as you suggested. Once I get the vehicle back I’m definitely getting it inspected again.

 

[ChaneRZ]

This is the problem when buying a used performance car. First owner beats the crap out of it. Probably starting to have problems and got rid of it. That car have underlying problems for sure.

I’m running 1.5 tune and have JB4 to log. With 91 octane and E30-40 mix. I get 0-2.8 corrections. Would’ve have been great if 93 + E30-40. No 93 available here. If I go on a trip and have just 91, I set my JB4 to map6 with -3 psi boost reduction. Log shows 0-.8 corrections on a craptane 91. You need to monitor any tune. My 1.5 is clean. Afr, trims, and fuel pressure are healthy.

I’m just waiting on that BMS HPFP reviews and I’ll buy that for sure. I will run straight E85.

 

[Brichinelo]

This is the problem when buying a used performance car. First owner beats the crap out of it. Probably starting to have problems and got rid of it. That car have underlying problems for sure.

I’m running 1.5 tune and have JB4 to log. With 91 octane and E30-40 mix. I get 0-2.8 corrections. Would’ve have been great if 93 + E30-40. No 93 available here. If I go on a trip and have just 91, I set my JB4 to map6 with -3 psi boost reduction. Log shows 0-.8 corrections on a craptane 91. You need to monitor any tune. My 1.5 is clean. Afr, trims, and fuel pressure are healthy.

I’m just waiting on that BMS HPFP reviews and I’ll buy that for sure. I will run straight E85.

Not knocking some underlying issues with mines. The tune probably over did it for the underlying issues . My point was if I was logging maybe I would have caught it. A lot of ppl run the stage 1.5 tune without logging anything (me as an example). I’ll leave it as that.

 

[Brichinelo]

Update : Short engine block is getting approved through the dealership thank God. Should be back on the road at the latest by the second week of the new year. Thanks for all the insights and concerns and continue to log fellow enthusiasts. Definitely will be switching up my tunes moving forward and logging.

 

[CeramicGT001]

Not knocking some underlying issues with mines. The tune probably over did it for the underlying issues . My point was if I was logging maybe I would have caught it. A lot of ppl run the stage 1.5 tune without logging anything (me as an example). I’ll leave it as that.

I’ve been on the lap3 1.5 ecu without logging/jb4 for a year now, 10k+ miles. No issues here, car runs great. Usually run 93, maybe every 5 tanks I add some e85.

Shit happens though especially if you bought something used and don’t know the full history of the vehicle. Even then the stingers seem to vary in build quality from car to car.

 

[Brichinelo]

I’ve been on the lap3 1.5 ecu without logging/jb4 for a year now, 10k+ miles. No issues here, car runs great. Usually run 93, maybe every 5 tanks I add some e85.

Shit happens though especially if you bought something used and don’t know the full history of the vehicle. Even then the stingers seem to vary in build quality from car to car.

A year is solid on that tune. Things didn’t work out for me so I’ll dial it back down to a jb4 . Did you ever have issues with your plugs or cylinders not at the right psi ? Any misfires during that time as well . Some things that went wrong with mine and just want to hear any trouble shoot stories or all worry free ?

 

[I'm Tony Danza]

Update : Short engine block is getting approved through the dealership thank God. Should be back on the road at the latest by the second week of the new year. Thanks for all the insights and concerns and continue to log fellow enthusiasts. Definitely will be switching up my tunes moving forward and logging.

Wow, that is fantastic given the circumstances! Congrats

 

[CeramicGT001]

A year is solid on that tune. Things didn’t work out for me so I’ll dial it back down to a jb4 . Did you ever have issues with your plugs or cylinders not at the right psi ? Any misfires during that time as well . Some things that went wrong with mine and just want to hear any trouble shoot stories or all worry free ?

Awesome news about the repair approval.

One of the local Maryland Lap3 guys did my plugs, havent had any misfires or hiccups. I’ll just have to keep an eye on the mileage, not sure how long I can expect the HKS plugs to last with the lap3 ecu.

 

[Brichinelo]

Going to send my lap3 stage 1.5 ecu tune back into David over at lap3 to diagnose it. Really don’t want to get rid of it but scared now of something else potentially happening once I get the car.I would get the car throughly inspected again and making sure everything is up to par and running health . Would it be a safe bet to swap to a jb4 or go down on stage to the stage 1 which nets around 390-410 to the wheels and more of a conservative tune and on 91 pump gas.