Delicious Tuning - Kia Stinger Tuning and Dyno Charts

[DeliciousTuning]

Hi All,

We have been hard at work by getting early access to the Kia Stinger at the SEMA Garage this past January and are close to releasing a tunign solution the Kia Stinger. We can not say much right now but we are working on the ability to switch between differen tunes from our Delicious Tuning App that is supported on both Android or iPhone.

2018 Kia Stinger GT (AWD) in for product testing on 91 octane.

Stock HP 311 TQ 355
Boost Level 1 HP 338 TQ 385
Boost Level 2 HP 350 TQ 400
Boost Level 3 HP 365 TQ 420
Boost Level 4 HP 375 TQ 435

We can now officially state it is going to be called the Boost_Tuner System and we have added a quick concept of the app that allows the user to switch between different tunes from their smartphone.

More on the Boost_Tuner System coming soon.

 

[iclicku]

Is your product a piggyback like LAP3?

 

[soulevo8]

How much boost has "Level 3" increased over stock? How high are you planning on turning up the boost?

 

[ballistic]

cool! in for level 4 update!

 

[Kia Stinger]

Thank you for the information, @DeliciousTuning! Most of us have access to 93 octane. How much difference do you think that'll make?

 

[JimB]

Ok, talked with a guy named Zack at Delicious Tuning last week and their boost tune will be ready for sale probably by April 1st. They have the tune done and are correcting one bluetooth issue with the app. The ECU tune is waiting for the software to be written that will allow them to flash. I am thinking of waiting for the ECU tune and then going down to Vista, CA to have mine put on a dyno and tuned. Everything I can find on this company leads me to conclude that they really know their stuff and they are close enough to me to be accessible.

 

[robz32]

keep us posted on the progress. Definitely hoping they are able to flash the ECU. Heard that siemens encryption is pain the butt to crack.

 

[JimB]

Yes, so have I. A mechanic I know at my dealership told me that the ECU was gated and required a direct connection to Kia servers to access but Delicious Tuning said that was BS. I am keeping my fingers crossed but exploring options.

 

[0FSGVN]

So I'm new to tuning. You just install a chip somewhere on the car somewhere and control it with a bluetooth phone app? neato.

 

[JimB]

No, its not quite all that. The tune we are talking about here is simply a turbo boost tune. That tune is rather simple in that it intercepts the signals traveling to and from the ECU and "lies" to the ECU and makes it believe that the boost PSI is lower than called for. Therefore, the ECU does not tell the engine to dump excess boost as quickly which creates more horsepower. This "piggyback" tune is limited as to what it can do as it relies on the ECU and corresponding sensors to make the necessary adjustments to utilize the extra boost. Boost by itself makes no extra horsepower and is dangerous to your engine. You need fuel and timing in conjunction with boost at the right levels and time to work.

A ECU tune comes in two flavors. The first is a "canned" tune. This tune is developed by changing parameters, settings and computer code within the ECU to create different acceptable boost levels, ignition timing, valve timing, injector timing, injector pulses, and various other modifications that increase horsepower in more of a controlled way. A canned tune comes with the hardware for you to reflash your own ECU but is the exact same for each customer. This tune does not take into account the specifics of your individual car such as exhaust, intakes, etc.

A custom tune does all of this but is done by the technician at his or her shop and is usually done with the car on the dyno and is tailored to your car specifically.

They all have their uses and, if done by a reputable company/tuner, should be worry free. The nice thing about some of the new breed of tunes such as this one by Delicious Tuning is the bluetooth feature which allows you some level of control over the tune itself via a smart phone whereas you used to have to hook up a laptop, if you even had variables that could be changed by the consumer.

 

[0FSGVN]

No, its not quite all that. The tune we are talking about here is simply a turbo boost tune. That tune is rather simple in that it intercepts the signals traveling to and from the ECU and "lies" to the ECU and makes it believe that the boost PSI is lower than called for. Therefore, the ECU does not tell the engine to dump excess boost as quickly which creates more horsepower. This "piggyback" tune is limited as to what it can do as it relies on the ECU and corresponding sensors to make the necessary adjustments to utilize the extra boost. Boost by itself makes no extra horsepower and is dangerous to your engine. You need fuel and timing in conjunction with boost at the right levels and time to work.

A ECU tune comes in two flavors. The first is a "canned" tune. This tune is developed by changing parameters, settings and computer code within the ECU to create different acceptable boost levels, ignition timing, valve timing, injector timing, injector pulses, and various other modifications that increase horsepower in more of a controlled way. A canned tune comes with the hardware for you to reflash your own ECU but is the exact same for each customer. This tune does not take into account the specifics of your individual car such as exhaust, intakes, etc.

A custom tune does all of this but is done by the technician at his or her shop and is usually done with the car on the dyno and is tailored to your car specifically.

They all have their uses and, if done by a reputable company/tuner, should be worry free. The nice thing about some of the new breed of tunes such as this one by Delicious Tuning is the bluetooth feature which allows you some level of control over the tune itself via a smart phone whereas you used to have to hook up a laptop, if you even had variables that could be changed by the consumer.

wow excellent explanation. THank you.

 

[JimB]

Well, talked to Zach at Delicious Tuning in Vista, CA again and they are still a week or two out because they are having the Bluetooth app fine tuned.
I also asked him how far out they were on a complete tune and he said that the are waiting on EcuTek to write the software that will allow ECU tuning. So, I emailed EcuTek and the response I received was as follows:



Chris Todd (EcuTek)

27 Mar, 11:12 BST

Hi James,

We are in the very early stages of investigating this platform and as yet there is no technical progress whatsoever on it so unfortunately even if we started development instantly we would be a good 12 months away before we had a product to release, new platforms are very difficult to disasemble.

That said, the Stinger looks like an exciting car so there is a possibility things may come around sooner if management decides to dedicate project time to it, all I can say is keep an eye on our news section on our webpage and also Facebook for the latest news.

(end)


I have heard that EcuTek is the only software that most reputable tuners will use but do not know this for sure. I would be curious to know what other tuners say about that.

I am not going with anybody I have never heard of and guess I will install the Delicious Tuning boost tune for the time being. While other such tunes may be fine, I personally want to stick with a local shop who I can call if there is a question or problem. I'll post further when mine is installed and I will make a dyno pull before and after as well. Maybe we can get a campaign going to post on EcuTek's Facebook and encourage them to get the software completed? I am going to go find them on Facebook now.

 

[JimB]

Zach at Delicious tunes indicated that it was going to be quite awhile before their tune went out to customers so I am left trying to figure out my next option. All of the tunes out there seem to have problems. I may wait until late July when Lap3 indicated they hope to have their ECU tunes ready.

 

[jdouga]

Zach at Delicious tunes indicated that it was going to be quite awhile before their tune went out to customers so I am left trying to figure out my next option. All of the tunes out there seem to have problems. I may wait until late July when Lap3 indicated they hope to have their ECU tunes ready.

Tork is also working on an ecu tune that they ate currently testing on their shop car, burger tuning is working on a canbus and has their jb4 unit in beta, aside feom that yeah lap3 is the only other one i knkw is also doing something other than a piggyback. Btw only problems i originally had have been gone for some time after gapping the plugs, car runs great and has been for a while.

 

[Kamauxx]

Zach at Delicious tunes indicated that it was going to be quite awhile before their tune went out to customers so I am left trying to figure out my next option. All of the tunes out there seem to have problems. I may wait until late July when Lap3 indicated they hope to have their ECU tunes ready.

I don't think there really are any problems with tunes. The problem is that the stock plugs need a smaller gap. All of the people that have had problems have been running stock plugs/gap. Once re-gapped everyone's issues go away.

FWIW, to safely run an ECU tune you'll still need to re-gap your plugs. They're just not set up for any increase in boost.

Re-gapping your plugs is a necessary preliminary mod if you plan to increase boost.

 

[JimB]

I already got plugs and gapped them in preparation but Delicious Tuning didn't come through in the time frame they indicated to me. Not sure what I want to do yet, might order the Lap3 tonight if I can get it overnighted so I can run it to Cali this weekend with my wife.

 

[Here4now]

Don't push the engine too hard. this is the second production year of the car and in Canada they all come from Korea. but we can only get the V6 model here. The first run on the Optima was 200 hp on a 2.4 liter 4 and Kia had to lease extended warranties for the bottom of the 2.4 as it would tune bearings if you didn't take care of them. I never pushed the 2.4 and had not issue. so, leave the 3.3 alone unless you have lots of money to replace the engine out of pocket. Kia will not warranty mod's

 

[JimB]

My Service Advisor over at Kia told me that he would honor a warranty on an engine failure unless they could prove that the tune caused the failure. He also told me to remove the tune in the event of a major failure before bringing it in.(He installed the Lap# tune on his GM's Stinger) He says the real possibility exists that Kia won't even get involved in such a failure unless they suspect a problem that may affect a large percentage of cars. In that case if they don't see the tune they probably won't know it was ever there.

I also had them run a baseline oil analysis last weekend during my second oil change for future reference.(Remember somee 2.0s had an issue where the crank wasn't properly cleaned of debris after machining)

Additionally, I talked with David at Lap3-USA mostly about the future ECU tune Lap3/Pross is developing. He tells me that Pross has had a motor completely apart and that they are shocked at the amount of money Kia spent on the bottom end of that motor, as well as the transmission. He says the weak parts that will have to be addressed are the driveshaft and axle shafts.

 

[Here4now]

good to know as KIA has learned form past issue and is moving forward. tell me how many others will do that.
5th KIA and not going back

 

[jdouga]

My Service Advisor over at Kia told me that he would honor a warranty on an engine failure unless they could prove that the tune caused the failure. He also told me to remove the tune in the event of a major failure before bringing it in.(He installed the Lap# tune on his GM's Stinger) He says the real possibility exists that Kia won't even get involved in such a failure unless they suspect a problem that may affect a large percentage of cars. In that case if they don't see the tune they probably won't know it was ever there.

I also had them run a baseline oil analysis last weekend during my second oil change for future reference.(Remember somee 2.0s had an issue where the crank wasn't properly cleaned of debris after machining)

Additionally, I talked with David at Lap3-USA mostly about the future ECU tune Lap3/Pross is developing. He tells me that Pross has had a motor completely apart and that they are shocked at the amount of money Kia spent on the bottom end of that motor, as well as the transmission. He says the weak parts that will have to be addressed are the driveshaft and axle shafts.

Fumny u say that, my service advisor told me mods wont be an issue and if i get a tune to simply remove it when coming in for warranty work. He said the engine and especially the transmission have a lot mote im them, and as u stated only the supporting parts would be an issue at high tq. So far very happy w kia service and as a whole.