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      12-07-2011, 12:31 AM   #1
Henri_K
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Tune or no Tune with Akra Evo?

I just got my Akra Evo installed and I was just wondering if it's worth having a tune? My car is still under the warranty and I would like to keep it that way :-) I did purchase the Delete-R to get rid of the CEL>
I'm loving the exhaust so far,the car already runs smoother and the gains are noticeable. I was just wondering if it would be better for the engine to get a tune. (running lean/rich kind of thing)

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks guys.
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      12-07-2011, 01:12 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Henri_K View Post
I just got my Akra Evo installed and I was just wondering if it's worth having a tune? My car is still under the warranty and I would like to keep it that way :-) I did purchase the Delete-R to get rid of the CEL>
I'm loving the exhaust so far,the car already runs smoother and the gains are noticeable. I was just wondering if it would be better for the engine to get a tune. (running lean/rich kind of thing)

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks guys.
The engine will not be negatively affected in any way if you go without a tune. The AFR's will still be correct even with the exhaust since the DME/ECM will compensate for any added volumetric efficiency from the exhaust and adjust the fuel and timing accordingly (within the parameters of stock map that is).

You may gain some additional horsepower and torque from a file written specifically for the Akra though (ESS, Evolve and Powerchip have Akrapovic Evolution specific tunes). This power is gained by re-writing Fuel, Timing and VANOS tables to take the utmost advantage of the additional flow of the exhaust.
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      12-07-2011, 01:55 AM   #3
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Agree with BMRLVR, although I would go with the ESS due to you have the option with the tuner to go back to stock when you bring in your vehicle for service and then you can tune it back. That is one advantage to ESS plus you get updates sent to you via email and you can update it yourself.

Hope this helps
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      12-07-2011, 08:06 AM   #4
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I just put the Evolve tune on with mine. I would highly recommend it!
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      12-07-2011, 08:52 AM   #5
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If you do go with a tune via ESS and flash it back to stock when you take it to the dealer...can the dealer tell the ecu has been flashed?
Peter
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      12-07-2011, 09:26 AM   #6
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+1

What about Dinan? Anyone has had any problems with the dealer/warranty situation?

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Originally Posted by houstonT View Post
If you do go with a tune via ESS and flash it back to stock when you take it to the dealer...can the dealer tell the ecu has been flashed?
Peter
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      12-07-2011, 09:36 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by houstonT View Post
If you do go with a tune via ESS and flash it back to stock when you take it to the dealer...can the dealer tell the ecu has been flashed?
Peter
Because the Directflash stores your original file there is nothing that would trigger the dealer to suspect you have had your vehicle tuned. Just request stock RPM limit as a raised limit record is the only thing they can trace.
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      12-07-2011, 09:51 AM   #8
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I'd recommend the ESS Akra tune - I ran this combo for a while and it was perfect!
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      12-07-2011, 09:57 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
I just put the Evolve tune on with mine. I would highly recommend it!
Thanks

Its certainly one of our most popular tune options - probably because it makes such a difference to the overall drivability
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      12-07-2011, 10:45 AM   #10
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What type of whp gain did you see with the exhaust and tune on 93?
Peter

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Originally Posted by disapr View Post
I'd recommend the ESS Akra tune - I ran this combo for a while and it was perfect!
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      12-07-2011, 11:04 AM   #11
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Well guys,

Just got off the phon with my SA. If I go with Dinan Stage 2, and BMW installs it, the warranty will not be affected.
he did mention, since I just got it installed, to break it in first without a tune, so when I do the tune, I can notice the difference. The Dinan doesn't add much HP (8-10 I think) but I guess safe is better than sorry.
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      12-07-2011, 11:11 AM   #12
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Quote:
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What type of whp gain did you see with the exhaust and tune on 93?
Peter
I picked up about 40 rwhp with the combo - The power and smoothness was very noticeable
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      12-07-2011, 11:18 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by disapr View Post
I picked up about 40 rwhp with the combo - The power and smoothness was very noticeable
Nice!
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      12-07-2011, 12:06 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Henri_K View Post
Well guys,

Just got off the phon with my SA. If I go with Dinan Stage 2, and BMW installs it, the warranty will not be affected.
That is what I am running with my Akra!!!
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      12-07-2011, 01:03 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMRLVR View Post
That is what I am running with my Akra!!!
BMRLVR

How do you like it? Is the difference noticeable? Is it worth spending $1000?
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      12-07-2011, 01:52 PM   #16
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For those with a tune, is there still drone @ 2k rpm?
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      12-07-2011, 02:36 PM   #17
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I have the ESS tune with my 2011 and Arka Evo, very noticeable differnance in power with and without a tune.

I am not worried about warranty with a tune, chances that a tune will cause some sort of warranty problem is very slim
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      12-07-2011, 03:01 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Henri_K View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BMRLVR View Post
That is what I am running with my Akra!!!
BMRLVR

How do you like it? Is the difference noticeable? Is it worth spending $1000?
I honestly can't tell you how much gain the Dinan software made if any. I had my dealer install it on the car before I even took delivery (since I already had my Akra sitting at home long before I got the car). The only reason I did the software was to prevent a CEL/MIL light. I realize that I could probably gain some power with a different tune but the gain with the Akrapovic Evolution is very noticeable by itself.

Also, Dinan software was easy for me since my dealer is a Dinan dealer and for warranty purposes it made the most sense.
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      12-08-2011, 10:59 PM   #19
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If you install the Akra Evo, a tune is essential IMO. The difference is especially noticeable below 3K RPM.
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      12-08-2011, 11:15 PM   #20
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I don't have the akra so my opinion probably does not mean much and usually I don't like to chime in on something I do not really know, but it sounds like you are really happy with how the car drives with the akra. You noted increase smoothness and power. You feel it is already improved. Therefore why bother with a tune? You may gain 10 more hp but at the end of the day is that worth your piece of mind about your warranty? (you mentioned that is important)

As far as the dinan tune, I believe it almost gives no power gain or extremely small, so why spend 1k on a tune that does not even up the power, if you already have a CEL fix?

So with your options I think staying how you are is probably what I would do. If you do a tune, go with a better one than dinan but then your warranty potentially could be compromised-I know its slim chance.

Or save the 1000-1200 bucks and continue to enjoy the sweet exhaust that you have!
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      12-09-2011, 07:01 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ateam View Post
I don't have the akra so my opinion probably does not mean much and usually I don't like to chime in on something I do not really know, but it sounds like you are really happy with how the car drives with the akra. You noted increase smoothness and power. You feel it is already improved. Therefore why bother with a tune? You may gain 10 more hp but at the end of the day is that worth your piece of mind about your warranty? (you mentioned that is important)

As far as the dinan tune, I believe it almost gives no power gain or extremely small, so why spend 1k on a tune that does not even up the power, if you already have a CEL fix?

So with your options I think staying how you are is probably what I would do. If you do a tune, go with a better one than dinan but then your warranty potentially could be compromised-I know its slim chance.

Or save the 1000-1200 bucks and continue to enjoy the sweet exhaust that you have!
You can go with for example an evolve-R and choose only a CEL removal and some other basic options.

You have the ability to flash back to stock at any time and therefore there is no chance of a warranty being voided.

So many of our customers are flashing back to stock and no one picks anything up.
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