Howdy,
(This first post will be updated until the final tune)
I have a 2014 370Z Base 6MT, with custom 2.25" (stock resonators) dual X pipe cat back exhaust with the muffler delete, with Akuma Rev3 2.75" intakes. (I feel no need for 2.5" exhaust right now with a stock motor, incase if you ask, if there is some small gains of only .25 wider piping, then oh well, I was just worried of my back pressure and my exhaust valves).
After trying to find ways to get into Z Cars Garage for an UPREV tune and no reply back, it led me here to the Tuning section and do a little research. With honest and awesome reputation on yelp etc, and being that they specialize in Z's, I decided to go with Specialty Z in SOCAL.
First impressions when calling were definitely good, everyone there seemed pretty laid back and honest, and by the tone of their voice, you can tell they like what they do. You can usually tell if people like their job or good people in general (not to make it sound like all people are bad), however when it comes to your car and paying someone to work on it, it is all about attitude. I don't know them completely, however I feel like I can leave my car there over night and not have troubles sleeping, wondering what goes on with your car once you leave the shop like "most" shops I have that vibe with. Although I do not live near them so I have to get tuned by datalogging and get on a dyno around my area if need to be.
The transaction went smoothly, and their customer service was legit.
Now, for my tuner Sebastian, his response times are excellent and he responds to you and works with you if you need things done by certain times. He worked with me on the weekends during his off time to collect info on my Z, and hooked me up a Base Tune to be able to drive my car with Akuma Rev3 intakes. We have more of a business relationship, respond to each other when needed and answer questions or provide results. However I can tell Sebastian is an awesome dude, he keeps his professionalism and keeps working with you to provide the perfect tune.
My second tune was a significant improvement from the first one. My car doesn't run as rough and shows a little more balls. I am definitely happy with the results, especially in Map 2 (I did the "Custom Tune"), it makes the car feel awesome.
4
My third tune is very impressive however there was an error with Launch Control at Full Throttle (partial throttle not affected) on Map 1 and Map 2 that Sebastian had to work with ECUTEK about which I recieved a 4th tune and can't program it until lunch time. The problem wasn't consistent, 1 of every 3rd or 5th try acting like 4500 RPMs was a rev limiter. The car sounds, feels awesome.
(This is an ECUTEK issue) Now into the 5th tune, the 4th tune was just removing Launch Control, but even with Launch Control disabled, it will still hit the designated Launch Control rev limit. The 5th tune is adding back Launch Control and will manually set the RPM limit in hopes I can not trigger it if I decide to gun it aleady rolling, which is the issue, I do not trigger launch control yet the launch controls rev limit kicks in at 4.5k rpm in wide open throttle. So say I take a left turn from a light, I am in first gear, I start moving at 1.5k rpms, let go of the clutch, 10-25% throttle, now at 10-20mph facing straight with the road after the left turn, I decide to floor the gas pedal and then at 4.5k RPM's it acts like a rev limiter, won't let me pass it. Doesn't happen every time as well, even under the same conditions. Hope this makes sense.
Sebastian is going to remove the Launch Control until ECUTEK corrects the issues and will keep me updated if they find a solution. He also wanted me to provide datalogging with better gas for possible adjustments! Been a pretty fun week. The car is running optimal now. It feels awesome besides the Launch Control bug.
Just letting everyone know, everything is fine with the tune, it is freaking awesome. I am just hoping dynojet says the same. My MPG is about the same (maybe 1 mpg lower max) if I drive normal. However normal is different now as the pedal noticeably touchy. Glad I didn't buy that thing that attaches to your pedal to have better throttle response, Ecutek took care of that. MPG has gone down by 1.5-2MPG with spirited driving obviously, wide open throttle, I don't have to say much. All in all it was definitely worth the purchase, I can't speak for UPREV, but Ecutek is the bomb, even with the base. Still waiting on Ecutek to fix the launch control issues, for now they removed it, however I can just launch the car myself for now, can't have the car doing eveything for me
Just took my car for 4 laps of AutoX with the SCCA in Mathers Airport. The cars gas pedal is very sensitive though, very hard to get use to at an AutoX. Also the raised rev limit was a little tricky, I had to keep an eye on it so I don't over rev. Need to set my rev flasher for 7k. Well enough said. No engine noise afterwards or anything bad happening. All that is left is the dyno
Well, this is the end of the road for now. I added the Dyno as promised and the car is running awesome still. 327WHP 256TQ. Enough said.
(Hopefully I posted the dyno chart properly, I heard we cannot show some things of the chart? So I copied the last guy, let me know Admins)
Thanks Sebastian and Specialty Z! I'll be back again, however I rather enjoy the car and stack up some nice upgrades and installing them all at one time before continuing again. Maybe F.I. in the future. For now I am satisfied
--Update on launch control. Ecutek states they have fixed the issues with the Launch Control. Seb has been keeping me up to date this whole time with this issue and has released the patch/tune for my car. I am definitely satisfied, and have yet to run into the same issues as before. He also bumped up the cars responsiveness.
I couldn't be happier. I am sure the other tuners here in the car forums is awesome. However, Seb at Specialty Z is the man!