New tuning option - Ecutek

[aaronc7]

Just wanted to share with you guys a new (and exciting I think) tuning option for us. It's brand new for the MQB platform, so no neat custom features yet, but it's expected they will release MPI support quickly and on other platforms supports a lot of cool things like multiple maps/adjustable boost on the fly, flex fuel and more. Comes with bluetooth dongle and connects to app for datalogging, tunes adjustments (when supported).

Cost is $350 for dongle and $350 for a credit. 1 credit for ECU, 1 credit for TCU.

I took the plunge and ordered it, I'll post up anything significant I come across during the process. Right now I'm running Eurodyne / Maestro, 2017 Audi S3 USDM. Contrast to the other options out there and the Cobb AP on the mk7 platform, Ecutek doesn't come with "OTS" tunes, so you would have to get a "base tune" or "custom tune" from your tuner of choice right off the bat. I don't think we really know what base tune pricing will be since it's pretty new.

https://eqtuning.com/collections/vw-...rogramming-kit

http://www.ecutek.com/downloads/mark...di%20Group.pdf

[Pdisguise]

Looks like they have a long way to go before they can compete. Who is custom tuning with it currently?

[theweebabyseamus]

This is great news, EcuTek is awesome.

[aaronc7]

Looks like they have a long way to go before they can compete. Who is custom tuning with it currently?

Certainly from a feature perspective they have some catching up to do. But the great news is, it's another platform for easy custom tuning. I think the most prevalent MQB tuner for is Ed @ Equilibrium tuning as linked in the OP. He's got a lot of MK7 guys tuned on Cobb and has been an Ecutek tuner for a long time as well for other platforms. He's just getting into Ecutek for MQB 2.0.

[Pdisguise]

I know Ed, he the only one?

[aaronc7]

They have a map of US based tuners on the site I believe. As far as if anyone else has bought the MQB package I'm not sure, I haven't seen any. But it's brand new still. Hopefully more will jump on it.

[Lofvis]

Had it on the GTR, worked flawless.
Easy logging via bluetooth, lots of info directly in your phone.

[rex_racer]

Just wanted to share with you guys a new (and exciting I think) tuning option for us. It's brand new for the MQB platform, so no neat custom features yet, but it's expected they will release MPI support quickly and on other platforms supports a lot of cool things like multiple maps/adjustable boost on the fly, flex fuel and more. Comes with bluetooth dongle and connects to app for datalogging, tunes adjustments (when supported).

Cost is $350 for dongle and $350 for a credit. 1 credit for ECU, 1 credit for TCU.

I took the plunge and ordered it, I'll post up anything significant I come across during the process. Right now I'm running Eurodyne / Maestro, 2017 Audi S3 USDM. Contrast to the other options out there and the Cobb AP on the mk7 platform, Ecutek doesn't come with "OTS" tunes, so you would have to get a "base tune" or "custom tune" from your tuner of choice right off the bat. I don't think we really know what base tune pricing will be since it's pretty new.

https://eqtuning.com/collections/vw-...rogramming-kit

http://www.ecutek.com/downloads/mark...di%20Group.pdf

Very exciting, thanks for jumping straight into it. Will be interesting to see what dyno tuners and remote road tuning will result in. Can't wait to see things that only a full standalone could previously deliver!

[Dubstro]

Thanks for posting! I've been waiting to see when this would be released. Glad to finally see another remote/custom tuning option for 8V. EQT has great rep with MK7s. The EcuTek website lists 5150 Racing as a VW/Audi dealer. He is an established Cobb custom tuner for MK7s.

OP, where did you see ECU/TCU credits? The EQT website just has option for 1 vehicle license/credit. Would be awesome if EQT would do a group buy like they did with other product releases. Sub'd!

[aaronc7]

Thanks for posting! I've been waiting to see when this would be released. Glad to finally see another remote/custom tuning option for 8V. EQT has great rep with MK7s. The EcuTek website lists 5150 Racing as a VW/Audi dealer. He is an established Cobb custom tuner for MK7s.

OP, where did you see ECU/TCU credits? The EQT website just has option for 1 vehicle license/credit. Would be awesome if EQT would do a group buy like they did with other product releases. Sub'd!

I asked Ed prior to placing the order. It seemed like 1 credit might cover both ECU+TCU based on the options on the website, but he confirmed that a second license is required for the trans too. You can buy/add credits later at any time. Ed is I guess on vacation right now, so it hasn't shipped yet, but as soon as I get it I will be trying to get something going (might be baby steps since it's brand new and I'm OK with that).. will keep this thread updated.

[NickBurns]

This is great news, EcuTek is awesome.

Like, 60% of subaru wrx's on the road? lol :) They are a big standalone maker and they're just hitting the MQB platform as OP mentioned.

It will get better, but there are opensource options for factory ECU flashing as well for specific ECU models in the MQB platform.

[Dubstro]

I asked Ed prior to placing the order. It seemed like 1 credit might cover both ECU+TCU based on the options on the website, but he confirmed that a second license is required for the trans too. You can buy/add credits later at any time. Ed is I guess on vacation right now, so it hasn't shipped yet, but as soon as I get it I will be trying to get something going (might be baby steps since it's brand new and I'm OK with that).. will keep this thread updated.

Gotcha. Thanks for sharing the info. Looking forward to hearing your feedback since you have Maestro. The custom tuning and user adjustments with Maestro was great but things got real frustrating trying to find files and getting support etc. I'm close to jumping on board EcuTek. It's going to take me time to get all my hardware installed so I don't mind being patient with development too.

[aaronc7]

Like, 60% of subaru wrx's on the road? lol :) They are a big standalone maker and they're just hitting the MQB platform as OP mentioned.

It will get better, but there are opensource options for factory ECU flashing as well for specific ECU models in the MQB platform.

What are the open source option(s)? I'm sure it would be too much of a learning curve for myself, but curious what's out there/how developed it is.

[NickBurns]

Right now, you can tune using NefMoto. It's a VERY tight-lipped community when it comes to our ECUs, but there are definitions out there for both the 2.0T MQB and the 2.5T MQB (A/S3 and RS3 respectively).

If you want something a little "cleaner" you can go with Maestro. It's much like the COBB AccessPort where you can use their off the shelf (OTS) tunes or you can use their software and write your own maps. It's not limited - you can write any part of the ECU map you would like, and that has been discovered how to tune (definition files cover this generally).

[aaronc7]

OK finally got my car back from the body shop and starting to get the ball rolling on this. Going to be getting a custom ECU + DSG tune from Ed @ EQT. He's super busy I'm sure for good reason, but it's a pretty simple setup so I don't anticipate it taking forever to get dialed in. Since Ecutek is so new, there are no "base tunes" available at this time, custom only. If the tables and such are similar to Cobb I would think it won't be too much time before he's able to get enough data/experience with Ecutek to be comfortable with base tunes in the future.

My setup is:
2017 Audi S3
OEM intake with drop in filter and various airbox mods + silicone hose + TIP
APR intercooler
91 octane tune, then going to look into an E30 tune assuming that will work on stock HPFP with Ecutek

Still waiting to get the first revision, so I've been playing around with the software and app a bit. ProECU installs on the computer and I'm guessing how you flash tunes with this. Maybe logging will be possible in the future but the software won't even fully recognize my car because it's so new.

The dongle is bluetooth with usb port so it works with PC or mobile device. The app is called ECU connect and it's pretty simple but works well. It has gauge view/dashboard, datalogging tab, DTC and readiness check tabs. Also a tab for RaceRom/custom code/features but nothing like that for this platform yet. Datalogging is awesome, especially over a wireless connection. The default logging list is 52 different ECM parameters and logs at a rate of 10-13 hz. You can also log TCM, it's a little slower at 5-6 hz. You can also log both modules at the same time.

Right now I'm looking into a good way to have my standard 6-8 gauges displayed on the screen, but be able to datalog everything I want at the same time... to make it's functionality similar to how the AP works.

Sample Log
https://datazap.me/u/aaronc7/ecutek-sample?log=0&data=8

[aaronc7]

Hey guys, I've been running the initial file for my ECU and TCU tune for a couple weeks now. 2017 Audi S3 with budget intake (TIP, silicone hose, Afe air filter, opened up front ducts etc), IE downpipe, APR intercooler, autotech HPFP on 91 octane.

As far as the EQT tune side of stuff, I imagine it is very similar to the Cobb tunes and still on first tune file, but so far so good. If you guys havent seen, they are extremely popular for the MK7 guys on Cobb AP. I was poking around on stock tune for quite awhile before this and it was nice to have the powah back. Something that bugged me about running the HPFP on stock tune was past 5000 rpm fuel pressure would get out of hand/high so I was really not driving it hard during that time--all good now with the tune as expected. Biggest difference I notice right away coming from Eurodyne is the TCU tune is so much better. I'm not after every last hp, just a nice all around tune that is safe. I would have got a "base tune", but they do not offer those yet for Ecutek.

As far as the Ecutek side of stuff, been good so far. The ProECU software on PC has several different modules-- Program ECU, Program TCU, DSG tool (to perform basic setting and reset other learned values), and a DTC tool. The DTC tool appears to have access to all the same modules that OBDeleven does, so you can do a full scan/reset on the car which is nice if you didn't already have obdeleven or VCDS. Flashing my ECU the first time took about 15 mins and DSG took about 5 mins IIRC. We'll see if subsequent flashes of the ECU is any quicker. You can also datalog with ProECU, but the phone app version works well enough, it's probably not worth the hassle of lugging around the laptop or tablet.

The phone app ECU Connect works very well and easy to use. I've sent in some bug reports and feature requests to ecutek and they have been great to work with, very responsive and open to any feedback or ideas for improvement. The DTC tool on the phone app only current supports the ECU and TCU modules. Datalogging tool is really straight forward and easy to use, after you install an ecutek tune, even more log-able parameters show up and you can log ECU and TCU at the same time. I wish it had a way to save/import logging list, maybe something that will get added later. The dashboard/gauge page is very customizable, has a number of different gauge styles that you can adjust a lot of settings with....kind of similar to how Torque gauges work (min, max, alerts that flash on screen, etc.).

Bottom line: Finally.... a very good, very complete custom tuning package for us Audi guys with the 2.0T. I would say almost on par with Cobb AP and likely rival it as it gets developed a bit more.

On the horizon I would like to do an EQT Vortex turbo, LPFP/MPI and flex fuel tune, should they add support.

[n0ferz]

Hey, any updates on this? I am trying to find more information about Ecutek tunes on S3 but it is very limited what has been shared in the internet at this point.

[aaronc7]

Hey, any updates on this? I am trying to find more information about Ecutek tunes on S3 but it is very limited what has been shared in the internet at this point.

Still a good tuning platform. Honestly just over shadowed by Cobb, at.least here in the USA.

Ecutek supports a much wider box code range, including ROW cars and 1.8T etc.

They now have 5 way map switching, variable torque target and other functions per slot.

Anything in particular you're curious about?

[n0ferz]

Thanks for the reply. Just wanted to know performance figures, 1/4miles time, etc.

I was in touch with them and they mentioned that at this point they have custom tunes and advised to install everything that I want in the car first before paying for the tune. I am also looking into IE and they support my ecu/tcu box codes so I am very inclined in going this route and start with Stage1