Trifecta Performance Tune
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GottWhat
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Great update - even with the CEL, I am still very interested. Using the cruise control on/off is awesome idea...
dracy69
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The CEL is from a misunderstanding between the ECM and the TCM. I have been running the car stock with no more codes so there is no bypass valve or other leak issue so nothing was actually affected.
The tranny is more of an issue, Vince probably rewrote Torque Management to act like it does on other common GM cars, and only request torque reductions when shifting. Should fix that up and maybe I'll have it by tomorrow and I can update you guys again.
The tranny is more of an issue, Vince probably rewrote Torque Management to act like it does on other common GM cars, and only request torque reductions when shifting. Should fix that up and maybe I'll have it by tomorrow and I can update you guys again.
DetroiTurbo
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I had the Trifecta tune installed over a month ago and have had two incidents where the engine would hesitate. Both days it was about 95 degrees and really humid and occurred right after starting. No lights and ran fine after those light "stutters". I don't think I allowed the engine to go thru the cat warm up both of those times. Hasn't happened in a couple of weeks... I also emailed Vince and he told me that he will issue an update. Otherwise, tune is great!
GottWhat
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DetroiTurbo - where in SE Michigan do you live?
dracy69
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He e-mailed me today, said he did a lot of work on the tune today and should have the update ready by the end of tomorrow. I'm going to six flags on Monday and I'll be waiting till Tuesday to put it in. So don't expect an update from me until Tuesday night.
I will however post about the six flags trip, bringing four friends and probably a cooler. I'll give you guys FE results. Probably in another thread.
I will however post about the six flags trip, bringing four friends and probably a cooler. I'll give you guys FE results. Probably in another thread.
dracy69
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OK GUYS
Vince e-mailed me yesterday while I was at six flags with my new tune. I installed it today at lunch and got a chance to hoon around on my way back from work. Here are my first impressions.
From tip in to 1/4 throttle this is like a whole new car, it is much much much more willing to go. The turbo spools up faster and I think a little louder (will confirm later tonight). I ran in Normal almost all the way home. the car is much faster for the first half of the throttle, noticeably but not drastically faster at WOT. It is 92 degrees and humid here on LI, I could not have worse conditions so it's no surprise that the car is mostly only more responsive for the time being. On a cooler day, a forced induction car like this will really wake up.
One of the several reason a car with VVT is detuned, and more so cars with turbochargers, is because they can alter their timing and boost to make up for varying conditions. For example, on a cold day the ECM may only have to request 7lbs of boost to make what it would consider full power, on a hot humid day, which is performance degrading conditions, the ECM will request more like 11-12 pounds of boost to make up for the less dense more moisture ridden air. This is something that the Regal won't be able to do anymore with a tune because it is now cranked up to 10 (so to speak) all the time. Needless to say the car is still faster on a hot day but it's maybe only making 20 more hp today (my guess) rather than the optimal 50. I'll keep you guys posted as I drive it more and have some cooler days/nights to run it.
My Instantaneous FE indicator showed no real noticeable change, this week's FE is most definitely going to be shot but as time goes on I'll let you know how it does. Theoretically a turbo car will not lose FE when not in boost, because it's the added boost is what's giving it power to begin with. Drive it nice and it shouldn't be any different from before. That's the theory anyway.
For those of you with IDCS, the next paragraph is for you.
When I got closer to my house I decided to try Sport mode. The first time I had the tune installed it seemed to actually get less aggressive compared to Normal when the car first started. I could be wrong but that's what I think I felt. But today.....that was not the case, not in the least. I put it in Sport and laid in the throttle and the car was like "FULL SPEED AHEAD CAPTAIN". Woah! You are now borderline too aggressive is what I thought. At least for everyday driving. Then the favorite part of my drive home, I rolled away from a stop sign, then at about 20mph I planted the throttle, the car kicked down and then it SPUN the tires, with TCS on. This car has NEVER CONSIDERED spinning the tires before. Later tonight I'm going to turn TCS off and see what happens. Basically, I was thrilled. After that I tried Tour, and it responded in the way you would expect, back to the tame Regal I know. Good news, IDCS and the tune are cooperating very well with each other.
I'm also happy to see the transmission not once had any issues or complaints and no check engine light. No apparent problems after an hour of driving. Time will tell if that holds up.
If I can find the safest legal(est) opportunity I might make you guys a couple videos.
Vince e-mailed me yesterday while I was at six flags with my new tune. I installed it today at lunch and got a chance to hoon around on my way back from work. Here are my first impressions.
From tip in to 1/4 throttle this is like a whole new car, it is much much much more willing to go. The turbo spools up faster and I think a little louder (will confirm later tonight). I ran in Normal almost all the way home. the car is much faster for the first half of the throttle, noticeably but not drastically faster at WOT. It is 92 degrees and humid here on LI, I could not have worse conditions so it's no surprise that the car is mostly only more responsive for the time being. On a cooler day, a forced induction car like this will really wake up.
One of the several reason a car with VVT is detuned, and more so cars with turbochargers, is because they can alter their timing and boost to make up for varying conditions. For example, on a cold day the ECM may only have to request 7lbs of boost to make what it would consider full power, on a hot humid day, which is performance degrading conditions, the ECM will request more like 11-12 pounds of boost to make up for the less dense more moisture ridden air. This is something that the Regal won't be able to do anymore with a tune because it is now cranked up to 10 (so to speak) all the time. Needless to say the car is still faster on a hot day but it's maybe only making 20 more hp today (my guess) rather than the optimal 50. I'll keep you guys posted as I drive it more and have some cooler days/nights to run it.
My Instantaneous FE indicator showed no real noticeable change, this week's FE is most definitely going to be shot but as time goes on I'll let you know how it does. Theoretically a turbo car will not lose FE when not in boost, because it's the added boost is what's giving it power to begin with. Drive it nice and it shouldn't be any different from before. That's the theory anyway.
For those of you with IDCS, the next paragraph is for you.
When I got closer to my house I decided to try Sport mode. The first time I had the tune installed it seemed to actually get less aggressive compared to Normal when the car first started. I could be wrong but that's what I think I felt. But today.....that was not the case, not in the least. I put it in Sport and laid in the throttle and the car was like "FULL SPEED AHEAD CAPTAIN". Woah! You are now borderline too aggressive is what I thought. At least for everyday driving. Then the favorite part of my drive home, I rolled away from a stop sign, then at about 20mph I planted the throttle, the car kicked down and then it SPUN the tires, with TCS on. This car has NEVER CONSIDERED spinning the tires before. Later tonight I'm going to turn TCS off and see what happens. Basically, I was thrilled. After that I tried Tour, and it responded in the way you would expect, back to the tame Regal I know. Good news, IDCS and the tune are cooperating very well with each other.
I'm also happy to see the transmission not once had any issues or complaints and no check engine light. No apparent problems after an hour of driving. Time will tell if that holds up.
If I can find the safest legal(est) opportunity I might make you guys a couple videos.
Muhammad
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Awesome description -- thanks. Has anyone tried the tune with a manual?
GottWhat
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Wonder how I can justify this to my wife...LOL
Next time you talk to Vince, you should see if he would be interested in having a group buy for the Regal forum members...
Next time you talk to Vince, you should see if he would be interested in having a group buy for the Regal forum members...
dracy69
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ok vince said he will have another update soon for more power at higher rpm
I was driving around in 103 degree weather yesterday and the car ran perfect, and really didn't lose any power. Pretty good so far.
I was driving around in 103 degree weather yesterday and the car ran perfect, and really didn't lose any power. Pretty good so far.
GottWhat
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pyrrhusmj
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Hi, I may have missed this since I am reading this forum half asleep. I am most likely going to purchase a turbo Monday since a local dealer has a loaded 6 speed manny. This thread has made me think of a few questions. First a little background.
I have always loved fast cars and owned some very fast impractical cars (had a 2002 Corvette, stock but then drove a VW TDI for my dd.) The VW was tuned and a very nice over all diesel car and a compliment to the perpetual lift queen my corvette had become (many electrical issues, never lemoned but the corvette was purchased back from me for a fair price). During my time with the vette I became involved in HPDE's for fun. A frustrating part was seeing myself losing to punks in their souped up FI 4's and small 6's. Then I started bum rides in them.... Ended up falling for a middle of the pack track DD in a Mini Cooper S (Cabrio for style point) and it was fun modding such an accessible car with a loyal enthusiast following. I changed out the suspension completely , replaced many engine, exhaust and transmission components which produced a pretty good car that I was comfortable going up against the big HP folks in. Then I reached heaven. I finally had my car on a dyno, tuner master on the computer, notes on my driving and breaking style. Went from 147bhp to an extremely smoothy powerband to 209. Something that could not have been done from a 1 size fits all software tune.
So with that said does any have this tune or another with a manny? How smooth is the powerband? Does it tighten up steering any (again used to what is basically a DD rack car)? I am changing cars because I am hitting 40 and need a "business" car. Wife wants me in the lacrosse, I wan baby steps to the regal and my only initial test complain is the very loose steering.
Yanks,
Michael
I have always loved fast cars and owned some very fast impractical cars (had a 2002 Corvette, stock but then drove a VW TDI for my dd.) The VW was tuned and a very nice over all diesel car and a compliment to the perpetual lift queen my corvette had become (many electrical issues, never lemoned but the corvette was purchased back from me for a fair price). During my time with the vette I became involved in HPDE's for fun. A frustrating part was seeing myself losing to punks in their souped up FI 4's and small 6's. Then I started bum rides in them.... Ended up falling for a middle of the pack track DD in a Mini Cooper S (Cabrio for style point) and it was fun modding such an accessible car with a loyal enthusiast following. I changed out the suspension completely , replaced many engine, exhaust and transmission components which produced a pretty good car that I was comfortable going up against the big HP folks in. Then I reached heaven. I finally had my car on a dyno, tuner master on the computer, notes on my driving and breaking style. Went from 147bhp to an extremely smoothy powerband to 209. Something that could not have been done from a 1 size fits all software tune.
So with that said does any have this tune or another with a manny? How smooth is the powerband? Does it tighten up steering any (again used to what is basically a DD rack car)? I am changing cars because I am hitting 40 and need a "business" car. Wife wants me in the lacrosse, I wan baby steps to the regal and my only initial test complain is the very loose steering.
Yanks,
Michael
GottWhat
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CXLTsouth
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I just registered here looking at what you guys have been doing thus far for tunes and mods as I'm thinking of trading my HHR SS in on a 11 CXL Turbo.
Bare with my long post because it has info that pertains to Trifecta.
First let me start off by saying the stock HHR SS are 260 hp / 265 tq, thats flywheel not wheels.
I initially had put the GMS1 tune on my car at 1500 miles and got 276 whp and 282 wtq on a dyno.
I have had ALOT of experience with Vinca @ Trifecta.
I had my HHR SS tuned by him at 3,000 miles on the odometer with the dual tune (cruise on/off)
With Vinces tune I put down 308 whp and 336 wtq, with just bolt ons and stock turbo.
I then upgraded to a larger true bolt on LNF BNR 2871GT turbo and we got
370 whp. Again no engine work inside, bolt ons, turbo upgrade and tune.
Well eventually Vince figured out how to tune E85 on the LNF engine which is not flex fuel from the factory.
I ran a Ethanol blend of E30 (due to the limitations of the LNF mechanical HPFP and bigger turbo) and put down 390 whp.
So with just a E30 blend gas, bolt on upgrades and a bolt on turbo upgrade I went from 260 hp 265 tq car to a 390 whp and 420 wtq.
My suggestion to you people is stick with Vince, support him and he will do everything in his power to get you guys more performance out of your Regal turbo.
You've got a really good thing since he drives a Regal CXL turbo now (he previously drove a HHR SS).
On a side note:
If I can get myself into a 11 Regal CXL turbo, I'm going to see if I can get this BNR 2871GT turbo upgrade to bolt on (pretty sure your using the LNF flanged turbo) and have Vince tune me.
Bare with my long post because it has info that pertains to Trifecta.
First let me start off by saying the stock HHR SS are 260 hp / 265 tq, thats flywheel not wheels.
I initially had put the GMS1 tune on my car at 1500 miles and got 276 whp and 282 wtq on a dyno.
I have had ALOT of experience with Vinca @ Trifecta.
I had my HHR SS tuned by him at 3,000 miles on the odometer with the dual tune (cruise on/off)
With Vinces tune I put down 308 whp and 336 wtq, with just bolt ons and stock turbo.
I then upgraded to a larger true bolt on LNF BNR 2871GT turbo and we got
370 whp. Again no engine work inside, bolt ons, turbo upgrade and tune.
Well eventually Vince figured out how to tune E85 on the LNF engine which is not flex fuel from the factory.
I ran a Ethanol blend of E30 (due to the limitations of the LNF mechanical HPFP and bigger turbo) and put down 390 whp.
So with just a E30 blend gas, bolt on upgrades and a bolt on turbo upgrade I went from 260 hp 265 tq car to a 390 whp and 420 wtq.
My suggestion to you people is stick with Vince, support him and he will do everything in his power to get you guys more performance out of your Regal turbo.
You've got a really good thing since he drives a Regal CXL turbo now (he previously drove a HHR SS).
On a side note:
If I can get myself into a 11 Regal CXL turbo, I'm going to see if I can get this BNR 2871GT turbo upgrade to bolt on (pretty sure your using the LNF flanged turbo) and have Vince tune me.
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