Let's not underestimate the value of Hypertech for most of us. Indeed, it's intended for the stock K04 turbo, but most of us are not going to go big turbo or even attempt to have the stock turbo reworked. But, for less than $350, you get a lot of value in a SAFE, I repeat, SAFE tune that does not go zoom, zoom, boom because we or our wanna be tuner get stupid and make big mistakes with the maps.
For me, even with a catless dp/rp combo, colder plugs in addition to the CAI, I find this tune very beneficial. Load limits are raised significantly so that you can run 19 psi safely with big downpipe/racepipe and no cats. No load cut. None, as would be the case on stock tune at 17.5 psi, especially in cold weather. Boost is up consistent with the load limit. Boost holds way better than the stock tune with a nice slow taper to 5,800 rpm still holding 16 psi, and a gradual taper to redline with usable power to redline. Remember that the limit is the stock K04, which turns into a foundry furnace when pushed beyond 6,000 rpm with boost above 15 psi anyway. No tune can fix that..
And I get the benefit of smoothing out and eliminating those boost spikes I was getting with the catless dp/rp - I was spiking to 21 before.
And I get the benefit of very specific and carefully optimized maf correction for my intake.
And I get the benefit of the user selectable release of the 0-60 power hold back.
I've picked up power over the stock tune with my mods, and I'm pretty much bolted except for retaining the stock TMIC.
This is my daily driver. I am now at the power level I want for this kind of use. This is not a dedicated race car and I have no intention of trying to make it so. Hell, I can't even use all the power now with full access to power in first and second gear, so I've gone back to letting the ECU hold power back in first and second and enjoying the extra power from my mods and this tune once the tires hook up.
