tunemanjjw
Member
- :
- 2006 mazdaspeed6
Because I could never find a post with this perspective for the months I was considering getting some ECU management, I wanted to contribute some perspective about the results of the Hypertech tune from an MS6 daily driver who vigorously drives his car (and loves speed) but also highly values power refinement and quiet and therefore no longer runs any intake (or power) mods on his car:
I had been holding out on getting a hypertech tuner for my MS6 for a long time because I didn't know how much I'd really think it was worth the $300 or $400 to me -- afterall, I thought it might just feel like having an intake/TIP on the car -- but as curiosity would have it , I just got one today.
As implied, I've had a Cobb TIP/SRI previously installed, but had returned my car to completely stock power-wise because I preferred not to have the noise, the occasional 5th gear low boost hiccups, and with the stock intake the power just felt smoother at all RPMs (albeit only felt 85% as fast). I am SO pleased with the HT tuner from my experience today. With regards to drivability, competence, and poise, this car just got a SERIOUS upgrade. At low RPM it's definitely more competent, at high RPM it's ferrocious instead of limp, and shifting over 5500 rpm when last-minute-decision-passing-somebody does not penalize me with a torque-lacking next gear. Additionally, on sloppy WOT shifts it does not seem to penalize me with hesitation as much (sometimes not at all) powerwise like the car did with the stock tune (sri/tip combo or not). Throttle response is also improved over stock. Finally, higher gears (3-6) produce a noticably stronger and broader wave of torque across the powerband which is awesome but (in all seriousness) has so far resulted in going 20mph or so faster than I expected to be going using my old driving habits. I actually have to be MINDFUL about gaining speed now especially piddling around through town in 5th gear. This will be awesome until I get a ticket. Functionally, for me, running the [HT tune on stock intake] addresses my power wants so much more comprehensively than the [stock tune + SRI/TIP] in every way.
Basically, I have better throttle response (not as abrupt as with SRI/TIP but much improved over stock intake/tune); more power most notably down low and up high; definitely more power in the middle (at least as much as is gained from SRI/TIP bolt-on); all while maintaining the quiet and SMOOTH nature of not having an aftermarket intake; and gone are the power-sapping/lacking quirks about shifting the car under WOT (at any RPM, but especially over 5500rpm). And did I mention I don't have to listen to suction sounds every time I barely press the gas? Brilliant.
Overall, it just feels like a much more competent and poised car. The hypertech tuner comprehensively addressed my wishlist of power improvements relative to my expectations with price considered against SRI and/or TIP. The improvements the hypertech tuner makes, while arguably marginal (compared to going crazy-go-nuts with bolt-ons), are all aimed at the most valuable areas for improvement with regards to one's driving experience. This was easily worth the cash.
To summarize with an analogy involving the preferred sex (since cars and (in my case) women are the only truly lustful decisions in life), if my car used to be a super hot girlfriend with a slightly defensive/insecure nature (but otherwise very enjoyable most of the time), we just got her a serious self-esteem and personality upgrade...and she may have even gotten a touch smarter. Overall, MUCH more of a joy to be with.
I had been holding out on getting a hypertech tuner for my MS6 for a long time because I didn't know how much I'd really think it was worth the $300 or $400 to me -- afterall, I thought it might just feel like having an intake/TIP on the car -- but as curiosity would have it , I just got one today.
As implied, I've had a Cobb TIP/SRI previously installed, but had returned my car to completely stock power-wise because I preferred not to have the noise, the occasional 5th gear low boost hiccups, and with the stock intake the power just felt smoother at all RPMs (albeit only felt 85% as fast). I am SO pleased with the HT tuner from my experience today. With regards to drivability, competence, and poise, this car just got a SERIOUS upgrade. At low RPM it's definitely more competent, at high RPM it's ferrocious instead of limp, and shifting over 5500 rpm when last-minute-decision-passing-somebody does not penalize me with a torque-lacking next gear. Additionally, on sloppy WOT shifts it does not seem to penalize me with hesitation as much (sometimes not at all) powerwise like the car did with the stock tune (sri/tip combo or not). Throttle response is also improved over stock. Finally, higher gears (3-6) produce a noticably stronger and broader wave of torque across the powerband which is awesome but (in all seriousness) has so far resulted in going 20mph or so faster than I expected to be going using my old driving habits. I actually have to be MINDFUL about gaining speed now especially piddling around through town in 5th gear. This will be awesome until I get a ticket. Functionally, for me, running the [HT tune on stock intake] addresses my power wants so much more comprehensively than the [stock tune + SRI/TIP] in every way.
Basically, I have better throttle response (not as abrupt as with SRI/TIP but much improved over stock intake/tune); more power most notably down low and up high; definitely more power in the middle (at least as much as is gained from SRI/TIP bolt-on); all while maintaining the quiet and SMOOTH nature of not having an aftermarket intake; and gone are the power-sapping/lacking quirks about shifting the car under WOT (at any RPM, but especially over 5500rpm). And did I mention I don't have to listen to suction sounds every time I barely press the gas? Brilliant.
Overall, it just feels like a much more competent and poised car. The hypertech tuner comprehensively addressed my wishlist of power improvements relative to my expectations with price considered against SRI and/or TIP. The improvements the hypertech tuner makes, while arguably marginal (compared to going crazy-go-nuts with bolt-ons), are all aimed at the most valuable areas for improvement with regards to one's driving experience. This was easily worth the cash.
To summarize with an analogy involving the preferred sex (since cars and (in my case) women are the only truly lustful decisions in life), if my car used to be a super hot girlfriend with a slightly defensive/insecure nature (but otherwise very enjoyable most of the time), we just got her a serious self-esteem and personality upgrade...and she may have even gotten a touch smarter. Overall, MUCH more of a joy to be with.
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