TEXAS HEAT
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I wanted to start off by sending a huge shout out to Alex at Stratifed for the tune and all of the knowledge he shared before and during the tuning process.
I traded my 2008 Mazdaspeed 3 for a 2015 Performance Pack MT EBM in May of 2016. The engine being similar to what was in the Mazdaspeed, I felt that the learning curve would be much quicker and I started purchasing performance parts for it immediately.
I first purchased a used CP-E FMIC, Cobb AP, a set of ITV22 Denso Plugs, along with an Airaid Inlet Tube that mates to the stock airbox w/ a Green drop in filter, and a UPR DVCC.
Before I installed any of the parts, I had my local Ford dealer replace the PCV canister and then set about installing the parts I had accumulated.
I first installed the Denso plugs, inlet tube and filter. I then installed the Cobb AP and ran the Stage 1 93 map before reaching out to Alex@ Stratified. To my disappointment, Alex wasn’t quite ready to delve into tuning the EBM despite having immense experience on the Focus and Fiesta ST, not to mention the Mazdaspeed platforms. This led me to seek out another company to start the custom tuning process, so I reached out and contacted another tuner and soon started tuning.
I installed the CP-E FMIC and the UPR DVCC and downloaded my first custom 93 octane tune file. I was very impressed with the initial version and enjoyed each revision more than the last. When we finished the 93 tune, we then started the E30 tune. Again, I was very impressed with the results and was very happy with how the car performed on both 93 and e30.
At this point, I believed that I was at a road block in terms of gaining any additional performance without installing additional hard parts. However, I was very hesitant to install an off-road downpipe and an aftermarket WGA as I wanted to keep things as close to factory as possible. I did install a GFB DV+ during the tuning process to eliminate the factory bpv from lifting under pressure.
I reached out to Alex@Stratified again in May of 2017 once I knew he had the opportunity to spend some time with the Focus RS. This time Alex agreed to start the tuning process and sent the first 93 octane iteration. I did not make any additional hardware changes throughout the tuning process; I wanted to see if we could safely maximize my existing set-up on both 93 and e30.
The tuning process took quite a bit longer than I experienced with my previous tuner, however Alex was very methodical during the process and made 7 revisions before finally getting everything dialed in. We then started tuning for e30 and I’m currently on revision number 5 and what is believed to be the last and final revision.
The car has performed flawlessly throughout the tuning process and I was able to gain quite a bit of additional power on both 93 and e30. Torque is currently limited to about 390lb/ft at the wheels and is brought on a little less aggressively on the initial hit, but builds smoothly and progressively towards the power peak. Alex has also been able to reduce the power drop off above 5500rpm which also extends the powerband. Obviously we are at the knock threshold in that range, so Alex is running a little richer mixture up top for cooling.
In closing, I highly recommend Alex@Stratified to tune your EBM. My car not only makes more power now, it does so in a safe manner. The throttle transitions and overall drivability of the car is flawless. Alex really knows what he is doing and can make the car behave very nice for cruising, and be an absolute hammer when you put your right foot down and just perfect everywhere in between.
Here’s the before and after VD graphs for comparison, both 3rd Gear and same stretch of road with similar ambient temps, same quality of fuel, and proper mixture on e30.
***Edit*** The VD graph below is from revision number 4. Now after driving on revision 5, it feels like we picked up another 10whp between 4500-5500rpm. I haven't data logged the final revision, as soon as I do I will add it to this post.
***Edit*** Edit*** Please see the added VD graph showing the difference between the 4th revision and the 5th. First thing to note is that ambient temps were 20 degrees cooler on version 2.5, which usually results in a difference of about 1hp for every 1 degree in difference in charge air temps, so no real peak gains, however power drop off up top is less and it's making it on less boost. Again, probably mostly temperature related, but it does pull better all the way through. Thanks again for the tune Alex!
http://www.stratifiedauto.com/
I traded my 2008 Mazdaspeed 3 for a 2015 Performance Pack MT EBM in May of 2016. The engine being similar to what was in the Mazdaspeed, I felt that the learning curve would be much quicker and I started purchasing performance parts for it immediately.
I first purchased a used CP-E FMIC, Cobb AP, a set of ITV22 Denso Plugs, along with an Airaid Inlet Tube that mates to the stock airbox w/ a Green drop in filter, and a UPR DVCC.
Before I installed any of the parts, I had my local Ford dealer replace the PCV canister and then set about installing the parts I had accumulated.
I first installed the Denso plugs, inlet tube and filter. I then installed the Cobb AP and ran the Stage 1 93 map before reaching out to Alex@ Stratified. To my disappointment, Alex wasn’t quite ready to delve into tuning the EBM despite having immense experience on the Focus and Fiesta ST, not to mention the Mazdaspeed platforms. This led me to seek out another company to start the custom tuning process, so I reached out and contacted another tuner and soon started tuning.
I installed the CP-E FMIC and the UPR DVCC and downloaded my first custom 93 octane tune file. I was very impressed with the initial version and enjoyed each revision more than the last. When we finished the 93 tune, we then started the E30 tune. Again, I was very impressed with the results and was very happy with how the car performed on both 93 and e30.
At this point, I believed that I was at a road block in terms of gaining any additional performance without installing additional hard parts. However, I was very hesitant to install an off-road downpipe and an aftermarket WGA as I wanted to keep things as close to factory as possible. I did install a GFB DV+ during the tuning process to eliminate the factory bpv from lifting under pressure.
I reached out to Alex@Stratified again in May of 2017 once I knew he had the opportunity to spend some time with the Focus RS. This time Alex agreed to start the tuning process and sent the first 93 octane iteration. I did not make any additional hardware changes throughout the tuning process; I wanted to see if we could safely maximize my existing set-up on both 93 and e30.
The tuning process took quite a bit longer than I experienced with my previous tuner, however Alex was very methodical during the process and made 7 revisions before finally getting everything dialed in. We then started tuning for e30 and I’m currently on revision number 5 and what is believed to be the last and final revision.
The car has performed flawlessly throughout the tuning process and I was able to gain quite a bit of additional power on both 93 and e30. Torque is currently limited to about 390lb/ft at the wheels and is brought on a little less aggressively on the initial hit, but builds smoothly and progressively towards the power peak. Alex has also been able to reduce the power drop off above 5500rpm which also extends the powerband. Obviously we are at the knock threshold in that range, so Alex is running a little richer mixture up top for cooling.
In closing, I highly recommend Alex@Stratified to tune your EBM. My car not only makes more power now, it does so in a safe manner. The throttle transitions and overall drivability of the car is flawless. Alex really knows what he is doing and can make the car behave very nice for cruising, and be an absolute hammer when you put your right foot down and just perfect everywhere in between.
Here’s the before and after VD graphs for comparison, both 3rd Gear and same stretch of road with similar ambient temps, same quality of fuel, and proper mixture on e30.
***Edit*** The VD graph below is from revision number 4. Now after driving on revision 5, it feels like we picked up another 10whp between 4500-5500rpm. I haven't data logged the final revision, as soon as I do I will add it to this post.
***Edit*** Edit*** Please see the added VD graph showing the difference between the 4th revision and the 5th. First thing to note is that ambient temps were 20 degrees cooler on version 2.5, which usually results in a difference of about 1hp for every 1 degree in difference in charge air temps, so no real peak gains, however power drop off up top is less and it's making it on less boost. Again, probably mostly temperature related, but it does pull better all the way through. Thanks again for the tune Alex!
http://www.stratifiedauto.com/
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