EPL should sell Depends with their flash!!!

 

I also participated in the most recent round of EPL flash special.

A little bit of background:

I bought my Turbo in April of this year with the car already having another tuner's flash program on it. While the car made power, it was soon apparent that the program was instructing the ECU to dump a lot of fuel while the car is idling. This is evident by the "rich" smell of the exhaust and the black soot that completely covered the exhaust tips. The car failed the CA emission test as a result.

I had trouble flashing the car back to stock and ultimately had to have my local Porsche specialist revert the car back to stock programming with the factory PIWIS. In order for me to reflash the car, I had to have my ECU read out again. Since I wasn't the original purchaser, the vendor had to charge me again, although I was offered a discounted price.

I couldn't have my ECU read. Tried different laptops, followed the instructions to a T, but always got an error message to the effect of the cable wasn't authorized. I gave up at this point. What is supposed to be more or less "plug and play" turned into sheer frustration and consumed the little spare time I had.


When I saw EPL's special, I searched this forum and found a lot of positive reviews. At $999, I decided to give this ECU flashing business another try.

The flashing process has been extensively covered on this board so I'll skip this part. Suffice to say, it really was quick and simple.

Started up the car and the fuel mixture at idle seemed fine.

When people said the car seemed smoother to drive, that has to be one of the biggest understatements I've ever read.

One problem I've had with the Turbo since day 1 is the difficulty in taking off from a dead stop. The vague clutch engagement point and the lazy throttle response during tip in meant I would either stall the car or leave with more engine revs than necessary. I've been driving manual transmission cars for years so it certainly isn't my lack of ability. In fact, when I changed out the clutch of my old E36 M3 at 100k miles, the stock clutch still had plenty of life left.

The old flash I had didn't solve this issue, but the EPL flash did. The throttle response during tip in is significantly improved and leaving from a dead stop in this car is no longer a chore.

During part throttle, around 1800 - 2800 rpm, the engine also seemed livelier, eager to respond to throttle input.

To me, the extra horsepower is just icing on the cake. What I like about the EPL flash is how it transforms the behavior of the car, for the better, during city driving (where I do most of my driving in this car).

So another happy EPL flash customer.

 

Noob question:

Would the flash settings differ from a car at different elevations and humidity?

Or would it make that much difference to be an issue?

IE. the desert las vegas or the elevation of Lake Tahoe?

 

When I got the flash, EPL asked me several questions including my elevation, octane of gas, mods etc.. I live 15 miles north of Tahoe.

 

^ Oh, what a coincedence , didn't look at your locaton! Nice. Maybe i'll see you driving sometime.

Nice!

Would it react differently at lower elevations?

 

Also got the EPL Special for my GT2 a couple of weeks ago. Will let you know how it goes.
How long did you guys wait before you received your flash file from Tony....?

 

You receive the flash file when you load the program. Follow the directions on the PDF. It is a very simple process.

 

I am familiar with IT. Received file /program authorization code after a few days, but no flash file attachment as of jet... What would be considered "normal' wait time ?

Patience is a virtue only a few possess...

 

Email EPL right away and/or call first thing in the morning. It's usually waiting on the server...

 

It is not an attachment. It is something the program automatically accesses once you have sent the e-mail with the authorization code to EPL. After I sent the e-mail to support, it was a matter of minutes - less than 10.

 

The EPL Flash program and Instructions are simple and easy to use. After payment was posted, I quickly (within 3 days or so) received the Program and Authorization File (Flash program and Loading Cable) I had replied to the EPL email. It was mentioned in the email from EPL, that the flash file will be placed on their server for retrieval -added: "as soon as Tony has prepared the flash". Currently. I do already show the "Choose your Flash" option. When selecting the Icon "start the flash" option, "retrieving" appears, but no Flash File appears to be available on the server... jet.

I am sure that Tony will prepare my file for retrieval some time soon and I will be able to report the result..., I was just wondering how long should be considered a reasonable waiting time. No offense attended and a status request was already emailed.

 

After 2 months of looking into this option on 6speed I used EPL for the following reasons. First Customer support. I called Robin a number of times
and he was available during the download of software and he gave me his cell on the morning i did the install - if i needed help. I did call him to confirm that all was well. This is important to me and thank you EPL/Robin...

I have owned two 911's over the last 7 years and did the ecu myself. Plug and play chip.
On the turbo - i covered all the what if's - and knew what to do in a worse case senerio.

I wanted a tune that was proven on his dyno - i talked fith Robin for 20 minutes about my car - what i have and where im going with mods down the road.

It was a very quick install and more then enough power for me. The car pulls really nice - not using boost and has great pull. Now my car is oem
with bmc air cleaner new plugs and coils - with about 16,000 miles. My write up is from this past weeks install. Robin asked for follow up phone call day of install and another call in two weeks just to be sure all is well.

I would recomend them based on my experience.. good luck in your decision...

 

Sorry, got it. I'm sure you will be taken care of early this week based upon my experience. Look forward to a great tune.

 

Update: Ordered the EPL flash on Saturday. Had my cable on Tuesday (I paid an extra $20.00 for quick shipping). Flashed the car this morning. Just got back from the first drive.

As stated before in this post, the car is way more drivable under normal conditions. Much smoother and lively. Once on the throttle it begs to be rung out as it were. The first mid throttle application was in second gear and you can DEFINETELY feel the difference. Once out of the city I wound it up through fourth gear (I ran out of room at somewhere around 140mph). Second through fourth gear was amazing. I've been out of the car for twenty minutes and my hands are still a little shaky. The boost is on much quicker and 1.0 bar in third and fourth gear arrived quickly. Probably shouldn't have been looking at that but had too this car is now pretty much to fast for me I am so pleased with this modification and I can't recommend it enough. I can't imagine having any more power and have a new respect for those of you that take your Porsches well beyond this level.

I thank all of you for your input and gentle nudges to mod the car. I love it and I love this forum! Special thanks to EPL, Robin and Dave for their amazing support and professionalism. You can't go wrong with this company in my opinion.

 

Fun is a big understatement. 4th is ......