Hypertech Tuning Device Review

[MSMS3]

To the poster regarding HT and fuel pump pressure:

You need to monitor. I know many here who like HT (myself included) have it because it is very well done R&R that extracts about 95% of what the K04 turbo can give you from a custom tune if the turbo is stock and you are running pump gas.

And I know that HT says it works fine with the stock pump. But . . . when getting up close to being fully bolted, especially if running an aftermarket downpipe and racepipe with no cats or very high flow cats, you can put some pretty serious demands on the stock pump.

The only way to know is to monitor. HT may be plug and play, but it is not plug and forget if you have alot of mods, IMHO. That's why I monitor and datalog.

I'd say that if intake alone and HT are considered, then probably stock pump might be o.k. (notice the words probably and might).

My pump started failing with the combo of catless dp/rp exhaust and HT. Maybe it was just getting some wear after about 40,000 miles or so, I don't know. But low pressure in the face of high fuel demands is a known contributing factor or cause of failure of our engines. The ECU can only compensate so much in maintaining acceptable AFR's if the pump starts taking a shit.

The safe thing to do is to monitor. The even safer thing to do if you have other mods is to go ahead and upgrade the stock pump which was barely marginal to begin with.

[tddvrrn]

Originally Posted by s2kcharlie I just read through a great deal and really learned nothing. I would like a little more power at the same time being safe and not blowing up my car. From what i can gather, Hypertech is a safe alternative? I had Audi's and VW's for years and "Re-Chipped" them without issue. I am a bit concerned after reading all this. I passed up a great piece of a$$ researching this. I will not let that happen again LOL I would love to hear from the hypertech guys about their experiences. Also, i have a 2008 MS3 with 82k miles. I am a newb to Mazda so any help would be most helpful....

a rmm, an intake and the ht completely transform the car relatively cheaply.

i love the ht, but have nothing to compare it to. the removal of the limters in 1st and 2nd make a huge difference and, as has been said, the top end has a bit more grrr. get one used and it will be well worth the price... you can always switch to ap or versatune if you want to start playing with tuning. the ht will sell easily.

i am sticking w/ ht because i do not want to go down the temporal black hole of tuning, yet wanted the car to open up a bit more. there's too much going on in my life right now to start messing around with learning how to tune...

edit: with regards to fuel pumps, just buy yourself an ultragauge and watch fp. i do, mine's fine. if it ever starts pooping, i'll upgrade. but i do agree with msms3- monitor!

[pdqgp]

Originally Posted by tddvrrn a rmm, an intake and the ht completely transform the car relatively cheaply.

Add in the shifter bushings and a fluid change to some good stuff and you're golden. Those few mods will turn the MS3 into a completely different feeling car. So much so that even my wife who is absolutely NOT a car person and doesn't drive it with any enthusiasm noticed my mods right away and was like WOW! It's a really fun car.

[goob_os101]

May be snagging a new Street Unit Test pipe for $85. Next on the list is finally install my CPe RMM, new plugs, tans fluid change, and hopefullt this Street Unit Test pipe.

[machspeed3]

Just picked up the Hypertech Max energy sport for my 2007 MS3. Well worth the investment if you do not plan to heavily mod your vehicle. I'm just running a Mazdaspeed CAI and Forge BPV. This tune is all I need. I hear great things about AP. But I do not plan of additional bolt ons and power gains. To be objective, I think the Hypertech is for those who plan or running moderately stock looking for increase performance without sacrifice or risk of additional modification. AP seems to be full on serious competition and modification. I'm happy hanging back with my Hypertech as it is still fairly competitive with the big boys.

[travis9935]

It's been fun on here I bought a new car, but I must say the programmer made a Hell of a dif, so I'm gonna sell mine now. What's a good selling price for a mint condition Ht?

Sent from Deez Nutz

[strukoff]

I have a question ... I decided to get an extra lower airbox and I cut it open a bit to get more airflow plus a high flow filter (box kinda looks like corksports). So, engine is breathing easier which means things might be a bit out. I understand the best answer to this question is to log what's happening but would it make sense to use the Nano cal (hypertech says this is very close to stock cal) vs the stock option?

Thanks

[mituc]

The stock airbox and piping can flow enough air for what you need. The differences that the aftermarket intakes do are:
1. larger MAF housing meaning more accurate MAF readings (with the proper calibration) and (most importantly) less MAF voltage range needed to measure the same amount of air.
2. eventually, but not necessarily less post-filter vacuum due to the less restrictive air filters and larger air filter surface.

So whatever you do to your intake may be useless unless:
1. you swap your current air filter with one with a larger surface (the wave shape wet filters help with that);
2. enlarge the MAF housing diameter;
3. reduce the turbulences just before the MAF housing (either smooth the walls of the stock airbox which are designed to stop any dust that may escape the air filter, either use an aftermarket MAF housing with a straightener if necessary, and so on).

So I'm not really sure that what you're about to do makes that much sense as you're going to tune a stock turbo pump gas motor, no E85 mix, no meth, no other fancy stuff.
Leave the intake stock and change your TMIC and current air filter if you want to see some consistent gains (the stock TMIC may be fine with E85 mixes on stock turbo though).

However, in your case since your MAF housing will remain unchanged you will have to use the stock MAF cal.

[strukoff]

Thanks for the info .... I don't hope to redo what's already been done in the aftermarket. I put in a k&n filter and thought I try to take a panel off the stock airbox in the same location as the corksport one. Reminds me of the days with my old Chevelle and cutting holes in the stock air cleaner because I couldn't afford an open air one. It does sound completely different as you can hear the turbo spool and the wastegate ..... don't know about a power increase but for $90 I'm happy. Just planning on keeping it simple for warranty purposes.

If the Hypertech cal's are focused mainly on the MAF housing than the stock setting sounds right. I'll do some logging when I get it in and report on how I find the Hypertech unit.

[tddvrrn]

Originally Posted by travis9935 It's been fun on here I bought a new car, but I must say the programmer made a Hell of a dif, so I'm gonna sell mine now. What's a good selling price for a mint condition Ht? Sent from Deez Nutz

$275 or so.

[goob_os101]

Got a Street Unit Test pipe...hope to install tonight!

[travis9935]

Originally Posted by tddvrrn $275 or so.

Yeah I have it listed on mazdas247 for $260 shipped

Sent from Deez Nutz

[dubunderpar]

275 is steap, they have been selling lately for 200-225. if you decide to drop down, I have been looking for one.

[goob_os101]

Originally Posted by dubunderpar 275 is steap, they have been selling lately for 200-225. if you decide to drop down, I have been looking for one.

[Speedee3]

Why hasnt Bucker been tossed?

Opinions are one thing, but pissing on people because he is secretly angry for spending too much money on his mods??! Weird.

The Hypertech has proved itself beyond the very "doubtful" initial AP hate mongers here. Even the big boss on here wasnt terribly fond of the Hypertech when it was introduced and I think that had something to do with the continuation of the "hate war" that has taken up way too much space on this thread.

The Hyprtech simply solves a few things that should have been dealt with by Mazda prior to the Speed3 being released.

I see guys spending 2,000.00 dollars on wheels and tires and no one seems to bash them for not "getting an AP" ?!!

300 bucks to lift the 1/2 gear restriction, improve driveablity and gain significant and useable rpms?? Arguing that at all, makes one look foolish.

Ken

[goob_os101]

Originally Posted by Speedee3 Why hasnt Bucker been tossed? Opinions are one thing, but pissing on people because he is secretly angry for spending too much money on his mods??! Weird. The Hypertech has proved itself beyond the very "doubtful" initial AP hate mongers here. Even the big boss on here wasnt terribly fond of the Hypertech when it was introduced and I think that had something to do with the continuation of the "hate war" that has taken up way too much space on this thread. The Hyprtech simply solves a few things that should have been dealt with by Mazda prior to the Speed3 being released. I see guys spending 2,000.00 dollars on wheels and tires and no one seems to bash them for not "getting an AP" ?!! 300 bucks to lift the 1/2 gear restriction, improve driveablity and gain significant and useable rpms?? Arguing that at all, makes one look foolish. Ken

Dude...did you not see my post?

Originally Posted by goob_os101 No mas fighting HT vs AP...lets all aim our hatred against the hellaflush peeps. More money is spent there and with far less perfomance gains. So perfomance minded folks lets put our tunning differences aside and unite to take stand aginst the true enemy...

[Speedee3]

Goob, sorry, I didnt see it.

I havent been on here for months. Thought I would see how the Hypertech was doing amongst the folks here that have it. I started reading and Im like???!! Really??? Still a bunch of "Im better than you crap"? I thought it would have died down by now! haha

Oh well.

Ken

[Boostman07]

Does anyone have any expierence/issues with the hypertech tune and a wot box?

[jack_hammer]

Originally Posted by Boostman07 Does anyone have any expierence/issues with the hypertech tune and a wot box?

ganque

[DuBz]

After having my HT for 2 years, I finally got the itch for "more" and grabbed an AP. I've been viewing this thread for about a year, seen a lot of bitching from both sides, and have decided to end the HT/AP war (yea right).

I've thoroughly enjoyed the HT. It has done everything I expected out of it, hasn't given me any problems, it makes my speed really come alive and ride smooth as hell.

If you have the mechanical skills of a retarded monkey, or want to have a canned tune with little to no risk of going boom, this is as easy as it gets.

Personally, I wanted to "man up" and get the AP so I could possibly squeeze that extra 10hp out of the ECU, monitor what's going on more closely, and learn a shitload more about my car in the process.

So if anyone still gives a shit, I'll throw up some logs with the HT, then with an AP OTS stage 2 map, and finally with an e-tune when it's finished. (Although I can't do much until COBB gets their server up so I can get ATR)

Somewhere in the middle of all that I'll be selling my HT and dashhawk for around $225 each, if anyone's interested lmk.

[MSMS3]

I would like you to post your HT log from the AP before you flash to the AP stage 2 map and then your first stage 2 log. Thanks.

[DuBz]

no prob, that's exactly what I was gonna do, I'm just stuck with no software....jonesing for some ATR(scratches neck)

EDIT: AP noob question, how can I log my HT tune using the AP when the AP has to be married to log.....wouldn't marrying it erase the HT?

Ughh just brought up marriage too many times, excuse me while I go try to bang everything that walks while I still can

[G-Man]

I am very pleased with my HT, although I recently found out that disabling the DSC when you turn the ignition (hold button until DSC and the wheelspinny displays light up) makes the car so much smoother and manageable in 1st and 2nd.

Back on point, I have a Mazdaspeed CAI and I'm about to bolt on an FMIC, turbo-back exhaust, Tial BPV and do the fp internals. I can't record logs but I will take video before and after each mod - hopefully the HT will adapt!

[MSMS3]

Originally Posted by DuBz no prob, that's exactly what I was gonna do, I'm just stuck with no software....jonesing for some ATR(scratches neck) EDIT: AP noob question, how can I log my HT tune using the AP when the AP has to be married to log.....wouldn't marrying it erase the HT? Ughh just brought up marriage too many times, excuse me while I go try to bang everything that walks while I still can

Ask AP users, but it seems to me that the mere act of marrying AP and using it to monitor only ought not wipe out the existing tune. That would or should happen only when you install the first map. But if marrying requires installation of a "stock" map, then it might not be possible to datalog the HT tune's performance in AP. Just a guess.

[Boost_creep]

You need to install the ap, in order to datalog.

You could install the stage 0 (oem Mazda rom), for a compare-to-stock graph. What kind of files does the dashhawk spit out? Can't you plug that into Virtual Dyno?

[MSMS3]

Originally Posted by G-Man I am very pleased with my HT, although I recently found out that disabling the DSC when you turn the ignition (hold button until DSC and the wheelspinny displays light up) makes the car so much smoother and manageable in 1st and 2nd. Back on point, I have a Mazdaspeed CAI and I'm about to bolt on an FMIC, turbo-back exhaust, Tial BPV and do the fp internals. I can't record logs but I will take video before and after each mod - hopefully the HT will adapt!

Just use a stopwatch. Do 4th gear pulls on the same road, same direction - 60-100 mph and record the before and after times. That eliminates any power hold back in lower geara and eliminates any variations in traction or shifting technique or speed. One gear through the power band. 60-100 comparison times are also ready available on-line and in the car mags for comparisons to other vehicles as a reference. Stopwatches are cheap. Just a thought.

[kgb]

Originally Posted by G-Man I am very pleased with my HT, although I recently found out that disabling the DSC when you turn the ignition (hold button until DSC and the wheelspinny displays light up) makes the car so much smoother and manageable in 1st and 2nd....

Yep... Post #184

SWAS - How to disable

[skiptowncat]

Originally Posted by Boost_creep You need to install the ap, in order to datalog. You could install the stage 0 (oem Mazda rom), for a compare-to-stock graph. What kind of files does the dashhawk spit out? Can't you plug that into Virtual Dyno?

You can't use VD with a dashhawk log, it rounds the time off which skews the results.

[86azms3]

Originally Posted by MSMS3 Ask AP users, but it seems to me that the mere act of marrying AP and using it to monitor only ought not wipe out the existing tune. That would or should happen only when you install the first map. But if marrying requires installation of a "stock" map, then it might not be possible to datalog the HT tune's performance in AP. Just a guess.

Good question, but i doubt you can marry with an existing flash.

Originally Posted by skiptowncat You can't use VD with a dashhawk log, it rounds the time off which skews the results.

You can, someone asked me how, since ive done it, .its time consuming. Need to open data in excel, then divide the number of cells to get accurate time incements, copy and paste time, afr, boost, rpm, and tps all into text file making sure all values are nice and neat. but with new revisions, ive only been able to graph hp, and tq with a text file, boost and afr are not coming up.

[skiptowncat]

Originally Posted by 86azms3 Good question, but i doubt you can marry with an existing flash. You can, someone asked me how, since ive done it, .its time consuming. Need to open data in excel, then divide the number of cells to get accurate time incements, copy and paste time, afr, boost, rpm, and tps all into text file making sure all values are nice and neat. but with new revisions, ive only been able to graph hp, and tq with a text file, boost and afr are not coming up.

But isn't the fact you've altered the time going to give inaccurate results?

[MSMS3]

^ I would think that absolute time accuracy is key for valid VD. I think it uses time and rpm and vehicle speed along with its own database of vehicle weight and your passenger weight as its major contributors with other values as adjuster up or down. Maybe I'm wrong, though.

[86azms3]

Originally Posted by skiptowncat But isn't the fact you've altered the time going to give inaccurate results?

Time is spot on

[dubunderpar]

So after following this thread for a long time and weighing my options as far as bellying up and buying an AP I just bought a HT at a great price. Can't wait to get it in and enjoy opening it up. My friends are going to flame me for getting a HT and not going for an AP, but seeing the results from MSMS3 I couldn't justify the extra 300 that an AP was going to cost me. Plus I know that I would have wanted a custom tune, so you might as well tack on another $200 for that. This is not to say that I will never be buying an AP, because I plan to. But that will be when $ is not as tight and mods justify getting a custom tune done (BT).

[goob_os101]

Originally Posted by dubunderpar So after following this thread for a long time and weighing my options as far as bellying up and buying an AP I just bought a HT at a great price. Can't wait to get it in and enjoy opening it up. My friends are going to flame me for getting a HT and not going for an AP, but seeing the results from MSMS3 I couldn't justify the extra 300 that an AP was going to cost me. Plus I know that I would have wanted a custom tune, so you might as well tack on another $200 for that. This is not to say that I will never be buying an AP, because I plan to. But that will be when $ is not as tight and mods justify getting a custom tune done (BT).

Congrats on the purchase...you will love it! As far as your friends, you can flame them once they go zoom zoom boom chasing that "extra powa" the AP provides

[jack_hammer]

Originally Posted by dubunderpar So after following this thread for a long time and weighing my options as far as bellying up and buying an AP I just bought a HT at a great price. Can't wait to get it in and enjoy opening it up. My friends are going to flame me for getting a HT and not going for an AP, but seeing the results from MSMS3 I couldn't justify the extra 300 that an AP was going to cost me. Plus I know that I would have wanted a custom tune, so you might as well tack on another $200 for that. This is not to say that I will never be buying an AP, because I plan to. But that will be when $ is not as tight and mods justify getting a custom tune done (BT).

you are the target market

[Somnospeed]

I've had a HT on my Gen1 and just picked up an AP for my Gen2. I can say for sure that the HT tune is FAR better than the AP OTS map. If someone disagrees I would love to hear their logic. Th HT tune blows it away if you ask me. I'm hoping to get some help and get a custom tune going but I have zero interest in trying it by myself. I don't have the time to dedicate to learning the tuning process and feel safe about it. I can only make a real comparison of the two devices when I get a tune other than OTS. I'm sure with a custom tune the AP could be better than the HT but RIGHT NOW I can only speak of what I know. The HT tune vs. the OTS Cobb map. HT wins for now.
If you want to tune, or have one done, get an AP and that means you have no business with a HT. If you want plug and play, get an HT. If HT was available for 2012 I'd have one. I don't give a flying fuck what all the bandwagoneers say. If they haven't driven the car with both devices they really should shut the fuck up. I don't think I need to point out how moronic it is to talk about something you have no experience with. I would be embarrassed if I did that.

Edit: I should also add if someone is looking to get HP gains or plan on more mods than the very basics the HT is not for you. HT obviously is not comparable to the AP in that department.

I personally do not have any interest in comparing boners with anyone. I couldn't care less what WHP my car makes and don't really care what anyone else makes either. But that is just me personally. I understand why others do it and if I were 10 years younger I might care too. But no, not today I don't.

[Somnospeed]

Thinking about this post again... I think I was a bit to hard on the Cobb OTS map. It's a huge improvement over stock and it is not as bad as my post makes it sound. I do think the HT tune was smoother but Cobb OTS does pull nice and good. Definitely won't disappoint compared to stock.

[dubunderpar]

Well the HT came in today and after a quick update from my laptop the install went quickly and smoothly. Car idled a little funny for a bit and things have seemed to settle back down. The power is much smoother all the way up to 6k now and the car seems to have taken the tune well. I had my daughters in the car so no real pulls yet, but tonight I will be taking her for a more pushing drive. For the shipped price of $215 I am quite happy with it. Once I decide to go with a DP and heavier mods, I will pass this along to another speed and pick up an AP w/ a custom tune, but for now I love the way this car is running.

All my numbers seem about right while monitoring, with good FP and 18s16h lbs of boost while pulling in 4th.

[pinggoy]

HT FTW, nuff doubt... i have mine for a year now and it does improve the car performance, the most noticeable thing i notice is the decrease of turbo lag...

[pdqgp]

Originally Posted by pinggoy the most noticeable thing i notice is the decrease of turbo lag...

For me the most noticeable things are the gains up top. So nice to have a bump in power but to be able to stretch her legs to red line and feel her pull hard the whole way is very nice.

In the real world I raced my buddy in a 2.0T GTI with a stage 2 set of mods (CAI, 21lbs, down pipe, tune, etc...) With just a CAI, from 40mph he put 2-3 lengths on me from a go. Was 4 ahead at 110. Now, he still gets a 1/2 jump from 40mph but I real him in and we're pretty much dead even until about 100 then I pull on him slightly. IMO, his KO3 runs out of steam a bit. However, when I add a down pipe and HPFP, things will be different.