I remember reading somewhere that AP1s are unable to use some mode of tuning because of the throttle cable vs. DBW, but can't remember what the popular route for tuning them was. Recently installed a full exhaust and intake, and wondering what I can use to tune my '03 to make the most out of them. Thanks.

 

You can't re-flash the car's ECU in an AP1 like you can in 06+ cars. You will need to purchase a stand alone ECU for tuning, such as the Kpro.

 

Thanks. Just looked at the price of these plus the required component replacements. Ouch. In your opinion, is it worth the money for the tune with just an exhaust and intake?

 

People also go with AEM ems as well. You can also use products like the greddy emanage ultimate or the apexi afc neo/vafc2 to help get a little out. It really depends on what you want out of it though. A vafc 2 can be had for fairly cheep and will possibly get you a little but more power out of things or you can spring for AEM ems or k pro an get more functionality and probably better numbers.

 

Bolt-on mods without a tune will make little power - as in, not enough to even concern yourself with. The tune will be the one thing that brings the car alive and makes the mods worth doing in the first place. Mods without a tune mainly function just to make the car louder, while not making it any faster at all.

 

^ wholly agree with deepbluejh. The F-series engine does not response/have a lot of gain from just simple bolt-ons on OEM maps. You might get some but minimal.

I highly recommend an ems (whether KPro or AEM) to maximize your modifications - especially with simple bolt-ons. A lot of power can be gained with tuning. However, the price for the ems and tuning is not cheap; thus, this dissuade a lot of people from getting a stand alone ECU and tuning it, which is totally understandable.

I had an Apexi Neo and tuned it, it was ok defnitely not the best.

 

I think the Greddy emanage ultimate is a pretty powerful (for a piggyback) and relatively cheap alternative.
Got one installed in my car and it seems to make some good gains.

 

magic. ap1s are tuned with magic. but in all seriousness i run haltech and love my setup

 

just from reading around seems like EMU is the way to go, you can get a good deal sometimes on a used unit with harness on ebay or forums. You can tune your bolt ons and later down the road you can use it for mild FI builds.