So from posting and reading on NAM for a while now I have definitely reached the conclusion that an RMW Jan Tune is the best available tune for the MCS, however, it is very difficult and inconvenient for me to get my car tuned this way. Also, if I ever decide to do new mods I have to pay the $350 again and yet more dyno time...The GIAC is relatively easy, there is no dyno time required, and if I add new parts it is free to get the car re-tuned.

I am getting a new RMW cam put in tomorrow at an authorized GIAC dealer in Orlando. My questions are these: How much MORE improvement would I be likely to see with the RMW over the GIAC? Also, how specific is the GIAC when it comes to adjusting for aftermarket parts in the tune?

Some final decision making help would be greatly appreciated! I need to tell the GIAC guy yes or no in the morning.

 

Why do you keep making new threads? Just get an RMW tune and be done with it.

 

I'm trying to be fully educated as to how much more effective the RMW is for the extra hassle and the extra money....any input in that area would be very very helpful as so far no one has given me any idea of how much better Jan's tune is other than saying "Jan tune is the best..." I'm just looking to see if I could live with the GIAC if it only made a few fewer horsepower.

 

This is the difference Jan's tune made to my already GIAC tuned car...



The driveability was greatly increased which was the major difference. Also, Jan did have it somewhere closer to 190whp but he was tuning it for nitrous so he had to make it 'safe'. This was the final pull...



I think about a 10whp gain over the GIAC is well worth the hassle and little extra cost. Also I believe Jan will retune your car if you decide to add more to it for just dyno time (not positive).

 

Knowing there is something better out there ( RMW tune) do you think you could "live with" it? I know I couldn't that's why I jumped on the 3.5 hr drive opportunity just last Friday in Seattle, and like everyone else I'm glad I did! I could have got a GIAC tune locally.

 

Just go ahead and get the GIAC and when you are ready for the best you can get a Jan Tune.

 

I had the GIAC on my '02 for about 3 months then upgraded to a Jan tune, and the Jan tune was sooo much better than the GIAC. I dont have a scanner to post up my dyno but I saw the same results pretty much as carter. With the Jan tune i picked up 8hp and 5ft.lbs but the power curve is a LOT smoother than the GIAC and the drivability was also a lot better. Jan said the GIAC was actually too agressive for my car and had the timing too far advanced and was dumping in too much fuel. In the end I ended up wasting the 325$ i paid for the GIAC and honestly I was never impressed with it. My car is also getting the RMW cam installed with the RMW header but has been sitting at Helix since Thursday waiting for a part that Mini had to send from Germany so i havent driven it yet then hopefully getting re-tuned by Jan when he comes back to Philly *cough* hurry up and come back to philly jan*cough*

 

Only you can determine whether or not it's worth the extra hassle and money, as we don't know what your criteria / range / scale of hassle and money is. One person having to drive 6 hours to get an RMW tune may be too much of a hassle, whereas someone else thinks of it as an opportunity to get out for a drive.

It sounds like you appreciate the ease with which you can get the GIAC and the reduced cost. You've done your homework and know that the RMW tune is superior, but it sounds like you're still holding onto the GIAC idea. Just get the GIAC and don't listen to what anyone on here tells you about how good the RMW tune is, as the GIAC apparently is better for you.

 

SlowGSX, those are some great numbers your car put down Don't feel alone as I have developed a pretty nasty cough for a while now ever since deciding I "need" a RMW tune along with a few goodies if I can come up with the money...hehehe. See you in Philly whenever that magical day does come!

Steve

 

Alright, I'm ganna run stock for a while and just deal with it until Jan can get to Florida...I've said that before but angst keeps changing my mind. The dyno sheet sold me.

 

GatorS - I'm glad to see that you've come to your senses. Pay now or pay later, you're gonna want the RMW tune in your car. I'm sure you'll be very happy in the end. Good luck waiting for your fix of RMW, I'm sure the NAM brethren can be a support group for you until then.

 

I think the GIAC is fine for bolt-ons (pulley + injectors = not a significant differfence) , but if I build a head I will be looking into a RMW tune for sure. Cars that I have seen posted gain significant HP's from RMW are more than just a pulley/intake/exhaust, for which universal flashes are not particularly available. However my car does feel pretty good after installing a cam, with GIAC and 19%. When I feel my car has the potential to make some good figures, i'll have to get the RMW tune. Where I am right now, its not that large of a factor power wise.

 

Any differences in gas mileage? I know its a dumb question but I was just curious...

GIAC is also very hard to get information from: I sent them an email asking how customizable their tune is for a new cam and about a week and a half later they write back telling me that they have tunes for various aftermarket VW cams...

 

If you drive normally I've seen no negative change in the fuel mileage but if you run it really hard like a track day it will burn more fuel and that is what making more power is all about. I went ahead and got the JCW injectors and the JCW flash until a Jan tune came close to me and got a nice bump in performance and a bit higher rev limit and had the injectors installed and ready when Jan came around.

 

I saw lower gas milage with the GIAC, about 24-26 mpg mixed driving, but like i said before it was too agressive to my car (even tho it was the right program for my mods). After Jan tuned my car I see about 31mpg. mixed driving, but I'm expecting to see a slight decrease with the cam/header until I get a re-tune

 

I got the GIAC until I could get Jan's tune, the GIAC is an improvement over stock, but Jan's tune is a whole new world, it is THE BEST! Improvements everywhere.

 

OK whatever dude just pull the trigger on the GIAC. You already got opinions and are not listening to them so GET THE GIAC!