Question about Tuning Availability

[ppazz1101]

New guy here. I've searched high and low... on this forum and elsehwere, yet I can't find anything on this issue.

Is there any kind of tuning solution available for the 08 Altima Coupes (3.5SE)? I'm actually considering buying one soon, and would like to know more about what exactly is available. I know they use the VQ35DE, but I have no idea which ECU is used in the Altima.

I'm not looking for canned tunes. I'm wondering more about tuning software (similar to HPTuners or LS2Edit for GM vehicles). Anything out for this ECU application?

Thanks for the input!

[chow]

Im sure there will be reflashes but as of now there arent any.

Remeber this car isnt even a year old yet.. it almost is. Im assuming the aftermarket parts look at the number of sales before they go ahead and make parts. That being said, i THINK the A/C is doing pretty good in sales.

[ppazz1101]

True, it is new. But that's also why I asked which ECU they use in the new 3.5SE coupe. If it's been cracked already, we can expect tuning solutions soon.

For example, I currently own a (rather highly) modified 06 Chevy Cobalt SS. My PCM (E67) is used in a few other GM vehicles: Trailblazer SS, C6 Corvette, GTO, Sky/Solstice, and more. The E67 was already supported by HPTuners before the Cobalt SS came out. HPT was then very quick to release support for the Cobalt application of that particular PCM. We could expect a similar situation if the ECU in the A/C is used in other Nissan vehicles that have tuning solutions available.

I do hope they release a tuning solution... not just a few canned tunes. I'd like the ability to actually tune the car rather than just pop a canned tune on the car. Plus... opens more doors for modifications...

Thanks for the input!

[jungleboogie]

what options would be presented, exactly, in terms of tuning? i mean, specifically, what kind of purpose would such a thing provide? for someone not to provide extensive mods, such as forced inductions, would the benefits outweigh the costs?

[ppazz1101]

It provides a lot of benefits. If you're speaking of the cost to the consumer, it is well worth the cost.

For example, full tuning capabilities provide the ability to dial in the AFR, add/remove timing, play with torque management, and more. In my Cobalt, which has a modified 4T45E automatic transmission, we were able to drop almost a full second in the quarter mile just by tuning for the modifications on the car at the time. We dialed in the MAF settings, added some timing up top, removed torque management/reduction, and even changed the shift points, shift speed, line pressure and more. Granted, there probably won't be much in the way of tuning for the CVT, but all of the ECU tuning concepts still apply.

Adding an intake and full exhaust on these cars is great... and you'll probably see a small increase in HP. But if you're actually able to get into tuning the ECU, you can get a lot more out of the modifications.

[chow]

Well lets look at it another way..

The cobalt SS (supercharged) is proabably meant for the tuning market.Although we enthusiats would love to tune the s**** out of our Altimas, it still is a family sedan base.. Maybe a sports coupe but again FWD.That being said, i dont think the aftermarket will get as big for the A/C as say, Civic's, RSX type S and all those fun "racey" type vehicles.

AND, do you really want to spend 32k on an A/C and then buy an ECU that most likely voids all warranty? Remeber its a new car and if you check the boards, there are a few problems with the car. :S your call.

[ppazz1101]

Well lets look at it another way..

The cobalt SS (supercharged) is proabably meant for the tuning market.Although we enthusiats would love to tune the s**** out of our Altimas, it still is a family sedan base.. Maybe a sports coupe but again FWD.That being said, i dont think the aftermarket will get as big for the A/C as say, Civic's, RSX type S and all those fun "racey" type vehicles.

AND, do you really want to spend 32k on an A/C and then buy an ECU that most likely voids all warranty? Remeber its a new car and if you check the boards, there are a few problems with the car. :S your call.

Very valid points. While the car isn't meant for the "tuner" market, it shares at least a motor with a car that is (350Z). Hence why I ask if anyone knows which ECU is used. The Cobalt SS (non supercharged, which is what mine is) benefited from the aftermarket for the Corvette and GTO, both of which share the same ECU, but run a different OS.

As far as warranty goes, it's not much of an issue with a full tuning solution. You're not replacing the ECU, just retuning it. If you put a "canned tune" on the ECU, it is detectable by the dealer. With a tuning solution, you can always load a stock tune back on the ECU. Another benefit of having the full solution. Although, in my personal experience, the dealer shops rarely check the ECU for modification.

[mcheddadi]

Very valid points. While the car isn't meant for the "tuner" market, it shares at least a motor with a car that is (350Z). Hence why I ask if anyone knows which ECU is used. The Cobalt SS (non supercharged, which is what mine is) benefited from the aftermarket for the Corvette and GTO, both of which share the same ECU, but run a different OS.

As far as warranty goes, it's not much of an issue with a full tuning solution. You're not replacing the ECU, just retuning it. If you put a "canned tune" on the ECU, it is detectable by the dealer. With a tuning solution, you can always load a stock tune back on the ECU. Another benefit of having the full solution. Although, in my personal experience, the dealer shops rarely check the ECU for modification.

there is a ECU tunning chip thingy, it's only for the 6MT and supposedly it removes rev limiter and speed governor and does other neat tricks:

FEATURES:

REV limiter modificationWe found that with the ECU upgrade, more power can be gained with a higher rev limiter. A 7100 RPM (stock 6600 RPM) rev limit is set to take advantage of top end horsepower, while still providing a safe protection for the motor.

Speed Limiter RemovalThe stock speed limiter of 236 km/h (148 mph) has been removed.

Ignition Timing Map AdjustedThere wasn’t much room for improvement at the bottom end since the ECU retards a lot of timing by using a feed back system in stock trim. So, we have added more timing at the mid range - high end to take additional advantage of higher-octane gasoline. This aids in improving torque from 3000 rpm and up.

Fuel Map AdjustedStock fuel was set to detune the top end horsepower. We discovered that the car runs extremely rich after 5000 rpm. Air to Fuel ratio (A/F) of 10.8 was found right before the stock rev limiter kicks in. Cleary, Nissan was trying to detune the power output at higher rpm to discourage the driver from hitting the rev limiter. For the performance enthusiasts, however, this is unsatisfactory, so we set the A/F to 12.5 all the way to redline to provide adequate power gain while still maintaining a safe margin.

Drive By Wire AdjustmentThrought our testing we found, the drive by wire system was program to never fully open (throttle flap) when you smash the accelerator pedal. In fact, it actually closes the closer you get to the rev limiter, by as much as 20%. This restricts air into the motor and causes HP and Torque numbers to go down. We have remapped this setup so when you go wide open throttle, the throttle flap fully opens and STAYS OPEN, increasing HP and Torque.

there's the thread :zer...93087

[ppazz1101]

Yeah that thread deals with what I referred to as a "canned tune". It's a preconfigured tune that addresses some of the factory tuned "safe range parameters".

I'm asking about the ability to perform custom tuning. But good info nonetheless. Thanks!

[GeoLafair]

I think what they are trying to say is, if you want a tuner car, get the 350Z.

BTW why would you wanna trade a Cobalt SS in on an Altima? Having a family soon? If not, wouldn't the 350Z be more of an upgrade?

[ppazz1101]

I think what they are trying to say is, if you want a tuner car, get the 350Z.

BTW why would you wanna trade a Cobalt SS in on an Altima? Having a family soon? If not, wouldn't the 350Z be more of an upgrade?

The Cobalt is fun, but it's just not a nice daily driver for someone that commutes 52 miles for work 5 days a week. It's fairly modified, and therefore is a REALLY rough ride. Besides, its interior doesn't hold a candle to the Altima interior.

I've been considering a Z, but a RWD car is certainly not a prime candidate for a daily driver in Pittsburgh. I could get a beater backup car for snowy days... but I don't know.

I'm not really considering the Altima a tuner car. I just wanted to know if there are any tuning programs out that would allow me to squeeze a little extra out of the daily driver.

[AltiCoupeDriver]

Hello fellow Pittsburgher! Don't mind the Compton bit, didn't think I'd be too active on here. I also have a 350Z and it definitely isn't a candidate for a daily driver around here. Had a G35 right before the A/C for about a month and made the switch to FWD. I think that there is definitely a possibility for you to find what you're looking for, but it may take some time because the A/C is pretty new to the scene. Have you ever heard of Apex Racing in Wexford? They specialize in Japanese and European imports. Give them a call and see what they can do for you!

[GeoLafair]

You're looking to modify an ECM, but you are buying the car because you want a comfy daily driver?

Do you even understand what you would want to change on the stock ECM?

BTW nothing snow tires and a little common sense won't fix as far as RWD and winter. It is nothing like what it used to be, a lot of people drive their RWD cars in winter. Just figure I would toss that out there if RWD + Winter is the only thing stopping you from a 350Z vs Altima.

[ppazz1101]

You're looking to modify an ECM, but you are buying the car because you want a comfy daily driver?

Do you even understand what you would want to change on the stock ECM?

Haha... modifying the ECM doesn't mean it'll be a nasty drive. I think the question is: Do YOU understand what I want to change on the stock ECM?

Changing things like timing and MAF tuning (assuming the car uses a MAF sensor and not just MAP) aren't going to give you a rough ride.