Hello 4C fellas,
As most of you know, among other projects we were also working on GMS Stage I ECU tune for Alfa Romeo 4C. We are a bit late to the game with all the different tunes flooding the market, but I wanted a map to fully utilize my current supporting power mods (GMS 3" exhaust, GMS prototype CAI, Scara73 intercooler), so we decided to go with our own tune.
GMS Stage I engine tune, was developed in cooperation with tuning company Reprog, specialized in Fiat, Abarth and Alfa Romeo, owned and run by Dario L. in Italy, Torino. The tune extracts potent and reliable power and torque figures from 1.75 TBi 4C engine.
Arguably the ultimate engine tune on the market, for stock or lightly tuned Alfa Romeo - 4C engine. Why? Because we believe there is more to an engine tune than just dyno horsepower chart.
Our tune reduces mid range turbo surge. All the engine tunes we have tested and compared, were providing maximum turbo boost ASAP but the restrictive exhaust and limited engine head flow caused so much backpressure that turbo surge was noticeable in the low-mid range. Boosting more air into the engine than it can take and choking the turbo is useless and it's affecting turbo life.
We have reduced lower rpm boost to flatten torque and decrease torque spikes for extended transmission life. We have revised camshaft overlapping for reduced EGR effect, lower combustion temperatures and more peak power at higher rpm range. We have optimized boost for higher peak power, with expected power of up to 280hp on 100% stock engine and up to 334hp with supporting mods (GMS 3" exhaust system, Scara73 intercooler or Eurcompulsion intercooler - haven't tested). We have revised and set higher RPM limit at 7250 for wider powerband coming strong out of the corners. We have provided optional high flow cat / decat option (no check engine light) and fuel overrun option for GMS signature throttle lift off exhaust sound effects. Ignition timing is optimized to run with 98 RON or 93 AKI or higher fuel grade. For user with only lower grade fuels available, custom map can be provided upon request.
So what are the power figures? Well this is something we can argue about in endless discussions. Measurements will vary from dyno to dyno, ambient conditions, drivetrain powerloss etc. Low power figures won't sell the products and high power figures will leave you disappointed when you will go for independent dyno measurement or loose against same hp car, so I'll try to be as objective as possible.
We were using a braked dyno, able to simulate road resistance and used efficient fan blowers directed into the intercooler. Ambient temperature was between 10°C - 15°C. We could say that conditions were perfect, not something you get on a hot track day.
Stock 4C (stock ECU) - 345 Nm, 246 hp
Stock 4C (GMS Stage I ECU) - 421 Nm, 300 hp
Modded 4C (GMS Stage I ECU + GMS 3" Modular exhaust w/ decat + Scara73 Intercooler + GMS prototype CAI) - 423 Nm, 334 hp
This were the max values we got on first pulls when intake air temperature (IAT) was low and no heat soak has yet affected the car. I would call this dyno queen car runs. After a few pulls the power is down and keeps falling down, hand in hand with increasing IAT, which in one test case, where we ran without external fan, got as high as 70°C. At this IAT temps, no engine map will yield anywhere near 300hp as the ECU starts retarding the timing as much as it can to prevent engine knocking. This I would call the worst case scenario run. Let's say a hot track day with extreme ambient temps and a cover over side flank intake ducts. Probably not gonna happen but to get the idea between ideal and not so ideal conditions. We are talking about 40-50hp difference here only due to different conditions, not to mention the importance of fuel quality. So what's the point?
Well the point is to offer an engine map that will extract the most out of our 4C engines and do that safely, without major mods. You can run it on a completely stock 4C, getting 300hp on a short dyno pull is doable, but the car just won't stay at 300hp due to too many restrictions (stock exhaust, stock intercooler) causing high IAT. Still on a trackday or backroads blast, running stable at about 270-280hp is a decent gain over stock tune and with optional burble it will get grin on your face everytime you release the throttle, for sure. If you are more track focused user and want to extract the most out of your 4C without too much of involvement then GMS Stage I tune with supporting mods of GMS 3" exhaust (decat in my case) and uprated aftermarket intercooler (Scara73 in my case) will push out up to 340hp in perfect conditions. On a track on a hot day you are probably looking into 290-300hp figures or perhaps a bit more with proper control of IAT. With GMS free flowing and wrapped 3" exhaust, GMS carbon side scoops and GMS carbon rear cooling hatch you can lower the engine bay temps, increase intercooler flow, decrease backpressure and while this sounds pretty much as a marketing, in the end it all adds up whether you like it or not. I do what I believe and my engineering understanding tells me it is right. I tune my car for myself in first place. Selling and making a revenue from sold parts is a bonus, allowing me / us / GMS further development. Some like us some not, I take that as a gift. A gift to compete, to get better, to work harder. It's a gift I thank motorsport gods for. We are the only on the market offering some unique solutions not available elsewhere and more are to come. I wanted the same with ECU tuning. I was running Alfaworks Stage I ECU and I was very happy with it, I'd recommend it to everyone, but as probably Jamie doesn't run GMS parts, neither I wouldn't Jamie's if at the time I had a chance to have our own tune, but I didn't back then. Well, the time has come, so I pushed the button. I couldn't do it myself so I connected with the people who can.
Now back to the red string. Whichever tune you run, you will end in the mentioned ballpark of the hp let it be GMS, Eurocompulsion, Scara73, Alfaworks or perhaps some other. It depends on your mechanical hardware, fuel grade and ambient conditions. Spending money on GMS Stage I ECU tune on a stock car that already has other ECU tune is probably useless unless you do it for overrun feature or because you like our products. For true gains, get the exhaust flowing, get intercooler working and get your engine bay well vented. It will do magic to hp figures.
Some say 0-100km/h is valid, others say dyno is, third say 100-200km/h is valid. Everything is valid if you ask me, but everything can be manipulated as well. For me lap times matter. GMS 4C will run same tracks, same driver, we'll see. We already proved in a past that we are competitive and I believe this upgrade won't slow us down either.
Thank you for your time guys and stay cool.
Regards,
Rudi
Here is the dyno run compilation and the strongest pull graph:
As most of you know, among other projects we were also working on GMS Stage I ECU tune for Alfa Romeo 4C. We are a bit late to the game with all the different tunes flooding the market, but I wanted a map to fully utilize my current supporting power mods (GMS 3" exhaust, GMS prototype CAI, Scara73 intercooler), so we decided to go with our own tune.
GMS Stage I engine tune, was developed in cooperation with tuning company Reprog, specialized in Fiat, Abarth and Alfa Romeo, owned and run by Dario L. in Italy, Torino. The tune extracts potent and reliable power and torque figures from 1.75 TBi 4C engine.
Arguably the ultimate engine tune on the market, for stock or lightly tuned Alfa Romeo - 4C engine. Why? Because we believe there is more to an engine tune than just dyno horsepower chart.
Our tune reduces mid range turbo surge. All the engine tunes we have tested and compared, were providing maximum turbo boost ASAP but the restrictive exhaust and limited engine head flow caused so much backpressure that turbo surge was noticeable in the low-mid range. Boosting more air into the engine than it can take and choking the turbo is useless and it's affecting turbo life.
We have reduced lower rpm boost to flatten torque and decrease torque spikes for extended transmission life. We have revised camshaft overlapping for reduced EGR effect, lower combustion temperatures and more peak power at higher rpm range. We have optimized boost for higher peak power, with expected power of up to 280hp on 100% stock engine and up to 334hp with supporting mods (GMS 3" exhaust system, Scara73 intercooler or Eurcompulsion intercooler - haven't tested). We have revised and set higher RPM limit at 7250 for wider powerband coming strong out of the corners. We have provided optional high flow cat / decat option (no check engine light) and fuel overrun option for GMS signature throttle lift off exhaust sound effects. Ignition timing is optimized to run with 98 RON or 93 AKI or higher fuel grade. For user with only lower grade fuels available, custom map can be provided upon request.
So what are the power figures? Well this is something we can argue about in endless discussions. Measurements will vary from dyno to dyno, ambient conditions, drivetrain powerloss etc. Low power figures won't sell the products and high power figures will leave you disappointed when you will go for independent dyno measurement or loose against same hp car, so I'll try to be as objective as possible.
We were using a braked dyno, able to simulate road resistance and used efficient fan blowers directed into the intercooler. Ambient temperature was between 10°C - 15°C. We could say that conditions were perfect, not something you get on a hot track day.
Stock 4C (stock ECU) - 345 Nm, 246 hp
Stock 4C (GMS Stage I ECU) - 421 Nm, 300 hp
Modded 4C (GMS Stage I ECU + GMS 3" Modular exhaust w/ decat + Scara73 Intercooler + GMS prototype CAI) - 423 Nm, 334 hp
This were the max values we got on first pulls when intake air temperature (IAT) was low and no heat soak has yet affected the car. I would call this dyno queen car runs. After a few pulls the power is down and keeps falling down, hand in hand with increasing IAT, which in one test case, where we ran without external fan, got as high as 70°C. At this IAT temps, no engine map will yield anywhere near 300hp as the ECU starts retarding the timing as much as it can to prevent engine knocking. This I would call the worst case scenario run. Let's say a hot track day with extreme ambient temps and a cover over side flank intake ducts. Probably not gonna happen but to get the idea between ideal and not so ideal conditions. We are talking about 40-50hp difference here only due to different conditions, not to mention the importance of fuel quality. So what's the point?
Well the point is to offer an engine map that will extract the most out of our 4C engines and do that safely, without major mods. You can run it on a completely stock 4C, getting 300hp on a short dyno pull is doable, but the car just won't stay at 300hp due to too many restrictions (stock exhaust, stock intercooler) causing high IAT. Still on a trackday or backroads blast, running stable at about 270-280hp is a decent gain over stock tune and with optional burble it will get grin on your face everytime you release the throttle, for sure. If you are more track focused user and want to extract the most out of your 4C without too much of involvement then GMS Stage I tune with supporting mods of GMS 3" exhaust (decat in my case) and uprated aftermarket intercooler (Scara73 in my case) will push out up to 340hp in perfect conditions. On a track on a hot day you are probably looking into 290-300hp figures or perhaps a bit more with proper control of IAT. With GMS free flowing and wrapped 3" exhaust, GMS carbon side scoops and GMS carbon rear cooling hatch you can lower the engine bay temps, increase intercooler flow, decrease backpressure and while this sounds pretty much as a marketing, in the end it all adds up whether you like it or not. I do what I believe and my engineering understanding tells me it is right. I tune my car for myself in first place. Selling and making a revenue from sold parts is a bonus, allowing me / us / GMS further development. Some like us some not, I take that as a gift. A gift to compete, to get better, to work harder. It's a gift I thank motorsport gods for. We are the only on the market offering some unique solutions not available elsewhere and more are to come. I wanted the same with ECU tuning. I was running Alfaworks Stage I ECU and I was very happy with it, I'd recommend it to everyone, but as probably Jamie doesn't run GMS parts, neither I wouldn't Jamie's if at the time I had a chance to have our own tune, but I didn't back then. Well, the time has come, so I pushed the button. I couldn't do it myself so I connected with the people who can.
Now back to the red string. Whichever tune you run, you will end in the mentioned ballpark of the hp let it be GMS, Eurocompulsion, Scara73, Alfaworks or perhaps some other. It depends on your mechanical hardware, fuel grade and ambient conditions. Spending money on GMS Stage I ECU tune on a stock car that already has other ECU tune is probably useless unless you do it for overrun feature or because you like our products. For true gains, get the exhaust flowing, get intercooler working and get your engine bay well vented. It will do magic to hp figures.
Some say 0-100km/h is valid, others say dyno is, third say 100-200km/h is valid. Everything is valid if you ask me, but everything can be manipulated as well. For me lap times matter. GMS 4C will run same tracks, same driver, we'll see. We already proved in a past that we are competitive and I believe this upgrade won't slow us down either.
Thank you for your time guys and stay cool.
Regards,
Rudi
Here is the dyno run compilation and the strongest pull graph: