Trifecta eco vs performance boost levels explained

Austin9991 · Aug 24, 2014

I'm not sure if this was brought up previously, but someone posted about a concern recently that his cruze was hitting the same peak boost levels in both eco mode and performance mode, and was asking why eco mode didn't have lower boost levels.

This is Trifecta's official response to this question (when I asked them):

"The boost level in Eco mode may reach the same levels as Performance mode, but will require more throttle input to do so. The Eco mode is designed to assist the driver in not commanding as much boost under “normal” driving conditions, but if you use a lot of pedal in Eco mode, it will still go to similar boost levels, depending on locale, and other environmental conditions."

Hopefully this clears things up for other users that may be unaware!

GM Master Tech · Aug 24, 2014

I have to say a eco tune makes no sense what so ever to me. The Vtuner gives you a eco type tune to. I never tryed it myself just cant see not useing the full power tune all the time. I get about 2 more MPGs with the full power 93 octane tune anyway.I am able to cruise running a fair amount more timeing than stock. I drive with a light foot but i guess if you need to use a lower octane fuel ECO may be good.Pretty sure Vtuners eco tune cuts boost back to.I think its only a little more than stock.

Austin9991 · Aug 24, 2014

GM Master Tech said:
I have to say a eco tune makes no sense what so ever to me. The Vtuner gives you a eco type tune to. I never tryed it myself just cant see not useing the full power tune all the time. I get about 2 more MPGs with the full power 93 octane tune anyway.I am able to cruise running a fair amount more timeing than stock. I drive with a light foot but i guess if you need to use a lower octane fuel ECO may be good.Pretty sure Vtuners eco tune cuts boost back to.I think its only a little more than stock.

I completely disagreed with what you just said, UNTIL I installed and used the trifecta tune for a while. The main reason for going with trifecta over vtuner for me was that they had the ability to run a high mpg eco mode and a high performance mode interchangeably by cruise control switch or the shifter, without needing to upload a separate tune like vtuner.

After driving with trifecta for a while I can say I don't notice a huge difference between the two modes. As stated above it definitely takes more throttle input to really get up and accelerate in eco mode, but driving in performance mode with a light foot (if I can manage to lol) achieves the same mpg rating for me. And there is no difference on the highway. I like my trifecta tune a lot so far. I have seen slow data log response times so far, but they are a big and busy company. I do have to wonder if vtuner could've given me a little more power with a more dialed in tune.

poodok · Aug 24, 2014

We need a trifecta tune info sticky. Mods?

The other thread was "Trifecta tune issue".

Austin9991 · Aug 24, 2014

poodok said:
We need a trifecta tune info sticky. Mods?

The other thread was "Trifecta tune issue".

Thank you for the thread name. I just replied to it you'd think I would remember the name

I would be more than happy to compile info from this post and others to either add to my original post or start a new thread for a sticky. Mod opinions?

GM Master Tech · Aug 24, 2014

I guess its all in what you like.I have no interest in being able to switch a tune back and forth myself.I can switch with the hand held in less than a min if i wanted to.But i wouldnt even do that.And yes as far as power goes i do think Vtuner can get you slightly more power.His base tune is more or less a very safe tune for 91 octane and 93 octane.So if he spends the time dialing you in for just 93 its more or less a custom tune with a little more output.he does offer to tune for just 91 or 93 octane. So the offer is there.And its no crazy endless waits to do it either.Just a few data logs is about it.I know he told me there is a 10 HP differance between useing 91 and 93 octane.Some will say thats no true.But the vtuner did all the dyno testing and i believe him on this one.

Austin9991 · Aug 24, 2014

If I didn't already have trifecta I'd probably reconsider. I just wonder why trifecta can't hit the power numbers vtuner can. They also seem less willing to tune only 93 octane, saying their tune self adjusts based on octane you use or something. For example on my data log I asked if there was anywhere he could squeeze more power from and I believe my response was basically "everything looks great" Lol.

Also trifecta won't tell me my ecm calculated hp/tq numbers.

"Trifecta doesn't usually provide hp/tq numbers as ECM calculated numbers are not reliable so they do no not like to provide them."

Merc6 · Aug 24, 2014

I can tell the difference between the 2. I can't set off tc in ECO mode and I don't have a touchy throttle input in stop and go traffic. When I need to pass up 6 cars on a 2 lane 50 mph NJ road where the 1st car is doing 38, I can flick the switch and have that race tune there to get up and go. I can get good mpg in race but it's less inspiring to rev past 2600 in ECO.

Austin9991 · Aug 24, 2014

Merc6 said:
I can tell the difference between the 2. I can't set off tc in ECO mode and I don't have a touchy throttle input in stop and go traffic. When I need to pass up 6 cars on a 2 lane 50 mph NJ road where the 1st car is doing 38, I can flick the switch and have that race tune there to get up and go. I can get good mpg in race but it's less inspiring to rev past 2600 in ECO.

Perhaps the eco tune may affect the car differently if it is a manual. If I gas it in eco I can get it to accelerate pretty quick. Sure performance mode is a lot less hesitant to downshift and use the turbo, I just find that in my auto there's not a giant difference. Any other trifecta tuned autos want to chime in??

GM Master Tech · Aug 24, 2014

Trifecta is into making there life easy if you hear me.They could have given you the calculated HP and TQ numbers easy.I was also told by someone and not Vtuner.That if you view what is changed in the ECM.Vtuner changes a lot more content in the ECM than Trifecta does.Before i tuned my car i spent a lot of time looking into Trifecta and Vtuner.I work on a lot of these cars.And mine for one has to run perfect.And if i suggest Tunning to a customer it has to be perfect with no problems or waits.And no i dont push tunning on anyone.Only if someone is interested because of my car is about it.Plus i dont want anyone beating there cars to death with it either.A normal sane driver realizing they need to run 91 or 93 octane works

Austin9991 · Aug 24, 2014

I just don't get it I guess. We paid a decent sum of money to have the car tuned, yet they have no interest in optimizing said tune. If only we had some comparable dyno runs between the two companies to see the differences.

GM Master Tech · Aug 24, 2014

ECM calculated numbers are very accurate.Or lets say darn close.They are based on claculations programed into the ECM from a 1.4T engine running on a dyno.They are flywheel out put numbers.

nick993 · Aug 24, 2014

Tech are those power numbers in your sig with just a tune or other modifications as well? I Bought a used hand held programmer and can't wait to get vtuner to tune it for my VIN.

obermd · Aug 24, 2014

Austin9991 said:
If I didn't already have trifecta I'd probably reconsider. I just wonder why trifecta can't hit the power numbers vtuner can. They also seem less willing to tune only 93 octane, saying their tune self adjusts based on octane you use or something. For example on my data log I asked if there was anywhere he could squeeze more power from and I believe my response was basically "everything looks great" Lol.

Also trifecta won't tell me my ecm calculated hp/tq numbers.

"Trifecta doesn't usually provide hp/tq numbers as ECM calculated numbers are not reliable so they do no not like to provide them."

Trifecta has two tunes. It sounds like you have their "budge" tune that will allow the car to run on 87 with the tune. The Trifecta performance tune requires 91 octane and, if I am correct, hits the same HP and torque numbers as vTuners. As for their reluctance to provide the ECM calculated numbers I fully agree. We have had members retrieve those numbers and they are very different from the numbers put down at the drive wheels.

Merc6 · Aug 24, 2014

My car doesn't run well on 87 before a tune and I was already used to paying 93 octane prices on a car that got 17 city and 28 highway. Besides right now where I am in NJ, I always use shell 93 no ethanol.

sciphi · Aug 24, 2014

Being a MT, the two modes of my (customized) Trifecta tune are quite different. That being said, there are a few times when the lower-power mode will hit high boost levels, and the higher-power mode won't get above 16-17 PSI. It's not often, and usually has something to do with weather conditions and requested power output. In the dead of winter I rarely see over 17 PSI since it doesn't need to boost to 19 PSI to hit that power figure.

Trifecta can make a tune that is similar in feel and power to a Vtuner tune. The two tunes do feel quite a bit different in their power delivery. Trifecta is a kick in the pants at 3000 RPM, while Vtuner is more linear in power delivery.

GM Master Tech · Aug 24, 2014

For nick993 The 178HP/201TQ numbers are computer predicted at the flywheel.And yes your going to see less at the wheels on the dyno.The car is stock with just a K&N panel filter.The tune is a aggressive 93 octane tune with more timing and slightly more boost.Running more timing makes more power.I assume my own risk with the tune..Because it is at upper limits of being on the edge for 93 octane.Both Trifecta and Vtuner offer safe tunes.They are not interested in blowing motors or transmissions up. Base tunning has to be safe on 91 and 93 octane

Austin9991 · Aug 24, 2014

obermd said:
Trifecta has two tunes. It sounds like you have their "budge" tune that will allow the car to run on 87 with the tune. The Trifecta performance tune requires 91 octane and, if I am correct, hits the same HP and torque numbers as vTuners. As for their reluctance to provide the ECM calculated numbers I fully agree. We have had members retrieve those numbers and they are very different from the numbers put down at the drive wheels.

I have the Trifecta premium 93 octane tune.

And the ECM calculated numbers are closest in relation to the flywheel hp/tq, so a dyno would definitely differ from those numbers. If I understand that then why should they care if they tell me? oh well.

Merc6 · Aug 25, 2014

Austin9991 said:
I have the Trifecta premium 93 octane tune.

If you got the tune we all got in the GB then it's "safe to run" 87 with it. People who buy this car are not always going to be willing to run 91-93 so this tune and car in general is still worth it. I would never let anyone borrow my Subaru as it's not a 87 tuned car. Piston #4 will cause $5000 in damage if you tried to cheap out with 87. I also picked this because the car counts how many times you reflash it even if you are transparently putting tunes to it. If I literally counted my race to ECO and back tunes on this last 1100 road trip, it would be well into 30 or more due to heavy rain and open stretches of road when dry.

GM Master Tech · Aug 26, 2014

I personally would not run 87 if the car is tuned.As Vtuner says don't rely on the low octane mapping.Engine ping will happen until it stays in low octane mapping.

Trifecta eco vs performance boost levels explained

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