[Thebigzeus]

I like this idea, I think we should also post cost as that can be a big determining factor.

I want to start this off by saying this is my opinion and an unbiased and honest review.


BNR Autocal Tune $600: BNRTUNE-CRUZE14-BNR Tune 2011-2016 Limited Chevrolet Cruze 1

2013 Cruze 1LT
1.4L
Automatic
195HP on auto cal, assumed 170WHP
ZZP downpipe | Forge wastegate actuator | Forge atmospheric bypass valve | MSD Coil | ZZP Big 3 kit

I have the older BNR EFILive BNR tune, they now offer HP Tuners. They are the same tune, but different technologies. To start off with, they send you a base tune. You flash this onto your vehicle and gather a log to send back to them. They will then analyze the log and make changes if needed. I didn’t need to have any done. The base tune makes a ridiculous amount of power over stock and your butt dyno will immediately know.

They offer retunes for no cost as well as for mods. My experience when requesting custom tunes has been about 50/50. I requested a higher PSI tune and it worked ok, but went into limp mode/overboost a lot. Enough to not be drivable enjoyable. The Eco tune I requested though is great! I noticed quite the increase in misfires on their tune versus stock, I assume this is due to timing and them advancing it to get more power, they assure me it is no issue. It’s usually under mid acceleration or after letting off the throttle from wide open.

I get better MPG on all of their tunes versus stock, even pushing 20PSI. I currently am running their normal canned base tune and it’s fine. If you floor it, it will spin the tires a bit in first and bark the tires when shifting to second (2nd gear scratch). Which to an automobile nut, is quite desirable 😃

Their response time on tunes is normally at least 2 weeks and all the way up to a month. To some this is an acceptable window, but to me it really isn’t. I love the power, but the tune replies are pretty much rushed and lacking. You can’t ask quesitons and just receive a new file and are told to load it up. I get it they’re busy, but a little more smoothness around the edges would be nice; as well as a faster response time. If you are marketing yourself as offering updates for free, they should be a bit more timely.

In the end they get the job done, and that is how some companies operate. I am not disappointed in any way.

 

[Thebigzeus]

How does that work? By that theory you would be making horsepower at the wheels by reving it in park...

Look at this wise guy here

 

[Thebigzeus]

Just to confirm, you only made 135 or so HP with trifecta tune? I have to be reading something wrong... On 8/31 graph.

 

[Thebigzeus]

I started at 109 on 87 octane - stock, then went to 119 on 93 octane stock to 135 on 93 octane with the Trifecta elite tune. So 135 -109 = 21 HP gain is not bad.

Sorry, that sounds terrible.

 

[Thebigzeus]

To be fair, How many of us have actually dyno'ed our cars to verify our tuner's claims of 30+ HP from their calibrations are true?

I know I haven't.

I can guarantee you my BNR tune makes more than that. No question. Butt dyno also confirms it.

 

[Thebigzeus]

You must have a sensitive butt.

😏

 

[Thebigzeus]

Put your money where your mouth is! Let's see the sheets.

it’s still dark out. When I wake up I’ll take a pic before I throw them in the washer.

 

[Thebigzeus]

I'll hold you to it!

As requested.

 

[Thebigzeus]

That sounds weird considering I run their 20psi tune on a stock turbo.

 

[Thebigzeus]

This is the 1st ZZP tuning review we've had. Would you allow me to reformat it?

@Blasirl @jblackburn Can I move this further up in the thread with the other reviews?

Super moderator, you don’t need the other peasants approval…

 

[Thebigzeus]

Do you want me editing your non-vulgar posts without permission?

I guess I should have asked how to do it.

vulgar*

 

[Thebigzeus]

Yeah, ZZP results are few and far between. Not sure where all the BNR tuned dyno's are. BNR told me the BNR GTX250 will produce 230-250whp on 93 octane pump gas, with the ZZP turbo making 200WHP on E85. Is this accurate or just pushing their numbers for marketing? I have only seen one dyno recently with the GTX making 177.25 HP other than BNR's dyno's on their website. Comments on that were that it's not accurate 🤷‍♂️

Are you on the BNR performance closed group facebook? There are some posted there.

 

[Thebigzeus]

This is from ZZP's website. According to this the car the had on their dyno made 232 HP and 229 FT-LB Torque on E85 with a V3.

View attachment 292392

That’s on E85 of course… Gotta remember that.

 

[Thebigzeus]

I know. He commented BNR told him the the V3 would only make 200 HP on E85.

Oh, ya that’s incorrect, 200 on pump gas for sure.

 

[Thebigzeus]

It seems like BNR probably makes a superior product, but personally I couldn't justify the cost.

Yep, I think so too without a doubt. If the cost was like $1200-1300 for the BNR I would be all over it. I'm not a cheap person, but I just can't justify the ROI of $1700+ injectors.

 

[Thebigzeus]

I'm going to go ahead and say this is how the V3 is produced, given it is listed on the site. Chinese casting, but ZZP does all the rest of the work, so...

Given the massive quality increase in Chinese housings in recent years, and the fact all the critical processes are done at ZZP, I'd say it's a nonissue.

Certainly a possibility, failure ratio of course depends on how many they sell too. If we see 6 failures a month and they sell 1000 turbos, that of course not as bad as 6 a month where they sold 10 turbos.

And Jerry I get your points, you are a business and need to make a profit. Yours are of no doubt higher quality, but to me when I factor the price of the car, and how much I, personally, would spend on upgrades, it exceeds that. Obviously for some it doesn’t, I have the funds, if it were a $30k car I’d invest that in a heartbeat. Based upon what I’ve seen I won’t be buying a ZZP V3 either.

 

[Thebigzeus]

Any links to these failures your refering to ? I'd like some info.

BNR Performance Discussion | Facebook

This group was created as a place for BNR customers to discuss mods they've done to their cars and BNR products. Members can add anyone they want but keep it to people that will contribute something...

www.facebook.com