Owning a UTV is often more than just riding around with friends. Many owners modify their UTV as they would a show car. What is commonly missing on those builds are raw power and performance. Sometimes owners will build a machine to look good but still lack in the performance department.
One thing people often overlook is the tuning of their machine from the factory. The engine is typically de-tuned to prevent catastrophic engine failures from happening. What isn’t disclosed is that the engine can actually handle much more than what it is putting out from the factory.
In most cases, owners can find a significant power increase just from tuning the stock engine. Being as most UTV’s feature a turbocharger, the boost pressure is easily raised and fuel trims adjusted to compensate for the extra air now entering the engine. In naturally aspirated applications the fuel mixture and timing play a massive role in the performance.
1.) Increased Throttle Response
Tuning a UTV can make a remarkable difference to the throttle response. Increasing the fuel input produces stronger combustion which in turn allows the throttle to be instant. With such an increase,making tight corners that require throttle control becomes a breeze as there is no longer a delay from when the pedal is pushed down. This can be a massive help for those who race and need to be on throttle going through corners and have an instantaneous response.
Along with increased fuel input, the electronic throttle body is programmed to open sooner. The factory programming for the throttle body is ramped to prevent the valve from opening too fast. This causes a delay in the accelerator which can become a problem for those who are racing.
When it comes to racing, every second counts. Waiting for the throttle body to open coming out of a corner can be a fraction of the second slower than your competitor. An ECU flash eliminates this issue giving you the advantage during the race while still being completely within regulation.
2.) Raised Limiters
The rev and speed limiters are put in place from the factory to prevent novice drivers from getting seriously hurt. Being a novice also means you aren’t aware of your RPMS. Since most machines utilize a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) there are no gears to shift. Because of this the engine can reach maximum RPMS immediately, but won’t exceed a certain limit.
For those that are experienced, limiters can become a burden as the RPM range is very wide when decelerating which can leave the machine at an undesirable RPM when cornering. Speed limiters are raised to suite racers that need the extra miles per hour to keep charging ahead.
Raising the RPM limiter will increase the overall power without risking damage to the engine. With the increased RPM there are still factory failsafe’s programmed in to prevent damage which gives racers the confidence to push their machine as hard as they can.
3.) Considerable Power Gains
With forced induction applications, increased power is easily achieved by raising the boost levels and making other minor adjustments. As a result of raised boost pressure, more power is pumped out which gives owners better response when going uphill.
Due to torque typically being low in the factory form, UTV’s can use escalated torque to breeze through those inclined trails. An increase in power will also provide owners with faster launches, acceleration, and top speeds. If you are planning on adding modifications in the future, the tune will adjust accordingly to the specific component.
Boost pressure is not the only variable changed while tuning an engine. The ignition timing is advanced or retarded to provide maximum efficiency while running. Fuel mixture also plays an important role in the performance of the machine.
4.) Flashing Back To Factory
Many owners are constantly thinking of the resale value of their UTV after some time. Before selling a machine, owners typically want to condition it back to its stock form so the next owner has a clean slate to start from. Since the ECU is flash tuned, it can easily be reverted back to stock at any point if you have the correct tuning kit that allows it.
For those that mail in their ECU, it will need to be mailed back in or taken to a local shop to have the factory tune flashed back on. This also allows the machine to be serviced at a dealership without a trace of the tune. Flying under the radar is just as important as increasing the power output.
Removing a modification is sometimes a difficult task especially when something was altered to fit the new part. With an ECU flash tune, everything is digital and requires no modification to the machine itself for the tune to function properly.
5.) FUN
The fun never ends when there is a considerable increase in power. Having the engine working at its maximum efficiency will give you a smile you can’t wipe away. Planting the pedal against the floor can induce a thrill you possibly might never experience again.
Once you tune your machine, you will never want to go back to stock as you will notice all your favorite trails are now going uphill in loose dirt which a stock machine can’t handle. The increase in power is more than enough to satisfy any speed demon.
Improving the overall efficiency of the machine means maximum speed and response through tight corners and a sheer rush during the straights. Many modifications can improve one aspect or another on any UTV. When it comes to a tune though, nothing beats the accessibility and features of one simple modification.
Learn More and Purchase Your VR Tuned UTV Flashes Here!
Tuning alone can yield great success with any machine. Increasing the power within the factory limits will provide instant throttle response, a significant increase in power/ torque, and endless fun to go around for hours on end. Tuning is completely 100% safe and reliable. If you have any questions regarding our tunes, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]
If you have any questions, please contact us. You can reach us by phone at 1-480-966-3040 or via email at [email protected]
