An ECU tune reprograms your side-by-side’s computer to make your engine behave differently. It can reprogram it to change RPM or speed limiters, adjust spark timings, and make many other changes to eek out more performance from your machine. It can be installed in just a few minutes—no computer or engine experience required—and it boosts your machine’s performance across the board.
When you buy a handheld tuner and tune from us, the tune lives on the USB flash drive. You have to copy the tune from the flash drive using the on-screen prompts, and then use the tuner to flash your ECU.
There are a few reasons why you might not be getting the results you expect.
1. The tune isn’t for your machine.
ECU tunes only work for very specific machines. People often order for the wrong year, or they order for the NorthStar Edition instead of a standard Ranger for example. Double-check your make, model, and year before ordering. Or give us a call, and we’ll make sure you get what you need.
2. You’re riding at a different altitude than we dyno tested it at.
Our dyno here in Madison, Indiana is right around 880 feet above sea level. Taking your machine to higher or lower altitudes will result in changes in performance.
3. You have a different vehicle setup than we tested.
We develop our tunes on stock tires with stock suspension. Bigger tires will have a dramatic effect on your torque output. More weight from a big lift will also dramatically change your performance. Adding a passenger or a cooler will change the way it feels. No two vehicles are exactly the same, so there will always be some small differences.
The only tune that requires an aftermarket exhaust is the stage 2 tune for the 2014 RZR XP 1000. In that case, you need a full exhaust and not a slip-on exhaust.
For every other tune, aftermarket exhaust is optional, and you can run any kind of aftermarket exhaust you want.
We always tell you the recommended fuel on the product page for each tune. You should run that fuel.
Running lower octane fuel than we recommend will result in lower performance and increases the chances of engine knocking. Keep in mind that newer machines have knock sensors that can throw you into limp mode.
If you’re having trouble finding 93 octane fuel, try searching on websites like find93.com.
The answer is twofold. First, California’s CARB regulations make it illegal for us to sell our tunes in California. Second, even if you did get your hands on one of our tunes, they don’t work properly on side-by-sides in California because those vehicles are built to different emissions standards. Tunes are a no-go in California no matter how you look at it.
Yes you can. If you already have a handheld tuner, you can call us to order a different tune. We’ll email you the tune to copy to your USB flash drive or ship you a new USB flash drive. You then install it on your ECU normally. The tune on its own without the tuner costs $75.
An ECU tune will make a noticeable difference on most machines even without a clutch kit. You will notice bigger gains on vehicles like Rangers which have low speed and throttle limiters from the factory. However, the Ranger XP 1000 specifically has an aggressive clutch setup from the factory so an ECU tune alone is less effective.
You’ll notice gains on turbo models as well because we can turn up the boost with a tune. More boost means more power that you’ll feel every time you hit the gas.
On everything else, a tune on its own will result in a better feeling machine with limiters moved so you can rev higher, hit higher top speeds, and accelerate quicker.
For performance gains that will really blow your hair back, you should always pair it with a clutch kit.
Updated by Kavan Wright on December 28, 2021.
