A while back, I bought a custom tune from Josh Alphonso at J-Fonz Tuning (now called Epic Tuning Group). I selected a Stage 2 tune with rear O2 and SAI codeout. My ECM was gone for over a week. When it came back, I popped it back into the car, took the car for a drive, and had a blast with the newfound power.

Unfortunately, the engine light came on within a couple of driving cycles... P0420, bad catalytic converter. This code only comes up when the rear O2 sensor detects something wrong. But that shouldn't be, since the rear O2 sensor is coded out, right?

So I emailed Josh and informed him of the problem. He agreed to take the ECM back and make sure he didn't forget to erase any blocks related to the rear O2 sensor. At the same time, he adjusted the tune for 550cc injectors I was going to install in the meantime.

I hoped things would be taken care of more quickly this time, since I needed the car for a long road trip. I even sent it using overnight shipping. But once again the ECM was gone for over a week, and I ended up having to drive my big, smelly diesel pickup for the 1000 mile round trip... bleh.

When the ECM finally came back, I took the car out for a drive. Engine light didn't come on immediately, so I assumed all was well.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and the engine light comes on again. Same error code, P0420! I contacted Josh again. He asked me to send him the ECM again and assured me he could fix the issue once and for all. Once again I sent it to him via overnight shipping. Once again the ECM was gone for well over a week. And when it FINALLY returned (9 days later), I eagerly installed it back in my car and went for a drive.

Less than 30 minutes later... engine light, P0420 again.

This is ludicrous. This guy's had 3 opportunities to impress me, and he failed miserably each and every time. He leaves me without a driveable car for weeks at a time, and the product he sells does not deliver.

Stay away from Epic Tuning Group.

 

Yeah that must suck but lesson learn t here, stick with the well known chip tuners for our cars, apr, giac etc

 

Don't let one bad apple ruin the bunch, there are tons of more professional private tuners out there. From what I've read on other forums, people tend to have problems with jfonz with customer service and stuff like this. When it comes time for me to get a tune I'm going to go with gonzo, k0mpresd, or motoza, I've only heard good things about these guys.

 

Oh boy, I didn't even go into their quality of customer service in this rant. That would've made the post twice as long...

 

I wish I'd heard of these other guys before. Motoza looks especially interesting. I think I'll give them a try.

 

Motoza will be my choice... just from the few emails I've sent them asking questions, I can't wait to send them my money lol

 

That's odd, I thought you were already running a Frankenturbo setup. In fact I thought you were one of the first to do so. Why does your sig say it's "coming soon"?

 

Switching from a 1998.5 A4 1.8TM (with United Motorsport tuning) to a 2001.5 A4 1.8TQM. Then I'll sell the '98 when the time comes.

Currently the FrankenTurbo is sitting in a box lol. Got the 2001 A4 completely torn apart... doing clutch, turbo/exhaust manifold/exhaust/etc., oil pickup tube, timing belt, control arms, brakes, everything.

 

You were right about Motoza, my email communications with them have been very positive and productive. I ordered an interface cable from them and should be receiving it shortly. No more shipping my ECM around like some kind of vagabond hobo, I can just use their interface to flash my ECM with the files they provide me. I should've just gone with those guys to begin with and never wasted my time with J-Fonz/Epic Tuning.

 

You don't need a fancy motoza specific cable, any old vagcom cable will do if you use the Nefmoto flasher software. Or buy a clone MPPS cable on ebay for like $20, they're freaking awesome and cover tons of other Bosch, Siemens and Marelli ECUs as a bonus. I thought jfonz offered a cable too though, I've never heard of a private tuner that doesn't supply one as an option.