Z1 Motorsports -2023+ Nissan Z EcuTek Performance Tuning Package - CARB LEGAL

[ikazuchi]

Who writes a great performing tune with burbles? For 9at.

 

[Will-Stillen]

I understand where you're coming from but the allure of getting, what, +70-80 torque as a baseline tune without breather mods is just a little too hard for me to pass up. I would certainly have someone like Seb at Specialty Z tune it for track purposes. He's a great guy, has answered all my emails very thoughtfully and in detail. I would trust him to tune my Z for track use - even if it doesnt get the most power, as long as it's reliable and doesn't throw a rod during track day then I would be fine with it.

Luckily I've got the suspension (SPL everything, Hotchkis sway), tires (Hankook RS4's and Toyo R888Rs), wheels (flow formed 18's), brake pads (Carbotech XP10/XP's), rotors (paragon 2-piece), etc mostly figured out from my 370z. I still need to upgrade to either Akebono's or some other capable caliper as well as either Z1 R-Pro coils or Fortune Auto coils.

@Will-Stillen, that's a good point. Something to consider while most of us are still under warranty.

How would you say your kit compares to the JB4 offered by Z1, AMS, CZP, etc?

I've personally never used a JB4 system. I do know they have a little more options compared to our tuner. That could be a good thing if you know what you're doing as far as fine tuning your maps. If you don't know what you're doing I would definitely not recommend playing around with stuff unless you want to rebuild a motor.

At the end of the day If you don't want to worry about messing around and trying to fine tune everything I believe our chip is the way to go as my tuning guy can revise maps and flash them on the back end for the customer. It honestly just depends on what the customer is looking for.

 

[kevinbonds]

I've personally never used a JB4 system. I do know they have a little more options compared to our tuner. That could be a good thing if you know what you're doing as far as fine tuning your maps. If you don't know what you're doing I would definitely not recommend playing around with stuff unless you want to rebuild a motor.

At the end of the day If you don't want to worry about messing around and trying to fine tune everything I believe our chip is the way to go as my tuning guy can revise maps and flash them on the back end for the customer. It honestly just depends on what the customer is looking for.

Will, I am considering purchasing one of your piggyback devices, but I was curious, since the device it not connected to the ODB4, and if there are no logging capabilities, how does your tuner at Stillen know the fuel trims and other key variables so adjustments can be made based on your mods? You mention that tunes can be updates and loaded on the piggyback device, what data is being used to make those adjustments to the device?

 

[Will-Stillen]

Will, I am considering purchasing one of your piggyback devices, but I was curious, since the device it not connected to the ODB4, and if there are no logging capabilities, how does your tuner at Stillen know the fuel trims and other key variables so adjustments can be made based on your mods? You mention that tunes can be updates and loaded on the piggyback device, what data is being used to make those adjustments to the device?

Between customer cars, employee cars, friends cars, ect we've gotten our hands on multiple different cars with multiple different modifications. He's done a ton of live data logging from stock Z's all the way up to highly modified. All the those maps with different mods of cars are saved in his system. All those files are kept within the ecu safety parameters and tweaked if needed. A majority of the time people have just an intake, exhaust, and the trucontrol. Well we have saved maps if they're using a Stillen intake or a different aftermarket one. If someone tells us they have parts on that require a flash or more in depth tune we always recommend the best route for them even if that means we recommend them to a different company. We're here to help not just sell you something that you won't benefit from.

 

[5thZ]

While I think Stillen makes good products this is by no means my attempt at bashing stillen but there are a few instances where Stillen's tunes for their Stillen 370Z supercharger kit were subpar even after multiple revisions. There is a fairly straightforward youtube video out there that goes over one shops frustrations. Again, I think Stillen makes good products so I would suggest doing some additional research across forums, although I do believe this tuner specifically for the Nissan Z RZ34 is new and not exactly 1:1 to the experiences I mentioned earlier.

 

[Landon]

Appreciate all the perspectives here. Just to circle back to the original question, this thread was about real-world experiences with the ECUTEK tune from Z1, not a comparison thread or a sales channel. It’s important to share accurate info for anyone trying to make a smart decision.

Stillen’s piggyback module definitely looks user-friendly and seems like a decent option for someone looking for a quick plug-and-play bump. But it’s also a piggyback system at its core. It modifies sensor signals to push boost and adjust fueling indirectly by tricking the ECU. The ECU itself isn’t reprogrammed, and that’s a key difference. Claims that it “unlocks full potential” or offers “custom tuning” should be taken in context. It’s not the same as full ECU access where you’re directly controlling ignition timing, AFR targets, boost logic, torque limits, and more.

I haven’t tracked my Z, so I won’t speak to that use case.

As for warranty, no product is completely undetectable. If a dealer wants to look at ECU logs or sees boost levels well outside factory behavior, they will know something has been modified, piggyback or not.

Bottom line, piggybacks can be a good short-term solution or a low-commitment step. But full tuning through the ECU gives more control, transparency, and headroom for long-term builds. Just important to call things what they are so people can choose the right path for what they are trying to build!

Question about the warranty using the ECUTEK tune.

When you take your Z to the dealership for an oil change or maintenance, do you take off the ECUTEK module device next to your left knee? That way, Nissan will not notice that you are using ECUTEK tune. Or does it not matter if you take the ECUTEK module device off or leave it on?

I am wondering if you take off the ECUTEK module device, your warranty is still good and they will not notice anything. Is there a way to get around the warranty issues while using ECUTEK tune?

 

[NorthSaltJake]

Question about the warranty using the ECUTEK tune.

When you take your Z to the dealership for an oil change or maintenance, do you take off the ECUTEK module device next to your left knee? That way, Nissan will not notice that you are using ECUTEK tune. Or does it not matter if you take the ECUTEK module device off or leave it on?

I am wondering if you take off the ECUTEK module device, your warranty is still good and they will not notice anything. Is there a way to get around the warranty issues while using ECUTEK tune?

I do my own maintenance, but if I took it to the dealer, I’d just unplug the ECUTEK module. You don’t need it connected for the tune to run since the map is saved directly to the ECU.

 

[Landon]

I do my own maintenance, but if I took it to the dealer, I’d just unplug the ECUTEK module. You don’t need it connected for the tune to run since the map is saved directly to the ECU.

Fantastic!

Not that I take the Z to the dealership all the time. Since I bought it about a year ago, I recently took it in for an oil change at 1000 miles. I don't use the Z as much like most of you.

 

[5thZ]

Question about the warranty using the ECUTEK tune.

When you take your Z to the dealership for an oil change or maintenance, do you take off the ECUTEK module device next to your left knee? That way, Nissan will not notice that you are using ECUTEK tune. Or does it not matter if you take the ECUTEK module device off or leave it on?

I am wondering if you take off the ECUTEK module device, your warranty is still good and they will not notice anything. Is there a way to get around the warranty issues while using ECUTEK tune?

The actual vehicle's ECU is flashed and if the dealership hooks up your car to review data or health information it is likely they would see the flash.

 

[Landon]

The actual vehicle's ECU is flashed and if the dealership hooks up your car to review data or health information it is likely they would see the flash.

Is there a way to reset the ECU to the default settings like Microsoft Windows?

 

[TheRoyalStig]

As for the dealer question that just depends on the dealer.

I've never had a dealer say anything or care about any of my modded and tuned cars before.

 

[Landon]

As for the dealer question that just depends on the dealer.

I've never had a dealer say anything or care about any of my modded and tuned cars before.

I am waiting for a response from my dealership about installing the ECUTEK tune from Z1 Motorsports. Hopefully they will give me the OK about the warranty and I will buy the ECUTEK from Z1 Motorsports.

 

[5thZ]

Is there a way to reset the ECU to the default settings like Microsoft Windows?

No idea, that is a great question for guys like Z1 motorsports, Specialty Z, Admin Tuning, etc. I would give them a call and see what's up. I think Nissan could tell my GT-R had been flashed via COBB but wasn't able to tell how many times I used launch control... that's what the master tech told me at least

 

[Landon]

No idea, that is a great question for guys like Z1 motorsports, Specialty Z, Admin Tuning, etc. I would give them a call and see what's up. I think Nissan could tell my GT-R had been flashed via COBB but wasn't able to tell how many times I used launch control... that's what the master tech told me at least

Maybe in the future, a tuner like Z1 Motorsports can add the feature on the phone app that an owner of the ECUTEK can reset the ECU to factory settings with a touch of a button. No longer worry about visiting the dealership anymore.

 

[Landon]

I do my own maintenance, but if I took it to the dealer, I’d just unplug the ECUTEK module. You don’t need it connected for the tune to run since the map is saved directly to the ECU.

Is there any sound difference from your custom exhaust system while using the ECUTEK? I see that you installed a custom exhaust system. I was wondering if your exhaust system sounds louder or has a unique sound.