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

[Landon]

Anyone on here have experience of the Ecutek tune from Z1 Motorsports?

https://www.z1motorsports.com/engin...rmance-tuning-package-carb-legal-p-48645.html



I am thinking of getting their 2023+ Nissan Z EcuTek Performance Tuning Package - CARB LEGAL but not sure if there are any issues buying from Z1 Motorsports.

I am not sure if Ecutek tune really provides you with more horsepower gain or just a gimmick device??? I mean how do customers really know if the Ecutek device really gives you more power? We are talking about installing the Ecutek device at home and don't have the capability like a full blown tune shop.

 

[AlanZ]

Z1 is one of the most reputable Z shops in the world.

I also believe Will from Stillen is offering a similar piggyback system with a discount. You might want to look at his posts.

 

[Will-Stillen]

Thanks Alan!

Landon,
Check out our piggy back tuner with real proven results that can be installed within a matter of minutes. We provide free map revisions while you have ownership of the tuner. Please check out our tuner and let me know if you have any questions.

https://stillen.com/collections/ele...ntrol-by-stillen-inline-power-module-tc101001

 

[challer602]

Thanks Alan!

Landon,
Check out our piggy back tuner with real proven results that can be installed within a matter of minutes. We provide free map revisions while you have ownership of the tuner. Please check out our tuner and let me know if you have any questions.

https://stillen.com/collections/ele...ntrol-by-stillen-inline-power-module-tc101001

Are the free map revisions available if one were to purchase the TruControl thru another vendor, or do you have purchase it directly from the Stillen website for that apply?

 

[Will-Stillen]

Different vendors vary but if you buy directly from me I'll get you the best price available. Any revisions will be free, also If there are any questions or concerns it's easier going through me as I have direct access to my tuning guy if you guys need anything. It's a longer process going through a vendor.

 

[kevinbonds]

Different vendors vary but if you buy directly from me I'll get you the best price available. Any revisions will be free, also If there are any questions or concerns it's easier going through me as I have direct access to my tuning guy if you guys need anything. It's a longer process going through a vendor.

Will, can you explain this device to me in more detail? I know the JB4 style device connects into the ODB4 and allows the JB4 to read various parameters, which can then be logged and reviewed. The device you are offering, does not have any connections to the OBD4, so how can you make tune revisions? Maybe I am missing something, I am sure it's a great product, Stillen has been around forever, I am just confused on how you can revise a tune without data from the specific vehicle?

 

[Will-Stillen]

A piggyback tuner is an external module that connects to your car’s engine sensors (like boost, fuel pressure, throttle, or manifold pressure). It doesn’t replace or reflash the ECU — it just modifies the data going to and from the ECU in real time. Our maps are loaded on the chip itself and then rides off the harness to the factory sensors of the car. It's just riding off the factory sensors. It seems super complicated but it's really quite simple.

The chip has a Bluetooth chip in it so my tuning guy can revise maps and send directly on the back end and then you will just update the maps through the app on your phone. It's a very simple thing to do.

I'm getting ready to leave the office but if you have anymore questions or want to try one just message me and I'll get back to you tomorrow.

 

[NorthSaltJake]

I’ve been running the ECUTEK tune from Z1 on my Z for a couple of weeks now and can give you a straight answer. Install is simple enough to do at home. You just need a cellphone and a little patience. Z1 gives you a Stage 1 map that’s meant for common bolt-ons, and overall it’s been solid.

Performance-wise, it’s not smoke and mirrors. The car definitely pulls harder, especially through the midrange. Throttle response is sharper and boost builds faster. I’ve been logging my runs and I’m consistently seeing boost targets in the 18.5 psi range with clean AFRs. Timing stays stable, and knock retard is minimal, especially after adding a little octane booster to compensate for our 91 octane.

As for verifying gains, the ECUTEK software lets you datalog everything - boost, timing, AFR, knock, etc. So even without a dyno, you can actually see what the tune is doing. It’s not just a “feel faster” kind of thing. You can see the engine responding to more aggressive mapping.

Compared to piggyback systems like the Stillen or Burger units, ECUTEK is a whole different level. Those trick a few sensor signals and push boost higher, but they don’t touch timing, fuel, or the safety systems. ECUTEK gives full ECU control, so it’s more refined, safer long term, and better suited for future upgrades In my opinion.

 

[5thZ]

I second NorthSaltJake's summary. I do track events and while I am considering tuning my new Z through Ecutek I am not considering using a piggyback system. No way. Not for long, hot summer track events.

 

[Landon]

I’ve been running the ECUTEK tune from Z1 on my Z for a couple of weeks now and can give you a straight answer. Install is simple enough to do at home. You just need a cellphone and a little patience. Z1 gives you a Stage 1 map that’s meant for common bolt-ons, and overall it’s been solid.

Performance-wise, it’s not smoke and mirrors. The car definitely pulls harder, especially through the midrange. Throttle response is sharper and boost builds faster. I’ve been logging my runs and I’m consistently seeing boost targets in the 18.5 psi range with clean AFRs. Timing stays stable, and knock retard is minimal, especially after adding a little octane booster to compensate for our 91 octane.

As for verifying gains, the ECUTEK software lets you datalog everything - boost, timing, AFR, knock, etc. So even without a dyno, you can actually see what the tune is doing. It’s not just a “feel faster” kind of thing. You can see the engine responding to more aggressive mapping.

Compared to piggyback systems like the Stillen or Burger units, ECUTEK is a whole different level. Those trick a few sensor signals and push boost higher, but they don’t touch timing, fuel, or the safety systems. ECUTEK gives full ECU control, so it’s more refined, safer long term, and better suited for future upgrades In my opinion.

Thanks for the information! I am going to go for the ECUTEK because the Stillen does not offer to remove the speed limiter. Do you know what is the max speed limit on your Z now? I believe it should be around 187mph.

Also, do you know if the ECUTEK offer the Optional "Burble" map can be added to add that deceleration sound.

Thanks!

 

[5thZ]

Thanks for the information! I am going to go for the ECUTEK because the Stillen does not offer to remove the speed limiter. Do you know what is the max speed limit on your Z now? I believe it should be around 187mph.

Also, do you know if the ECUTEK offer the Optional "Burble" map can be added to add that deceleration sound.

Thanks!

You can achieve burble with ecutek but it depends on which tuner you choose and if they offer it

 

[kevinbonds]

I second NorthSaltJake's summary. I do track events and while I am considering tuning my new Z through Ecutek I am not considering using a piggyback system. No way. Not for long, hot summer track events.

I don't think any of these tunes on the Z are best for a track day. If you are increasing power for some 1/4 miles times, sure. However, in my years of doing track days, the most important things are tires, brakes and handling, increasing power on the Z which already has plenty of it, will not make for a better track time in most cases, (unless all you have maxed out your lap times with suspension etc.) and I would not push a ECUTEK tuned car, or a piggyback tuned car on a track day. Most of the people who are doing tunning are doing it for spirited street driving etc.

 

[Will-Stillen]

I’ve been running the ECUTEK tune from Z1 on my Z for a couple of weeks now and can give you a straight answer. Install is simple enough to do at home. You just need a cellphone and a little patience. Z1 gives you a Stage 1 map that’s meant for common bolt-ons, and overall it’s been solid.

Performance-wise, it’s not smoke and mirrors. The car definitely pulls harder, especially through the midrange. Throttle response is sharper and boost builds faster. I’ve been logging my runs and I’m consistently seeing boost targets in the 18.5 psi range with clean AFRs. Timing stays stable, and knock retard is minimal, especially after adding a little octane booster to compensate for our 91 octane.

As for verifying gains, the ECUTEK software lets you datalog everything - boost, timing, AFR, knock, etc. So even without a dyno, you can actually see what the tune is doing. It’s not just a “feel faster” kind of thing. You can see the engine responding to more aggressive mapping.

Compared to piggyback systems like the Stillen or Burger units, ECUTEK is a whole different level. Those trick a few sensor signals and push boost higher, but they don’t touch timing, fuel, or the safety systems. ECUTEK gives full ECU control, so it’s more refined, safer long term, and better suited for future upgrades In my opinion.

ECUTEK is a great option for people who want a little more options however some people do not want to flash the ECU. Our tunes do in fact touch timing, fuel, ect though. In my opinion both routes are good options depending on the route you want to go with your car.

Some people don't want to risk their warranty with a flash. I see a ton of our customers use our tuners in the interim while they're saving up for parts where it would require a flash tune. When they're ready for that time they simply uninstall our tuner and sell secondhand and have a extra 400 bucks to throw at their flash tune.

 

[5thZ]

I don't think any of these tunes on the Z are best for a track day. If you are increasing power for some 1/4 miles times, sure. However, in my years of doing track days, the most important things are tires, brakes and handling, increasing power on the Z which already has plenty of it, will not make for a better track time in most cases, (unless all you have maxed out your lap times with suspension etc.) and I would not push a ECUTEK tuned car, or a piggyback tuned car on a track day. Most of the people who are doing tunning are doing it for spirited street driving etc.

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?

 

[NorthSaltJake]

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!