Doing an ECU tune on the 2016 Polaris RZR XP Turbo is the single biggest improvement to the performance that can be done.  As the first year of the XP Turbo, this vehicle came stock with 144 horsepower out of the 2 cylinder, 925CC engine.  Tuning alters parameters like the boost, fuel, timing, torque limiters, rev limiters, speed limiter to give you an increase of nearly 20 horsepower to the wheels.  Tuning the Bosch ME17.9.74 ECU is more than just increasing boost pressure.  You have to find the right mix of calibrations to make sure you get a solid improvement across the entire powerband.  Having already proved our 2017 RZR XP Turbo flash beat the competition here in Arizona, we wanted to further our statement by showing the strength in our XP Turbo ECU Flash on the 2016.  We had the opportunity to dyno a EVO Powersports flash and show where improvements can be made.

“The bar was set and this was the standard, but the game has changed”

Our test vehicle is a XP4 Turbo with only a exhaust system.  The rest of the high hours engine is stock on this 2016 model.  No diverter valve, no boost hoses, stock plugs, and running basic Arizona 91 octane.  We tested on a decently warm day here in Arizona at about 90F using our Mustang All Wheel Drive Dyno.  This dyno provides the closest to real world results you can get.  Its load cell generates numbers that may be lower than others, but represents a true rolling road.  The tune is our main variable for testing with dyno parameters and vehicle held constant. We are able to see what the true gain in wheel horsepower from stock to tuned is of the EVO Stage 2 flash compared to their website listing here. The actual wheel horsepower gain is a peak of 16whp and 3ft/lbs of torque. This is 9 wheel horsepower shy of what is advertised. The actual torque gain not in peak is about 13ft/lbs. Our goal here is to show further improvements in tuning.  Like all of our tests, we run with a fan on the front of the vehicle and do about 3 tests per run.  The tests are done based on a start and stop MPH which in this case is 10mph to 72mph.  This gets us past the 65mph overboost code that can be experienced like on our RZR XP Turbo test here.

Our baseline test is the larger spaced dash lines as seen in the attached graph.  This run yielded 102 rear wheel horsepower with 120 ft/lbs of torque.  The drivetrain loss with the CVT is spot on to our other tests with about a 30% drop.  You can see that as you hammer the throttle, the vehicle stock and tuned stays relatively the same till about 30mph where the performance kicks.  The upgraded VR Tuned flash for the 2016 XP Turbo gains a tremendous amount of power and holds till redline or the stop test.  At 43 to 56 mph, we see a gain of just over 25 horsepower.  At the same mph, the torque is increased about 15 ft/lbs from 75 to 90 ft/lbs.  Compared to the competition, we squeeze out an extra 6 wheel horsepower over their Stage 2 tune.  Our initial torque numbers are the same till about 36 mph where we make an extra 4ft/lbs.

If you want to get the best Polaris XP Turbo ECU flashed by VR Tuned, Go Here

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Here is how we flash the Polaris RZR XP Turbo ECU

Do you have a Stage 1, 2, or 3 flash?” The answer is simple, stage flashes are a gimmick!  We don’t charge extra for a different stage because you don’t need one.  Unless you are changing the vehicles fuel components such as injectors or turbo size, basic bolt-ons like an exhaust, intake, diverter valve, spark plugs, boost hoses, the ECU will adjust.  We give you the BEST ECU flash the first time for 91 or 93+ octane.  Sure we can do a custom file for someone running 109 unleaded race fuel, but for the 90% of the drivers wanting more power, the VR Tuned ECU Flash is a one and done.  Don’t pay extra where you don’t have to.  You can see our performance is not only the same, but better!

How do you flash the ECU?” We use a couple of different tools to flash ECU’s from all around the world.  Our primary tool is the Frieling Racing iFlash.  This tool allows us to flash directly into the front of the ECU or through the OBDII port without having to open the ECU case.  No warranty issues, no needing a new ECU, and no potential damage from opening it.

If I want to upgrade my ECU flash, can you do that?” Absolutely!  We offer 1 year of FREE updates.  We don’t put paranoia epoxy on the ECU like those other guys as seen below.  There is no reason for this!  Your ECU is your property.  If you want us to upgrade it or take it to another tuner for your build, your ECU is open.


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If this was done to your ECU by EVO, you should complain, return it, or ask for a refund.  No other tuner (unless they know what to remove or have YouTube skills) can tune your ECU if you choose to go elsewhere. Not all tuners have the tools to flash via the OBDII port like us or through the front of the ECU.  This eliminates any ability to flash a ECU in boot mode.  You would have to buy a new ECU which can cost you $400-$600!

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About The Author

Dan Mermelstein - Co-Owner, Blogger, Porsche Enthusiast, VRTuned Marketing and Technical Support. Available to make your car faster!

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