Aftermarket assassin's tunes vs others?

4001 Views 15 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Kalifornia Kenn, 4 mo ago

syoungs

Discussion Starter · 5 mo ago

Hi all.
I purchased the 205hp upgrade kit for my 2021 ds turbo last year, and have been super happy with most of it. They shipped the kit with a hardwire intercooler setup so its always on with the key, which causes a check engine light. Just purchased a manual switch from the forums to remedy that though.

The tuning it came with is from aftermarket assassins, as well as the clutch kit. I have the clutch dialed in pretty decent, and I'm happy with it. The tunes seem to make gobs of power as well, and I'm happy with them....

But you don't know, what you don't know. This is my first sxs, though I've been into atv's my entire life.
How much am I leaving on the table power/drivability wise with the AA tunes vs Evo or Whalen? If I were to purchase tunes from Whalen or Evo is it going to be a dramatic difference in how the car runs? Same with the clutch kit, the AA kit seems to work, never have belt problems, but was thinking I might be leaving power on the table using that vs KWI or something.

As it is now, I love it. Being as that this is a hobby, I dont mind spending money on new tunes or clutch components. I would rather spend money on suspension if there isnt a dramatic difference, as long as the AA stuff is safe for long term use.

Has anyone compared directly AA vs the more known tuners/clutching?
Ride in the woods in the PNW, and the dunes mostly. eco mode in the woods is more then enough power now, always chasing more in the dunes though!

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sand shark

· #2 · 5 mo ago

The difference will be minimal and not worth chasing unless you plan on doing big turbo stuff. Spend your money on suspension. You will find yourself going faster and utilizing more of that tune when the suspension can handle it.

Reactions: 5

X3 Poor

· #3 · 5 mo ago

I agree 100% with Shark. I run dunes pretty much exclusively. I've been running an AA tune/Clutch for a couple years now with no issues, and no wanting for more. Belt life is good,,, rebuilt the clutch twice so far,, once at 500 miles with the OEM tune/clutch. I installed the AA tune/clutch at that point.

The second clutch rebuild (both were maintenance really,,, not rebuild) was at 1800 miles running the AA tune/clutch. The clutch was in better shape the second time than the first. Wan't even needed,,, but I had it open so I replaced the parts anyway.

The only real difference (you will notice) is the throttle sensitivity of the AA tune vs Whalen/Evo. The AA tune is quite a bit more touchy than Whalen/Evo. From what I have learned, the Whalen/Evo tunes tend to mimic the OEM throttle response more accurately than AA. I can't vouch for that since I haven't driven a Whalen/Evo car,,, but I can attest to the fact that the AA tune is WAY more sensitive re throttle response than the OEM.

Suspension is where the $$ make a big difference IMO. I run the IQS on my '19 along with the full ST springs/valve etc. If I could have only done the suspension or the tune/clutch,,, I would have done the suspension for sure. Best $$ I've personally spent on the car.

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Reactions: 2

Hollywood X3

· #4 · 5 mo ago

Sounds like the previous owner set it up correctly. I would run it the way it is. If you feel you need more later on, change then.

syoungs

Discussion Starter · #5 · 5 mo ago

Glad to know I'm not leaving a bunch on the table! my original plan after installing the kit was to run it until winter, then re-tune and go to KWI for clutch work, as well as doing suspension and a few other small mods. That money tree seems to be sick though, and I can only afford to do part of it!

suspension it is! thanks for the help everyone

Reactions: 1

SUPERSMITH

· #6 · 5 mo ago

syoungs said:
Glad to know I'm not leaving a bunch on the table! my original plan after installing the kit was to run it until winter, then re-tune and go to KWI for clutch work, as well as doing suspension and a few other small mods. That money tree seems to be sick though, and I can only afford to do part of it!

suspension it is! thanks for the help everyone

Great suspension will make you the happiest. You can't use that power or speed if you can't keep the tires on the ground. I can run 1-2ft whoops at 70 MPH with 39 inch tires and all three of my passengers can still drink their beverage of choice 🍻 without spilling it if its not completely full to start with.

Reactions: 1

sand shark

· #7 · 5 mo ago

syoungs said:
Glad to know I'm not leaving a bunch on the table! my original plan after installing the kit was to run it until winter, then re-tune and go to KWI for clutch work, as well as doing suspension and a few other small mods. That money tree seems to be sick though, and I can only afford to do part of it!

suspension it is! thanks for the help everyone

Suspension is usually the first speed modification I do. Properly tuned suspension on the X3 changes it to a completely different car.

Reactions: 1

Kalifornia Kenn

· #8 · 5 mo ago

Agree with Sand Shark - On my most recent excursion this past December I was able to ride in the same year car that I have with stock suspension. When I bought mine the previous owner put on the Shock Therapy suspension and I have never had the chance to ride on a stock suspension. Night and Day difference, worth the money.

HPnMORE4J

· #9 · 4 mo ago

Kalifornia Kenn said:
Agree with Sand Shark - On my most recent excursion this past December I was able to ride in the same year car that I have with stock suspension. When I bought mine the previous owner put on the Shock Therapy suspension and I have never had the chance to ride on a stock suspension. Night and Day difference, worth the money.

I thought about upgrading my engine tune, I've proved it well that I need a suspension tune before any, or if any upgrade in engine tune at all.
Getting more comfortable with the machine, it's got plenty of power with my Whalen WS170, KWI clutch works and other performace adds.
It's the suspension that's holding me back big time. Plan to pull my shocks this week for a Tom Morris tune.

Reactions: 2

Tmesic

· #10 · 4 mo ago

HPnMORE4J said:
I thought about upgrading my engine tune, I've proved it well that I need a suspension tune before any, or if any upgrade in engine tune at all.
Getting more comfortable with the machine, it's got plenty of power with my Whalen WS170, KWI clutch works and other performace adds.
It's the suspension that's holding me back big time. Plan to pull my shocks this week for a Tom Morris tune.

I'm happy with my T.M. shock work.

I got to go to his shop and talk a bit when dropping off and picking my shocks. Pretty knowledgeable guy.

Tim

Reactions: 3

Kalifornia Kenn

· #11 · 4 mo ago

HPnMORE4J said:
I thought about upgrading my engine tune, I've proved it well that I need a suspension tune before any, or if any upgrade in engine tune at all.
Getting more comfortable with the machine, it's got plenty of power with my Whalen WS170, KWI clutch works and other performace adds.
It's the suspension that's holding me back big time. Plan to pull my shocks this week for a Tom Morris tune.

You will love the difference. I swapped cars with my buddy and he was also shocked with the difference the suspension tune made as well, even his wife said it is way more comfortable (stamp of approval from the purchasing department). He is currently shopping

.

Nice on the Whalen WS170 - how do you like that tune? I went EVO Stage 3-93R (bought it with stage 2 -172hp) and like it so far. Wanted the KWI, even bought it and was on my bench ready for install, but couldn't get answers out of them for magnet/weight placement. Was super bummed and returned it.

HPnMORE4J

· #12 · 4 mo ago

Kalifornia Kenn said:
You will love the difference. I swapped cars with my buddy and he was also shocked with the difference the suspension tune made as well, even his wife said it is way more comfortable (stamp of approval from the purchasing department). He is currently shopping.

Nice on the Whalen WS170 - how do you like that tune? I went EVO Stage 3-93R (bought it with stage 2 -172hp) and like it so far. Wanted the KWI, even bought it and was on my bench ready for install, but couldn't get answers out of them for magnet/weight placement. Was super bummed and returned it.

Really like the tune.

I know Whalen has changed things a bit this past year or two since, but when I installed it, I data logged, emailed it back to John in the evening, he tweaked it to get the max out of it, got it back the next morning.

That, the KWI kit, sheaves, float, a open catch can, Yoshi exhaust, properly gapped plugs, proper octane etc. it has run like a dream ever since.
I push that dang machine in the Oregon dune as much as the suspension can take.

Too bad about the KWI, I just had to play with it a few times with weight to get the RPMs up which was easy enough.

HPnMORE4J

· #13 · 4 mo ago

Tmesic said:
I'm happy with my T.M. shock work.

I got to go to his shop and talk a bit when dropping off and picking my shocks. Pretty knowledgeable guy.

Tim

I've researched the hell out of shock tuners, spoke about an hour with Gary and then another hour with Tom shooting the shit over the phone.....what stories they had.

Gary brought up the Pro R he had just driven hard and gave high remarks saying he was blown away which kinda suprised me.

Yes, very knowledgeable guys that I felt comfortable with, hope I'm as happy when I get those shocks back.
I heard somewhere that he's even dialed them in bettter this past year or so....?

Reactions: 1

Kalifornia Kenn

· #14 · 4 mo ago

HPnMORE4J said:
Really like the tune.

I know Whalen has changed things a bit this past year or two since, but when I installed it, I data logged, emailed it back to John in the evening, he tweaked it to get the max out of it, got it back the next morning.

That, the KWI kit, sheaves, float, a open catch can, Yoshi exhaust, properly gapped plugs, proper octane etc. it has run like a dream ever since.
I push that dang machine in the Oregon dune as much as the suspension can take.

Too bad about the KWI, I just had to play with it a few times with weight to get the RPMs up which was easy enough.

That is great customer service to tweak it for max performance, quick turn around. Yoshi exhaust, man, it has been years since I have heard that name. That is what I use to run on the street bike before switching to Vance and Hines (Which has a new exhaust coming for the X3, looks pretty bad ass). You ride all the dunes down out of Florance and Coos? I have only been to Winchester and Sand Lakes. Winchester is becoming my go to, love that place.
With KWI was just looking for a starting point but when I spoke with them she kept giving me odd number of weights which didn't make sense as it would throw it out of balance. Ended up with IBEXX and they took all my info, plugged it into their system and gave me a pretty damn accurate starting point with little adjustment afterwards.

HPnMORE4J

· #15 · 4 mo ago

Kalifornia Kenn said:
That is great customer service to tweak it for max performance, quick turn around. Yoshi exhaust, man, it has been years since I have heard that name. That is what I use to run on the street bike before switching to Vance and Hines (Which has a new exhaust coming for the X3, looks pretty bad ass). You ride all the dunes down out of Florance and Coos? I have only been to Winchester and Sand Lakes. Winchester is becoming my go to, love that place.
With KWI was just looking for a starting point but when I spoke with them she kept giving me odd number of weights which didn't make sense as it would throw it out of balance. Ended up with IBEXX and they took all my info, plugged it into their system and gave me a pretty damn accurate starting point with little adjustment afterwards.

Yes, mostly Coos and Florence, once in awhile Sand Lake since it's closer but has been several years and pretty limitied. We typically rally from Boxcar to Spinreel and either stay at Myrtlewood or Riley Ranch, switching up taking different routes from side roads/trails, open dunes and beach.

Have many friends who ride the steep dunes at Winchester. I used to frequent that area when I was younger, need to go back.

BTW, love the sound the Yoshi puts out, I tend to get compliments from other riders as well, it's tuned perfect to the ears IMO.

Kalifornia Kenn

· #16 · 4 mo ago

Nice, I have yet to get to Coos and Florence, need to. Winchester is just so damn convinent with Umpqua RV Park, 50' to the dunes. Sand Lake was cool, only time I have ever been there was a last minute decision after I had just bought my SXS. Trial run. Dang, just looked up the boxcar to spinreel on google earth, that looks epic.

Need to hear the Yoshi, always sounded good onthe crotch rocket. They make a good product.

Reactions: 1

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