I can definitely give first-hand experience. You should read my response to turbolarry in the thread where he wrote a letter to Turbo MAgazine concerning flashes, specifically their 5-page article on Dynoflash.SicLanEvo said:
First of all, by no means should you choose to get an SAFC then pay someone ELSE to tune it for you. That is absolutely NOT the purpose of an SAFC. If you are going to pay someone ELSE to do your tuning, then you should most DEFINITELY get a flash. It will be MUCH less expensive, while being superior. The purpose of the SAFC is to have control of your OWN tuning so that you can adjust it according to your preferences, re-tune when adding mods, and/or retune on the fly when using race gas at the track. Paying someone else to tune your S-AFC is a waste of money, imo.
Now, if I compare a self-tuned SAFC to a flash, here is what I have to say:
Pros:
SAFC -
1) Can be bought used for very cheap ($200-250) - price includes the suggested patch harness that is usually pre-spliced when purchased used (patch harness keeps you from having to splice factory ECU wires).
2) Allows for self-tuning when adding mods, changing boost, changing octane, or all of the above at once
3) Provides useful monitoring devices (airflow, rpm, tps)
4) Allows for 2 pre-programmed maps, which is good if you want a pump gas and race gas map
Flash -
1) Requires no work and no learning
2) Is proven and will definitely make good power.
3) Very inexpensive for a mail-in flash ($199). Custom flash in person is good, too, and not terribly expensive ($399).
4) Removes fuel cut, raises rev limiter to wherever you desire (7800 default), and can provide launch control at your preferred RPM
5) Has direct control over timing AND AFRs, which is preferable
Cons:
SAFC -
1) Requires additional purchase of logging device and support gauges (i.e. wideband O2 and EGT)
2) Only manipulates what the ECU thinks the MAF is seeing, which then causes the ECU to use different timing maps associated with the AFRs and airflow, so there is NO timing control...just indirect timing manipulation
3) The Evo factory tune is LEAN in the peak torque range (3500-4500rpm), and the only way to lower it is to add fuel. Adding fuel on the SAFC casues lower timing. The end result is you end up making much less peak torque with noticeably less area under the curve (dynograph).
4) Cannot remove fuel cut, cannot raise rev limiter, cannot be used to set launch control
Flash -
1) Not customizable by the customer.
2) Requires retuning with addition or change of mods
3) Not helpful if you want to use race gas at the track - can't retune for it on the fly
4) Have to remove ECU and send through mail then wait for it to return on a mail-in flash...or have to wait for tuner to come to your area for in-person tunes
5) Reprograms the ECU, which can be detected by the dealership on 05s and later
I personally suggest Dynoflash, because I've been extremely successful with his tunes, and because I am now sponsored by him.
