PSA: VF Engineering Hex Tune Spun Crank Hub

[Smeargle]

seems everytime i see vf engineering in a thread it's posting some sort of defense in a thread about a car that died from a hex tune lol

[J-rock]

Why isn't this a re-call?

[AlpineWhite_F80]

Originally Posted by J-rock

Why isn't this a re-call?

It doesn't put anyone at risk.
There are not enough failures to make it a service action or a recall.

[David 12]

Just a question, is it possible to dial down the torque increase on the stage 1? 90-100 increase seems like a lot

I would be happy with the same torque increase as horsepower. Just curious if this would be a safer way to go.

Dave

[VF-Engineering]

Originally Posted by Smeargle

seems everytime i see vf engineering in a thread it's posting some sort of defense in a thread about a car that died from a hex tune lol

Really though?

Maybe we’re missing something, but this is the first spun crank hub
since our initial release 3 years ago. We also don’t recall any other
threads/posts/discussions ever involving any cars “that died from a
HEX Tune”. Feel free to post links though if you’ve seen any others
we may have missed.



There’s quite a significant difference between being defensive and
sharing relevant information to support a rational discussion. This
is not a unique occurrence as it’s happened on stock vehicles, cars
tuned with piggy backs as well as flash tuning, with descriptions
ranging from “just driving along” to “at the drag strip”.

In the grand scheme of things is a VERY rare occurrence under any
of those scenarios, but we do feel for the OP as the original “fix” by
the dealer did not resolve the mechanical issue and it’s even MORE
rare that these issues lead to total engine replacement.

[ZoneLaps]

Originally Posted by Smeargle

seems everytime i see vf engineering in a thread it's posting some sort of defense in a thread about a car that died from a hex tune lol

FWIW, I highly respect VF Engineering for letting these threads stand. As a forum sponsor, they have the option of asking for removal of negative threads/posts, but they don't. Unlike some vendors, they let everyone see both sides of everything, which, frankly makes me think that their product is probably pretty solid.

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by isaywhateveryo

FWIW, I highly respect VF Engineering for letting these threads stand. As a forum sponsor, they have the option of asking for removal of negative threads/posts, but they don't. Unlike some vendors, they let everyone see both sides of everything, which, frankly makes me think that their product is probably pretty solid.

I couldn't agree with this more. Too many of the forum sponsors shirk their responsibilities of issue resolution and transparency by hitting the 'Easy Button' begging for the moderators to remove and/or edit posts/threads...weak and lame. I've seen this too many times and it annoys me to no end.

[allinon72]

I view this situation as follows: the crank hub issue is a known issue and occurs even on stock engines. It is also known that a tune will put more stress on an engine and related components, but there's nothing specifically tying this failure to VF, as it could have happened with any tune or no tune at all.

[Smeargle]

Originally Posted by VF-Engineering

Really though?

Maybe we’re missing something, but this is the first spun crank hub
since our initial release 3 years ago. We also don’t recall any other
threads/posts/discussions ever involving any cars “that died from a
HEX Tune”. Feel free to post links though if you’ve seen any others
we may have missed.



There’s quite a significant difference between being defensive and
sharing relevant information to support a rational discussion. This
is not a unique occurrence as it’s happened on stock vehicles, cars
tuned with piggy backs as well as flash tuning, with descriptions
ranging from “just driving along” to “at the drag strip”.

In the grand scheme of things is a VERY rare occurrence under any
of those scenarios, but we do feel for the OP as the original “fix” by
the dealer did not resolve the mechanical issue and it’s even MORE
rare that these issues lead to total engine replacement.

I personally haven't tried your tune so I can't/won't say anything bad/good about it, I was just pointing out the coincidence that the only time I see you guys post it's on threads like these. I actually agree with the comments above and think it's cool that you guys don't delete these threads.

[m3rxn]

OP was this your first time on track with car tuned? Did you track your frequently prior to tuning it?

[ctgeorge]

Originally Posted by m3rxn

OP was this your first time on track with car tuned? Did you track your frequently prior to tuning it?

Correct, first time on the track with this tune. I attended roughly a half-dozen HDPE events prior to the flash.

Engine failure occurred within 700 miles after applying the VF Stg 1 tune.

[jwoo]

Originally Posted by ctgeorge

Correct, first time on the track with this tune. I attended roughly a half-dozen HDPE events prior to the flash.

Engine failure occurred within 700 miles after applying the VF Stg 1 tune.

can i ask what year is your car?

[domino_z]

funnily enough i was listening to vfe on matt farah's podcast, jumped on youtube to see what they were doing with f8x and came across your vid

thank you for the post and info, this really is the perfect psa for those on the fence about tuning, or exactly how you put it, those naive to have been sold the promise by tuners they can flash back your stock map without trace (which most of us deep down acknowledge is bs anyway while secretly hoping is true)

sorry to hear about your issues, but also strangely thank you for highlighting the issues

[Kbueno]

Interesting..on the video it seems the car just suddenly lost power. Not a hard downshift or high revving failure. Did the crank hub just slowly work it's way loose?

Edit: seems the failure happened around 3k in which the OP noted the torque hump in the tune. I'd like more details of the failure...was it under WOT? Any noises?

[DanMpower]

Buy this

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-BMW-M3...kAAOSwyedbJDaD

Pay a BMW indy shop to install it, sit back, crack a beer and smile knowing you saved nearly $20 grand with a 1 year warranty.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by isaywhateveryo

FWIW, I highly respect VF Engineering for letting these threads stand. As a forum sponsor, they have the option of asking for removal of negative threads/posts, but they don't. Unlike some vendors, they let everyone see both sides of everything, which, frankly makes me think that their product is probably pretty solid.

I agree

For the record, I have not had, don't have and don't plan to have anything from VF, however, I have to give major kudos to them for not getting the thread removed.

In the tuning and forum sponsor world this is extremely rare.

[FriedPiston]

Originally Posted by LloydChristmas

Buy this

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-BMW-M3...kAAOSwyedbJDaD

Pay a BMW indy shop to install it, sit back, crack a beer and smile knowing you saved nearly $20 grand with a 1 year warranty.

It's probably not a good idea to source a replacement engine from MY15-16 where most of the spun crank hub issues has happened to.

Just my 2 pennies.

[allinon72]

Does anyone have any idea how widespread the crank hub issue is?

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by nars3000

It's probably not a good idea to source a replacement engine from MY15-16 where most of the spun crank hub issues has happened to.

Just my 2 pennies.

Why do you say most of the failures happen to 2015/16 models? Fortunately, it seems like its such a rare occurrence that there doesnt seem to be any pattern. Also, its common for "problems" such as this one to appear to be related to earlier model years since those are the ones that have been on the road the longest with the most miles. I remember when the E9x M3 rod bearing issues started popping up everyone thought it was isolated to 2008-09 models until time passed by and newer models started having the issue as well.

On another note, OP I am very sorry to hear this. I hope you can find a solution which is as pain free and inexpensive as possible.

[clutchdj]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Why do you say most of the failures happen to 2015/16 models? Fortunately, it seems like its such a rare occurrence that there doesnt seem to be any pattern. Also, its common for "problems" such as this one to appear to be related to earlier model years since those are the ones that have been on the road the longest with the most miles. I remember when the E9x M3 rod bearing issues started popping up everyone thought it was isolated to 2008-09 models until time passed by and newer models started having the issue as well.

On another note, OP I am very sorry to hear this. I hope you can find a solution which is as pain free and inexpensive as possible.

Good question; I believe NARS is correct about the 15’-16’ model failures comment. My _opinion_ is as follows: bmw knew they had an “oh shit we better fix this” problem that was mostly addressed _apporximatly_ after the 12/16 builds. I also believe since most guys were running JB units at the time 2014’-15’, it also contributed to the rash of SCH issues in the past because (correct me if I’m wrong) the TCU does not see what is being fed to the ECU with a JB4 kit. I am not including DINAN which is a much softer JB AFA the torque surge is concerned.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by Smeargle

I personally haven't tried your tune so I can't/won't say anything bad/good about it, I was just pointing out the coincidence that the only time I see you guys post it's on threads like these. I actually agree with the comments above and think it's cool that you guys don't delete these threads.

But thats not true. If it were you would do a search and substantiate the claim.....I have no affiliation with VF and I have read the entirety of this forum and never seen what you describe.

I have a Hex Tune and believe me, I looked for any shred of negative feedback before tuning. Found nothing other than throttle sensitivity issues.

[Pak317]

38k+ miles on my VF stage 1 tune so far and still going strong