Anyone installed the JB4 tuner? 2019 GT-1

[Paladin11]

Hey everyone
I bought a used 2019 GT-1 last week. Black/Black 68k miles- one owner about 6 months ago. I’m new to the forum
I”m an American car guy, this is my first Korean car. Ive had 3 Cobras and a bunch of other American muscle cars.
I just finished the refurb on my 99 Pontiac GTP coupe project and I’ve wanted a Stinger for quite awhile. I’m happy with the stock performance, but I’d like to go to the next level
Has anyone had real world experience with this tuner?
Is it worth it?
Can you really get 500 HP as they claim?
Are there any risks involved ? I don’t want to ruin this car, I love it and plan on keeping it especially since KIA has killed it

Thanks for any advice and sorry if this has been asked before, I checked the forum and nothing for quite awhile on this subject

 

[Snicklefritz]

Did you use the "Find" app in the upper right corner? Because JB4 gets talked about a lot on here. It's the most common engine performance mod on the Stinger.

 

[BIG-D]

No... no I havn't.

 

[Paladin11]

Than

Did you use the "Find" app in the upper right corner? Because JB4 gets talked about a lot on here. It's the most common engine performance mod on the Stinge

Thanks I’ll try that

try that

 

[ShaPoopieZ]

The Search/Find feature will find you loads of threads and discussions.

I will give you a short and sweet reply though.

The Jb4 is totally safe and reliable within its normaly designed usage.

It's relatively plug and play for anyone with average mechanical/ tech knowledge to install and use.

It will give nearly 500 hp with nothing more then new spark plugs and good fuel.
It is highly customizable and user friendly.
I have one installed on my wife's Daily Driver and she has no idea it's even there .
Easily swap between tunes and the swipe of a finger on your phone app.
Completely reversible and undetectable by the factory when removed.
Great support from Berger and this community if you have any issues.
The difference between stock and a JB4 running map3/4 on E40 with stock fuel pump is like night and day. Anything over E40/50 and you need fueling mods.
Tunes and boost adding is all about fuel quality to keep it safe.
Take it a step further for CPI or Meth injection and It's crazy.

Probably the best Bang for the Buck mod I've put on any car I've ever owned.

 

[Paladin11]

The Search/Find feature will find you loads of threads and discussions.

I will give you a short and sweet reply though.

The Jb4 is totally safe and reliable within its normaly designed usage.

It's relatively plug and play for anyone with average mechanical/ tech knowledge to install and use.

It will give nearly 500 hp with nothing more then new spark plugs and good fuel.
It is highly customizable and user friendly.
I have one installed on my wife's Daily Driver and she has no idea it's even there .
Easily swap between tunes and the swipe of a finger on your phone app.
Completely reversible and undetectable by the factory when removed.
Great support from Berger and this community if you have any issues.
The difference between stock and a JB4 running map3/4 on E40 with stock fuel pump is like night and day. Anything over E40/50 and you need fueling mods.
Tunes and boost adding is all about fuel quality to keep it safe.
Take it a step further for CPI or Meth injection and It's crazy.

Probably the best Bang for the Buck mod I've put on any car I've ever owned.

The reason I started this was I saw guys
Complaining about codes being thrown, stalls and turbos spooning too fast in some of the other threads and wanted in the ground experience
Thanks for the info and the reply

 

[Paladin11]

The Search/Find feature will find you loads of threads and discussions.

I will give you a short and sweet reply though.

The Jb4 is totally safe and reliable within its normaly designed usage.

It's relatively plug and play for anyone with average mechanical/ tech knowledge to install and use.

It will give nearly 500 hp with nothing more then new spark plugs and good fuel.
It is highly customizable and user friendly.
I have one installed on my wife's Daily Driver and she has no idea it's even there .
Easily swap between tunes and the swipe of a finger on your phone app.
Completely reversible and undetectable by the factory when removed.
Great support from Berger and this community if you have any issues.
The difference between stock and a JB4 running map3/4 on E40 with stock fuel pump is like night and day. Anything over E40/50 and you need fueling mods.
Tunes and boost adding is all about fuel quality to keep it safe.
Take it a step further for CPI or Meth injection and It's crazy.

Probably the best Bang for the Buck mod I've put on any car I've ever owned.

Thanks for the reply —!

Can you explain why I need to change the spark plugs ? Doesn’t really makes sense to me

Also: what’s “E40 and E50”? Is that the gasoline ? I’m running 93 octane if you’re overseas and I’m understanding you correctly?

 

[ShaPoopieZ]

Your stock plugs are not Gapped from the factory to handle increased boost or tuning.

Most of us replace them with HKS45il
Or similar gapped to .020-.022
Search for spark plug change. It's about a hour long job with the correct tools.

E content is Ethanol based fuel
You can mix E85 if available with your standard premium at the pump and get your Octane levels up to 98 ish.
Which is required to go up in Boost.


93 will only get you to Map2 on a JB4 which is 435 HP ish.

 

[BIG-D]

Are you talking at the tyres or at the engine ?

 

[Paladin11]

Your stock plugs are not Gapped from the factory to handle increased boost or tuning.

Most of us replace them with HKS45il
Or similar gapped to .020-.022
Search for spark plug change. It's about a hour long job with the correct tools.

E content is Ethanol based fuel
You can mix E85 if available with your standard premium at the pump and get your Octane levels up to 98 ish.
Which is required to go up in Boost.


93 will only get you to Map2 on a JB4 which is 435 HP ish.

Thanks for the reply
Wow
I had no idea you could mix E85 with 93 and raise octane levels. lol where have I been? I think I’ve been lost in the 80s - I’m sure there’s a gallon/gallon ratio too ? I think 435 hp is probably enough for me anyways tbh.
That’s super interesting about the plugs
I guess I should have done some research before I posted but also, that’s why I came here first too, to talk with guys who really know what they are doing

One more question and I’ll hit google
What about “miles” on an engine - I’ve bought this used and don’t have any idea how the car was really treated, my experience has taught me that high performance cars get the dog shit run out of them, that’s why guys buy them in the first place- is there excessive strain on the standard components of the motor that increases risk of internal lubricantrd part failure or turbo faiure at “map2”? I’ve been working primarily on older engines, American muscle mostly- Pontiac G-8,Cobras, restored GTOs, several other cars and my last project my 99 Pontiac GTP ( factory supercharged) - I’m an older man, not as astute in newer tech as you younger guys are.

Thanks so much guys for posting , it might seem like an old subject to you, but it’s all new to me. I wish I had bought a Stinger when I first saw one years ago, but I was busy with my other cars and tbh, somewhat skeptical of Korean cars and a little pig headed about my beliefs in what I considered “cool” it’s a fantastic car, I absolutely love driving it
Thanks again

 

[Paladin11]

Are you talking at the tyres or at the engine ?

Good question

 

[Kia Stinger]

Hey everyone
I bought a used 2019 GT-1 last week. Black/Black 68k miles- one owner about 6 months ago. I’m new to the forum
I”m an American car guy, this is my first Korean car. Ive had 3 Cobras and a bunch of other American muscle cars.
I just finished the refurb on my 99 Pontiac GTP coupe project and I’ve wanted a Stinger for quite awhile. I’m happy with the stock performance, but I’d like to go to the next level
Has anyone had real world experience with this tuner?
Is it worth it?
Can you really get 500 HP as they claim?
Are there any risks involved ? I don’t want to ruin this car, I love it and plan on keeping it especially since KIA has killed it

Thanks for any advice and sorry if this has been asked before, I checked the forum and nothing for quite awhile on this subject

Just taking a moment to say - welcome aboard! I’m glad you found us. Assuming you’ve found our JB4 section by now. If not, just check the front page of this community and scroll down until you find it.

 

[Snicklefritz]

What about “miles” on an engine -

I believe the forum record is over 220K miles as of a few months ago when he shared an update. I'd post his handle but I've forgotten it. I do remember that he claims to be on his original plugs, which is astounding. He's changed his struts and shocks at 80K and 160K, as that seems to be an upkeep thing for him. He declares zero issues and his engine runs great. Also, I think his car is bone stock.

Both of mine are bone stock. Over 33K on the '19 Premium, and over 77K on the '18 GT1. Neither car has indicated any engine failure or issues, other than, so far, a single coil pack on the GT1 that required replacement many miles ago. Cylinder 6. The corroded coil pack destroyed a couple of plugs before we checked and replaced the coil pack. Everything has been fine since then, c. 32K more miles.

From my reading on here, map 2 will pose no stress or wear issues beyond the stock powertrain parameters. If your powertrain has been well cared for previously, I think that you can approach a JB4 on map 2 or 3 with confidence. The engines in the Stinger are all very good ones and will take a lot of use and even abuse before needing "medical treatment". Ha hah.

 

[Paladin11]

I believe the forum record is over 220K miles as of a few months ago when he shared an update. I'd post his handle but I've forgotten it. I do remember that he claims to be on his original plugs, which is astounding. He's changed his struts and shocks at 80K and 160K, as that seems to be an upkeep thing for him. He declares zero issues and his engine runs great. Also, I think his car is bone stock.

Both of mine are bone stock. Over 33K on the '19 Premium, and over 77K on the '18 GT1. Neither car has indicated any engine failure or issues, other than, so far, a single coil pack on the GT1 that required replacement many miles ago. Cylinder 6. The corroded coil pack destroyed a couple of plugs before we checked and replaced the coil pack. Everything has been fine since then, c. 32K more miles.

From my reading on here, map 2 will pose no stress or wear issues beyond the stock powertrain parameters. If your powertrain has been well cared for previously, I think that you can approach a JB4 on map 2 or 3 with confidence. The engines in the Stinger are all very good ones and will take a lot of use and even abuse before needing "medical treatment". Ha hah.

Miles don’t worry me so much as I guess the boost - my experience with things like head gaskets’, fuel delivery and such
surprising that 220 is considered like super high actually
The Pontiac I just finished has 205 and I’d drive it across country with 3.8 liter
Thanks for the reply

 

[K8 Stinger Store]

Welcome @Paladin11 to the Stinger Forums.

Congrats on picking up your 2019 Stinger GT1, that is the exact same year and model that we have.

We'd love to help you customize your ride safely to improve the performance and handling.

We don't sell any parts that can ruin the car, unless installed incorrectly of course.

Reach out anytime, we have an entire store dedicated to your new car!

-David
K8 Stinger Store