Visit to the LAP3 shop in Korea

[xot1]

Today, I paid a visit to the LAP3 main shop in Ansan, Korea.

I went to upgrade my spark plugs as a preventive measure for my recently installed piggy back.
I used this opportunity to run a dyno test after upgrading the plugs.
It was my first time ever seeing a dyno test in real life, so it was very interesting.


▲ The shop is super neat and has nice ceiling lights that make the car look super nice.


▲ The guy behind LAP3 products development in Korea. He is very friendly.


▲ Waiting for the results (with few curious bystanders)


▲ 417 ps (411 hp) at the wheels, 61.2 kg.m (442 ft.lb) -> Better than I expected!

Specs: GT 3.3 RWD
+ LAP3 uncle chip (6-7-7 setting)
+ Titanium EVC cat-back
+ HKS M45il spark plugs
The rest is stock
Fuel: Octane ~91

I am extremely satisfied with this configuration for the moment,
but I may upgrade to the Pro-tuner in a near future for more performance customization.

Edit : I just noticed the unit used for the power was not in HP, 417 ps → 411 HP !

 

[STINGER]

Very good results! The car will definitely make more with the ProTuner.

never heard of 6-7-7 setting before, I know there is 7-4-4, 7-5-5 and 6-6-6.

 

[ZyroXZ2]

411WHP on just a chip and catback?!... Man, I really can't tell what mods even do what anymore on this 3.3TT, lol

 

[RedGT2]

Lap3 seems to be the easiest install out of all the chips available for the stinger though, so i'm leaning towards putting that on

 

[xot1]

Lap3 seems to be the easiest install out of all the chips available for the stinger though, so i'm leaning towards putting that on

I installed it myself and it took less than 5min (it can be done in less than 1minute if you already know what to do) so yes, it is super easy and I can remove it any time if I want to.
But with my current setting, the HKS plugs are almost mandatory and changing the plugs requires more skills/tools.

 

[RedGT2]

I used to run the lap3 on my optima and even with the upgraded HKS plugs i would foul them after 5k miles. Wondering if anyone is experiencing issues with the Lap3 even with the HKS plugs

 

[xot1]

I used to run the lap3 on my optima and even with the upgraded HKS plugs i would foul them after 5k miles. Wondering if anyone is experiencing issues with the Lap3 even with the HKS plugs

Is it due to too much boost?

 

[RedGT2]

I believe so, i actually blew my engine in my optima and is a big reason why i purchased the Stinger. I was flooring the car and got up to about 85mph when the engine block blew. On my optima i did have a full exhaust on it including the downpipe. I also had the upgrade intercooler, K&N Cold air intake, throttle body spacer and HKS blow off valve. The service manager at my Kia dealership told me on the stinger NOT to install aftermarket downpipes as this could lead to overboosting especially with the tune on.

 

[xot1]

I believe so, i actually blew my engine in my optima and is a big reason why i purchased the Stinger. I was flooring the car and got up to about 85mph when the engine block blew. On my optima i did have a full exhaust on it including the downpipe. I also had the upgrade intercooler, K&N Cold air intake, throttle body spacer and HKS blow off valve. The service manager at my Kia dealership told me on the stinger NOT to install aftermarket downpipes as this could lead to overboosting especially with the tune on.

Hmm, with the ProTuner, LAP3 recommends strongly to do a primary cat delete.

 

[RedGT2]

Actually David from K5optima store and K8 stinger store said for the optima with the Lap3 uncle chip you MUST have the stock cat because it will lead to overboosting. I noticed this a number of times where the car would misfire under heavy throttle. I had that aftermarket midpile on for a while before i spoke to David. I strongly believe that running the Lap3 with the aftermarket exhaust weakened the engine, ultimately leading to the catastrophic failure i experienced

 

[RedGT2]

Luckily the LAP3 is so easy to remove, i took the chip off before my car got towed to Kia. Kia replaced my engine and turbo under warranty despite the rest of the aftermarket parts and gave me such a good deal on my stinger that i couldnt walk away.

 

[xot1]

Actually David from K5optima store and K8 stinger store said for the optima with the Lap3 uncle chip you MUST have the stock cat because it will lead to overboosting. I noticed this a number of times where the car would misfire under heavy throttle. I had that aftermarket midpile on for a while before i spoke to David. I strongly believe that running the Lap3 with the aftermarket exhaust weakened the engine, ultimately leading to the catastrophic failure i experienced

Very sorry to hear that.
Thanks for the warning. This is also one of the reasons I am staying one step behind the strongest tunes, to see how things unfold with time before jumping in.

 

[RedGT2]

I also believe the uncle chip is not as powerful as the Lap pro tuner. The Lap3 Uncle Chip also appears to be one of the weaker chips in terms of power output even though it will still make the Stinger much faster. I think this is the way to go to try to improve the longevity of the engine while also pulling more power out of it

 

[Doel]

man that's a pretty dyno. Here in Alabama virtually all the speed shops you go to are in glorified large metal sheds, it's typically 95+ degrees in there with no AC, there are half a dozen or so cars scattered around in various levels of builds, and it's always filthy lol

 

[ZyroXZ2]

glorified large metal sheds

99.999% of mechanic shops right there, lol

 

[Doel]

99.999% of mechanic shops right there, lol

yup lol nothing like that lap3 shop in Korea. Looks like the damn dyno is in a wind tunnel or something.

 

[ZyroXZ2]

yup lol nothing like that lap3 shop in Korea. Looks like the damn dyno is in a wind tunnel or something.

Not to mention the lights every 5ft on the ceiling, lmao... Whatever happened to two hanging pairs of fluorescents per bay?!

 

[Doel]

Not to mention the lights every 5ft on the ceiling, lmao... Whatever happened to two hanging pairs of fluorescents per bay?!

and look at that plexiglass partition with built in monitor display with tables and chairs lined up in the viewing room? whatever happened to a raggedy old laptop sitting on a work bench with everyone standing around the dyno with their hands over their ears?

 

[Jonathan Lasich]

and look at that plexiglass partition with built in monitor display with tables and chairs lined up in the viewing room? whatever happened to a raggedy old laptop sitting on a work bench with everyone standing around the dyno with their hands over their ears?

Not to mention that it looks like you could eat right off the floor!

 

[xot1]

Another picture that shows better
You can see the cabin on the left.



While the car is tested, people watch from inside the cabin. There are several seats facing the glass and a large screen showing the dyno program.
It felt like looking at a top secret science experiment.