Cheaper ECU flash?

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02-10-2003, 08:16 PM

#46

i-speed

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You could also buy the WRXLink for near that price and have full programability. Though I will say, no I am 99.9% sure with the power fc or WRXLink you will NOT get the reliability, control, safety margin and stock feel that the ECUTek software can give you.

The power fc or WRXLink has control over only a subset of what the ECUTek offers. Both of which control:

Ignition timing maps
Injector pulse
Timing adjustment
Fuel / ignition test
Boost control
Acceleration enrichment compensation
Ignition cranking fuel adjustment
Injector duty cycle
Air temperature correction
Rev-limiter control

For the ECUTek this about 1/4 of the options available for tuning. Plus the ECUTek offers a margin of safety with built in safety maps. So if the car starts detonating or anything that could possibly go bad, the maps will switch over to another set of "safe" maps.

Though I will say poeple like to tune thier own stuff because well it is fun and I agree totally. For that the WRXLink works well, as does the Power FC which is for sure probably the best cheap alternative to the ECUTek. Just stay away from piggy backs...

02-10-2003, 09:31 PM

#47

Speed Element

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Does anyone here have any experience with the Apexi power FC on a USDM WRX?

They are a great ECU but I was always under the impression there was a little more involved in getting them working in our model than just plugging them in and using a laptop to tune?

Mike

02-10-2003, 10:20 PM

#48

bugelrex

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could it be argued that reflashing back to stock (for smog, selling car) should be significantly cheaper?

Since you are not purchasing anything new, simply reverting to what u originally have...

02-10-2003, 10:31 PM

#49

i-speed

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The Cali DMV only tests idle, 3000 RPM's and the OBD-II for codes and to make sure everything looks good. There is no way they can tell if the ECU has been flashed.

The DMV pushes to many cars through a day to check for small little things that could be inaccurate, like horsepower differences.

So as long as it is not dyno'ed there really is no way to tell whether the ECU has been flashed or not.

In theory the ECUTek should pass emissions as the ECUTek is tuned to an A/F ratio not a set value like in the WRXLink or other like units. I am pretty definite that with the ECUTek flash you will pass emissions.

02-10-2003, 10:32 PM

#50

christoph1371

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Let me get his straight. You go buy a new product, you use it, then try to sell it back to the store you bought it from?
ummmm i think that would be highly unlikely.
You could always sell it to another person and get their stock ecu in return.

02-10-2003, 10:34 PM

#51

mexicanpizza

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I think he meant like a temporary reflash to go get smogged. I mean that would be very comforting come smog time. But I guess we'll know if the ECUtek can pass CA smog soon anyway.

02-10-2003, 10:39 PM

#52

i-speed

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Just to make everyone happy, how about we at I-SpeedUSA take one of our ECUTek cars and try getting it smogged under the regulations set forth by the Cali DMV. We will have a relatively moderate amount of mods also.

Who is interested in us doing that?

02-10-2003, 10:45 PM

#53

christoph1371

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once someone flashes if you want to go back to stock then I think that can be arranged.

02-10-2003, 10:50 PM

#54

Kostamojen

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My question: Which of the ecu's (or reflashes) will allow for AVCS tuning?

02-10-2003, 10:53 PM

#55

i-speed

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ECUTek, DOES allow for AVCS tuning.

Link will be releasing a version of the WRXLink that will allow the control of the AVCS for the STI coming out this summer.

02-10-2003, 10:53 PM

#56

christoph1371

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interesting...hehehehehe
i'll let you know in about 1 month

aww man...bill spilled the beans

02-10-2003, 11:19 PM

#57

Kostamojen

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I'm more interested if it would work for the N/A JDM AVCS EJ25 though

02-10-2003, 11:20 PM

#58

i-speed

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Hmmm, interesting...

02-11-2003, 12:14 AM

#59

Vishnu

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