That's exactly what they are.

If your car fits in to a particular modification category that's exactly what they are. Generally speaking they're a bit on the safer side than a custom tune is going to be because they're taylored to a certain mod... not that individual part or that individual motor. Some can handle more than others.

But they are just fine as an end solution when you're talking about nothing more than a catback exhaust. He'll see gains and his car will run better.

Will you get more from a custom tune.... maybe. But in this case is it really worth $400 more? No.

I love my local tuners and I'd love to see them make that money but the gains are so minimal when you're talking about this.

Catless exhaust, headers, injector, turbo, intercooler... hell yes get a pro tune.

Cattted exhaust... especially a stock one... not worth it.

 

My advice... if you're not wanting to go nuts and you're seriously just talking about a cat back... just use a cobb tune and call it a day.

If you want a little more do a full turbo back exhaust and catless up-pipe. At that point you'd be fine with a stock cobb tune but you will see some noticeable gains from a pro-tune....


cat back... cobb.
full turbo back and uppipe... protune AFTER you've driven on the cobb one and decided you're fine with it and don't need a turbo or who knows what else...

 

Understood, thanks for the input. As I mentioned before at most it's gonna be a down pipe a CATTED exhaust system and that's about it engine wise. I want to focus my money and mods on the handling. I just want a bit of piece of mind that the engine won't blow. Not saying it will bcs I've got 33k on it now, and she still feels great.

 

Agreed. I've just witnessed multiple cars knocking with COBB OTS maps which has always made me want to get a pro-tune because a pro tune not only is safer for your car but as a plus usually you get a bit more power out if it. The difference from a OTS map in drivability is insanely different BTW its not always about power.

To the OP If all you ever plan to do is just install a cat back just stick to a cobb map. I just stated my personal preference on what I'd trust on my motor long term. Many might not share my same views but multiple tuners across the world have said Cobb maps were never ment to be the map for the life of the motor.

 

Drop in pistons and bearings barely qualify as "built" ha I call it semi-built

Paul never gave me power numbers but I'm willing to bet I'm up near 200whp with a stock dp since I'm pushing 18-19psi when the ots map barely increases boost

A while back ed tuned a 05 wrx with only a borla hush (stock catted up too) and got like 195whp - couldn't find it on search but his sn was like porturboer or something

 

Custom tune, no question.

 

you guys have a lot more money to burn than I do if you're willing to drop $400 on a protune for a catback on top of the $600 AP.


I would LOVE to see this cars numbers... go in... base pull. Base pull on the cobb tune. Then the pull after the custom tune is done.




I am a HUGE supporter of custom tunes. Just don't see it doing much of anything with such little mods. We're talking about a catback here. Soon as those cats come off I'm a big fan of custom tunes. I drove Kenny's wagon the other day and that thing is smooth as hell.

But that's got more than a catback on it.

I'd honestly love some input from tuners on this. It's a question that comes up ALL the time... when to actually go for a protune. I personally think it's a retarded forum question. Find a tuner.... good forum question because it gives you a place to start. But all you're getting in this thread is the opinion of people that don't drive your car.

Clearly I say a protune is a waste of $400 considering your mods. And clearly some folks don't agree.

So why not figure out who your favorite tuner is and ask them?

 

O.K. semi built block. Are you talking about going from untuned to pro tuned or going from cobb to pro tuned?

 

Well that's just the problem for haha. I don't know of any tuners. I've been mainly working on handling and now I think I'm ready for stage 1. But as I mentioned in my previous post I'm not after crazy power. Just a little more of piece of mind. So at this point it seems like the accessport is the most reasonable path to take. Onemanarmy, your input is much appreciated. I still haven't met you in person. Will you be at the Fremont meet tommorow night? And how do I kno it's u?

 

I went from stock to ots stg1 which basically only smoothed out they power band but didn't make my car any faster. .

Then got protuned and it made a huge difference

 

I'll admit I was hesitant to be tuned on a stock down pipe but after driving it I wish I did it sooner

 

Sweet. Glad Paul was able to get more out of it. In your case or ones like it I'd probably do a protune just because their is the investment in the motor already... and event with just a few upgrades they can handle a little more because they're built right. LOL!