Hoping to get some advice from fellow bay area i-clubbers!

I have a bone stock '09 WRX. I'm thinking about going for a reflash in order to get some more low-to-mid end power (I don't think I've ever redlined the car, nor am I likely to do so regularly in the future). What would you guys recommend? Cobb? Ecutek? Any recommended shops around the Peninsula?

Why is this this a "lazy" mod? I don't have a boost or any temp gauges, and I don't really care to get any installed if I don't have to. I'm also just really looking at a reflash without any other mods right now (possibly going the downpipe route in the future, but I'd probably retain the stock catback as I'd really like to stay quiet and stealth, even if it leaves some HP on the table). For a stock car, is it better to just get a stock 91 octane reflash, or would it be worth it to get a custom tune as well?

I'm really looking for trouble-free, mostly maintenance-free performance. It'd be great to have something as "invisible" as possible, physically as well as electronically, in case I need to bring the car back to the dealer for service (can Subaru check the ECU for reflashes, and do they log it in your "file" or anything?)...

It's quite OK to tell me I'm not a good candidate for modding if you think that

Thanks!

 

As far as I know, COBB offers a stage 1 map that is great on a stock platform. It will give your 09 a little more spunk. That will also be a good thing to have if and when you throw in a dp and exhaust.

 

what about OpenSource flashing? give Ed @ EQTuning a call

 

Ditto.

 

lol i thought the thread title was referring to a moderator in the bay area who is lazy.

 

Thanks, I saw some links to OpenSource but don't know anything about it; I'll read up. But cliffs-notes wise, are there any adv/disavd to this system over Cobb or any of the other options? Again, I'm looking for easy and troublefree (and I figure I'll have to pay in cash for my unwillingness to get my hands dirty).

I'll let the mod in question decide for him- (or her-) self whether there was a double-entendre intended in the thread title

 

Yeah, if you just want a tune, I'd go with OpenSource tuning from Ed. In the future, if yu want to have the ability to run different maps (91 octane, 100 octane, economy, valet) I'd go with the Cobb, but that seems like extra stuff for what you're going for.

Oh, and I also thought this was going to be about the lazy mods

 

Yeah, pretty much what MBasile said - The main advantage of the Cobb AccessPort is that it has the ability to read codes and hold multiple maps. It also comes preloaded with maps for certain mods. Its a hand held device that you can use yourself.

Open Source is another way of tuning the car, just without the hand held device. The tuner tunes the car and thats pretty much it.


If you want to hold multiple maps and want to be able to read engine codes, the AP is a good deal. If you just want the car tuned (set and forget it) then OS is good too. I use the AP and have two custom maps, one for 91 and one for 100.

 

Any other responses/suggestions? I sent an email to Ed but no response so far, maybe I need to give him a call directly...

 

If you want to do something besides tuning, do a short shifter and shifter bushings. If the 09 feels like the 08, you could use some more feeling in that shifter.

 

haha ^^^ you said 'spunk'...

back on topic...OP,

with a realistic view on things, what will you be doing after the flash? anything at all? also, how much is your budget?

With either Ed/EQ Tuning or Cobb AP and a tune (I used this route and GST Motorsports), you'll notice the difference in the the car from before. Frees up the power, and YES, you will not need to redline the car to notice the power difference, even on Stg 1 (flash only).

With regards to OS, i guess it's all in the tune. I can't speak to being a tuner, just suffice to say, a good tune can make your car perform really well, a so-so tune can just be different, or a bad tune blow the engine up. I say, you get what you pay for...

I'm very much the same style as you. My car is my DD. I need to use it to pick up my baby girl every day, and meet clients too. Spirited driving is mostly the weekends and the occasional on/off-ramp (or just to make baby girl giggle and scream "Turbo!!!"). Otherwise, i prefer a mellow exterior appearance and stock interior.

good luck!

 

I had the kartboy with bushings in my '02, and the '09 has the STI STS. I'm not sure which I like better, but that Subaru "notchy" feel is definitely still there!

Realistically? Maybe later I'd go with a downpipe with a high-flow cat, hooked up to the stock catback, just because it seems like it would be a huge bang-for-the-buck mod. That's really the extent of what I'd do though. I'm entirely happy with the car as is, and don't want to throw thousands of dollars into it to the point where I start second guessing whether I should have just dropped for the STi to begin with.

 

word! completely agree. just know that you will need another tune after the DP + hi-flow cat.

At this point, we seem to have similar philsophies. i had the same plan originally: buy an AP, start with a stg 1 tune, then later i would do a DP and tune again. But ...with cost wise for the two tunes, i just ended up springing for the DP and tune early.

so, essentially, i went from stg 0 straight to stg 2. HUGE freakin' difference! loved it, and the punch from the turbo was NIGHT and DAY. If you've got the money (and have mentally gotten past the 'warranty' aspect of things), then i encourage you to just do it all at one time.

well...depending on if your car is broken in already or not. i put mine on at 22K miles, but would have considered it anytime past 5K miles (me conservative when it comes to those things).

good luck with your decision!

 

Thanks Cheston, I agree we're looking at things from the same perspective. Makes me feel like I'm not being a total oddball WRT modding.

Now, I'm really getting into RTFM realm, but for someone who knows diddly about downpipes, is there a ballpark I should be looking for in terms of cost/installation (not gonna be doing it myself anytime soon)?

Any popular recommendations? I know it's somewhat hidden and you can keep the heat shield around it, but I don't need anything cosmetically stunning.

 

There are basically 2 types of aftermarket downpipes, those with a catalytic converter (catted), and those without (catless). Whichever you choose, keep in mind that any tampering/replacement of the OEM catalytic converters is prohibited. Therefore, strictly speaking, even if you install an aftermarket downpipe with catalytic converter, you will be breaking the law. Having said that, there are some distinct advantages to both types.

A catted downpipe will allow you to pass the "sniffer" portion of a SMOG test, although you will likely fail the visual portion of the test. Further, your exhaust fumes won't smell, so unless someone visually inspects your car, they will be unable to tell that it is modified.

A catless downpipe offers more power/better response, but at the cost of not being able to pass either part of the SMOG test. Further, anyone behind you will be able to smell the distinctive exhaust fumes that result from running without catalytic converters. If that person happens to be a LEO, and knows that the smell is due to a catless setup, you may be in trouble.

With respect to prices, figure about $250-350 for a catless downpipe, and about $560-600 for a catted downpipe, uninstalled. As to brands, it's mainly personal preference, as I think the general consensus is that downpipes are more or less all the same.
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