I'm still on the fence with Cobb AP stage 1 too. Personally, I'm already sold on the smoother throttle response and better torque (not so rich mix above 3k, and not so lean below). One thing I'm hesitant on is how it maps partial throttle applications and the AVCS... which is hard to know about unless you reverse engineer it or get the info direct from cobb.

Are the maps only modified to WOT and open loop throttle? In closed loop, what is modified?

Because you can only go back to Cobb's "stock" map and not your actual stock map, this is a one way path; even though there is a "butterfly effect" path back to "stock".

 

great thread i too have a stock 06 and am wondering if its worth the 650 looks like it is... a few questions.. when you say stage two voids the warranty, do you mean runnign the car with the stage two map voids the warranty or adding a turbo back exhaust voids the warranty?? if you can put the ecu is stock mode when you go in for service how would they know if you are running stage two? if i am stock now i can run stage one then when i change the exhaust i can reprogram it two stage two correct? how hard is it to plug this thing in and how long does the reprogram take??

 

I added an up pipe first and had a somewhat noticeable increase, then added an
AP with stage 2 and that really made a difference. The up pipe by itself was noticeable but it felt unrefined and the turbo would spool on too long. I'd guess that the stage 1 is probably comparable to an up pipe install and by the time you get done with the up pipe you've used up a day of time and need to be
mechanically inclined and patient. If you can get the same perfomance from just the AP install I'd go that route first and then decide if you want the up pipe and stage 2. The stage 2 has been on my car for the last 40k (70k now) and I've had no problems at the dealer or anywhere else.

 

i believe if you put the turbobacks would voids your warranty, not installing the accessport..your fine with that. wat kind of service did u wanna do at the dealer? there not always gonna check your "ecu" for changing brakes, changing oil and stuff like that, unless they have to check ur engine check light on. i heard when you put it back to stock there is no way that they can find out that u installed the accessport (this is one of the best feature with the ap). pluggin this ap is very simple take up to 40 mins. mine took 25 for stage 1 to complete, it MAKEs a difference trust me.

this is wat you should do, get an exhaust then ap then install stage 1. so you let the ecu know that you got an exhaust, wen your ready to get a down pipe get stage 2. if you live in cali get a catted down pipe. make sure u use stage 2 CALIFORNIA MAP! very important.

 

i bring the car to the dealer for oil changes but what i am worried about is blowing the tranny, if the clutch goes thats not under warranty anyway. I seriously doubt i will have engine problems without seriously modifing the car, i am not going to add a bigger turbo or nos. My main concern is the tranny and the 5 yr 60k powertrain warranty. So you think i should do the exhaust and then get the access port? both at the same time are not really in my budget right now, the exhaust i want to get is 550 to 600.. I want to get one of them right now..

 

i think the 06 tranny are more reliable (durable) than the older model...they have higher HP rating. i mean cobb AP adds up to 30whp or more with tuned with stage 2 shouldnt hurt ur tranny, are u planning to go to the tracks? yea man get the exhuast, i personally have the HKS Hi-power..ilove it. reflash ur ecu with stage 1, you should be fine. if u need to go back to the delear for watever service, uninstall the accessport (back to stock). plus ap has other usefull features (find out in the site) and maybe other future maps to load in ur ecu.

 

Id suggest you get the AP first... because if you add CBE, youre STILL increasing flow, which really shouldnt be going on with the way the STge1 is tuned... The mods you can do within stage 1 parameters are... silicon I/C hoses, silencer delete, uppipe (you dont need one with an 06), lightened (not underdriven) crank pulley... this things are fine... but not increasing flow at the tail end...

Also about the warranty deal... TBE will not void your warranty, its a CASE BY CASE basis... They will cover your vehicle, UNLESS the damage is somehow related to your modification... If your starter is shot... all you have is a TBE... they cannot deny your warranty claim... they will replace the starter, etc... but if something goes wrong with your turbo... they MAY link it to the install of the DP, saying that something got effed with... you know the deal...

Get the AP... then save up to get DP, CBE at the same time... once you do, reflash to stock... get it installed, then reflash to stage 2... then enjoy

 

thanks for the reply and info i appreciate it. i got the borla last week and its installed. i am going to get the access port and the downpipe next...

 

borla... hush? Would you say theres a nice low increase in sound? how would you describe it? Any sound clips?

 

i dont have any sound clips, unfortunately i spend most of my daylight hours at work. the sound is great, but thats my opinion. its just a little louder than stock.. at startup idle it has nice low rumble, when you get on it i would say its maybe 20% louder than the stock exhaust. i will take post some pics soon, it has a nice twin tip design that looks good....

 

oh, its a hot system, i know, haha enjoy it.. ive just necer heard it on the stock DP.. sounds mean when a DP is added... enjoy