buying a self tuning device... which one?
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buying a self tuning device... which one?
i just bought an 04wrx sedan and i was told by one of my friends that i should get a self tuner. Well what are the advantages of buying a self tuning device over going to a shop and getting it tuned? Also how will this increase my hp? Im a bit of a noob to this subject so bare with me. Any advice would be appreciated.
The Cobb stuff (AccessPort) will be more likely be "safer" for you, if you don't know what you are doing. The UTEC is a very powerful device, but it can cause problems if you don't keep your head up. Also, you can get either of these devices tuned professionally.
The AccessPort allows you to switch maps, but doesn't allow you to modify the settings on your own. If you want to do your own map editing, Cobb has a StreetTuner package available. From what I've heard, its a little disappointing for some and overwhelming for others. I haven't seen it myself, but I'm guessing its cool, but not necessiarly powerful. For professional tunes, you can take your AccessPort enabled Subaru to any authorized ProTuner for a professional tune.
The UTEC I don't have much experience with, but I've seen plenty of good numbers. Its a piggyback system, as opposed to a reflash system like the Cobb stuff (and ECUtek, more on ECUtek later), so you lose a lot of the factory safeguards. The UTEC allows for great freedom, but you'll need to monitor a lot of different variables yourself to prevent damage to your motor.
ECUtek was the original reflash system, and is still pretty good. The only problem is, you take it to a tuner to get tuned, and then you bring your car home. There is no physical hardware for you to take home. You can't switch between maps like with the AccessPort, or anything of the sort. Rumor has it that ECUtek is working on a hardware piece to function similar to Cobb's AccessPort, but its not available yet.
The AccessPort allows you to switch maps, but doesn't allow you to modify the settings on your own. If you want to do your own map editing, Cobb has a StreetTuner package available. From what I've heard, its a little disappointing for some and overwhelming for others. I haven't seen it myself, but I'm guessing its cool, but not necessiarly powerful. For professional tunes, you can take your AccessPort enabled Subaru to any authorized ProTuner for a professional tune.
The UTEC I don't have much experience with, but I've seen plenty of good numbers. Its a piggyback system, as opposed to a reflash system like the Cobb stuff (and ECUtek, more on ECUtek later), so you lose a lot of the factory safeguards. The UTEC allows for great freedom, but you'll need to monitor a lot of different variables yourself to prevent damage to your motor.
ECUtek was the original reflash system, and is still pretty good. The only problem is, you take it to a tuner to get tuned, and then you bring your car home. There is no physical hardware for you to take home. You can't switch between maps like with the AccessPort, or anything of the sort. Rumor has it that ECUtek is working on a hardware piece to function similar to Cobb's AccessPort, but its not available yet.
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If you're interested in learning to tune on your own, I highly recommend the Cobb StreetTUNER. Its a very powerful system and will give you the chance to learn what true Engine Management is about. The UTEC is an outdated piggy back that forces you to learn around its quirks and spend time working around them instead of learning how a propper EM system works.
If you're not confident in your own tuning abilities and/or don't want to spend many many hours learning, I suggest finding a good tuner in your area and going with either the AccessPORT with a custom ProTUNER map or an Ecutek reflash.
Thanks
If you're not confident in your own tuning abilities and/or don't want to spend many many hours learning, I suggest finding a good tuner in your area and going with either the AccessPORT with a custom ProTUNER map or an Ecutek reflash.
Thanks
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