I just want to hear suggestions on which one is better utec's or reflashed ecu?

 

I would prefer a reflash over a piggyback for the main reason that the piggyback tricks the ECU into doing what is needed, where as the reflash lets you reprogram the ECU into doing what is needed without fooling it.

Its a tad safer as all the safeguards are still there, and will not allow you to damage the car, something that is still possible with any piggyback system.

if this is for a STi, ecutek is still working on the STI and Forester XT as the ecu is different then the rest of the subarus.

you can read more about it on the ecutek site

www.ecutek.com

 

Plus with a piggy back you have an extra unit sitting in your passenger side footwell.

 

My abridged response is that a reflash is better than the Utec. The Utec lacks certain capabilites that the ECU has. Utecs are okay for low-output mod groups, basically those with the stock turbo, bt has shortcomings in high-boost applications. Plus, it is several hundred dollars more and has no real advantages other than user tunability, but if you go to a good tuner to get your ECU reflash (which you have to do, unless you want to drop $3,000 for reflashing software ) then there should be little room for improvement on the tune.

 

short version: reflash is way better then a utec. that is the only way to make sure you dont have 2 computers fighting for control over your engine. just my .02

 

My there are some varied levels of accuracy in the above responses

The UTEC is and isnt a Piggy back (and soon will not be a piggy back but PEMS)

What is correct from the above is the UTEC connects as a piggy back would and does control fuel in a piggy back manor. The timing is controlled at the point the user selects to control it (60% onwards by default) by the UTEC and not by piggy backing.

The UTEC has it's own inbuilt knock control which as set from the factory is more than safe (too sensitive for some applications) although this is fully definable by the user.

The UTEC is moving to complete standalone control of the fuel which will then not really enable it to be called a piggy back but more of a Parrell Engine Management System (which is how a lot of wire in standalones work) leaving the mundane tasks to the stock ECU.

There are no limitations with highly modified cars, infact one of the highest output cars in the US currently uses the UTEC to control it (400+ WHP and 28PSI).

There is no real answer to the question of which is better, the only answer is for the questions of which is better for you. If you want to get a nice packaged setup and leave it alone after I would say get the reflash, if your looking for something to continously tinker with and want to do it yourself get the UTEC (or any other tunable ECU/Piggy back)

Mike

(510) 487-4447
www.mpjperformance.com
www.gb-motorsports.com

 

Thanks to all that replied I think I might go with the reflash..Which leads me to ask another question who would any of you suggest to do a reflash and what can you say about cobb's soon to come out accessport??Thanks again

 

If you want to do a reflash, you can probably find an EcuTek dealer near you, or you send in your ECU to Cobb, or wait for Cobb's accessport. The accessport just lets you reflash your ecu without having to send it in to UT(and a bit more).

 

I have COBB stg 1..it rocks.

 

Thats an awesome answer mike. i only have one thing to add. BE CAREFUL and if you do use a utec or something similar, make sure to have a PROFESSIONAL TUNER atleast look at it and make sure your map is good. There are alot of bad maps out there, and i would hate to see someone else loose their motor to a bad map.

 

Thanks mate, I would like to add to Aarons statement about bad maps. Some of the most shocking stuff we have seen has been passed on by a friend of a uncles auntie via the interweb. Be careful what you download and only use downloaded maps as a guideline to start with.

Remember little steps!

Mike

(510) 487-4447
www.mpjperformance.com
www.gb-motorsports.com

 

I would think that one positive to the UTEC solution would be the ability to store multiple maps and switch between them anytime. With a reflash you are stuck the last reflash map.

 

Hmm, if I remember correctly, we have made some good power with UTEC powered cars, more than reflashed cars, and it wasn't on a stock turbo but quite mildly modified(Turbo upgrade, IC upgrade, Injectors, etc).

Personally, I would like to have control over my own car, not having to pay for a flash every time I add a new part to my car.
Able to change maps on the fly and awesome end-user support plus constant upgrades from TurboXS, I find that UTEC is one of the better solutions out there as of now.

Tommy
www.mpjperformance.com

 

with the Ecutek you can have 2 maps stored in your stock ECU and switch between them.

its not as good as the number the UTEC has, but its still better then nothing