So many choices... which ECU upgrade???
04-20-2003, 03:24 PM
#1
VIP Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 846
Car Info: 08 WRX - 401whp/408wtq
So many choices... which ECU upgrade???
ive been reading up on all these computers and chips, and reflashes, its making me dizzy...
what do u guys recommend?
a $1000 UTEC from TXS? or the $400 accessECU from cobb tuning?
any info would help, THANKSSSS
what do u guys recommend?
a $1000 UTEC from TXS? or the $400 accessECU from cobb tuning?
any info would help, THANKSSSS
04-20-2003, 03:32 PM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,780
Car Info: Boosted Geo Prizm
It all depends on what you want to accomplish. Do you have the time, patience, and knowledge to tune your self? If so, then a UTEC, Xede, or even a full standalone could be for you.
If you are a set it and forget it kind of person, a reflash is right there for you.
If you are a set it and forget it kind of person, a reflash is right there for you.
04-20-2003, 04:04 PM
#3
VIP Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 846
Car Info: 08 WRX - 401whp/408wtq
hey thanks, good thinking btw... well i dunno... see my goal is to run low-mid 13s consistantly, and maintain a reliable and efficient daily driver... im thinking of these upgrades...
HKS Hi-Power Cat-Back approx. $650
Perrin Down Pipe (w/ high flow cat) approx. $540
Turbo XS up pipe approx. $200
Perrin I/C hose kit approx. $150
Will the above parts work as well?
B/C they are essentially the same stuff Prodrives selling for $2500 (minus the re-flashed ecu)... and those add up to about $1540.. leaving me $960 to invest into a ECU unit... whats best?
Then top it off with the...
UTEC or Cobb re-flash
about tuning... sure i dont mind doing some light adjustments, but if i go with the UTEC i can always yank it off for a stop at the dealers service dept. right? will i be better off with the UTEC and just buying a spare used ECU, just incase? id greatly value some opinions and advice...
HKS Hi-Power Cat-Back approx. $650
Perrin Down Pipe (w/ high flow cat) approx. $540
Turbo XS up pipe approx. $200
Perrin I/C hose kit approx. $150
Will the above parts work as well?
B/C they are essentially the same stuff Prodrives selling for $2500 (minus the re-flashed ecu)... and those add up to about $1540.. leaving me $960 to invest into a ECU unit... whats best?
Then top it off with the...
UTEC or Cobb re-flash
about tuning... sure i dont mind doing some light adjustments, but if i go with the UTEC i can always yank it off for a stop at the dealers service dept. right? will i be better off with the UTEC and just buying a spare used ECU, just incase? id greatly value some opinions and advice...
04-21-2003, 12:52 AM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,780
Car Info: Boosted Geo Prizm
A reflash is undetectable by dealers. That is no physical change to the ECU other then the code written to it. Dealers do not have the capability to read the code in the ECU.
If you got a UTEC, it too can be removed to show no sign of tampering.
Both with the right supporting mods can accomplish your goals. Both could get you into the 13 sec range(providing you can drive
) But for less then half the price, the Cobb reflash is a better deal.
If you got a UTEC, it too can be removed to show no sign of tampering.
Both with the right supporting mods can accomplish your goals. Both could get you into the 13 sec range(providing you can drive
) But for less then half the price, the Cobb reflash is a better deal.
04-21-2003, 06:26 PM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 23
I wouldn't say it is undetectable. If I were Subaru, I would give each of my regional service reps a copy of DeltaDash and ask them to check for ECU remap when a car is submitted for major warranty service. Don't assume they don't do this... From what I read, Audi had their dealers scanning for ECU chips when you were just getting an oil change...
Originally posted by teiva-boy
A reflash is undetectable by dealers. That is no physical change to the ECU other then the code written to it. Dealers do not have the capability to read the code in the ECU.
A reflash is undetectable by dealers. That is no physical change to the ECU other then the code written to it. Dealers do not have the capability to read the code in the ECU.
04-21-2003, 07:21 PM
#7
VIP Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 846
Car Info: 08 WRX - 401whp/408wtq
YIKES
yikes guys... well lets see, it seems the Cobb tuning is the most appealing sucker out there, considering its price and perfomance value... although i do think the dealer near me is good at detections, as i was talking to them and they warned me about their service department... "just come clean, trust me, those guys are good" haha... so whats a spare used ECU gonna cost me? im thinking of the reflash
ohhhh and about the cobb tuning, do they tune it to the mods you already have? is it better to do the catback first, then send off the ecu?
also, what are u guys running to get into low 13s? can u stay legal and still achieve this???
that would be great if possible!
thanks for all the help guys!
ohhhh and about the cobb tuning, do they tune it to the mods you already have? is it better to do the catback first, then send off the ecu?
also, what are u guys running to get into low 13s? can u stay legal and still achieve this???
that would be great if possible!thanks for all the help guys!
04-21-2003, 08:01 PM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Total newbie here- reflash
Hellooo... I'm a total newbie, take it down about 6 notches, thanks... got a WRX last week, love it. I'm getting an STI up-pipe from Rallisport when they come back into stock in a couple weeks. I've got the same goals as the original poster, except that I think I've decided on a reflash, no piggybacks etc. So my goals are:
* reliable daily driver
* speed up to 13
* also, I don't want to have my car in lockdown for more than a couple days.
How do I do this? Since I need it almost all the time and if I can figure out where the ECU is I can ship it off to a place that'll reflash it and ship it back, or can I get someone to loan me one for the interval where my ECU is in the mail or being reflashed.
Forgive my utter newbieness. Thanks
* reliable daily driver
* speed up to 13
* also, I don't want to have my car in lockdown for more than a couple days.
How do I do this? Since I need it almost all the time and if I can figure out where the ECU is I can ship it off to a place that'll reflash it and ship it back, or can I get someone to loan me one for the interval where my ECU is in the mail or being reflashed.
Forgive my utter newbieness. Thanks
04-21-2003, 08:29 PM
#9
VIP Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 846
Car Info: 08 WRX - 401whp/408wtq
hey sevielle
looks like weve got similar goals... a fast daily driver ...
as far as ur reflash goes, im gonna prolly go with that too...
Cobb Tuning offers the AccessECU says they can ship it back as soon as the same day, but since i want mine to be normal looking if i go into the dealer service dept... im gonna end up finding a used stock ECU from a junk yard... that way when i send out my ECU to be reflashed, ill have another one (stock) to drive the car around with... so no down time here
Also think about this, all i need to do is unplug the reflashed and plug in the stock one if i need it serviced at the dealer, that way they cant detect anything... and i wont get denied of my warranty its all good right?
oh and sevielle, what kinda mods are u getting other than that up pipe? I'm wondering... does the STi uppipe have a cat? is it legal? cuz if i cant find an up pipe with a high flow cat, im just gonna gut mine, so if cops take a look they wont suspect it being catless... also i hate to get my warranty denied and not pass smog on top of that wow... worse than being laid off and having ur gf dump u...
...as far as ur reflash goes, im gonna prolly go with that too...
Cobb Tuning offers the AccessECU says they can ship it back as soon as the same day, but since i want mine to be normal looking if i go into the dealer service dept... im gonna end up finding a used stock ECU from a junk yard... that way when i send out my ECU to be reflashed, ill have another one (stock) to drive the car around with... so no down time here
Also think about this, all i need to do is unplug the reflashed and plug in the stock one if i need it serviced at the dealer, that way they cant detect anything... and i wont get denied of my warranty
its all good right?oh and sevielle, what kinda mods are u getting other than that up pipe? I'm wondering... does the STi uppipe have a cat? is it legal? cuz if i cant find an up pipe with a high flow cat, im just gonna gut mine, so if cops take a look they wont suspect it being catless... also i hate to get my warranty denied and not pass smog on top of that wow... worse than being laid off and having ur gf dump u...
04-22-2003, 01:03 AM
#10
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,820
Car Info: 2000 2.5RS Silverthorn
Originally posted by johnw
I wouldn't say it is undetectable. If I were Subaru, I would give each of my regional service reps a copy of DeltaDash and ask them to check for ECU remap when a car is submitted for major warranty service. Don't assume they don't do this... From what I read, Audi had their dealers scanning for ECU chips when you were just getting an oil change...
I wouldn't say it is undetectable. If I were Subaru, I would give each of my regional service reps a copy of DeltaDash and ask them to check for ECU remap when a car is submitted for major warranty service. Don't assume they don't do this... From what I read, Audi had their dealers scanning for ECU chips when you were just getting an oil change...
As for scanning their car when they go to get an oil change, I think that is illegal. They get a repair order saying that they are paying for an oil change and thats it. Nothing else.
04-22-2003, 10:09 AM
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t the TXS Piggyback alter the signals from the sensors coming into the ecu, so the ecu adjusts the air/fuel to compensate in the manner the piggyback wants it to? If that is correct, then if you removed the piggyback before going in for service, there would be absolutely no way for them to know it was on ever there?
04-22-2003, 06:27 PM
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: hey sevielle
Originally posted by Boost Addict
looks like weve got similar goals... a fast daily driver...
oh and sevielle, what kinda mods are u getting other than that up pipe? I'm wondering... does the STi uppipe have a cat? is it legal? cuz if i cant find an up pipe with a high flow cat, im just gonna gut mine, so if cops take a look they wont suspect it being catless... also i hate to get my warranty denied and not pass smog on top of that wow... worse than being laid off and having ur gf dump u...
looks like weve got similar goals... a fast daily driver
...oh and sevielle, what kinda mods are u getting other than that up pipe? I'm wondering... does the STi uppipe have a cat? is it legal? cuz if i cant find an up pipe with a high flow cat, im just gonna gut mine, so if cops take a look they wont suspect it being catless... also i hate to get my warranty denied and not pass smog on top of that wow... worse than being laid off and having ur gf dump u...
STi Catless Up-pipe RST-4409 MY02-03 WRX -- $305
The standard WRX uses a metal substrate pre-calalyst in the turbo inlet pipe to reduce emissions during the warm-up phase. Unfortunately this pre-cat robs the exhaust pulses of energy that would otherwise help spin up the turbo. The STi up-pipe eliminates this pre-cat thereby improving power and throttle response. The advantage of this factory STi part over most of the aftermarket up-pipes is that Subaru uses a flex coupling in the pipe to allow for the expansion and contraction forces. Without this flex joint welds can crack,hardware can loosen, and leaks can develop. Note: it is not possible to reinstall the factory EGT sensor on this up-pipe. The EGT probe is used to ensure the cat does not overheat and is therefore not required. A resistor is included that can be installed in place of the probe to prevent the check engine light. Resistor value = 2200ohm,
Equivalent Temp = approx. 1300 deg. F.
I'm such a newbie that I'm not gonna say everything I plan to do,(mainly cuz I don't know) but I'm looking for ways to upgrade the WHP in ways that are safe, fast, reliable, won't void warranty with any luck at all, and largely imperceptible. Super-cheap is not a criterion but I'm not begging to waste $ of course. I need to get to and from work in it.
04-22-2003, 10:08 PM
#13
VIP Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 846
Car Info: 08 WRX - 401whp/408wtq
well sevielle...
ive learned a bit on here, also by reading around...
The STi up pipe will still throw me a CEL, and its true you can eliminate that with a simple resistor mod... however, the downside, i heard is that an injector can be misfiring and ur ecu won't realize it, due to the interruption u have created with the resistor... Definitely not kewl for me...
I heard that if you gut the up pipe, you wont be getting a CEL, but again ive heard that you can... so I won't argue that either way... as far as safe fast and reliable, i totally agree with you... and to this point i still have not decided on a LEGAL mod...
the ECU mod im gonna go with is the AccessECU reflash, you get impressive gains, and chances are it wont be detected at the dealer (however i will be getting a spare from a junkyard in case )
Another great suggestion made was to get a downpipe, either catless or with a high flow cat... in my case the perrin catted (replaces down and mid pipe)... get the downpipe then cover it with ur stock heatshield! so a cop cant detect a mod there... and when its smog time, swap in ur stock parts and u just cheated the system
I'm still looking for mods that will keep me from losing my warranty... i DOUBT the dealer will care about an HKS cat back... but i dont really know...
k well good luck, hope this info helped, ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULDBE GREAT ALSO.. regarding smog friendly, and easy mods!!!
ive learned a bit on here, also by reading around...
The STi up pipe will still throw me a CEL, and its true you can eliminate that with a simple resistor mod... however, the downside, i heard is that an injector can be misfiring and ur ecu won't realize it, due to the interruption u have created with the resistor... Definitely not kewl for me...
I heard that if you gut the up pipe, you wont be getting a CEL, but again ive heard that you can... so I won't argue that either way... as far as safe fast and reliable, i totally agree with you... and to this point i still have not decided on a LEGAL mod...
the ECU mod im gonna go with is the AccessECU reflash, you get impressive gains, and chances are it wont be detected at the dealer (however i will be getting a spare from a junkyard in case
)Another great suggestion made was to get a downpipe, either catless or with a high flow cat... in my case the perrin catted (replaces down and mid pipe)... get the downpipe then cover it with ur stock heatshield! so a cop cant detect a mod there... and when its smog time, swap in ur stock parts and u just cheated the system
I'm still looking for mods that will keep me from losing my warranty... i DOUBT the dealer will care about an HKS cat back... but i dont really know...
k well good luck, hope this info helped, ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULDBE GREAT ALSO.. regarding smog friendly, and easy mods!!!
04-23-2003, 07:59 PM
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by Boost Addict
well sevielle...
ive learned a bit on here, also by reading around...
The STi up pipe will still throw me a CEL, and its true you can eliminate that with a simple resistor mod... however, the downside, i heard is that an injector can be misfiring and ur ecu won't realize it, due to the interruption u have created with the resistor... Definitely not kewl for me...
K so here's where my newbieness comes in- I don't even know what a CEL is. Guess it is either some kind of misfire or flunking emission testing? Not to fear, I have local geniuses guiding me along here. The up-pipe has been installed by my bud Greg in his 2003 WRX here and he's not had any probs with it. The dealer here, Garcia Subaru, is among the coolest around from what I gather, and tells me the up-pipe cat is a CA thing, might not be kewl to take it to CA but it'll fly just fine in the Land of Enchantment. Not even illegal if that's true, and Garcia will do the install for me- I'm hoping that if I get the dealer doing the installs it'll be that much harder to void the warranty but I'm the LAST GUY ON EARTH to say that's so or not so.
I heard that if you gut the up pipe, you wont be getting a CEL, but again ive heard that you can... so I won't argue that either way... as far as safe fast and reliable, i totally agree with you... and to this point i still have not decided on a LEGAL mod...
the ECU mod im gonna go with is the AccessECU reflash, you get impressive gains, and chances are it wont be detected at the dealer (however i will be getting a spare from a junkyard in case )
Whereall you go for that? Or should I just google to find it?
Another great suggestion made was to get a downpipe, either catless or with a high flow cat... in my case the perrin catted (replaces down and mid pipe)... get the downpipe then cover it with ur stock heatshield! so a cop cant detect a mod there... and when its smog time, swap in ur stock parts and u just cheated the system
I'm a little worried about the downpipe thing, that'll probably make me flunk emissions, no? Again, I know nada right now and I'm just suckin up what people who know something tell me. I'm lazy, a commuter, I don't see myself swapping out stuff for a couple days just to pass emissions.
I'm still looking for mods that will keep me from losing my warranty... i DOUBT the dealer will care about an HKS cat back... but i dont really know...
I'm probably gonna go through a couple thou of mods, mostly geared toward better whp. Next thing is some window tinting, hardly worth mentioning but this is all so new to me that I'm still gonna enjoy it.
k well good luck, hope this info helped, ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULDBE GREAT ALSO.. regarding smog friendly, and easy mods!!!
well sevielle...
ive learned a bit on here, also by reading around...
The STi up pipe will still throw me a CEL, and its true you can eliminate that with a simple resistor mod... however, the downside, i heard is that an injector can be misfiring and ur ecu won't realize it, due to the interruption u have created with the resistor... Definitely not kewl for me...
K so here's where my newbieness comes in- I don't even know what a CEL is. Guess it is either some kind of misfire or flunking emission testing? Not to fear, I have local geniuses guiding me along here. The up-pipe has been installed by my bud Greg in his 2003 WRX here and he's not had any probs with it. The dealer here, Garcia Subaru, is among the coolest around from what I gather, and tells me the up-pipe cat is a CA thing, might not be kewl to take it to CA but it'll fly just fine in the Land of Enchantment. Not even illegal if that's true, and Garcia will do the install for me- I'm hoping that if I get the dealer doing the installs it'll be that much harder to void the warranty but I'm the LAST GUY ON EARTH to say that's so or not so.
I heard that if you gut the up pipe, you wont be getting a CEL, but again ive heard that you can... so I won't argue that either way... as far as safe fast and reliable, i totally agree with you... and to this point i still have not decided on a LEGAL mod...
the ECU mod im gonna go with is the AccessECU reflash, you get impressive gains, and chances are it wont be detected at the dealer (however i will be getting a spare from a junkyard in case
)Whereall you go for that? Or should I just google to find it?
Another great suggestion made was to get a downpipe, either catless or with a high flow cat... in my case the perrin catted (replaces down and mid pipe)... get the downpipe then cover it with ur stock heatshield! so a cop cant detect a mod there... and when its smog time, swap in ur stock parts and u just cheated the system
I'm a little worried about the downpipe thing, that'll probably make me flunk emissions, no? Again, I know nada right now and I'm just suckin up what people who know something tell me. I'm lazy, a commuter, I don't see myself swapping out stuff for a couple days just to pass emissions.
I'm still looking for mods that will keep me from losing my warranty... i DOUBT the dealer will care about an HKS cat back... but i dont really know...
I'm probably gonna go through a couple thou of mods, mostly geared toward better whp. Next thing is some window tinting, hardly worth mentioning but this is all so new to me that I'm still gonna enjoy it.
k well good luck, hope this info helped, ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULDBE GREAT ALSO.. regarding smog friendly, and easy mods!!!
04-23-2003, 08:38 PM
#15
VIP Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Plymouth, MN
Posts: 2,518
Car Info: 94 T-Leg Sedan and a 00 M5
If you are getting the AccessECU, you may want to ask about asking for the "off-road" treatment. Not sure on the nitty gritty, but that should get rid of any exhaust-related CELs (uppipe, cat-inneficiency) you might get.
edit: Also, the misfire code is not coming from the resistor-mod, it is possibly coming from the increased noise created by the uppipe. (whooshing noise caused by increased air speed? Resonation from the turbo? Dunno.) I wouldn't worry too much about a misfire from an uppipe.
edit: Also, the misfire code is not coming from the resistor-mod, it is possibly coming from the increased noise created by the uppipe. (whooshing noise caused by increased air speed? Resonation from the turbo? Dunno.) I wouldn't worry too much about a misfire from an uppipe.
Last edited by EtchyLives; 04-23-2003 at 08:43 PM.