UTEC Installed and not impressed

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Jul 18, 2003 | 10:58 AM

wrx46

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UTEC Installed and not impressed

I just installed the STAGE 1 UTEC and I have not noticed much of a difference. Everything is installed correct, running STAGE 1 map. The only change I can feel is at 4000 rpms form the boost increase to 16 psi. Other than that, nothing. Feels more like 10-15 horsepower. Is there a learning curve for the stock computer? Does the computer need time to learn and make adjustments? I am not impressed with the gain. I have read many people have performed this mod and are very satified. They all say that there is a very noticable difference. With 30-40 HP, I could imagine. Can anyone Help. Thanks

Jul 18, 2003 | 11:50 AM

teiva-boy

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Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 1,780

From: San Diego

Car Info: Boosted Geo Prizm

Give it some time. Perhaps your ECU was reset in the process of installing your UTEC and you need some time for the ECU to rebuild it's ignition maps.

But 15 HP or so is not that bad at all for the price you paid. Infact, that is quite good.

Jul 18, 2003 | 12:08 PM

wrx46

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15HP for a grand?

15HP for a grand?? that's NOT a good deal. especially because TurboXS claims 30-40 gains at the wheels. i could've yeilded the same with just a boost controller.

i hope you're right about the computer. it was disconnected from the car for about an hour.

Jul 18, 2003 | 01:41 PM

Concillian

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Re: 15HP for a grand?

Quote:

Originally posted by wrx46
i could've yeilded the same with just a boost controller.

Not safely you couldn't.

The UTEC stock maps are pretty conservative. Have you started tuning it for your car?

With the UTEC you aren't paying for horsepower, you're paying for the ability to tune your car. So go tune it!

If you wanted a plug and play solution, you probably should have gone with a reflash.

You could easily gain significant amounts of power just tuning it correctly. Also, when you add more upgrades, you just tune it again, rather than paying again for a reflash. That's where the cost benefit comes in.

Jul 20, 2003 | 04:32 PM

ish

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Posts: 9,016

From: Oakland, CA

Car Info: 2009 wrx & 2000 4runner

yeah you can't pulg and play a utec and expect big power gains, you need to take the time to tune it to your specific setup. thats where you get the 30-40 whp that they are talking about

Jul 20, 2003 | 05:46 PM

wrx46

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Next question

I was starting to come to that conclusion. Unfortunatley that is why I bought the UTEC, so that I could plug and play and have 30-40 more HP. Then in the future, with the addition to other modifications and more tuning research, I would start tuning myself. I do not know anything about tuning this car. I am new at this. So I guess my next question will be............Is there any information out there that will help me tune a stock WRX (Safely that is). I would like to get the most HP, but safely. If anyone could help I would appreciate it. Thanks guys for all of your help.

Jul 20, 2003 | 07:09 PM

XstephenX

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If you don't know how to tune. I would suggest you take it to a shop and have them tune it. THat would be your safest bet, otherwise your car might not last that long.

Stephen

Jul 20, 2003 | 07:31 PM

wrx46

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Dyno in Northern Ohio?

Can anyone tell me of any place with a dyno in the Northern Ohio are? I think I should have someone help me out with this. Thanks

Jul 22, 2003 | 05:59 PM

SacWagon

Registered User

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 179

From: Sacramento, CA

Car Info: 2003 SRP WRX Wagon

Re: Next question

Quote:

Originally posted by wrx46
Is there any information out there that will help me tune a stock WRX (Safely that is). I would like to get the most HP, but safely. If anyone could help I would appreciate it. Thanks guys for all of your help.

i know exactly how you feel. My bro bought the UTEC about 6 months ago on my recomendation (he has more mod money than i do). He was immediatley pissed and wanted to sell it. I told him to relax and i went to researchin. Between this site, impreza.net, and wrxhackers.com, we now have his car tuned and running fabulous.

He just went to stage II and is running the launch control. and that, my friend, is simply AMAZING!

i knew nothing about this engine either, i was used to V8 cameros and mustangs.

the UTEC is GREAT, i cant wait to buy one for myself. you just have to tune it.

i agree, there is a part of the TurboXS advertising that strongly implies PLUG AND PLAY .

but in reality, you gotta tune it.

i have learned so much and really love the UTEC and all the knowledge it forced me to learn.

thats my rant! tune on!!

Last edited by SacWagon; Jul 22, 2003 at 06:01 PM.

Aug 1, 2003 | 07:54 AM

#10

feropont

Registered User

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 120

From: Jersey City

Car Info: Subaru WRXB wagon

Re: Next question

Quote:

Originally posted by wrx46
I was starting to come to that conclusion. Unfortunatley that is why I bought the UTEC, so that I could plug and play and have 30-40 more HP. Then in the future, with the addition to other modifications and more tuning research, I would start tuning myself. I do not know anything about tuning this car. I am new at this. So I guess my next question will be............Is there any information out there that will help me tune a stock WRX (Safely that is). I would like to get the most HP, but safely. If anyone could help I would appreciate it. Thanks guys for all of your help.

You need to custom tune UTEC specificaly for your car, I gain 31 hp after go to Dyno with my 16.4 PS boost on 94 Sunoco.
If you looking for plug and play solution get a Profrive ECU.

Aug 1, 2003 | 08:45 AM

#11

SUB-ZERO

Registered User

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 232

I felt a huge difference with the stage 1 map. I now have the stage 4......really huge difference.

Aug 1, 2003 | 10:23 AM

#12

kenchan

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stage1 is fast enough for me on the streets. i felt a very noticable gain after fiddling with the abc. now that i changed the boost map to my preference, BIG difference than before.