Utec vs. Link
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Utec vs. Link
Basically which would be better to get. Im going to start modding the WRX and so far i bought a injen intake and turbo XS BOV. I had these parts for the summer but my CEl went on and i got exhaust gas temp too high so im buying one of these to figure out what went wrong and hopefully not have the same problem again. I also am upgrading the fuel pump to a walbro 255. any input would be help. especially if your running one or the other
thanks
peter
thanks
peter
Last edited by wrx137; Feb 4, 2003 at 12:57 PM.
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WRXLink is $920 plus serial link is about $1000
Utec is about $1000
WRXLink is a full replacement ECU, you can tune everything
Utec is NOT a full replacement ECU, it is basically a piggy back with the ability to tune timing, fuel and boost.
Minuses of Utec: The ECU will learn and adjust, so you will need to reset your ECU from time to time. The interface is not exactly easy to use. Throttle posistion map change from ECU to ECU +UTEC adjustments. Not to easy to tune for new Injectors, as the stock ECU needs to be rescaled for bigger injectors.
Pluses of Utec: Once you figure out the interface it is easy to tune, and will tune above a certain Throttle position, so normal starting and driving never change.
Minuses of WRXLink: None, joking... This is fully programmable, this is a drawback if you have not really tuned before. Though it is not to hard to pick up with the base map given to you.
Pluses of WRXLink: No worries about the car learning over time and compensating for piggy backs, it won't unless you want it to. GUI is pretty easy to use, along with the datalogging. Easy to retune for major upgrades like injectors, fuel pump, Turbo.
Cold starts or hot starts with the Link can be nailed down pretty well, as long as you know what you are doing, or have someone that can help you tune it.
Another option is the ECUTek, though you have no control of tuning.
Utec is about $1000
WRXLink is a full replacement ECU, you can tune everything
Utec is NOT a full replacement ECU, it is basically a piggy back with the ability to tune timing, fuel and boost.
Minuses of Utec: The ECU will learn and adjust, so you will need to reset your ECU from time to time. The interface is not exactly easy to use. Throttle posistion map change from ECU to ECU +UTEC adjustments. Not to easy to tune for new Injectors, as the stock ECU needs to be rescaled for bigger injectors.
Pluses of Utec: Once you figure out the interface it is easy to tune, and will tune above a certain Throttle position, so normal starting and driving never change.
Minuses of WRXLink: None, joking... This is fully programmable, this is a drawback if you have not really tuned before. Though it is not to hard to pick up with the base map given to you.
Pluses of WRXLink: No worries about the car learning over time and compensating for piggy backs, it won't unless you want it to. GUI is pretty easy to use, along with the datalogging. Easy to retune for major upgrades like injectors, fuel pump, Turbo.
Cold starts or hot starts with the Link can be nailed down pretty well, as long as you know what you are doing, or have someone that can help you tune it.
Another option is the ECUTek, though you have no control of tuning.
Guest
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Thanks
Im gonna go t a local shop and see wich one they tune. that way ill go with that one so if i need help ill have it.
Do you know if i put a new fuel pump and not do anything to the stock ECU is it gonna give me problems. its gonna be the walbro 255
Thanks again
Peter
Im gonna go t a local shop and see wich one they tune. that way ill go with that one so if i need help ill have it.
Do you know if i put a new fuel pump and not do anything to the stock ECU is it gonna give me problems. its gonna be the walbro 255
Thanks again
Peter
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 127
From: earth
Car Info: 22
I don't think the ECU will learn around the UTEC, the UTEC just tells the ECU what it wants to know to get the proper adjustments from it.
You should get the same thing every time, at least I have from what I can tell.
I agree with skywalker, the user interface is really simple once you get the hang of it and understand what you're doing.
Don't know much about the upgraded turbos and such, I'm only running a stage 2+.
I have no experience with the link other than what I've read on the boards, it seems like it's more for a serious tuner(someone who wants nothing to do with the functions of the stock ecu) than the UTEC.
There's been plenty of negative things said about this one too, just do a search, you'll see what I'm talking about.
Can you tell who has what here?
-James
You should get the same thing every time, at least I have from what I can tell.
I agree with skywalker, the user interface is really simple once you get the hang of it and understand what you're doing.
Don't know much about the upgraded turbos and such, I'm only running a stage 2+.
I have no experience with the link other than what I've read on the boards, it seems like it's more for a serious tuner(someone who wants nothing to do with the functions of the stock ecu) than the UTEC.
There's been plenty of negative things said about this one too, just do a search, you'll see what I'm talking about.
Can you tell who has what here?
-James
Last edited by jjunior887; Feb 5, 2003 at 02:47 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,780
From: San Diego
Car Info: Boosted Geo Prizm
I have a LINK for sale with serial LINK for a lot less then new. PM me if you decide to go this route.
I do agree with Bill about needing to adjust the UTEC every now and then. The UTEC I would assume just induces offsets to the OE computer. So if the OE computer uses it's fuzzylogic and changes parameters to xx value, then the UTEC will only change whats programmed into it. Just imagine that you put in a value of + 5 somewhere, and the ECU decides to change it's own value to something else and you either end up with an actual value of +2 or perhaps a negative number...
Then again I dont own a UTEC so I can't really comment on how it really works. But I do own a LINK, and a standalone is what you want for complete control over your engine.
I do agree with Bill about needing to adjust the UTEC every now and then. The UTEC I would assume just induces offsets to the OE computer. So if the OE computer uses it's fuzzylogic and changes parameters to xx value, then the UTEC will only change whats programmed into it. Just imagine that you put in a value of + 5 somewhere, and the ECU decides to change it's own value to something else and you either end up with an actual value of +2 or perhaps a negative number...
Then again I dont own a UTEC so I can't really comment on how it really works. But I do own a LINK, and a standalone is what you want for complete control over your engine.
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Hi teiva-boy,
I may be interested in your Link ECU could you mail me on c.mccormack@lineone.net to discuss.
Thanks
Scott
I may be interested in your Link ECU could you mail me on c.mccormack@lineone.net to discuss.
Thanks
Scott
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The UTEC has absolute control of timing and closed loop boost. It couldn't care less what the stock ECU learns. Currently, it modifies the maf signal accordingly to control fuel delivery. AFAIK, future releases will be able to run fueling solely off the MAP sensor.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,780
From: San Diego
Car Info: Boosted Geo Prizm
Both the LINK or UTEC will do that with ease. But I dont know if it's for someone with "low knowledge." An ECUTEK system would be better or something that has premade maps like the UTEC or XEDE system.
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