Vishnu VS. Cobb Tuning
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From: Farnborough, Hants
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Originally Posted by vaus
I had a vishnu stage subzero reflash with a custom dyno tune. It made really good power on the dyno, and ran ok during the winter, but then summer came, and it started detonating really bad in the hot days. After speaking with Shiv, I ended up selling that ECU.
Then I went with Cobb's Stage 1. Their ECU also pinged badly in hot weather as well and it really seemed like Cobb didn't know about our fuel quality. I tried a couple back/forth efforts with them, and ended up getting a refund for the ECU. Now I'm waiting for a tuning solution I can tune my self. I know... there's the UTEC, but that's not a good option IMO either.
-- Ed
Then I went with Cobb's Stage 1. Their ECU also pinged badly in hot weather as well and it really seemed like Cobb didn't know about our fuel quality. I tried a couple back/forth efforts with them, and ended up getting a refund for the ECU. Now I'm waiting for a tuning solution I can tune my self. I know... there's the UTEC, but that's not a good option IMO either.
-- Ed
There are a couple of other options out there you can tune yourself though or are you looking for something not standalone? What I mean is if your ok with tuning yourself and don't mind going standalone then there are a ton of options for the WRX.
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Originally Posted by UK n00b
What is wrong with the UTEC?
There are a couple of other options out there you can tune yourself though or are you looking for something not standalone? What I mean is if your ok with tuning yourself and don't mind going standalone then there are a ton of options for the WRX.
There are a couple of other options out there you can tune yourself though or are you looking for something not standalone? What I mean is if your ok with tuning yourself and don't mind going standalone then there are a ton of options for the WRX.
I'd be fine with going with standalone, but the cost is just not worth it with the current level my car is at. I'd much rather be able to tune the excellent ECU we already have on my own and not have to spend a lot on a whole new ECU. I'm very picky and observant when it comes to my tune, and that's probably why I haven't had luck with Vishnu or Cobb. I've ridden in several cars with these ECU's and have heard detonation with varying conditions. I think a lot of people don't know how and what to listen and look out for. The most important thing to remember with an aftermarket ECU is to monitor it very carefully and not assume that it will work perfectly. The truth is that a lot of them out there aren't perfect at all.
-- Ed
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Originally Posted by vaus
I'm not gonna start on what's wrong with the UTEC in this thread. I've stated my point of view on it in numerous other threads that actually have to do with the UTEC. Bottom line is that yes, they can be tuned, but just are not flexible and adaptable enough to be considered a modern EFI engine management solution... especially for the price tag.
I'd be fine with going with standalone, but the cost is just not worth it with the current level my car is at. I'd much rather be able to tune the excellent ECU we already have on my own and not have to spend a lot on a whole new ECU. I'm very picky and observant when it comes to my tune, and that's probably why I haven't had luck with Vishnu or Cobb. I've ridden in several cars with these ECU's and have heard detonation with varying conditions. I think a lot of people don't know how and what to listen and look out for. The most important thing to remember with an aftermarket ECU is to monitor it very carefully and not assume that it will work perfectly. The truth is that a lot of them out there aren't perfect at all.
-- Ed
I'd be fine with going with standalone, but the cost is just not worth it with the current level my car is at. I'd much rather be able to tune the excellent ECU we already have on my own and not have to spend a lot on a whole new ECU. I'm very picky and observant when it comes to my tune, and that's probably why I haven't had luck with Vishnu or Cobb. I've ridden in several cars with these ECU's and have heard detonation with varying conditions. I think a lot of people don't know how and what to listen and look out for. The most important thing to remember with an aftermarket ECU is to monitor it very carefully and not assume that it will work perfectly. The truth is that a lot of them out there aren't perfect at all.
-- Ed
I agree with the people not knowing what to listen for and don't doubt in different conditions certain issues may occur but that being said nothing is perfect either (although it would be nice as when you pay for something you don't expect it not to be perfect).
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yep... a self-lincensed ecutek would be great. I was looking forward to Cobb's Access Tuner, but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen anytime soon. The user tune feature in the ecutek flash is kinda cool, but just too rough of a correction for my tastes.
I just don't think tuners spend enough time testing in different conditions to have a true, adaptable tune.
-- Ed
I just don't think tuners spend enough time testing in different conditions to have a true, adaptable tune.
-- Ed
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if you want to get custom tuning, vishnu.....not to mention is there a place locally that can give it to you?
just want to set it and forget it, cobb.
just want to set it and forget it, cobb.
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Originally Posted by meilers
If you're going to talk trash about the top two tuning options for the WRX, you'd better be prepared to offer an alternative.
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I have the COBB because it was perfect for what I needed. Stage 3 is coming out also along with the custom tuning add on. I like it because I can flash it myself and keep the darn thing in case I needed to upgrade. Right now there is only the stock turbo, VF30, and VF34 map. You can always have both companies custom flash almost any turbo/mod for you. Both are really good. Can't go wrong with either one.
Originally Posted by vaus
yep... a self-lincensed ecutek would be great. I was looking forward to Cobb's Access Tuner, but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen anytime soon. The user tune feature in the ecutek flash is kinda cool, but just too rough of a correction for my tastes.
I just don't think tuners spend enough time testing in different conditions to have a true, adaptable tune.
-- Ed
I just don't think tuners spend enough time testing in different conditions to have a true, adaptable tune.
-- Ed
what about the ecutek with the Xede piggyback??? what do you think about that?
also with det. how do you know what to look out for? i hear people say "well it's like marbles dropping in your engine". I've never heard it and I just don't know, like you said, what it actually sounds like. I know when Shiv tuned my car he said it was pretty tough. And that at 1st it was det or pinging pretty bad (can't remember which one).
is it true that the stock boost controller is only good up to 15psi? if so how does a MBC or EBC or Apexi AVC Type-R controller actually work in conjunction with ecutek?
LB
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Originally Posted by lowball
Vaus,
what about the ecutek with the Xede piggyback??? what do you think about that?
also with det. how do you know what to look out for? i hear people say "well it's like marbles dropping in your engine". I've never heard it and I just don't know, like you said, what it actually sounds like. I know when Shiv tuned my car he said it was pretty tough. And that at 1st it was det or pinging pretty bad (can't remember which one).
is it true that the stock boost controller is only good up to 15psi? if so how does a MBC or EBC or Apexi AVC Type-R controller actually work in conjunction with ecutek?
LB
what about the ecutek with the Xede piggyback??? what do you think about that?
also with det. how do you know what to look out for? i hear people say "well it's like marbles dropping in your engine". I've never heard it and I just don't know, like you said, what it actually sounds like. I know when Shiv tuned my car he said it was pretty tough. And that at 1st it was det or pinging pretty bad (can't remember which one).
is it true that the stock boost controller is only good up to 15psi? if so how does a MBC or EBC or Apexi AVC Type-R controller actually work in conjunction with ecutek?
LB
To hear pinging, make sure your windows are rolled up, stereo is turned off, and fan is turned off. Sometimes you will hear just one ping which sounds like a metallic tick. Other times you might hear a whole set of pings which sounds like the ball bearing in a coffee can. If you've ever heard wastegate flutter, its a similar sound, but pinging is generally more pronounced and usually happens at WOT. Its tough to pick it out sometimes especially with a loud exhaust. You could always get a knock link... I hear those work pretty well.
The stock boost control deffinately works above 15psi. Sometimes a secondary bleeder is used to this, however.
-- Ed
Originally Posted by vaus
The stock boost control deffinately works above 15psi. Sometimes a secondary bleeder is used to this, however.
-- Ed
-- Ed
So how does a MBC, EBC or Apexi AVC Type-R controller actually work in conjunction with ecutek? Someone said I should get the AVCR to help with boost control with my 18G turbo. Still kinda
about the whole thing. Better do more searching...
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Originally Posted by lowball
I figured so much since I'm running about 17.5 through it with ecutek.
So how does a MBC, EBC or Apexi AVC Type-R controller actually work in conjunction with ecutek? Someone said I should get the AVCR to help with boost control with my 18G turbo. Still kinda about the whole thing. Better do more searching...
So how does a MBC, EBC or Apexi AVC Type-R controller actually work in conjunction with ecutek? Someone said I should get the AVCR to help with boost control with my 18G turbo. Still kinda
about the whole thing. Better do more searching...You can use an MBC or EBC if you like, but you have to make sure that the reflash is meant for it. An MBC, for instance can make a lot more boost at lower throttle positions than even an ecutek'd ECU. This brings up the whole PTFB issue again. So if you want to use a different form of boost control, I would install it and have the tuner tune the car with that boost control already in the car. And make sure to inquire about part throttle high boost conditions.
-- Ed
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Originally Posted by vaus
You can use an MBC or EBC if you like, but you have to make sure that the reflash is meant for it. An MBC, for instance can make a lot more boost at lower throttle positions than even an ecutek'd ECU. This brings up the whole PTFB issue again. So if you want to use a different form of boost control, I would install it and have the tuner tune the car with that boost control already in the car. And make sure to inquire about part throttle high boost conditions.
-- Ed
-- Ed
shiv
________
Drug Testing Kit
Last edited by Vishnu; Mar 7, 2011 at 04:53 AM.
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Originally Posted by Vishnu
What PTFB issues are you talking about Ed? It's been nearly a year since we've gotten full access to ALL the open/closed loop fuel control switch-over parameters. As soon as the car hits boost, it transitions to open loop (short term fuel correction is disactivated).
shiv
shiv
If you read my post, I merely say that he should talk to the tuner about his aftermarket boost control and make sure that the tune is meant for it. I'm sure you can map the TPS crossover to match a more agressive boost response. My point was that the ECU needs to be mapped for the specific boost control method used, weather it be the stock boost solenoid, an EBC or MBC.
Unless Ecutek has changed the actual functionality of the OL/CL switchover to be triggered by the MAP instead of TPS, my statement holds true.
-- Ed