I'm looking into my options for tuning/engine management and wanted a few professional opinions. I need to figure out if it would be worth my money and time to get something like a TurboXS UTEC (don't really have the funds for a stand-alone system at the moment) or if tuning the stock ECU will be sufficient. I was thinking about getting myself set up with a wideband O2 sensor, a cable, and some tuning software so that I can try my hand at tuning. I know this can be a very difficult task and I don't plan on just jumping into it and messing with everything before doing enough research to feel comfortable with it. If I do, has anyone tried using the BFM cable lately? Are they still having a lot of issues with connecting to the 02-03? I've got an '02 WRX sedan, I don't use it as a DD, pretty much just on weekends, I live out in WI so bringing it in for a regular tune is kind of a hassle, and this is a list of the mods I currently have: -Short ram -VF34 -FMIC -BOV -4 to 1 header -Catless uppipe, downpipe, and 3" turboback -550cc injectors -255lph fuel pump -GS MBC/Perrin EBC hybrid setup (mostly just to limit peak boost at 15psi) -Underdrive pulleys Considering also doing TGV delete and P&P
Subaru stock ecu is more then flexible to suit what your looking to do. The bfm cable is read only on 02-03 wrx.
There are a wealth of tuning threads out there. I suggest a lot of reading and a backup account to replace what you break on the car.
There is a very distinct possibility that if I try to mess around with the tuning myself I will destroy something. I have read up quite a bit on the tuning threads here as well as the other Subie forums, but there are a few differing opinions on what the right way to go about it is depending on the level of modification, maintenance required, and cost. I guess what I'm looking for is my best option for getting the most out of the mods I have already without spending a load of cash on an EMS and trips to the dyno. I had Nuke do a quick tune for me a while back and it definitely helped, but I've added a couple things and corrected a couple issues since then. Would another street tune on the stock ECU be sufficient for the mods I've got or am I better off going another route?
That's what I'm kind of leaning towards. I know our stock ECUs are very receptive to tuning, but I just didn't know if it would benefit me more to install a UTEC or if I'd be fine without it. The self-tuning idea is probably not going to happen since I don't want to screw everything up, but it sounds like a lot of people have had good results from it so I thought I'd look into it.
With the flexibility in peticulary the 02-03 wrx ecu only reason you would.ever need a utec would be to maybe run some.super huge injectors that the stock ecu doesn't have enough power for. That being said there are a ton of 600-750hp Subaru's out there on stock ecu.
Open source tune will do you fine. Contact one of our great local tuners, Minneapolis is lucky to have a number of them who would be capable of tuning your car for you. I live 250 miles away from the cities and still bring everything down there for tunes when I need it. I have done a little tuning here and there on some older stuff, but for what tune costs from someone who is a pro with 10000x more experience, I'll pay that all day long vs risking screwing something up.
Thanks for the advice. So is there any significant advantage to having a dyno tune done as opposed to a street tune when it's an open source?
LIES! I don't get a graph when I get mine street tuned! But then again Nate doesn't get one when he dyno tunes either.
But the people who operate the dyno's seem a lot nicer and more pleasant to work with. I don't think the exhaust gas has anything to do with that do you?
