So, this is a very very noob thread.

Right now I have a Cobb AP set at stage 2. I am having nothing but problems with my AP and Cobb as a company. My AP was defective and Cobb will not help me out. They have stopped returning my emails and whatnot. I enjoyed the fact that the Cobb comes with the maps already set in it when you get it and it is plug and play. I do not really want to replace the ECU or whatever, is this what a Utec does? Is it like a new ECU or is it an ECU reprogrammer. Does it come with maps on it? How hard/easy is it to tune. I am having a problem not being able to tune right now because my car is running very very rich, and that is not making me happy.

Maybe it is time to buck up, get a wideband o2 sensor, A/F gauge, boost guage, and EGT gauge to put into my car and get a Utec.

Thanks for your time. Sorry I am such a noob about this system. I tried to go the "easy" way by buying a Cobb, and realized that system kind of sucks for real power gains or tunability (since I can not import maps onto my AP)

Get Streettuner it would be much cheaper and it is WAY more powerful than a Utec.

TMS

I think that depends on how you define powerful... There are certain things a UTEC can do that a reflash cannot.

I'd say the stock ECU is more adaptive to changing weather, but not necessarily more "powerful." Besides the "realtime maps" thing on the AP, there is really no power added to the stock ECU by the AP. It will likely never have launch control, flat-foot-shifting, drive external devices, etc. At the same time, the UTEC will likely never control AVCS or be able to stop the throttle from closing at stock redline due to the DBW throttle.

The UTEC is a hybrid piggyback. It lets the ECU control your car until you punch it (~30-35% TPS), then it takes over boost, timing, and fueling. It responds to solid knock events, but doesn't learn knock or create long term correction for it. It isn't a tool for someone who doesn't pay attention, run logs on a regular basis, know what they're doing, etc.

What do you mean by "can not import maps onto my AP"? What do you want to do? What maps do you have that you can't import? Where did you get them?

No ST is much more powerful in every way than a Utec.
The only thing a Utec has is a couple of features. But ST blows away a Utec no matter how you look at it.

The Utec had its day, when it was the only User tunable EM solution. Now that ST is out and being improved the Utec looks like a toy. Don't get me wrong the Utec is a GREAT place to learn to tune your car, I run both the Utec and the ST. But the Utec will NEVER have the smoothness of the stock ECU under all conditions. Unless the Utec goes stand alone and gets a TON more maps.

TMS

Well, on my Cobb I can not access the memory on the AP. The computer can "see" that there is an AP plugged in to the COM1 port (where it is supppsed to be default) but can not identify the AP. This leaves 2 choices. Either I have an old AP than needs a patch in order to identify, which I received the patch from Cobb, and that was not the problem. So what the second problem might be is that the internal memory has been corrupted or damaged. This is most likely what is going on. So basically I only have the OTS maps (Stage 1, Stage 2, FP18g, VF39 base maps, and valet, econo, etc realtimes) I found this problem when I needed an upgraded map to aleviate boost creep problems my 06 has or had. I have been emailing Cobb, they sent me the patch and have since stopped returning my emails.

AWD>FWD

I apologize, I have not seen any emails from you. But I am only one of two guys that answer the emails here. Pooh may have your email. I will send him a link to this thread to see.

Anyway, from what I gather, you have tried a Patch to update your AccessPORT to utilize the Map Manager that is currently listed on our website, and you still cannot connect to your PC? Are you using some kind of a Serial to USB adaptor? If so, have you downloaded the latest drivers for said adaptor?

It is always best to call for immediate asistance, but If for some reason your email was bounced back to you from us or our responce to you was bounced back to us, I apologize.

801-713-0035

yeah dude! cobb is great in every way! just give them a call!!

My email is Bhbiking@msn.com

I have been replied to by Justin two times. One was him misunderstanding my situation, which is totally normal in my opinion. It is hard to communicate online sometimes. The second reply was him sending me that patch. I tried the patch and it said something like "no update neccisary" or something like that. Then I replied to Justin again telling him that the patch did nothing my AP is still "un-identifiable" and have received no reply. I understand this is somewhat confusing, but I would like some sort of action taken. I am using the map manager software that I downloaded from the WRX AP page (like it says in the owner's manual) and the provided DB-9 wire. When I go to start up map manager, it says Connect to AP? So I power up the AP, sync to pc, click OK, and it says "can not identify AP". Then I went to locate AP and it says "AP found on COM1!"
We have excersized all the options other than the internal memory has been corrupted/damaged. I have only had this AP for a month or so. The order will be under the name Bill Hunsinger and was ordered from CobbTuning.com.

What do we do about this now?

email sent :)

Thank you.
Glad to see you stepping up again.