I have come across several posts about the XPT maps so I finally ordered my cable, reflashed, and checked it out for myself...

Heres a link that aided me in getting everything I needed...there are also several good posts that helped with some questions.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1141847


Alright, so finally I'll get to the good stuff. I purchased a tactrix cable along with a stage 2 map for my 04 wrx. For some reasons I had problems making payment for the stage 2 map and there was an AIM name listed on the site. The owner of the map site was on and was very helpful and got me all squared away. It took about 2 days for the cable to come in.

Tactrix Cable ($91)
http://www.tactrix.com/product_info.php?products_id=35&osCsid=2af2b9f8aa5aeb4bfffb895a7a2218a7

XPT Stage 2 Map ($25)
http://www.plasmatize.com/xptstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=2

After purchasing the hardware and software I got the software (free) to read and write the ECU.
OpenECU
http://www.openecu.org/index.php?title=EcuFlash



After I finally got everything I needed it was time to go stage 2. I put all the software on a lap top and did just as the instructions said. The tactix cable gave me two connections...

http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/uploads/Knowledge/2002_Connector.gif I used the on the right since I have an 04http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/uploads/Knowledge/2003-2005_Connector.gif

I put the car into test mode by connecting the 4 pin plug shown above. Then I connected the tactrix cable/laptop to the port right under the steering wheel. I turned the ignition on and let windows discover the connection. With my laptop I clicked on "Write to ECU" which took only a minute or two. After it finished I disconnected the laptop and took the connector off that put the car in test mode. I took the car for a quick test spin after I let it warm up and did not feel a hudge difference at first. So I decided to reset the ECU and disconnect the neg battery terminal. ***THIS IS KEY!!!*** Then took the car for another spin, this time it was different...

Car Mods: 04 WRX
TXS RFL Turbo Back
TXS Up-Pipe
Snorkle Removed


My Impressions:
The car felt stronger and pulled harder in the higher RPMs. For some reasons 3rd gear felt much stronger to me than the rest of them. The power is most noticable after 3000 RPMs. My car only hits 10psi in 1st gear and drops off closer to redline. In 2nd and 3rd gear it gets to about 15-16psi, I could not see exactly since I was watching the road. But I did not adjust the wastegate. It says in the instructions to adjust it you will need about 2-3 turns so you can reach the target post of 16.8 +/- psi. All in all I am very satisfied and felt it was worth all $116!!!I would certainly recommend this for anyone. :banana:

Thanks to everyone on the board who helped me out and thanks for checking out my post!

So with the xpt maps you just purchase them and flash the ecu from your laptop? is there any data logging or any further tuning with them. I want to go this way b/c cobb is just so expensive for the crap OTS maps but i dont want to screw anything up and dont really want to tune the car myself, just seems to technical for me

yup, just need cable and laptop. i'm glad i never jumped on the Cobb AP bandwagon. It's not too technical. Before last month, i didn't even know about flashing your ECU to improve performance. Lots of (highly tested) roms out there. definitely the best thing you can do for your car for amount of $$ spent.

If you think the Stage maps are good, your right....but if your in socal stop by for a road tune! XPT >Turboge, is a good freind of mine and did my 06 sti this weekend....good stuff. prices vary but alot cheaper than a dyno tune and more accurate in my opinion.

subscribed

thanks for the review. it really helped me alot

heres my thoughts:


ive been to the track before with my cobb stg 2 setup.

i ran a best et of 13.8 and a best trap of 98 with the cobb set up on 93 octane. the temperature then was around 60-70*.

with the cobb i ran
accessport
samco ic hoses
turboxs catless stealthback
prodrive axleback
helix uppipe

with the xpt stage 2, i ran a best ET of mid 14's and a trap of no higher than 94. today was 92*

with the xpt stage 2
i have xpt stage 2 reflash
samco hoses
turboxs stealthback with 3" electric cutout open during runs
helix uppipe
GM BCS

so all in all the only difference was ECU and stock axleback but instead a 3" open cutout.

i reflashed my ecu about 10 miles before i reached the track. on the way there i was driving agressive and using the vishnu method to make the ecu learn quicker.

the car does feel like it pulls a lot harder than cobb but im not sure why it wouldnt trap any higher than 94. perhaps it was the temperature or maybe the ecu hadnt learned quite yet.

im by no means a drag racer so i could care less what times i ran. id rather look at trap speed as a indication of power.

price of map has gone up to $52... but still it's a great price compared to other places.

definitely get the gm bcs, theres nothing better than hitting 17psi in first