I used the search engine and typed in "EcuTek Disadvantages", but couldn't really get what I was looking for. I've been thinking about getting EcuTek for about a month now, but would like to know if there are any disadvantages to it. I have a 2004 WRX, which I use for a daily driver, and it's completely stock. I figure reflashing the ECU would probably be the best modification to make first, since I've read that Subaru ECU's do not adapt to bolt-ons like other cars. Also, if you have UTEC, AP, etc., what made you choose it over EcuTek. I'm looking to do a mail-order, so I think EcuTek is best for me, since I'm still stock. I've also read that the Subaru ECU's have the ability to learn, and if this is the case, would I have to get my EcuTek reflashed after I start adding performance parts, or would the ECU figure it out over time? I'm not looking for a huge explaination, just something that will inform me more about how the different programs vary. Thanks! :)

real quick - You should tune the car based on mods. So as you go along, you'd have to get it tuned a few times....unless you get all your bolt ons put on and then go to the dyno...

If your car is stock, or you are just thinking about upgrading to a TBE, then I'd go accesport. That way you have control on what map you want to run when, where as with ecutek you'd have to send it out and possibly pay a reflash fee. With the Cobb AP, its just a onetime fee for the license and you can choose whatever map you want whenever, including stock or you can even unmarry it so there is totally nothing there... might be easier then always having to send it in... plus you get a OBD reader a live boost meter, and a security mode all with the AP! And its cheaper too!

ECUTEK is fairly cheap for what it offers imho, but it's best to do all the engine mods you're going to do and THEN get it re-flashed, or do it at the same time. you can get away with just an uppipe, IC hoses, and catback on the stock ECU setting, but with a downpipe and more engine mods you'll definitely need some form of EM to run properly.

Cobb AP is a good option, but it's not as safe as a ECUTEK. Unless you get a Street or ProTuner, AP isn't too flexible if you plan to go more than stage2. ECUTEK brings out better results with your engine.

It all boils down to exactly what you're willing to spend and what your plans are for the car.

Ok, so far so good. I don't plan on upgrading with every paycheck that I get, so my performance upgrades will be a slow process. That's why I'm looking at EcuTek. I don't know how in-depth that AP allows the user to get, but I wouldn't want to mess anything up, as I am no car expert. I can bolt on exhaust and what not, but when it comes to the ECU, it's over my head. I think I'd just feel more comfortable with EcuTek because it would give me a solid base to build around, even if I have to pay reflash fees, because I need the car to be reliable and I can't take the chance of me programming something wrong. I've read that EcuTek can get about 40 horses to the flywheel on a stock WRX, and it's also safe and reliable. Basically, what I'm asking is, since I'm no expert and have never tuned a car ECU, is there anything that I should be worried about with EcuTek?

I have an Ecutek reflash on my car. Based on your info above, it's gonna be a while before you get all of your mods installed. This would be the disadvantage of Ecutek. If you were to get a reflash after every mod (not necessary), you would pay around $100 per reflash. Do you really want to send your ECU in the mail several times a year to have it flashed? No matter what, your flash isn't gonna be as accurate as a tune.

If you are set on Ecutek, the best thing for you to do would be to install your bolt ons, then go to a tuner. Not only will they reflash your ECU, but they can make changes specific to your car.

Ok, I realize that when I add my bolt-ons and other performance upgrades that I won't be getting full potential out of them, but will it be damaging to the engine or anything else, if I'm still running the stock ECU. It just seems to me that things could go wrong if the stock ECU isn't reading my bolt-ons.

Cobb AP is a good option, but it's not as safe as a ECUTEK. Unless you get a Street or ProTuner, AP isn't too flexible if you plan to go more than stage2. ECUTEK brings out better results with your engine.

Since he is doing a mail-in reflash, the ecutek wouldn't be a custom tune anyway, theirfore being just as "safe" as the AP. I would think the AP would be safer because their are many people running the off-the-shelf AP's then their are off-the-shelf ecutek reflashes.

Cobb AP = $545
Ecutek = $650 + shipping there (maybe back?) + downtime

Essentially its the reflashes are the same thing, they would be very close, but if you ever want to upgrade to a downpipe, all you do is hit a button with the AP, while with ecutek you'll have to spend another $100 to reflash it + shipping your ECU out and being without a car for a few days...

I have to say that I don't agree with what people are telling you to do with waiting to get all your mods on the car before you go aftermarket ecu flash. The major problem I have with this is the OEM ecu's stock flash that we all know has problems since it's an 04 or 04+ car. While this may be safe for cars that are 03 and below it would not advisable to even do a turboback without having some sort of better aftermarket ecu flash that gets rid of the crappy stock CL/OL fueling problems.

With that said, you really need to ask yourself what you plan on doing as far as mods. If you get a shelf map from a reputable tuner (my personal choice would be DynoComp in AZ.) then you should be fine in terms of mods. I've seen people go with a base map for a STOCK car and then later run a turboback exhaust with this same map and it still ran and datalogged fine. While the power was maybe a little short, there certainly weren't any problems. The major drawback with an EcuTek flash in your case is having to wait to get your flash done. This means no car for 2 days while the ecu is beeing flashed and sent back to you.

Now, as far as the advantages of a Cobb AP over EcuTek... I'd have to say it's only the ability not have to wait for your car to get flashed. (That is unless you run into marry process issues and end up having to send both your ecu and AP off to Cobb.) In a short while EcuTek will be releasing new map switching capabilties and user tuning capabilites that will throw the AP and ST advantages out the window.

Maybe I'm a bit biased, but I really do belive from what I've seen with my own two eyes that EcuTek is a much better tuning tool then the AccessEcu technology is. Really, in the end don't let us tell you what is best for you. I belive that you should read about all tuning technologies available for your car and learn the advantages and disadvantages by yourself. Sure it'll take a little bit of reading, but we've all done it.

BTW, leave the UTEC alone... from the sound of your daily-driver needs and simplicity of mods vs your car knowledge the UTEC is probably not for you. It's also a piggyback ecu solution which is not the best solution out there when compared to an oem ecu that's been reflashed or for that matter an aftermarket standalone. Good luck with your investment. But do this... do the research first and please do an ecu flash mod of somekind first before bolting on parts onto your 04 car. For the money it'll add more power to your car not to mention drivabilty improvement that a simple downpipe on the oem flash will not add.

Just my .02

The one thing I'll say, and that most people that know something about this topic would say too, is that no one option is better than the other. Now there are a few exceptions, like the fact that the unichip is rarely seen. But what really matters is what good tuner is near you. Going local is always better, if the person doing the tuning knows what they are doing.

I had an off the shelf EcuTeck map, it was ok, but now that I have a STi, I'm going down the AP route. AccessECU is just as good as EcuTek, because why??? If you have it done local, by a good tuner, they both will get the results you are looking for.

NEVER USE OFF-THE-SHELF MAPS UNLESS YOU HAVE TO. You will never get the results you are looking for and if you do, then you are lucky. Don't let people scare you about the marriage process with AP, if you follow the directions, it will be fine. Check out www.wrxforums.com for more AP/ST info. But if you want to use EcuTek, which is fine too, even though I'm switching, If someone does the tune that knows their stuff, you shouldn't have to worry about anything.

One last thing, I know I sound like I'm cheering on AP, but if you wanna see some results of what the AP with Pro Tuner can do, check this out,
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=767522&highlight=Harman+motive