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Old 03-29-2005, 10:12 AM   #1
redeemedsoul
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Question Help me choose my ECU management!! 05 WRX!

Hello all, I am a 17 year old high school student on a budget. My car currently has an HKS downpipe, and i just ordered a 2.5" muffler (keeping stock mid-pipe) and a helix uppipe... I was wondering which route to take Turbo XS Utec or Cobb Accessport ... right now I am leaning towards the Accessport just because 1. It's cheaper and 2. It seems easier to "tune"... I have enough saved up to almost get the Accesport, and the idea of not needing a professional tuner is very appealing towards me. I plan on leaving my car at a stage 2/2.5 WRX in the future also ... I just want the significant gains of a reliable EM. May any1 share there expericenes and give me there 2cents. Thanks 2 All who reply!
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Old 03-29-2005, 10:29 AM   #2
subieworx
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I would check the EM forum. There is a ton of info on both of these including the pros and cons of each with relation to your planned mods.

I have an AP for my 04 and so far am happy with it.
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Old 03-29-2005, 10:35 AM   #3
Twerthi
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AccessPort. If you don't know what you're doing then having a UTEC is just a bad idea.
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Old 03-29-2005, 11:18 AM   #4
Bonefizz
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AccessPort! You won't be disappointed.
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Old 03-29-2005, 11:24 AM   #5
Jaxx
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vote 5 for access port

/thread
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Old 03-29-2005, 12:26 PM   #6
dosage0
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get a UTEC.

1) More power
2) Learn more about your car
3) Its really not all that difficult
4) Future proof for when you decide to upgrade again
5) Because five reasons look better than 4.
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Old 03-29-2005, 12:46 PM   #7
Paul
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Why would a utec be bad? it has staged maps just like the ap but you can get it tuned
.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Twerthi
AccessPort. If you don't know what you're doing then having a UTEC is just a bad idea.
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Old 03-29-2005, 12:49 PM   #8
subieworx
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The only two considerations are money and mods. If you are not planning on going any further than stage 2.5 and you want to save $400 then the AP is the way to go. If you don't mind spending 1000 plus tuning (or 400 extra on a wideband to do it yourself), then get the Utec. Either way your car will be faster than 99% of what is on the road.
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Old 03-29-2005, 01:04 PM   #9
Gfunk720
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dosage0
get a UTEC.

1) More power
2) Learn more about your car
3) Its really not all that difficult
4) Future proof for when you decide to upgrade again
5) Because five reasons look better than 4.
Yes, all valid points when considering a EM. However, for a 17 year old on a budget. Especially if he is not all too knowledgable about what he would be doing with a UTEC, I would recommend a AP. Its not hard to figure out after a while, but I certainly wouldnt suggest that to someone who's car experience may be limited. AP Pro's...

1)Easy Install
2)Good power gains, however not too powerful(At 17 you shouldnt be worried about 5-10 hp)
3)Can always get the new access tuner program down the line
4)Can easily switch between staged maps for future upgrades

Personally, if money was less of an issue I would say UTEC all the way. But if you cant shell out the grand or more for the UTEC and a tune. The AP is a easy and affordable method of tuning your ride
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Old 03-29-2005, 01:33 PM   #10
South Coast Subaru
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I vote for the AP. Some people dont need to extract every Hp out of their cars. ALso very user friendly. For those that want a custom tune the street tuner is a great compliment.
Ferdie
www.southcoastperformance.com
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Old 03-29-2005, 03:40 PM   #11
JWerty1
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accessport vote here
ive had one forever and its great
instantly change maps
use it as a very accurate boost gauge
gonna upgrade it to a street tuner once i get the money for a turbo and etc
plus its not a piggyback, it actually uses the ecu to tune
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Old 03-29-2005, 04:05 PM   #12
Hzracing
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Old 03-29-2005, 07:41 PM   #13
dbrier
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AccessPort.

Happy user since the time when you had to send your ECU to Cobb.
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Old 03-29-2005, 08:30 PM   #14
ebeck
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Answer is simple. ECU-Tek.
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Old 03-29-2005, 09:22 PM   #15
AWDrifter21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JWerty1
.......
plus its not a piggyback.........
Another reason why I vote for Accessport.
UTEC is good, but unless you got money and the knowledge and if you want every bit of power from your car, UTEC is still good.
but the ECU will definitely try to fight it sooner or later.
I dont want that chance.
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Old 03-29-2005, 10:00 PM   #16
SlideWRX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWDrifter21
... UTEC is still good.
but the ECU will definitely try to fight it sooner or later.
I dont want that chance.
The ECU can't do jack squat to what the UTEC does in open loop fuel, or ignition timing, or Boost control. the UTEC has its own drivers for each of those sytems. I don't want to turn this into a debate, but the reflashes still have thier timing fluctuate up & down with weather & gas & driving style, just as the stock ECU does.

That said, I'd say ECUtek or accessport.

Tom
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Old 03-29-2005, 10:04 PM   #17
AWDrifter21
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SlideWRX... yeah bro... i dont want debate either.. that was just my opinion.
you got yours too.... I say.. just choose wisely, good luck.
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Old 03-29-2005, 10:40 PM   #18
Hattori Hanzo
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just to be different, Unichip. it sucks though.
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Old 03-30-2005, 08:23 AM   #19
redeemedsoul
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thanks for all the reply's ... now about the accesport if i buy a brand new one from the cobb website, do I have to send it back to them for an 05 WRX .. or what? Alot of threads say i can damage my stock ECU if i mess up ... And I dont like the whole "unmarrying" crap they tell u to do. Would I have to send it back to them, or has it been updated by itself?? Thanks again for all reply's!
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Old 03-30-2005, 08:27 AM   #20
subieworx
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redeemedsoul
thanks for all the reply's ... now about the accesport if i buy a brand new one from the cobb website, do I have to send it back to them for an 05 WRX .. or what? Alot of threads say i can damage my stock ECU if i mess up ... And I dont like the whole "unmarrying" crap they tell u to do. Would I have to send it back to them, or has it been updated by itself?? Thanks again for all reply's!
Any new AP ordered from Cobb will have the update on it. On the other hand though the update is not difficult to perform. Had mine done in about 30 minutes with no problems. Most of the people who had problems with it did not follow or understand the directions.

Word of advice: if you ever are unclear about anything concerning the AP; call Cobb. I have called them a few times with problems I have had and they have always been upfront, honest and helpful.
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Old 03-30-2005, 08:30 AM   #21
SILVERHKSWRX
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i have to say ecutec.

here in tampa florida, mastro subaru will dyno tune your car and install the ecutec for $1200!

plus it keeps all factory information and its like a ghost... it reflashes your factory ecu!
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Old 03-30-2005, 08:31 AM   #22
subieworx
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SILVERHKSWRX
i have to say ecutec.

here in tampa florida, mastro subaru will dyno tune your car and install the ecutec for $1200!

plus it keeps all factory information and its like a ghost... it reflashes your factory ecu!
That's extrememly expensive. Why would anyone pay 600 more to get 10 more hp? Not worth it at this level. Maybe if he was stage 4+ it would be.
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Old 03-30-2005, 09:35 AM   #23
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I'm in the same boat, and I'll be getting the AP. Having said that, they are having some stall issues with the latest maps, so I'd wait 'til those are resolved first (unless you just want to run Stage 1 for the time being).
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Old 03-30-2005, 09:40 AM   #24
subieworx
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UltimateLurker
I'm in the same boat, and I'll be getting the AP. Having said that, they are having some stall issues with the latest maps, so I'd wait 'til those are resolved first (unless you just want to run Stage 1 for the time being).
Those have been resoloved with the latest maps available as of 3/28. FWIW I never had any stalling issues after going to the 1.21 maps. I have yet to try the 1.22 maps.
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Old 03-30-2005, 09:42 AM   #25
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Ah, I'm behind the game, the problem was solved 2 days ago...lol. Thanks for the info .
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