Mods for Dummies #1 -- AccessECU Stage 1

kaimonica · 09-30-2003, 10:01 PM

Hi guys, I am new to modding cars but I have started to do some mods to my WRX.

Although I don't have anything new technically to contribute, I thought I share my experiences to maybe help newcomers such as myself who are sitting on the fence and undecided. So here goes the first...

AccessECU Stage 1
Sent my ECU to Cobb tuning, they turned it around the same day so I was without a car for only a couple of days.

It was shipped using next-day UPS both ways. I was not charged any customs or brokerage fees (one unknown I was concerned about). Next day shipping is expensive though, $50US from Cobbs and $100 Cdn to Cobbs.

I have been driving with the AccessECU Stage 1 for about two weeks now. It delivers everything that I had read about -- better throttle response, earlier boost and stronger boost (.1MPa vs .09 MPa). It's just much more responsive.
You WILL feel the difference. I was concerned whether I would -- especially on the days when I was without the use of the car and my wallet was $800 lighter.

Swapping out/in the ECU was really straight forward as per the instructions. I did have to install the hose with the restrictor as supplied by Cobbs to get the last 0.05MPa to .1MPa. One minor glitch I ran into was that I was not able to re-use the stock hose clip on the hose end that attaches to turbo. The Cobbs hose was just a shade thicker. I ended up using a small hose clamp from Cdn Tires. Amazingly, I couldn't find a place (tried CT, auto parts store, fastener store) which sells those hose clips that are everywhere

Overall, I would highly recommend it.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

kracka99 · 10-01-2003, 07:42 PM

Cool! glad you like it!
I am REALLY thinking of going with the stage 2 but i would like to "feel" the difference before i drop the cash.

Aaron

tmr1 · 10-02-2003, 11:34 AM

Kracka

Having AECU stage one and now having stage 2. I can tell you that there is a big difference. In fact I think the jump to stage 2 from stage 1 is a bigger difference then the jump from stock to stage 1.

CRXguy · 10-02-2003, 03:05 PM

I've decided to go with Stage2 as well, but I'm gonna wait till spring and drive down there to get dyno-tuned!

tmr1 · 10-02-2003, 04:07 PM

Crxguy

They are looking at doing a huge Cobb meet in May, should be cool lot's of Cobb cars and lot's of the regulars on the WRXforum will be there. I will probably do a dyno tune then as well. Although I don't know how much more I would get out of it, the cars pretty fast as it is.

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09-30-2003, 10:01 PM	#1
kaimonica Scooby Newbie Member#: 32864 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Vehicle: 2002 WRX Platinum Silver	Mods for Dummies #1 -- AccessECU Stage 1 Hi guys, I am new to modding cars but I have started to do some mods to my WRX. Although I don't have anything new technically to contribute, I thought I share my experiences to maybe help newcomers such as myself who are sitting on the fence and undecided. So here goes the first... AccessECU Stage 1 Sent my ECU to Cobb tuning, they turned it around the same day so I was without a car for only a couple of days. It was shipped using next-day UPS both ways. I was not charged any customs or brokerage fees (one unknown I was concerned about). Next day shipping is expensive though, $50US from Cobbs and $100 Cdn to Cobbs. I have been driving with the AccessECU Stage 1 for about two weeks now. It delivers everything that I had read about -- better throttle response, earlier boost and stronger boost (.1MPa vs .09 MPa). It's just much more responsive. You WILL feel the difference. I was concerned whether I would -- especially on the days when I was without the use of the car and my wallet was $800 lighter. Swapping out/in the ECU was really straight forward as per the instructions. I did have to install the hose with the restrictor as supplied by Cobbs to get the last 0.05MPa to .1MPa. One minor glitch I ran into was that I was not able to re-use the stock hose clip on the hose end that attaches to turbo. The Cobbs hose was just a shade thicker. I ended up using a small hose clamp from Cdn Tires. Amazingly, I couldn't find a place (tried CT, auto parts store, fastener store) which sells those hose clips that are everywhere Overall, I would highly recommend it. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by kaimonica; 10-02-2003 at 08:37 PM.

10-01-2003, 07:42 PM	#2
kracka99 Scooby Specialist Member#: 27247 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alberta, Canada Vehicle: POS Tercel :(	Cool! glad you like it! I am REALLY thinking of going with the stage 2 but i would like to "feel" the difference before i drop the cash. Aaron

10-02-2003, 11:34 AM	#3
tmr1 Scooby Newbie Member#: 33818 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta Vehicle: 02 wrx wagon silver	Kracka Having AECU stage one and now having stage 2. I can tell you that there is a big difference. In fact I think the jump to stage 2 from stage 1 is a bigger difference then the jump from stock to stage 1.

10-02-2003, 03:05 PM	#4
CRXguy Scooby Specialist Member#: 25370 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Vehicle: 2003 WRX wagon Played Out Blue	I've decided to go with Stage2 as well, but I'm gonna wait till spring and drive down there to get dyno-tuned!

10-02-2003, 04:07 PM	#5
tmr1 Scooby Newbie Member#: 33818 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta Vehicle: 02 wrx wagon silver	Crxguy They are looking at doing a huge Cobb meet in May, should be cool lot's of Cobb cars and lot's of the regulars on the WRXforum will be there. I will probably do a dyno tune then as well. Although I don't know how much more I would get out of it, the cars pretty fast as it is.