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Old 02-12-2013, 12:48 PM   #1
vandy2
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Default Total Newb: Flash ECU?

I just got my first WRX last Friday. 2013 Sedan. I have the Cobb AP and was wondering if I should flash the ECU to stage 1 for the break-in period. I've already put over 400 miles on it (mixed highway and in-town). After the first 1K, when should I upgrade to the cold air intake? After first oil change (3K)? Thanks, Loving this car!
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Old 02-12-2013, 01:06 PM   #2
luan87us
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It shouldn't matter really. The sooner you flash the stage 1 ots map the sooner your car run on a better tune.
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Old 02-12-2013, 01:07 PM   #3
Heedlessone
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Just do it now, it won't harm the car.
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Old 02-12-2013, 01:16 PM   #4
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Just do it now, it won't harm the car.
Better hope not, because your warranty coverage on your powertrain goes bye-bye.
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Old 02-12-2013, 01:20 PM   #5
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Meh, I'd drive it stock for a bit. That way when you do go stage 1 you'll feel like you have made some gains. As for the CAI... at this stage it would just be for noise. The stock airbox is pretty good. Make sure to read before you mod:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533787
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Old 02-12-2013, 01:26 PM   #6
SWP n Gold
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vandy2 View Post
I just got my first WRX last Friday. 2013 Sedan. I have the Cobb AP and was wondering if I should flash the ECU to stage 1 for the break-in period. I've already put over 400 miles on it (mixed highway and in-town). After the first 1K, when should I upgrade to the cold air intake? After first oil change (3K)? Thanks, Loving this car!
As long as you realize that flashing your car can result in a warranty claim denial if something goes wrong with your engine, then you can flash whenever you want. I would wait until the break-in period is over, change the oil and flash to stage 1, but that's just me. If you want more power later on, I would skip the intake for now and do a downpipe and flash to stage 2.
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Old 02-12-2013, 01:52 PM   #7
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You have lots of learning to do. Start by reading http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533787

You car COMES with nicely designed cold air intake so don't think that by switching to aftermarket that you are "upgrading" as by doing so you will need to get a custom tune for it. Custom tunes after labor and materials can be from $200 to $800. All that money for 8 HP? You can get that with no tune by slapping on a $100 lightweight pulley. Research twice, buy once.
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Old 02-12-2013, 02:08 PM   #8
the suicidal eggroll
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Originally Posted by SWP n Gold View Post
As long as you realize that flashing your car can result in a warranty claim denial if something goes wrong with your engine, then you can flash whenever you want.
^ this

There is absolutely no reason to wait unless you want to give it some time to make sure there aren't any problems before tossing your powertrain warranty aside. If you do want to give it some time to make sure there aren't any problems, then the amount of time you want to wait is completely up to you.

Personally, I felt like I was killing my engine every time it switched from CL to OL on the stock tune, so I flashed to stage 1 as soon as I possibly could. I think the car had something like 60 miles on it at the time...wish I could have done it sooner.
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Old 02-12-2013, 02:16 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
You have lots of learning to do. Start by reading http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533787

You car COMES with nicely designed cold air intake so don't think that by switching to aftermarket that you are "upgrading" as by doing so you will need to get a custom tune for it. Custom tunes after labor and materials can be from $200 to $800. All that money for 8 HP? You can get that with no tune by slapping on a $100 lightweight pulley. Research twice, buy once.
Yeah, I do for sure. I got the CIA and the AP in a package deal for a good price, that's why I was asking. I have been reading through your great FAQs, but I don't know where to start. Maybe, I will just do the flash and enjoy the car for a bit while doing more research...Thanks!
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Old 02-12-2013, 02:53 PM   #10
the suicidal eggroll
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What intake is it? Make sure that if you're using the stock intake you use a tune designed for the stock intake, and if you're using the CAI you use a tune designed for that CAI.
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Old 02-12-2013, 02:59 PM   #11
vandy2
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Cobb SF intake + sf airbox. Yeah, I'll want the map that doesn't include the SF until I actually put on the CAI.
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Old 02-12-2013, 04:34 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
You have lots of learning to do. Start by reading http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533787

You car COMES with nicely designed cold air intake so don't think that by switching to aftermarket that you are "upgrading" as by doing so you will need to get a custom tune for it. Custom tunes after labor and materials can be from $200 to $800. All that money for 8 HP? You can get that with no tune by slapping on a $100 lightweight pulley. Research twice, buy once.
Listen to this guy.
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Old 02-13-2013, 01:25 AM   #13
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Cobb SF (even with the SF airbox) is not a CAI, it is a SRI. The SF airbox helps to keep IAT in check, but you will still get lower IAT's with the stock airbox since it is already a CAI.

Run the Cobb SF intake if you like, there is nothing wrong with it and Cobb has a OTS map for it. Do not be surprised if the only difference is the intake noise and higher IAT.

I would run stage 1 with the stock airbox for a little bit, get some good datalogs (with IAT) to get your baseline. Then install the SF intake/airbox, drive around some and repeat the same datalogs. You can do a comparison then and see how the car reacts to the aftermarket intake. Based on what the datalogs tell you and how you feel about the two intakes, make a choice and be happy.
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Old 02-13-2013, 02:02 AM   #14
jhmr
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Research on how to use the AP to data log before you install the CAI. There have been certain instances where people with 08+ WRX's have experienced boost creep while using a aftermarket CAI. While you may not be affected by this problem, you won't know unless you're able to keep track of your boost.
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Old 05-15-2013, 12:16 AM   #15
Dblockdc
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What if you reflash your ecu to stock settings will the people from the dealer realize that an ap was installed and how?
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Old 05-15-2013, 01:22 AM   #16
hendo741
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dblockdc View Post
What if you reflash your ecu to stock settings will the people from the dealer realize that an ap was installed and how?
The ECU has a check sum counter that advances when flashed. This will most likely not be checked however, but that possibility is always there.
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Old 05-15-2013, 07:36 AM   #17
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The ECU has a check sum counter that advances when flashed. This will most likely not be checked however, but that possibility is always there.
Ok thanks again.
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