New-to-me 02 WRX...tuning question
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New-to-me 02 WRX...tuning question
So I recently purchased an 02 WRX wagon with a bad 5 speed tranny (go figure) but shitload of goodies; headers, up-pipe, down-pipe, cai, hks blow-off, tbe, act clutch, lightened flywheel, amongst suspension goodies. My question regards tuning....From everything I've researched all these upgrades require tuning of the ecu. With that being said I'm not sure if there is a tune on it now or what. So before I go on and start driving this thing I wanna make sure the tune is good and if not go about getting it tuned. Im new to subies and have absolutely no idea as to where to take it. Any ideas or recommendations would be greatly appreciated
TampaBayTunedPerformance
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Those upgrades dont require a tune, but to get the full potential out of the parts a tune is needed. You could do stock ecu, I would go with cobb and get a protune, or go all out with AEM stand alone to get the absolute most potential out of that thing. pm me if you would like a quote from our tuner.
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Coming from the Toyota world I wouldnt think I would need a tune but EVERYWHERE (subaru forums) I've read that a even just a cold air intake would require a tune as well as any exhaust component would require one too. I was looking into the Cobb anyway but didnt know where to get a protune at...
The issue is though that a Subaru ecu can be flashed without any "signs" of it being flashed; follow me?
So I'm not too sure as what's in the ecu ,stock or flashed. If I understand correctly the ecu has to be stock/not flashed for Cobb to work but correct me if I'm wrong.
The issue is though that a Subaru ecu can be flashed without any "signs" of it being flashed; follow me?
So I'm not too sure as what's in the ecu ,stock or flashed. If I understand correctly the ecu has to be stock/not flashed for Cobb to work but correct me if I'm wrong.
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Coming from the Toyota world I wouldnt think I would need a tune but EVERYWHERE (subaru forums) I've read that a even just a cold air intake would require a tune as well as any exhaust component would require one too. I was looking into the Cobb anyway but didnt know where to get a protune at...
The issue is though that a Subaru ecu can be flashed without any "signs" of it being flashed; follow me?
So I'm not too sure as what's in the ecu ,stock or flashed. If I understand correctly the ecu has to be stock/not flashed for Cobb to work but correct me if I'm wrong.
The issue is though that a Subaru ecu can be flashed without any "signs" of it being flashed; follow me?
So I'm not too sure as what's in the ecu ,stock or flashed. If I understand correctly the ecu has to be stock/not flashed for Cobb to work but correct me if I'm wrong.
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Yes i do follow you, with bolt ons i doubt your in any danger, how does the car run now? Any signs of missfire, can you hear any pinging or knock? If you have a wide band check the afr, if its ok your fine. As far as the cobb, if the ecu has been flashed it doesnt matter, cobb will override that flash with its new map.
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jcssti6265 and Tampabaytunedinc have probably given you the worst advice ever...
First off, you are correct a car with a tbe, an up-pipe (assuming it's now catless, since 02 had a cat in the stocker), and headers should be tuned. You made no mention of having gauges so you have no way of telling if you are running lean (so you should get an AFR and boost gauge). So you are one over boost/misfire/knock away from buying a new engine.
You can check if the car is running the stock tune by downloading it from the car using [free] Open Source software and compare it to a stock map. At least I know you used to be able to do that, admittly I haven't used OS in like 2 years but do plan on getting my car retuned with it soon. Using that same software you can upload a "Stage 2" (pretty much the setup you have) to have the correct parameters for your car. Alternatively you can get a Cobb AP to do essentially the same thing for $500. A "protune" can be done by tuner using a variety of tuning software/hardware such as Cobb AP, AEM, etc. Thats pretty much up to the tuner, so you should call one if you want to go down that path.
Also should probably ditch the BOV (unless you really like the noises) because its not helping and some say it actually hurts performance. Other than that enjoy your new WRX. Probably should check out NASIOC for more/better info.
First off, you are correct a car with a tbe, an up-pipe (assuming it's now catless, since 02 had a cat in the stocker), and headers should be tuned. You made no mention of having gauges so you have no way of telling if you are running lean (so you should get an AFR and boost gauge). So you are one over boost/misfire/knock away from buying a new engine.
You can check if the car is running the stock tune by downloading it from the car using [free] Open Source software and compare it to a stock map. At least I know you used to be able to do that, admittly I haven't used OS in like 2 years but do plan on getting my car retuned with it soon. Using that same software you can upload a "Stage 2" (pretty much the setup you have) to have the correct parameters for your car. Alternatively you can get a Cobb AP to do essentially the same thing for $500. A "protune" can be done by tuner using a variety of tuning software/hardware such as Cobb AP, AEM, etc. Thats pretty much up to the tuner, so you should call one if you want to go down that path.
Also should probably ditch the BOV (unless you really like the noises) because its not helping and some say it actually hurts performance. Other than that enjoy your new WRX. Probably should check out NASIOC for more/better info.
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WRX TR... Tampa Racing Edition... because its sure as hell not Tuner Ready
WRX TR... Tampa Racing Edition... because its sure as hell not Tuner Ready
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If you're running a catless downpipe, you will get a CEL unless you've got a tune that disregards the insufficient O2 sensor CEL, or whatever it's called. No tune required for some of the CAIs, the SPT one for example. If that BOV isn't recirc'd, the car will likely run like crap without a tune. If you're running stock turbo, stock injectors, and stock BCS, you can probably run the Cobb Stage 2 map and be fine, but you'd likely happier with a custom tune for your set up. I haven't looked at the Cobb AP maps available for your car recently, but they may have some off the shelf maps that might work with a CAI.
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323whp?
323whp?
Tampa Bay Tuned Inc.
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jcssti6265 and Tampabaytunedinc have probably given you the worst advice ever...
First off, you are correct a car with a tbe, an up-pipe (assuming it's now catless, since 02 had a cat in the stocker), and headers should be tuned. You made no mention of having gauges so you have no way of telling if you are running lean (so you should get an AFR and boost gauge). So you are one over boost/misfire/knock away from buying a new engine.
You can check if the car is running the stock tune by downloading it from the car using [free] Open Source software and compare it to a stock map. At least I know you used to be able to do that, admittly I haven't used OS in like 2 years but do plan on getting my car retuned with it soon. Using that same software you can upload a "Stage 2" (pretty much the setup you have) to have the correct parameters for your car. Alternatively you can get a Cobb AP to do essentially the same thing for $500. A "protune" can be done by tuner using a variety of tuning software/hardware such as Cobb AP, AEM, etc. Thats pretty much up to the tuner, so you should call one if you want to go down that path.
Also should probably ditch the BOV (unless you really like the noises) because its not helping and some say it actually hurts performance. Other than that enjoy your new WRX. Probably should check out NASIOC for more/better info.
First off, you are correct a car with a tbe, an up-pipe (assuming it's now catless, since 02 had a cat in the stocker), and headers should be tuned. You made no mention of having gauges so you have no way of telling if you are running lean (so you should get an AFR and boost gauge). So you are one over boost/misfire/knock away from buying a new engine.
You can check if the car is running the stock tune by downloading it from the car using [free] Open Source software and compare it to a stock map. At least I know you used to be able to do that, admittly I haven't used OS in like 2 years but do plan on getting my car retuned with it soon. Using that same software you can upload a "Stage 2" (pretty much the setup you have) to have the correct parameters for your car. Alternatively you can get a Cobb AP to do essentially the same thing for $500. A "protune" can be done by tuner using a variety of tuning software/hardware such as Cobb AP, AEM, etc. Thats pretty much up to the tuner, so you should call one if you want to go down that path.
Also should probably ditch the BOV (unless you really like the noises) because its not helping and some say it actually hurts performance. Other than that enjoy your new WRX. Probably should check out NASIOC for more/better info.
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jcssti6265 and Tampabaytunedinc have probably given you the worst advice ever...
First off, you are correct a car with a tbe, an up-pipe (assuming it's now catless, since 02 had a cat in the stocker), and headers should be tuned. You made no mention of having gauges so you have no way of telling if you are running lean (so you should get an AFR and boost gauge). So you are one over boost/misfire/knock away from buying a new engine.
You can check if the car is running the stock tune by downloading it from the car using [free] Open Source software and compare it to a stock map. At least I know you used to be able to do that, admittly I haven't used OS in like 2 years but do plan on getting my car retuned with it soon. Using that same software you can upload a "Stage 2" (pretty much the setup you have) to have the correct parameters for your car. Alternatively you can get a Cobb AP to do essentially the same thing for $500. A "protune" can be done by tuner using a variety of tuning software/hardware such as Cobb AP, AEM, etc. Thats pretty much up to the tuner, so you should call one if you want to go down that path.
Also should probably ditch the BOV (unless you really like the noises) because its not helping and some say it actually hurts performance. Other than that enjoy your new WRX. Probably should check out NASIOC for more/better info.
First off, you are correct a car with a tbe, an up-pipe (assuming it's now catless, since 02 had a cat in the stocker), and headers should be tuned. You made no mention of having gauges so you have no way of telling if you are running lean (so you should get an AFR and boost gauge). So you are one over boost/misfire/knock away from buying a new engine.
You can check if the car is running the stock tune by downloading it from the car using [free] Open Source software and compare it to a stock map. At least I know you used to be able to do that, admittly I haven't used OS in like 2 years but do plan on getting my car retuned with it soon. Using that same software you can upload a "Stage 2" (pretty much the setup you have) to have the correct parameters for your car. Alternatively you can get a Cobb AP to do essentially the same thing for $500. A "protune" can be done by tuner using a variety of tuning software/hardware such as Cobb AP, AEM, etc. Thats pretty much up to the tuner, so you should call one if you want to go down that path.
Also should probably ditch the BOV (unless you really like the noises) because its not helping and some say it actually hurts performance. Other than that enjoy your new WRX. Probably should check out NASIOC for more/better info.
TampaBayTunedPerformance
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 481
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jcssti6265 and Tampabaytunedinc have probably given you the worst advice ever...
First off, you are correct a car with a tbe, an up-pipe (assuming it's now catless, since 02 had a cat in the stocker), and headers should be tuned. You made no mention of having gauges so you have no way of telling if you are running lean (so you should get an AFR and boost gauge). So you are one over boost/misfire/knock away from buying a new engine.
You can check if the car is running the stock tune by downloading it from the car using [free] Open Source software and compare it to a stock map. At least I know you used to be able to do that, admittly I haven't used OS in like 2 years but do plan on getting my car retuned with it soon. Using that same software you can upload a "Stage 2" (pretty much the setup you have) to have the correct parameters for your car. Alternatively you can get a Cobb AP to do essentially the same thing for $500. A "protune" can be done by tuner using a variety of tuning software/hardware such as Cobb AP, AEM, etc. Thats pretty much up to the tuner, so you should call one if you want to go down that path.
Also should probably ditch the BOV (unless you really like the noises) because its not helping and some say it actually hurts performance. Other than that enjoy your new WRX. Probably should check out NASIOC for more/better info.
First off, you are correct a car with a tbe, an up-pipe (assuming it's now catless, since 02 had a cat in the stocker), and headers should be tuned. You made no mention of having gauges so you have no way of telling if you are running lean (so you should get an AFR and boost gauge). So you are one over boost/misfire/knock away from buying a new engine.
You can check if the car is running the stock tune by downloading it from the car using [free] Open Source software and compare it to a stock map. At least I know you used to be able to do that, admittly I haven't used OS in like 2 years but do plan on getting my car retuned with it soon. Using that same software you can upload a "Stage 2" (pretty much the setup you have) to have the correct parameters for your car. Alternatively you can get a Cobb AP to do essentially the same thing for $500. A "protune" can be done by tuner using a variety of tuning software/hardware such as Cobb AP, AEM, etc. Thats pretty much up to the tuner, so you should call one if you want to go down that path.
Also should probably ditch the BOV (unless you really like the noises) because its not helping and some say it actually hurts performance. Other than that enjoy your new WRX. Probably should check out NASIOC for more/better info.
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