Works13

is it possible to remap the stock ecu on an 05" wrx? if not what is a good aftermarket ecu to buy? i also heard about this term called re-flashing the ecu...what does that mean? cause i did install aftermarket parts.

thanks-justin

Wingless Wonder

iTrader: (7)

Yes.
Remapping of ECU can be done in one of two ways. The most common is to connect a device temporarily to the ECU by way of OBD-II port and change the engine performance parameters from the factory settings. The second way is to connect a 'piggyback' device to the ECU which intercepts and interprets the signals and then substitutes a modified signal to the factory ECU. A standalone engine management system can also be used but isn't necessary for most street-driven vehicles. Standalone engine management will also not pass OBD-II-type smog checks.

At the current time, the Cobb Tuning AccessPORT is the most popular engine management for the factory turbocharged Subaru. The EcuTek reflashing tools are still very much a good alternative but isn't as versatile to the end customer as the Cobb AccessPORT. One system does not 'make' more power than the other - in the hands of a competent tuner, either system should result in comparable power. The advantage of the AccessPORT is the ability to store additional maps that can be switched very quickly in the car.

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"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

Works13

i see, so you can use the stock ecu, but you have to get it remaped. do you know if gruppe-s does that?

Wingless Wonder

iTrader: (7)

Gruppe-S can reflash an ECU using EcuTek or Cobb AccessPORT. They also do custom dyno tuning. Give them a call or visit the Gruppe-S forum on i-Club.

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"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

PANGES

I'm glad i ran into this thread... i'm in the process of buying either an evo or sti and i've been researching which car responds better to reflashing and how/where to get it done. What shops in CA do these? Also, where do u get the EcuTek and Cobb AccessPORT and do they come tuned like some of the mail in Evo ecu's or do you still have to bring it somewhere to get it done?

Wingless Wonder

iTrader: (7)

Some shops offer mail order EcuTek reflashes - Vishnu Performance comes to mind. Vishnu also has an in-shop Dyno Dynamics AWD dynamometer for custom tuning for the Evo (another type of reflashing tool) or WRX/STi.

The Cobb AccessPORT has base maps that can be used but the AccessPORT can also be custom tuned for even more power. In California, DB Tuned, EQ Tuning, Gruppe-S, and Fine Line Imports can perform custom dyno tuning on a Mustang AWD dynamometer for your Subaru (I hope I haven't omitted any i-Club vendors/tuners ).

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush