I used to have a 95 GSX with about 500hp at the crank

The difference between the DSM and the WRX is the ecu. The WRX's ECU is smart enough to see when something is not right. If you try to control something the WRX wants to, it basicaly has a fit. With the DSMs, you could turn the boost up as much as you want and the ECU could not care less about it.

I honestly think the WRX way of tuning is 10 folds better then the way we used to tune the DSMs. Its nice to be able to reprogram the stock ECU into doing what you want rather then having to trick it with a MBC/EBC, SAFC and what other piggybacks you could find.

 

You can reprogram DSM's ECU. You can also use other engine managements on it. XEDE for example. However, that "trend" never caught on to the DSM guys. Thats why there are no options there.

If there was demand, there would have been many ECU tuning options. Most DSMers opted for "Bang-4-$" approach, hense the lack of support from the engine management producers.

 

I also am an old DSMer. My old Talon dynoed 422 whp and all I had for control was a SAFC. Scott was right about the ECU, DSM ecu's barely give a damn. They rarely pull timing and for the most part let you run what you want. I installed a MBC on my 04 and the car was slower than stock. The ECU pulled timing everytime I punched it like it was it job.

I guess what it comes down to is what you want. If you want lots of HP for $5 don't buy this car. However, if you want style, RELIABILITY(something my Talon needed to work on), and an awesome cult following get the Rex!