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2016 GrimmSpeed EBCS tuning.

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18K views 30 replies 7 participants last post by  MainFrame  
#1 ·
I just installed my grimmspeed ebcs, I just wanted to double check with everything I read because I'm still new to subaru tuning to make sure everything sounds good. First my mods are accessport big sf intake, invidia j pipe catless and invidia n1 dual exhaust on 2016 wrx. My car isn't protuned yet just using cobb tunes until I can get my car in to be tuned. On my test drive after ebcs install I noticed not boost spike at all as with the stock bcs it was any where from 18-22 and settled around 13 14psi. I'm now boosting 14.5 consistently from what I have read this is normal since I'm not tuned for anything and I'm just using the stock cobb stg2+ tune. I just want to verify this is correct and I'm good to go until I protune my car?
 
#3 ·
Wow a catless downpipe without at least an e-tune and now an ebcs with no tune for it. Both of those items require specific tuning for and ARE NOT covered by cobb's OTS maps. Remove the grimmspeed ebcs before you drive the car again.

Grimmspeed even notes that a tune is required immediately after installing their ebcs. I was going to install my ebcs on my car the morning before I drove my car to be tuned. Which is only about a 2 hour drive. He said absolutely DO NOT drive that car with that mod on there. Put it on here before the tune.

Dude you need to do more research on parts before you just throw them on your car. You are going to end up making it go boom.
 
#4 ·
This directly copied and pasted from grimmspeeds website.......

Tuning Notes:

Because this upgraded solenoid affects the way that your vehicle controls boost (that's the point!), it is always recommended that you consult with a tuner immediately following installation. It is not recommended that you drive the car in a way that builds boost without doing so. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us directly!

Here is the link.
Electronic Boost Control Solenoid 3-Port - 2015+ WRX/FA20 - GrimmSpeed
 
#5 ·
Oops good thing I just took it around the block. I took the ebcs off. I have egr and tdv deletes I'm waiting to have I installed when ever I can get to a place that does protunes. I thought the cobb maps are good for an intake exhaust and downpipe?
 
#6 ·
Go to Cobb's website and read the map notes for the map you running. Technically yes, their maps cover intakes and downpipes/or turbo back exhausts. BUT, only downpipes that are catted. NOT catless. And they only support certain intakes. Every intake is different and the maf will read air differently on every intake. So the maps need to be specific to the parameters of each intake. You cant just get a perrin intake for example and put the cobb OTS map for the AEM intake on your car and expect it to run right.

Im not sure what intakes they cover on their maps for the 15+ wrx's. But for my body style wrx (11-14) they only supported their SF intake and AEM. Now I noticed you said that you have the SF intake so you are fine there. But technically youre downpipe is not supported by that map. And that ebcs is most certainly not supported and requires either a protune or e-tune.

Hope that all makes sense.
 
#7 ·
Cobbs stage 2+ big sf intake tune that im running now covers non resonated j pipes exhaust and big sf intake. I haven't had any issues at all running it. I didn't know everything had to be brand specific either.
 
#12 ·
Not sure where you're getting that info (also, a resonator, and a catalytic converter are two completely different things). The map notes are pretty clear:



Hardware Requirements: Stage2+BigSF - Otherwise stock vehicle with the following modifications*:

Intake Requirements: COBB Tuning BigSF Intake and Airbox System (Part # 745100)
Exhaust requirements:
Upgraded J-pipe with high flow catalytic converter
Upgraded cat-back exhaust (stock exhaust acceptable)
Boost Control requirements: Deleted 2nd restrictor pill (between Tee and wastegate actuator). See additional information on page 11.


*The addition of any other hardware may make the vehicle perform poorly.



If you're interested, Cobb has the map notes for all of their off the shelf maps published on their website.. https://cobbtuning.atlassian.net/wiki/display/PRS/Map+Notes+for+2015-2016+WRX+6MT
 
#8 ·
Oh really? They are supporting catless jpipe on the new wrxs? See there is something I didn't know. And they are only brand specific on the intakes. Not the downpipes. If you go on cobbs website and look at the maps you will see like Stage2 + SF or Stage2 +AEM, etc. Regardless, never add more mods to your car that the specific map you are running doesn't support in the map notes.
 
#10 ·
Yeah I got it guess im just use to being able to throw parts at a car and not really tune it.I've been out of the tuning game for about 10 years. I'm just keeping the full exhaust, intake and accessport on until I get it some where to tune it with the other parts i have for it.
 
#11 ·
OP, get ahold of Eric at Torqued Performance. He is a good e-tuner. A lot of good feedback for him on here. I used him for tuning before I got protuned. He doesn't show 2015+ maps on his website but I swear I have seen people on here that have their 15+ wrx's tuned by him. Doesn't hurt to shoot him an email and see if he can help you. Its only 85 dollars for his base maps and offers unlimited support and adjustments to your map via datalogs you send him. Be a safe option to run the extra parts you have until you can get protuned.
 
#13 ·
Ahhh I'm an idiot. I wasn't paying attention when reading where he said resonator. I read resonator and my mind said catalytic converter. :screwy: But thank you for clearing that up. I didn't even take the time to look at the map notes from cobb to clarify. Although it did strike me odd as Cobb has never released maps for catless downpipes.
 
#14 ·
Alright got it, I ****ed up gotta learn somehow. Good thing it's not my daily driver. Looked into getting an e-tune and narrowed it down to 2 companies so I can install all my parts and not have any worries. I emailed both prices are relatively the same. I would like some feed back if anyone know anything about the two companies. First is AMR performance and the other is Bren tuning.
 
#15 ·
Personally I highly recommend Eric at Torqued Performance. He is very responsive to emails and his tunes are top notch. My first E-tune was through Bren. Overall it was a positive experience and the tune was great. The thing I liked about the TP tune was that Eric seemed a bit more OCD as to making sure the tune was dialed in perfectly. You won't go wrong either way though.
 
#16 ·
I checked out their website they don't offer anything for 2015+ WRX unless their website isn't up to date. I'll send him an email.
 
#18 ·
I did just waiting on a reply. What did you pay for the tune or tunes you got from him?
 
#20 ·
No I just want to be able to install my ebcs tgv and EGR deletes. Amr and Bren are running around 300 bucks for an e-tune
 
#22 ·
We weren't trying to be ****s man. Just giving you a heads up. Too many people modify their cars wrong and blow them up. Then when they come crying because they didn't listen to the advice they asked for we all just say we told you so. We are here to help and most of us know what we are talking about.
 
#24 ·
Yeah I got it man I appreciate and want all the help I can get. I know I messed up and failed to read a few key details. Now I know what I gotta do in order to install my parts and make sure my cars gonna be good to go.
 
#23 ·
Price isn't a concern,wasnt looking for a budget anything. I want to get the best tune I can, just comparing prices.
 
#25 ·
If you want the best tune, then you shouldn't be looking at e-tuning period. Take the car somewhere and have it tuned in person.. in person tunes are MUCH more comprehensive. An e-tune is more of a tweaked off the shelf map, where as a custom tune done in person with be specifically tailored to your car.
 
#27 ·
I don't like e tunes. Not that they are bad, or the tuners are bad, but the process of collecting data is dangerous as you are doing flat out pulls to redline. Nowhere in the states is that legal. It puts others in danger as well.

When you are on a dyno in a shop the second something starts to get bad they come out of the throttle or kill it to prevent a boom. An e tuner can't do that. It's up to you, and when you are flat out you may not hear the pinging that's blowing your ring land to pieces.

If you are going to e tune contact the tuner and only buy exactly what he says, they have worked with those parts and know how they will perform and will have the best luck not detonating your engine.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 
#29 ·
I don't like e tunes. Not that they are bad, or the tuners are bad, but the process of collecting data is dangerous as you are doing flat out pulls to redline. Nowhere in the states is that legal. It puts others in danger as well.

When you are on a dyno in a shop the second something starts to get bad they come out of the throttle or kill it to prevent a boom. An e tuner can't do that. It's up to you, and when you are flat out you may not hear the pinging that's blowing your ring land to pieces.

If you are going to e tune contact the tuner and only buy exactly what he says, they have worked with those parts and know how they will perform and will have the best luck not detonating your engine.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Some good points. Your best bet is finding some private property or a track so you're not putting others at danger. As far as blowing an engine goes, personally since I drive a newer car and I'm not going for 400whp, I'm not too concerned about my engine blowing. If I were tuning for that much you'd bet a pro-tune would be my only option.

In the past on my last WRX I went the pro-tune route. Having experienced both, today honestly I prefer the e-tune. The pro-tune is definitely more convenient. You go in, let your pro-tuner do his thing and a couple hours and sick youtube vids later, you've got a fully tuned car you don't have to worry about anymore. The downside (at least in my experience with two different tuners out in CA) the appointment felt like a doctors visit. Set an appointment, get in, you get the sense your tuner is in a rush to get though your tune in order to get to the next car, and you're out the door. Any problems with the tune you discover later on, it's scheduling another appointment. From what I've noticed from e-tuning with Bren and Torqued, you're treated like a long term client. Yes, getting the actual tune dialed in right takes MUCH longer, but the end result is pretty much the same. You'd dealing with tuners who aren't pressed for time, (hopefully) great at communication, and are picky and take pride in their tunes. Once the tune is complete, any questions or issues are easily revised. Occasionally, if I feel like something isn't right down the road, I'll shoot my e-tuner a log and have him verify everything is okay.

In the end it comes down to preference. Just my $0.02.