2016 WRX Stage 1 & 2 questions (NOOB)

Welcome to clubwrx!

Let me help you out here. Use of the accessport is very simple, and it is a very nice tool to have on a car. That being said, all of their "staged" maps have map notes as to what modifications can be ran with that map. For instance:

Stage 1 - Stage 1 can be ran on your car with no modifications whatsoever. You can keep your car completely stock and flash the stage 1 map to get a little bump in power.

Stage 1 +intake - Cobb makes maps for their SF intake and a very select few of other aftermarket intakes. For your year wrx I do believe that they make a map for the mishimoto intake. However, that map will not come already uploaded on the accessport itself. You would need to download cobb accessport software, download the map to the software, and then plug your accessport into your computer and upload the map onto your accessport. Once you do that, you will connect the AP to the car and flash said map. I know this sounds difficult, but is very easy to do. All the instructions are on cobb's website and all of the things you need are free once you buy the accessport. Just need to download them. If you need help, call cobb. Their customer support is very good and they will walk you through everything.

Now for stage 2.

Stage 2 - This consists of an aftermarket turbo back exhaust. (or downpipe and catback). With no intake you just install the stage 2 map from the AP to your vehicle and you are ready to go. Cobb's only real stipulation is with the downpipe. You DO NOT need to buy their downpipe (or J-pipe in your case). You just need to make sure whichever J-pipe you buy is catted and not catless. The catback does not matter. You can run whatever catback you want. For instance, my STi has cobbs OTS stage 2 map right now. I am running a grimmspeed catted downpipe and a invidia Q300 catback. This falls into the perimeters for the stage 2 map because I have a catted downpipe.

Stage 2 +intake (mishimoto in your case) - You would just follow the same instructions as above for downloading the map and uploading it to your accessport. Except you would get the stage 2 +mishimoto cai map.

Also make sure you are flashing the correct map for the fuel you are using. 91 or 93 octane. Hope this helped.

Kilroy said:

Thanks for all the information! That was really helpful. Makes sense as well.

As for stage 2, why do I need a catted downpipe vs one that's not catted?

Click to expand...

Cobb's maps were developed gathering data on a catted downpipe. Meaning that a catless one can cause problems with running their map that is intended for a catted dp. Some people get away with running a catless downpipe on cobb's map with no issues, others don't.

Catless downpipes can create what is called boost creep. Boost creep is where the rising of boost levels goes past what the predetermined level has been set at. For instance cobbs maps notes for my STi on the stage 2 map is 18.5 +/- 1 psi. Meaning if I hit 19.5psi or 17.5psi it is still considered normal. Catless downpipes can cause the wastegate to stay open and not close when it should, thus creating boost creep. Boost creep can and will damage your engine if ran with the condition for too long. Catted downpipes restrict the exhaust gases just enough that boost creep is a lot less common.

Now if you have done research, some people claim that boost creep can be tuned out by a pro tune. That is not the case. Boost creep is a mechanical issue that a tuner cant magically get rid off with a few pulls on a dyno and magic fingers on a laptop. The only way to get rid of boost creep once it starts is going with an external wastegate setup. In order to do this you would need an uppipe for external wastegate, the wastegate itself, a way of permanently closing the stock internal wastegate and a pro tune. So about 1.5k give or take a few hundred.

So in that scenario, although a catted downpipe costs a little more, it is worth it instead of risking the chance of boost creep, in which a catless dp greatly increases the risk of. Most people just go catted and call it a day for the peace of mind.

Hey dude,

If you are willing to go the AP way;
I would suggest buying either MAPerformance Stage 2 kit or Grimmspeed Stage 2 kit.

For MAP:
-Custom OTS with their hardware design with additional corrections after logging some driving of yours (correct me if I am wrong)
-Included catback
-Price
For Grimmspeed:
-Includes TMIC upgrade and charge pipe hoses
-Doesn't have any OTS/needs a protune.

If you're not serious about your Stage 2 and only care about the smile that WOT fill put on your face, use MAPerformance to go Stage 2.
Both Manufacturer are awesome and their deviation won't be drastic (+/- 5 to 10%)

However, if you roll on a budget, get only Grimmspeed's catted downpipe and delete your mufflers from your stock exhaust system (you can always find a stock exhaust for cheap on CL if you ever decide to sell your car), then get a custom tune.
Remember; the stock intake can handle up to 350AWHP! Basically even going E85 won't bottleneck your CAI.