Think this through. If a $40 "chip" supposedly improves horsepower, fuel economy, and is safe, don't you think that Subaru would have installed this "chip" on the car from the factory? No. It's a scam. I've heard reports that this actually fools your car into running only in open-loop fueling, while backing off the fueling to run lean. Not a good plan. If you're interested in TRUE engine/fueling management, I suggest to read the following:

Engine Management FAQ: Read if you are thinking of buying one! - NASIOC

 

Chips aren't common. We reflash the ECU instead. Check out the Cobb AP or Romraider/Tactrix

 

These CHiPs are cool.

And I'm hungry...so I'll have these chips with lunch.

 

LMAO!

Hai Mikie! <3

 

i suppose you are right with the price for what it claims to do...i was just hoping to get some more power and better fuel economy without having to spend the 1000 on a tune plus drive the 14 hours round trip to the nearest town that has someone who does tunes....

 

What tuners have quoted you 1000 dollars? Most charge $500 for a dyno session and full tune.

 

Got a Laptop?
Tactrix cable (180) Free software (Romraider/Learning view) and an e-mail tune to Stage1 if not modified (~100)...

 

Look up torqued performance. Eric Mineheart is my tuner. He's amazing. You would need either a tactrix cable or a accessport

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

Torqued Performance is what I was talking about. And not AP, OpenPort cable is a lot cheaper...

 

On the subject of Torqued Performance Maps- Eric does a great job of tuning and is on point and quick to answer any emails you send him as well as make adjustments to his maps. I wouldn't call his off the shelf maps an etune by any means. I would say it is somewhere in between an etune and a off the shelf map, since he is willing to make adjustments to it. On his original map I was getting some FKLC that he was able to eliminate with one revision (I was also getting this on the Cobb map) Car runs great and pulls harder than the Cobb map. I wouldn't call the Cobb OTS map crappy, I would however call the original Subaru tune crap.

 

lol @ this whole thread.

In the end, you get one or the other. You can only go wrong if you don't make an educated decision. You're asking questions, at least, and that shows that you at least want to make an educated decision. But if the lowest possible cost is what you're after, leave your car alone and drive happy!

 

fyi, because no one has mentioned it yet.. the AP and Tractix cables are just interface media.. they in themselves do not impact the "TUNE" in any way other than flashing it to the ecu.

Etuners are pretty decent. Most utilize the AP, some use open source (tractix/romraider) .. surf around and see what fits your price range and what reviews say.

Recently I went with a Perrin E-tune and I've been very happy with it. 2 revisions after the base map and the logs look clean, car runs like a scared cat. I probably paid a little more than tp or Phatboti .. but I chose the tuner I felt most comfy with. Cobb doesn't want to assume liability for the tune destroying a car. This is why the ots maps that come with the AP are so mild. As Drews mentioned, they're safe and that's why they're mild.

Personally I'm planning on running the perrin map until the bug gets me again and I scale up another mod.. then I'll go have the car protuned. Meanwhile.. it runs effin great on the current Etune.

 

yeah thought I recognized that screen name! lol

 

Yup! Yup! I was a member over here before you were in diapers lol I'm kidding. I see where you spend all your time!
I use to be way active on here back 5 years ago but it was too quiet for me.

Hi Ray, Rogan, Jen, Heather, Des, Justin and all the other old timers! :wave:

 

I'm older than you are mang lol.. welcome back.

 

Not "that" much older. Mid 30s? Should I call you dad since your older. lol I'm kidding.

I come back for a bit then poof gone for a bit lol

 

What's wrong with Perrin?

 

So...why is Perrin crappy?

 

Who said anything bad about Perrin? I don't have any experience with their tunes, but they make pretty decent parts.

 

gregroot said Perrin sucks

:cartman:

 

So...Based on this thread and the others he's posted in, anything gregroot doesn't do to his own car, sucks?

 

delete, see below...

 

Sorry - I'm an instigator.

 

Drews - i always enjoy reading yours posts. Methodical, well thought out, and easy to read. Just thought i would say thanks for being a part of the community.

 

this may void my warranty but it really depends on the dealership and other circumstances...

Nothing can void a warranty .. it could be used as a basis to deny a warranty claim, but so could a host of other things, such as driving the car.

 

Just follow the notes online for the map you are loading.

All that aside, that is what a stage 1 tune is generally geared towards an otherwise stock car. Add a down pipe for stage 2. They also have tunes for certain intakes on newer models.

 

They aren't crappy they are safe. There is a difference. Please enlighten me, since you seem to know it all when it comes to style and performance, why the Cobb maps are crappy? Do you regularly install and adjust Cobb maps to make them better or even just use them on a day to day basis? I'd really like to know where you get your information from. Because last I checked, Cobb is still in business. If they were crappy they wouldn't be. For the OP's situation I absolutely suggest a Cobb OTS map. It's simple, safe and effective. It's also not going to take a whole lot of time for him to do data logging. For all you know, he may not even have a lap top to flash his car with. All you do is make vague assumptions that have nothing to do with topic. And instead of contributing effectively, you get incredibly defensive or you lash out when someone has a different opinion than you. I have nothing to say about TP because I've never dealt with them. I've heard good things and that's where my experience with them stops. Go off-roading in your stage rally car and then come back and contribute to the forum effectively. Or click the logout button. Either way, I'd be much happier.

I've had mixed results with the Cobb base maps. I've logged cars that are flawless, and others that have boost trouble, and some that have had knock issues (up to 3° in some cases).

The OP said he doesn't want pay 1000 bucks for a tune. This makes me question whether or not you've read this whole thread. I'm not an expert. I have never claimed to be an expert. However I am an enthusiast and I like to consider myself a good one at that. I'm not the most knowledgeable person out there but I'm also not clueless. I never claimed that Cobb is the end all, be all when it comes to tuning. Judging by your reaction, that is how I assume you understood my post. I was pointing out to the OP, who seems to be completely new to Subaru, that Cobb is a good option for him. Is it the best tune out there you can get? No, and I'd like you to point out in my post where I said that. However, it is a GOOD option for HIM. That's great that you have had such great experience with Eric at TP, but the OP may know nothing about data logging or he may not even want to bother with that. He may just want a plug and play option that will be better than his stock tune. You're the one that seems to have an issue in this thread, not me. And I didn't personally attack you. I told you to take a chill pill. All your posts of late have been drastic over reactions to simple opinions and suggestions. I'd advise you grow a little thicker skin and be a tad more open minded. You also didn't show me where Cobb maps are garbage or where you get your information from...just thought I'd point that out.

OP, you can ignore everything that gregroot said other than TP is good. I've not personally had any experience with them but I've heard many good things from many people. While e-tunes are a great way to get a tune the amount of work involved is a little more complex than that of an AP. But not so far off that it's hard to do for a noob. In my opinion you'd be better served with an AP for the simple fact that it is so easy. Then when you get more familiar with mods and tuning you can search out other resources for better tunes. While the Cobb OTS maps may not be the best, you're not going to have your car explode on you.

As long as OPs car handles Cobb map well (which can only be verified by datalogs), that's a great option. I would not blindly flash a base map (Cobb, TP, whoever) without datalogging to verify.

 

Yes I said Perrin sucks. They have made good products in the past, but their stuff for the current lineup sucks. Look up threads about their BPVs, TMICs, and pretty much any product that is meant for performance instead of cosmetics. Not to derail, I was suggesting the AP too, I've just heard plenty about the rich time of the Cobb OTS maps. Once again, this is for the 08+ WRX maps. Since you have an STi Drew, how would you know anything about the maps for the WRX? Some people have no issues, I did, and other people have too. If the OP wants an OTS product, yes the Cobb maps will do, but if he wants something a little more customized to the car, but without a 7 hour drive an e-tune is better. His choice regardless. We are all just giving him options: Cobb, with or without a custom map; or open source options, which I have little opinion on.

 

Not to derail, I was suggesting the AP too, I've just heard plenty about the rich time of the Cobb OTS maps. Once again, this is for the 08+ WRX maps. Since you have an STi Drew, how would you know anything about the maps for the WRX?

Um he knows things the same way you do because he's heard them.....

You don't need to own a car or have done mods to your own car to know things about them......

 

Oy, this thread makes me want to punch babies.

No offense to the OP, but in the 10 years that the WRX has been in the USDM and the 8 years the STI has, don't you think there should have been some kind of talk about "chipping" around the forums that was positive, if it were a viable and safe option? Not much thought goes into these threads these days it seems.

Also, I really would like to avoid the tuning argument, we do this like every 6 months and somebody usually ends up in time out.

 

Perrin is awesome! That is all. lol

Everyone has different opinions.. one bad experience and some people are done with companies.. if I have a bad experience I try one more time then if they screw me over again they are done

 

Yes I said Perrin sucks. They have made good products in the past, but their stuff for the current lineup sucks. Look up threads about their BPVs, TMICs, and pretty much any product that is meant for performance instead of cosmetics. Not to derail, I was suggesting the AP too, I've just heard plenty about the rich time of the Cobb OTS maps. Once again, this is for the 08+ WRX maps. Since you have an STi Drew, how would you know anything about the maps for the WRX? Some people have no issues, I did, and other people have too. If the OP wants an OTS product, yes the Cobb maps will do, but if he wants something a little more customized to the car, but without a 7 hour drive an e-tune is better. His choice regardless. We are all just giving him options: Cobb, with or without a custom map; or open source options, which I have little opinion on.

Not every car will take a one-size-fits-all tuning solution. If your car fits into that description, you should reach out to the product owner and they should make it right; in the case of the AP, you purchased the IP/use of the product, as well as support.