RMII

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for all the feedback guys please keep it coming, it seems that there are a lot of good choices out there. I will be going either EcuTek or OS but am pleased to see feedback on upgrade ECU's and the skills of the mappers in question performing the fine tuning as most of these outfits will also offer EcuTek.

Anyone with any BAD EXPERIENCES?? As above PM only on this topic please unless it is relating to general service and aftersales support, Any major mechanical faults following mapping please PM me as it is subjective and I do not want to damage anybody's reputation.

Many thanks to everyone for your input so far....

53

iTrader: (41)

With what mods ?

mike80

Does anyone know who does the mapping for Litchfields now its no longer Powerstation?

RMII

iTrader: (1)

Already purchased (but not fitted):

ScoobyWorld Ninja 100 Cell Sports Cat Downpipe
SW Afterburner 2nd Decat Pipe
SW Afterburner Centre/Rear Section
SW Ninja Backbox
Walbro 255 Fuel Pump

Still to buy:

Decat Up-pipe
Panel Filter? (may keep OEM)

Possible other mods subject to funds:
Harvey Ported headers / up-pipe
Uprated Spark plugs
Prodrive Y Piece to Intercooler

No real intention of modding turbo, injectors, boost solenoid at this stage but may possibly go down this route with a map tweak in 12-18 months time?

I'd be happy at anything over 260bhp not after putting massive strain on engine TBH more interested in grunt/driveability, also need to maintain 25-30mpg on the dull dual carriageway section of my commute (at approx 70 mph).

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

It would be totally unnecessary to go with headers at this stage IMO. I presume you are still onthe std TD04 - in which case you have everything you need to hit your target .. just a mapper to choose

RMII

iTrader: (1)

That is an interesting comment / point, I hadn't really considered this - true.
To a certain extent those running 300+ BHP need not apply, although of course if you have been running 375BHP for the last three years and 50k miles with no engine problems whatsoever then I cannot fail to be very very impressed!!!

RMII

iTrader: (1)

Hi Dynamix - I do have everything I need but I guess as i'd like to keep maximum reliabilty and reasonable economy in an ideal world i'd like to do more to enable me to achieve maximum driveability at minimum boost pressure...does this make sense or am I talking rubbish... I dare say I could hit 300 bhp with the bits I have now if I were prepared to run 1.6 bar of boost and the engine would probably last about an hour. As a noob I am happy for anyone to correct me as required!!

Yes - standard TD04

Anders_WR1

iTrader: (8)

Powerstation then Pat Herborn a couple of years later.

Anders

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

You wont hit 300 on the td04 I am afraid apart from on maybe the most wildly optimistic dyno.

The Td04 will not hold more than 1.1 bar at the top end whatever as it simply runs out of puff - the supporting mods and other mods main concentrate on bringing the driveability up at the bottom end as well as trying to retain as much power as possible at the top without heating the air charge too excessively. A STi tmic may get a little but really to get to 300 you will need to change turbos to one off an STi.

However a nice 1.3-1.4 mid range tailing off to whatever the turbo can hold will make for a massive difference over the standard very dull map (and increase fuel economy without sacrificing reliability).

buff01

dave row did my wr1 and cant fault it did it at cp autos bristol believe he doing another there soon also he did gobstopper nice guy too

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

BR has mapped all my scoobs!

TX.

Fat Boy

Bob Rawle mapped my p1 with ecutek in 2002 or so, and then Motec in 2008 and 2009 (wide band lambda).

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

Fiestaboy mapped my sister's. He did it once with the standard MAF & injectors then he did it again once he fitted a Z32 & 440's. The car flies now and he is going to tweak the map again after I've fitted a front mount next weekend.

We use Rich for everything Subaru related, servicing, repairs, mapping etc. He really knows his stuff and always up trumps when you need something.

RMII

iTrader: (1)

Well the good news is so far I have no pm's from anyone so obviously lots of very satisfied customers. Any more comments / feedback from people relating to number of miles covered following you remap appreciated and are you on the original engine or has it since been rebuilt? Obviously this is more to do with driving style and state of tune as the map itself, so would by no means suggest a bad map.

Finally can anybody provide their opinion on which mods I should add to the list prior to remap, I already have sports cat, 2nd decat and cat back system.

I don't really need a bigger turbo, injectors etc yet, but with regards to cost effective upgrades is it advisable to change to decat up-pipe, panel filter, spark plugs, hose Y piece prior to remap or should I save towards the next set of mods? Just after peoples opinions

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

Personally I would save doing the up-pipe til a turbo change as it is a right royal p.i.t.a. to do and wont hinder getting to your 260bhp target.

Plugs yes when it comes to service time - pop some 7's in there
panel filter - yes - cosworth or green or K&n
Y piece - be worthwhile
fuel pump - never a bad idea

a 3 port boost solenoid is also a good plan.

p1doc

richard bulmer mapped my sti 3 times when he worked for tsl-had car for 6 years and 90,000 miles no probs
martyn was mapping my murtaya but due to emissions and damage to car seeking alternative mapper jgm coming to give second opinion next month
martin

53

iTrader: (41)

TBH to PM someone unknown with 13 posts that joined this month would be fairly stupid

Anyone from your list is capable of mapping the mods you have listed. Bread and butter all day long mapping nothing out of the ordinary with what you want to do interms of power or the longevity of your cars health (assuming its in good order already).

For my money...fit this lot and leave it aloneIf you still want more strip it back to standard and buy an STi, many of which parts will be reusable but with the added benefit of STi strength.

SportsCat DP MOT friendly
Decat Up-pipe
Decat Rear Pipe
Straight through Centre
Backbox of choice
Fuel Pump
3 port possibly
Y-Pipe
Green Cotton Panel
Plugs
Good oil
Remap

Decat uppipe can be an **** but for the extra torque I think it's worthwhile. That lot will see you c.275/275

Then I would concentrate on ARB's and the handling side of things, and of course better stopping power.

I am a strong believer in making cars the best they can be without compromising their initial qualities, this does just that

Apostle

Yep... trade secret - Martyn Jeffries at Enginetuner - bloody miles away.

pslewis

Subaru Mapped my car .... 10 years ago - never missed a beat since.

They even warranted it for 5 years!! Bet that's a longer warranty than some?

Very happy with it - does what it says on the box - reliability built in

bob r

iTrader: (46)

But underpowered [imo]

Andy Carr did my road map, Powestation the rolling road map. Both very good.

RMII

iTrader: (1)

Actually all of this all makes a lot of sense and realistically I would be better off moving across to an STi and reusing these mods, I am glad to see you have confirmed my thoughts in relation to the mappers i've listed, although I do note that I have missed off several equally capable companies from the list.

With regards people sending PM's the thought hadn't even occurred to me, in truth I could make up anything about anyone and post it up regardless of whether or not I actually receive any PM's.

Perhaps you could be persuaded to PM me your own thoughts on opensource vs ecutek, VFM is of great importance but not at expense of reliability (though any car standard or otherwise can go wrong)

I will probably follow your excellent an honest advice on mods and then call it a day until such time as I am able to buy an STi/WR or just a newer WRX.

Thank you for your input

RMII

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for your input, perhaps I should have put "as subaru intended" in the poll and agree that an unmolested example should almost always be the most reliable and that is why I went to great lengths to buy a bog standard model and make sure it gets done properly!!!

I have previously had superchip mapped tdi's and have been very happy with them in terms of mpg, performance and reliability, obviously I understand that there is always a trade off but I see the main benefits in coming via removing restrictions in exhaust and a remap just to check all is as it should be.

rickya

iTrader: (18)

Not necessarily. New Hatchbacks, JDM's running on UK fuel etc

Two years ago Powestation mapped my Spec C Ecutek, not overly imprssed with whole service offered.
Last month Fiestaboy mapped ny Type R with Apexi ECU, very happy with performance.

Lee_1075

iTrader: (1)

Bob Rawle.

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

I was going to get Racedynamix to map mine, but the exhaust turned up later than promised and he was fully booked so I ended up getting Fiestaboy to do it and he has done a great job

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

If it is value for money you want opensource is better than ecutek because you are not throwing money at the licence fee. Also worth considering the experience and reputation of the mapper - a Joe Bloggs open source remap that saves you £200 up front compared to a Bob Rawle Ecutek will probably cost you more in the long run. There are enough people who can do opensource mapping and they do a good job, and Racedynamix and Fiestaboy are 2 that come to mind instantly. They know their stuff and have a track record of happy customers with good results

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

Well over the 8 or 9 years ve used nearly al the mappers listed, Andy.f, bob rawle or Jgm would all be my preferred. I find Simon(jgm) to be the easiest to get a slot with when i need a tweek etc as he's the closest to me, alot will depend on the area of the country your in?

MartynJ

Not strictly true Duncan, but you do need to ring it's neck.
We hit 309 on a TD04 a few years back now with RCM headers, 3 inch system, front mount and a set of pinks. Will dig out the graph later.

Mocom Racing

iTrader: (2)

EcuTek is the brand name of the software used to remap your ECU and that of their agents, nothing else. For the last few years there have been alternative software programs out there offering the very similar access to the Subaru ECU (amongst others) and in someways some of the alternatives provide more features than what Ecutek can offer. Some of these programs are opensource, some are there to be purchased.

Both Ecutek and it's alternatives should provide you with the same end result providing the person at the keyboard carries out the task in hand correctly

The alternatives used to offer greater value for money due to the lack of licensing system than that of EcuTek until recently, where I've known of EcuTek agents offereing a new remap including license at just £300 vs our £340 - sign of the times

Reliabiity really shouldn't be an issue providing you are running the engine within it's capabilities and not asking too much of it. Take the Race Dynamix Time Attack STi for example.....in it's early days as a road car I mapped it a number of times in various guises and it went on to complete many miles with complete reliability as far as I am aware, Duncan has never spoke of any issues. This included a lot of circuit use at tracks here in the UK and the Nurburgring so was driven hard a lot of it's life, just how Subaru intended
The engine was removed for an upgrade rather than because it had to be
It's since run a built engine at anywhere from 450-600ftlbs and struggles to last 20k - this isn't to say there's anything wrong with the build, the components used, or the mapping - far from it - just that you are asking an engine designed around a specific output to run double that

Wulsey

iTrader: (1)

Andy F.

http://www.andyforrestperformance.co.uk/index2.html