stevie1982

iTrader: (16)

Ok this is one for the mappers or more knowledgeable folk out there.

I currently have a my11 saloon which has been mapped via ecutek, the car has a built and pinned 2.5 along with a sc46 and various supporting mods. It's mapped to a safe 1.4bar and makes on or around 400 of each. In the near future a perrin FMIC will be going on and a couple of smaller bits if needed ie a 3port etc.

Now here's the question, do i stay with the ecutek or switch to something else. There's a few rtochoose from such as simtek, Syvecs, motec etc or add race rom but

what are the gains for doing so?
Is it worth the extra cost?
What and why did you go to what you have?

Curious as is this a mod that we think we need and spend accordingly on after market ecu when in fact it's a false market or so to speak if that makes sense.

Any help and advice would be great.

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Hi there

Depends on yours future upgrades etc.

OE ECU in hatch are awesome ECU with the RaceRom(or Open Source map) features is still cheapest option for yours needs

Many people which went with aftermarket ECU they're gained on the bhp/torque plus on better driveabilty

SimTek(Steve Simpson) ECU is for yours model,but AlcaTek for yours model is not available in moment,Syvecs is available for yours model(think for yours model is Syvecs S6GP),MoTeC not sure but hopefully someone this will confirm,if its or not.

If its worth the extra,in my view yes is worth to get better ECU,where you will be NOT limited by ECU,by only budget and engine internals etc.

We are went with Syvecs,just due is the best ECU for money,everything is on the board and you don't need pay extra fees for LC/ALS or datalogging etc

Aftermarket ECU it's not not false market,depends on stage where are you want to go,as you know on older Impreza is not possible mapping and you have only one option and this is aftermarket ECU

We are went with Syvecs just due we are want AVCS control CANbus,Wideband,LC,ALS,dataogging and NOS control as standard...


Jura

Bob Rawle

There isn't a "better ecu than the oem one for this model, there are alternatives that provide extra features, but in terms of ecu performance per se you won't find anything that could be stated as "better"

My Hawkeye still uses the oem DBW ecu with the maf and is sat at 552 bhp and 551 ft lbs torque, when people gain over the oem ecu its not over the DBW versions, but earlier definitely have their limits.

So its down to you and your budget, but really your objectives for the car as Jura has already said.

Open source can't get near an Ecutek based remap on the DBW cars simply due to the maps available, most of the secondary maps that need to be adjusted to get good results are simply not available, before anyone kicks off thats just fact ... non DBW stuff is another issue and I deliberately am only talking about the 32 bit systems. And, yes, I have mapped my own car using both as a back to back excersise so I am speaking from real practical experience not subjective observation. If some further work was done on the OS 32bit definitions then it could become as good.

If you are going to change then look at Syvecs, its not plug and play as such and needs extra modules for DBW and to interface the generic version to the car but its probably the "best" of the aftermarket options right now.

All the early GC8 ecu's can be mapped using the ESL interfaces Jura and have been capable for some time now.

a few thoughts

bob

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Hi Bob

Agreed on the OEM ECU is best option for him right now,if he doesn't care about the extra features which can provide aftermarket ECU

Open Source vs EcuTek will be same,I know few friends from USA whihc tried like EcuTek RaceROM or AP/COBB and they're now using Open source and they're happy

Agreed on definitions,there must be more work to done,but really this is can be subjective

Yes agreed on the Syvecs on the hatch models where he will need DBW controller,which is still not expensive as on other aftermarket ECU's

ESL is still aftermarket solution for GC8 OE ECU


Jura

Tidgy

Steve, speak to Syvecs direct, worst case Pat can sort you out.

stevie1982

iTrader: (16)

Thanks for the replies guys.

Bob pm on the way

Shaun

Steve,
In short don't bother moving to another ECU for what you have in mind. The ECU you have is an awesome piece of kit..... assuming you find a mapper proficient enough to get the best out of it. One of which has just posted on this thread!

stevie1982

iTrader: (16)

Cheers Shaun, always used bob in the past just the way the car was bought and a couple of other reasons someone else was used. Have no doubt in his ability and would like him to map it next time hence the post.

Can I ask then at what point and for what reasons is it time to make the jump to another ECU ?

Shaun

Steve,
There could be various reasons and it should (imo) be about what you want to do with the car and the type of functionality you would require, rather than what x and y can do. If you will never make great use of any functionality it's a mute point in my opinion and when you're talking about £1-£2k for new hardware and mapping, you need to ask yourself at what benefit will this give.

Off the top of my head I can't (for most people and remits) really see any great benefit in moving away from an ECU that has the ability to run multiple maps, great knock control strategies (although it has some caveats, but ones I believe can be overcome) and be able to run MAP along with MAF strategy, or just MAP. Your ECU is very powerful if it's utilised correctly.

I hear a number of times that moving to an aftermarket ECU will release more power. Unless you have hit some form of capability limit I can't see that being a matter of fact. Part of this (I assume) is down to some individuals lack of knowledge to exploit certain platforms and set-ups, as much as it (in some cases) about hitting any capability boundaries. All of this needs to be understood when people read statements like this and take them on face value.

I know of some very neat functionality that something like a Syvecs unit will enable, but again at a cost approaching a couple of grand, are those things a "nice to have" rather than a real world benefit for some individuals.

Every set-up and users wants can dictate the best approach and I doubt there is any hard and fast rule for the replacement of an ECU like yours, for the use I suspect you will want.

Put it this way, I would love to have your ECU feeding my engine with instructions.

Simply I would suggest that you consider alternatives when your current "brain" is not servicing your requirements.

Bob is one person who has spent a lot of time with the Subaru ECU's, so would certainly be better placed to make some informed response I'm sure.

stevie1982

iTrader: (16)

Shaun

Thanks so much for your input I really appreciate it. That's definitely food for thought and you have hit the nail for me, why do people spend 1-2k on a mod that in fairness is not needed for what they need and are they miss sold or assume it's needed. I would rather spend the saved money else where on the car.

Thanks again pal

Andy Stevens

In agreement with Bob and Shaun here;

Better to start with the OEM ECU and add functionality if required than start with a motorsports ECU as you are unlikely to get back to an OEM drive quality.

Most MYs are covered for an OEM solution with aftermarket extras now, not sure there is a compelling reason for most Subaru owners to go to a standalone now.

All IMHO, DYOR, YMMV, etc, etc.