sjwdavies

I'm looking at getting a full Roger Clarke Motorsport exhuast decat system, with the Team Ice back pipe.

Just got off the blower to a guy at TDi North, and he advised me against getting the full decat system because my ECU (MY95 WRX Import) won't be able to handle it.

Basically saying it can cause problems, leading to the engine blowing up.

Has anyone got one of these fitted to an otherwise standard classic?

Cheers.

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Did he mean yor ecu won't handle a decat exhaust system or the ecu won't handle the exhuast sytem you want to buy.
I've got a decat system (HKS decat,Revolution exhaust)on my 93 wrx running a z4 ecu (this is the one you've got if it's standard)) and it's fine (it's had a couple of rolling road sessions and has been ok)

sjwdavies

He meant the car will have problems running a fully de-catted exhaust.

Sounds strange to me, but you say you've got a full decat system and the standard ECU with no problems? What's it running on the RR?

What other mods you got?

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Full decat and z4 (as previously mentioned) and Apexi induction kit.
I did reset the ecu (disconnecting the battery or look here Chris Palmer's Home Page) and its been fine.A remap will take full advantage of the decat (either a replacement ecu or a scoobyecu /esl chip).
Running 250-255bhp due to slightly different conditions.

WRX_Rich

iTrader: (5)

RCM do many exhausts

the team ice backbox is the last one i would pick for a road car its way too loud

scooby-k

when going full decat it is advantageous/advisable to have a remap. if your going decat to gain power then the remap will add to that power because your fueling will be adjusted to suit the decat. as has already been said its a chip for your model year.

sjwdavies

Thanks for your advice. So if I buy this exhaust, what would you reccomend I do next with the ECU? Can you reccomend any products/places?

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

www.enduringsolutions.com do a chip that fits in the spare slot on your ecu (do a search as plenty of people with early classics have had/used them).
Or you could spend money on a remappable ecu such as Apexi power Fc (i think these are now only avaliable through official Apexi dealers),Gems,motec etc.
It all depends on what you want from the car.
Do a search for Zen performance,Andy Forrest,Jolly Green Monster to name a few these people/companies deal with the remappable ecus.

sjwdavies

Cheers for that. There's a EnduringSolutions chip of ebay for £195, it says it's plug and play basically - but is it really that simple??? Surely it can't be that simple.

How do I check what ECU I currently have? What am I looking for on the actual ECU?

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Speak to the guys at ESL (enduring solutions) but yes basically about from soldering it in it's as simple as that.
Your ecu is under a kick plate under the passenger footwell.
Remove the carpet ,then the kickplate and your ecu should say Z4 (if it's a saloon) on the casing.


This is what the inside looks like (you may not have the black plastic holder in the bottom right but you get 1 in the ESL chip kit

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

TBH you will be fine running a full decat exhaust with your car. I had a MY95 WRX and ran a full Scoobymania 3" system with an uprated K+N panel filter, upped the boost to 1 bar with a Dawes and it ran like that for 20,000 miles with no problems all on the Z4 ECU. I always ran it on SUL (no Optimax in those days) and a dose of 1ml per litre of NF octane booster. These dats thats the equivilent of Optimax.

I've always monitored knock and AFR and they were fine - the ECU runs rich enough on open loop to cater for a free flowing exhaust.

sjwdavies

So we think i'll be fine with the De-Cat exhaust?

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Yep i've run mine for 6 months with the mods i mentioned and had a r/r session (to make sure it was alright) and it was fine.
Bit of scaremongering imo when the guy you rang said the engine could blow up.
If you are still not sure have a look on here for people who've modded an early classic and get a 2nd opinion from a good scooby specialist.

sjwdavies

Cheers for the advice.

I thought it was strange, because then he started talking about remaps and I was asking how much and he was like they start at £1000....

Where abouts are you myblackwrx? Can anyone reccomend a good subaru specialist in the Manchester area?

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Unfortunately i'm in Dorset.
You could try this website Subaru Club of SMACS, South Manchester And Cheshire Scooby's
I'm sure they could help you find a GOOD scooby specilaist

sjwdavies

Cheers bud

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Glad to help

Scott.T

iTrader: (2)

That's the funniest dealer reply I've heard on here in a long time

I went to TDI (south) many years ago and didn't like their attitude then. Looks like TDI (north) is no different.

sjwdavies

Why do you say that mate?

Scott.T

iTrader: (2)

They basically want your money for a remap.
80% of the WRX in the UK are probably running a decat.
I've remapped around 200 and 98% of these probably had decats. The remap wasn't to stop them blowing up, but to enhance performance.

The Z4 ECU is very similar to that which Prodrive supplied to UK cars with the performance pack and is fine on 97RON.

I've never heard of a WRX blowing and being proven that it was due to the decat.

Also £1000 is a hell of alot of money to remap a Pre96 car.
Prices start at around £200 for a ECU chip upgrade, £550 for OEM ECU live mapping, £650 for Apexi Power FC and onwards to the £1000 mark for GEMS or MOTEC ECU's.

sjwdavies

Seems like a consensus that i'm safe with the full de-cat then

I've sent you a PM Scott

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

No doubt the £1000 would have been spent on installation and mapping of the legendry F-CON PRO PRO PRO

sjwdavies

It was the HKS F-Con lol

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

LMAO