toofast toostupid

Guys,

I have a 96 RA, I am in the process of fitting a 3" Hayward and Scott downpipe, de-cat center and a back box. It already has a STI pannel filter. Currently I am using Octane Booster and getting 1bar. I have a feeling on a cold day with the above mods I may be hitting the 1.1 bar fuel cut limit. So what ECU/Boost controller option is best for a 96, I know everyone raves on about Power FC, but they are not cheap, after doing some reading, some options are not available for pre 97 cars. Also some ECU's seem to be limited to the standard ECU's boost/fuel cut limit at 1.1 bar, so you also need a boost controller which seems a bit daft? I am looking for 1.25 bar as this seem to be safe on RA internals (It will be used regularly on the track).

So what is my best option that is firstly safe, will take advantage of the mods and required boost and is not going to bankrupt me? Plus a suggested dealer to set it up. Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

Enduring Solutions Limited

Simon

toofast toostupid

I had a quick look at these guys actually 295+Vat is a good price, but does this mean they are not as safe, have less control over ignition timing/boost/fueling etc?

Do a number of guys here use the ESL and are happy ? I am very interested and from what I can see, there is no need for a boost controller to get past the 1.1 bar limit? Does any one suggest a place in the south to get it mapped?

Cheers

jd5217

simtec from Alan Jeffery - Engine Tuner

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

If you have a look on their website to see the people who deal with the ESL solution they are some of the big names in the Impreza tuning industry so i guess they must think its good.

Have a look at (ironically) www.JollyGreenMonster.com - Engine management specialist or look on the website he posted up for the dealers.

Not too sure how many people have used the Live mapping system but loads of people have used the standard chip and have been happy with them.

ps.love the new look of your site Jolly

WRX Blues

Ran a Blitz DS boost contrtoller on my MY97 STi with full de-cat set at 1.25bar very successfully. The fuel cut must be higher on the STi as I didn't have any issues running at this boost (always Optimax + booster + knocklink).

RB5 Boyo

I have a greddy boost controller running 1.2 high boost and 0.8 low boost with no problems of boost cut at all on my 1999 rb5 with full exhaust and downpipe etc?? Could i get more boost or is this my limit??

toofast toostupid

Pre 97 has a boost limit of 1.1 bar, but post 97 have 1.8 I think ?

I think 1.35 bar is not a problem for standard internals with supporting mods (fuel pump, maybe injectors), but as mine will be doing a number of track days a year ill stick to 1.25 bar just to be safe.

Ill check out Jolly Greens site. Just want to avoid running lean/advanced ignition. as 5k driving hard will mean new internals. Currently I am running rich, but with the increase in boost the ignition timing will need to be retartded a bit I think.

Currently running 280 bhp and 259 Tourque, totally standard accept STI panel filter, I am guessing ill be around the 310 bhp mark with a de-cat system and boost up to 1.25 bar? Possibly more on a cold day with the intercooler water spray on.

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

thats just the price of the board... mapping is extra etc

Andy Stevens

Just because its good value doesnt mean it isn't safe or has less control!! THE OEM ECU is very capable and retains Closed Loop Knock Control, 3D boost mapping and full diagnostics. You need a post 96 MAP sensor to exceed 1.2bar, they are £30-40 secondhand and good for 1.72bar. Beyond that we can scale the axes.

toofast toostupid

I think I will go for a ECU, ESL/Power FC etc. Getting the downpipe fitted in two weeks and probably wont get the ECU until the new year. Ill dyno it with the downpipe and back box on a cold day and check boost and fueling. Ill continue to run millers Octane boost until the ECU is done. Currently just using half a bottle a tank as one bottle per tank will give between 100.05 and 101 ron with V-Power apparently. 102 with a bottle per 20 litres, but I cant afford that on a regular basis!

Do boost controllers have a updated map sensor to allow them to get past the ECU boost/fuel cut or do they just fool the ECU/bypass it to achieve high boost levels.

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

they have their own map sensor but the ecu still uses the original so will fuel cut etc.. better to have it sorted in one go etc..

Simon

Tidgy

can you not get the standard ecu mapped and increase that limit?

Andy Stevens

Yes, Tidgy is right, you wont need a boost controller if you retain OEM, just the later MAP sensor.

toofast toostupid

From what I have read the Power FC needs a map sensor, but the ESL does not ? might be wrong on the ESL. Second hand one off a post 97 will do it though. I defo think the ECU route is the way forward, for safety if nothing else.

Anyone know where i can get a T piece for fitting my boost gauge, got a second hand one, but it does not have a t piece. Does halfords do them ? any thing will do as long as it is the right diameter.

Tidgy

you do know you can map most standard ecu's now? even early classics?

toofast toostupid

Yes, most can, but I think the 96 sti board needs a daughter board or completely new ecu to map. Seems to be one of the only ecu's that cant simply be re-programed without out adding some sort of board/ecu. Typical !

Andy Stevens

Every pre 99 OEM ECU needs hardware to be flashable.

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

yeah that is what I meant with a map sensor change.

Tidgy

oops, sorry, my bad lol

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

lol

toofast toostupid

So can I simply get a later map sensor and get my standard ECU re-mapped to up the boost, retard the ignition etc? I bet a 99 map sensor has a different connection to a 96 and wont slot straight in !

cheers guys

Andy Stevens

You need a daughterboard to remap pre 99 OEM ECUs. You cant remap them stock. The MAP sensors do have different connectors but it isnt a difficult job to wire them up.

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

as Andy says.. sorry if confusion is added by refering to the daughter boards as the original ecu.. but it is as good as the original ecu only better as mappable

toofast toostupid

Cool, thats what I thought. Cheers guys. Ill get my down pipe fitted in a couple of weeks at Len's and then think about which ECU to go for.

Cheers again.

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

Thanks

tickfordrs

hi whilst talking of ecu's can i fit a ver 3 sti ra ecu to my ver3 sti and will it run without modification and would there be any benefits to doing this ie better performance,subaru virgin so would like some advice

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

the exact contents of the version 3 and 4 ecu is less known.. as they currently cannot be remapped, but I don't think there would be a gain.. if you needed an ecu then it would work.

Simon

tickfordrs

currently fitting tubular header,and also have full stainless de cat from turbo back,green cotton panal filter,on my sti do i need to have ecu looked at to run safely and also what bhp should i be looking at,can anyone tell me of some one who can set up car properly in north yorkshire.....