Scooby Newbie
 

Hi All,

Well two weeks in and I can honestly say wish I'd bought one sooner.

First week was not great but I knew there was something wrong and set aside some cash to fix, kept cutting out and idle was all over the place.

Took to Steve at Northants Subaru last Saturday and after some diagnostics and swapping a few parts it turned out the ECU was faulty, swapped it over and running like a dream since.

A week of pleasurable driving to and from work.

Car is a 99 classic with lots of engine mods, leather trim and just needs a few small dings and some scratches on the boot (why do people do these things, would be worth them doing just for me to catch them at it! but these happened before it was mine) sorting out and a good buff to get it back to showroom condition.

Going on a bit now for an intro but you can be rest assured I will be around for a while...

All the best,

Jeff

Welcome mate, pics!

Hi Jeff, welcome to the site.

Dont want to alarm you at this point but i'd be wary of an "ecu swap" if the car has been modified. If its had lots of engine mods like you say then it should have had an ECUtek remap (the only remap available for 1999 cars) to support the mods, otherwise it would run rough in some cases.

Can you list the mods done? any history with the car or signs of it being mapped?

If the car was mapped previously then you've basically just given away a licensed ECU which is £150, and will need it doing again before the engine goes bang.

Unfortunately, theres a lot of people who think they can just bolt on parts to an impreza and it'll increase power etc but without a remap these mods often have a negative effect.

Welcome m8 :thumb:

Welcome along Jeff. Be prepared to be skint, forever trawling scooby net,ebay and other scooby websites. Oh and becoming good friends with the people who work at your local Shell or Tesco Garage!! haha

But............. you will be driving a fantastic car and be part of one of us who do all the said above and absolutely love it!!!
ENJOY!!

Thanks all.

@ the hamster - Yes I am now worried where can I get an ECUtek remap in or near Milton Keynes ASAP ?

I thought that ECU's learned ? But admittedly do not have the foggiest... and don't want to break the beast...

Anyone used these guys ?

http://www.fqperformance.com/shop/pr...3b0a2a23f001b1

The ECU wont "learn" if you have a lot of mods, but you've not said what you class as a lot of mods

make the trip up the M1 to Scoobyworld in Loughborough mate or call one of the mappers that comes to your house like JollyGreenMonster

http://www.scoobyworld.co.uk/catalog...8939679a40d6d5

Put it this way, my missus bought a 2001 WRX recently with a decat exhaust and panel filter on it. Before the remap Duncan said it was only running around 190bhp and waaaay down on performance!

Many Thanks, I have dropped JollyGreenMonster an email.

Mods include:

3" Stainless Full Exhaust System
Induction Kit
Large Billet Turbo
Uprated Fuel Pump
STi 2.5 bottom end
STi red manifold (not sure if this makes any difference or is just cosmetic ?)
Dump Valve
Upgraded Brakes & Suspension
Full silicone hoses
Front Mounted Intercooler
Lots of shiny pipes (think that's the technical term!)

Irrelevant to this topic but it has full leather interior which was the only one I found when looking, apart from that standard inside apart from a boost gauge and head unit.

From what you have said I'm guessing i'm running way way below the bhp I should be ? Sorry I am new to the Scooby scene... I will learn in time... hopefully not the hard way!

All the best,

Jeff

P.S. I will get some pics up at some point, tried to find a nice spot today but full of Sunday drivers and dog walkers so came back home...

Hey Jeff, welcome. I would drive off boost until JGM has had a look.

Thank you for the advice, will do.

I'm paranoid now but guess it will be sorted soon. Would have not known a thing without posting here so glad I did...

Dont be paranoid, just see what JGM has to say. Do you still have the old ECU, as he may be able to see whats been done on there, if it has ECUTEK etc.?

Hi And welcome, Let me know if you need a recommendation for a body shop in Northampton as i have one i have used for some 20 years.

@ Myles - I will just take it easy until its been looked at. JGM replied almost instantly, on a Sunday. Good start that.

@ The Zohan - Body work is next on the list but not for at least a month or two, two large scratches on the boot (needs respraying as deep) and a few dings here and there. But please let me know their website and I will keep the contact details.

Hi mate and welcome

Mate, GET YOUR OLD ECU BACK!

With that amount of work done it HAS to have been remapped so you've given away an ECU with a £150 license on it, or even worse and you've given away a Simtek or something similar. No-one in their right mind would have all that work done and it not be mapped.

I'd speak to the previous owner or look through the paperwork for any signs of a remap or ecu mate

Got car from trade who didn't have a clue (although they probably knew about the unknown fault!). ECU is dead and gone. Diagnostics could not get a reading etc.

Roll with the punches as they say and I will have to take the hit. Got the car on the cheap so not crying just yet (but getting close).

Will get remapping done then not touching engine... well for a while anyway...

Diagnostics will often not get a reading on a mapped ecu, especially one that may be locked by the mapper.

I've had 3 people try and read my ECU with different kit and it comes up with "unable to communicate with ECU" so trust me, GET IT BACK!

Just trying to save you a possible £150, and at the end of the day if the ecu is in the bin then its not going to cost you to get it.

If you have money to burn then leave it, but I wouldnt, £150 is £150 at the end of the day and you might get a pleasant suprise if you get a mapper round and he says its already got a license on it.

Trust me I don't have money to burn, I will try to see if I can get it back.

Due some luck...

Good luck chap, and please try not to blow it up before its mapped.

If you think its fast now, you wait til its mapped!!

Cheers.

I have booked in with Jolly Green Monster, it will also be good to get on rollers and see what the beast is pushing...