Chris01

Hello all

I'm hopefully going to be joing the world of fast Jap motors in the near future, and have been looking at blob eye STi's.

I've found a very low mileage one (03, with 12k miles on it) - only thing is, it has been superchipped. Is this a bad thing with Imprezas? It's been done by an approved installer so I guess they would have set it up properly?

Thanks

Chris

Gutmann pug

Superchipped or remapped?

Chris01

Superchipped, by TurboPACS in Durham

ScoobyDoo69

iTrader: (17)

Bad thing.. if you were to get it, I'd get it remapped by a ECUtek guy straight away.

Chris01

Thanks... so I take it a Superchip can be removed?

ScoobyDoo69

iTrader: (17)

As far as I know yes, I'm not sure if it's a physical chip or if they remap it? I'm sure any decent scooby tuner can sort it out

ScoobyDoo69

iTrader: (17)

The car he's looking at, already has one mate. He's just inquiring if it's bad or not lol.

Urm where did Pauls post go?

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

I realised it was pointless so I deleted it

Chris01

Thanks for the comments thus far.

I'm still wondering whether it can be so bad - I'm guessing Superchips have chipped a few Imprezas in the past... and the car is otherwise standard so shouldn't need anything bespoke doing?

corradoboy

Superchips tend to be very crude, simply maximizing boost and fueling with little consideration for drivability or reliability. A bespoke custom remap by a good mapper is always preferred.

Chris01

Ok, thanks - I reckon the sensible route is to get the superchip removed and a remap at its' next service?

Is there potential for the chip to have done any damage?

Oh, and also - can anyone recommend a good mapper in the South Yorkshire area?

corradoboy

Scooby Clinic | The UK's Largest Independent Subaru Specialists | 01246 590 807 - Chesterfield S42 6QX

TYP 3R

as above and try and get pat to do it.

Chris01

Great stuff! Didn't realise Scooby Clinic were so close.

Will give them a call.

On another note, does anybody know whether the suspension looks standard in this picture? Was wondering whether the big red struts are a sign of upgraded suspension?

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...acre/Wheel.jpg

Thanks again

Ian

iTrader: (10)

looks standard from that pic, my classic sti has red shocks as standard

help2003

iTrader: (1)

I bought mine 2months ago and it has been superchipped and had a ECUtek remap at the same time, and a full de-cat installed got a receipt say it cost the guy £900ish from well lane turbos in leeds

Chris01

Thanks - I'm a bit new to Impreza buying and don't want to buy a dog.

Spoken to SccobyClinic and apparently it's a straightforward job (an hours' labour) to remove the superchip and return it to standard tune.

I'm guessing there shouldn't be any damage to the engine as it's only done 12k miles from new and starts and runs cleanly (i.e. no blue smoke) - are they pretty strong engines?

Thanks

Chris

Tidgy

no no no no no no

take it there and you'll regret it, look what they did to my car.





and my wallet still hasn't recovered,,,,, pmsl


nah joking aside there a top bunch of lads, wouldn't go anywhere else

Tidgy

depends on what the map from the chip was like, could have done serious damage to the engine, would stay well clear tbh.

also clinic will prob have some nice cars for sale so see what they have

Chris01

What kind of damage could it have done?

Tidgy

basicly anything if its running to rich, to lean, to much boost etc etc pistons, valves, etc etc etc

about only incorrect thing that wouldn't do any damage is running to low boost

Chris01

Hmm... I'm starting to think I should walk away from it.

The one thing that still gives me confidence is that the car is genuinely immaculate (i.e. like a new car), has been main dealer serviced four times in 12k miles (done on months not miles), and is a one (mature) owner car.

Doesn't look like your typical boy racer heap of crap (and I should know, I've had a few!)

Just awaiting for the Subaru dealer to call me back to confirm service history and find out anything else I can.

Are Imprezas generally reliable cars?

Mikkel

You could take it to see Andy F up in Edinburgh. Everyone I have spoken to up North tends to go and see him for a custom EcuTek remap. Very highly rated and did a top job on my car. Worth the drive!

If you are going to tune a car supporting mods are usually advisable but not essential until you start pushing the limits of the engine. I wouldn't have thought a chip would have done any harm. It's just not the best way to tune an Impreza.

Chris01

Hi again

Just spoken to the supplying dealer, who has always serviced it from new.

Apparently the guy who owned it is well known to them for being fanatically careful and considerate with his cars... and that he never had any problems with it during the time he owned the car.

I wonder if this means he wouldn't have mucked about with it himself, and TurboPACS seem to know a hell of a lot about tuning so no reason they would have turned the boost up?

So... on balance, what should I do?

ScoobyDoo69

iTrader: (17)

Depends on price, but as said, I'd buy it, and have it booked ready for an ECUtek remap.

Aaron1978

iTrader: (12)

hi mate i wouldn't be so trusting with a dealer although not all bad, if they say the guy really looked after it etc imho he would never have had it chipped, me personaly if i could find one similar completely standard i'd walk away. it could turn out to be a really good car but i'm not sure what chipping a car actually involves! is it worth the risk

MadGrip

I had a bugeye, about 4 years ago which had a superchip & bleed valve fitted. The bleed valve was used to increase/decrease boost. I personally had no problems with the car and fuelling, knock etc was spot on, running approx 330 bhp IIRC. Its now on its 2nd owner after me and AFAIK its still going strong.
I 'm a bit out of touch with these cars now, but if it was set up correctly then I see it doing no harm and it wouldnt put me off, but if you are worried ,then as others have said there are many other ways of changeing the cars map. EcuTek seems to be the way forward these days

Phil



Proper Old Skool

Brun

They would say that though wouldn't they!
In fairness, the car is probably 100% fine but as there are 000's of Scoobs out there for sale at any one time, you could probably find one which hasn't ever been chipped that ticks all the boxes

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Bit of scaremongering on here?! A Superchip just mods a car using standard settings that are applied to any vehicle whereas a remap makes it specific for that car. Doubt whether the Superchip will have damaged the car IMHO though I'd give it a miss, get a standard STi then a remap. So many STi's around that it's not worth bothering with one that may concern you.

TX.

car cosmetic centre

superchips are a thing of the past rs turbos etc id get it removed too but id get jolly green monster to map it thow he will come out to you and sort it. top bloke and knows his stuff....