Ok, I made a post awhile back about some issues I was having with excessive knock at low to partial throttle with the AP HFF stage 1 tune. I am happy (fingers crossed) to report that these issues appear to be fixed. From what I have read a small about (1-2) counts of knock is perfectly normal. I also swapped out all the required relays and I think that helped. So here is my situation.
I have a 2011 MR, stock other than AP and panel filter. I have read as much as I can find about tuning an MR and I need some clarification. Please feel free to correct me If I say something inaccurate here. For power levels under 400 AWHP the SST does not need to be tuned? I believe I read that from a RRE post? If that is the case why does the AP make SST adjustments? Can the SST be properly tuned with the AP V3? By properly I mean OEM like reliability. I am about to order a TBE, cobb BCS, and get it tuned very soon.
As recommended I drive this car in SS manual all the time, N when at stops for longer than a few seconds. My last question, what is the SST supposed to feel like in SS mode. Mine, and may be depending on throttle input, seems to vary. Sometimes its smoother but most of the time its a very noticeable shift. Thanks for any help guys.

 

From what I got after reading many posts about the AP and the SST transmissions, don't do it.
Apparently, the SST does not like the Cobb AP OTS maps. IF you must use the AP for your MR, many suggested to get a Protune instead of using the OTS maps.

 

I'm pro tuned,It isn't helping anything.,


Cobb just sucks, I was open sourced & never had any issues.

 

Im about to bring my car to the tuner in a few weeks. After finally finding someone who knows what they are doing the tuner recommended open source only for MR models. He said there are tables that the Cobb does not allow you to modify. He said it could be tuned with the Cobb but use open source for the best possible result!

 

I was 356whp/374wtq on Cobb APv3 with Pro-Tune (E85), and ~around 320whp/330wtq on OTS Stage 3 with my MR.

When you are measuring transmission capability you always go by Torque numbers, from my understanding the SST starts really having issues above 400ft/lbs torque. You could have 450whp and only 370ft/lbs tq.

The only thing that I'm aware of that you will be missing with the AP is the brake boost mod, and if you don't street race you won't miss it. But you will gain instant logging ability, no need for a laptop or tactix cable, gauges including MAP sensor based boost gauge. The AP is not horrible by any means.

 

IMO You should choose your tuner based on their history / experience / shop reputation / location / skill set / and tools at their disposal. Tuning platform could play a part in the decision also if there is something specific that you want to do that the platform doesn't support. More importantly, what is 'X' tuner's response when they pop your motor while tuning or shortly after you get tuned with them? Will you have the ability to monitor 'knock' with 'X''s tune (flash on knock can be enabled).

I'm not a Cobb "Fanboy" by any means either, I tuned my own Evo (and many other CT9A Evos) open source with excellent results but the time investment was huge. I did it mostly out of necessity and I was interested in learning, unwilling to travel and had gotten crap results with E-Tuning and 'traveling' tuners. I'm no longer interested in engine tuning because it takes a ton of time, I don't have a dyno with a load cell, and my local Cobb shop has a 4WD Mustang Dyno, a good reputation, and a skilled pro-tuner on staff.

The alternative in my region could land you with a blown motor.