How realiable are the OTS maps in longterm. Not sure if I want a protune yet till next summer..

 

Depends on what modifications you have. If you are matching their OTS map requirements to the letter you should be able to run as long as you want. You might not be 'optimized' for your parts, but it's better than nothing.

If you are far off from their hardware requirements, I'd just run the stage one map with stock parts, then protune when you can and put all your parts on then.

Honestly you could have just not gotten the AP at all, and simply gotten a protune for less than it, and been done. But all good it's a useful device on occasion regardless.

 

Ive run my cobb stage 2 map with supporting mods for a year or so now and never had any issues. Just had to uninstall the tuner from the ecu to pass emissions but other then that no big deal so far.

 

I'm not running exactly cobb parts for their direct ots map tune. Just running ETS intake system, CNT CBE and Tp with my cobb ap ots map stage 2, along with boost controller and aem wideband. AFR are coasting 13.5-15 cruise and 12 wot tapering down to 11.2ish full boost in higher rpm. Knock sum on access port doesn't go any higher than 3, mostly 1-2 if any knock at all.

 

Your car, your call, but I wouldn't run a car without a tune for the mods. Why risk it imo.

My rule of thumb for turbo cars is - Anytime you change the rate / flow of air into the car, tune it.

 

I think ur fine with those mods. I have Ets downpipe and Perrin catback and cobb sf intake and I run stage 2 without any issues. Obviously a pro tune would net more power but I don't think ur in any danger of blowing anything up. Why bother with the boost controller though?

 

I didn't think the OTS Cobb maps were made for the EBC, were they? As far as I can recall, I remember hearing you needed a ProTune for it. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

You are correct.

 

Their stage 1 and 2 use the stock ebc. Stage 3 require an aftermarket ebc... like the cobb unit.

I've been running stage 3 for over a year now with no issues. Going for a custom tune next.

 

The OTS tunes are designed with safety in mind. They should be reliable as long as you're close to the guidelines they set for a given stage.

 

a full tune is always better then OTS maps if you want to get most out of what you have. OTS maps are just safer tunes. Just datalog to see if you have any knocks and also check if you are hitting the target peak boost.

 

Sorry guys, I meant to say boost gauge, not boost controller.

 

This is just my personal opinion, but the price of a cobb ap alone with if the map is free since it's an OTS, is still more expensive than just getting a tactrix + eTune. Now I'm not saying an eTune is on par with a no **** on the dyno tune, but I only have experience with etunes, and so far my experiences have been 97% positive (and that 3% is just because I'm impatient AF)

The only time that I would suggest an AP (once again my opinion) is when the tuner you do plan to go to later whenever that is only uses AP for his tunes.

Just to give you an example. My eTuner, does multiple iterations to tune it to perfection. When I **** it up he helps me identify the problem (I currently have a boost leak after installing my last set of mods), this is my 2nd tune with him and couldn't be happier. I doubt you'd get any of that with an OTS.

Mine is Rick @ RRE. Love that man.

Just ask around, I've heard numerous positive things about ChetRickerman (or something like that) on the forums (had to plug his name as well cause I'm a Vet as well..)

Edit: Forgot to add. Logically though if you think about it. An OTS map, still would have to have be on the safe side, to prevent any kind of issues since not all cars perform the same (even from the factory). So I would imagine that you'd still have more/less play on what you could squeeze out post OTS. It just seems like to me paying an e-tuner strictly for a basemap that isn't dialed in, which just sounds dumb to me. Once again that's jsut running on assumptions which is prolly pretty bad to do in the first place.