After 2 months of research and asking around, I finally bought a UTEC and very shortly I will be getting the tuner. It has not arrived yet, but I have a few basic questions.

1. Do I have to ditch my manual boost controller?
2. I have a flash with stock injectors. Any potential problems?
3. Is it realistic to think that I can effectively street tune the car with the tuner, or should I really start with a dyno tune to establish a couple of different maps?

Thanks in advance

 

1. YOu don't have to but i would use the one that comes with the Utec.

2. I have a flash as well and don't have ANY problems.

3. Yes, start with a street tune and shoot for an AFR for 11.5 to begin with and get comfortable with tuning. Later on you can go up to 11.8 as long as you are not knocking and pulling timing. Then you can take it to a dyno and fine tune it their.

4. List your mods on the car.

 

1. No, running your MBC is fine.
2.No a flash is not a problem
3. It really depends on your ability, if you know what you are doing a street tune with the tuner is cake.. If you dont know what you are doing i would suggest getting a tune so you can have fun with the car, but start working on your own maps, slowly..

BTW- I am setting up a dyno day with Jermaine from TXS in Ct on Dec 19th.. I have a few spots left if you are interested, just PM me.. We have an STI and An EVO coming out from LI so you could roll out with them.

Dave

 

Mods are
264 272 HKS
fuel pump
hallman mbc
RMR intake
3" Burchur TB w/ test pipe
Boost, and EGT gauges
reflash by TT making 325/318

Spec C. Having Jermaine at a Dyno Day would be great but unitil I have my other mods (FMIC, pipes and ported Throttle Body) it does not make sense. I have never done this type of tuning before, but I am comfortable with engines and I know the basics. Anything I can do myself, I will do myself. Many people tried to talk me out of doing my own cams, but this is how one learns. Given it took me 7 hours, but it got done w/o incident. The reason I went with the UTEC was to take control of the tuning so I would not have to rely on a shop.

 

I am the same way.. Take babysteps, and keep adjustments small..

 

Totally agree with you, i don't see the sense in paying for flashes when you are going to keep making changes to the car . If you need any HELP, post your questions here as their are some sharp Utec users here to help you out.

 

I've been wondering about this as well, in the sense that I know for sure the MBC will hold rock-solid boost at whatever pressure is dialed in, so long as the turbo can flow enough air. Performance-wise, is there any difference between the UTEC's boost control through the stock solenoid and an MBC? Would one work better than the other?