If you guys out there are like me, you peruse the boards to find the best product to install, and what everyone else thinks about it.

The Subaru boys like the Cobb people very very much. I read this board, and the problems that people have been having, but I bought anyway (due to the reputation of the Cobb people).

Bought the AccessPort and catted turboback exhaust.

Very pleased except for very minor issues, but for the important stuff:

The major concern that everyone has is the boost control, and apparently this differs from CAR to CAR

The AccessPort controlled my boost with AccessPort only and AccessPort with turboback exhaust. Although the peak boost was a little lower with AccessPort only, the car seemed to perform well (no dyno results).

Of note, once I installed the turboback, and went to the Stage 2 map, the AccesPort was unable to do the "realtime" flash for the Stage 2 map, but did fine with the reflash.

The stage 2 flash has a much lower idle RPM than stock, and if my smeller is working properly, is running MUCH richer.

Just to share my experience, so any of you out there who are concerned can hear from other than just the people with major problems.

Shawn

 

Once I took my aftermarket filter and MAF adapter that turned out to be too small(oops) off, my car has been running fine. No complaints. now all I will have to do is worry about when I upgrade other things. But thatday will come and I bet COBB will have the solution.

 

I also just purchased the Cobb AP and installed it because of the Subie community reputation (bro has one for his STI). I currently just have the Stage1 93 Octane map installed as I have no modifications whatsoever. However, when I took the car out on the road like I have read many times in the AP threads, I saw that I was not hitting my target boost rate of 20.5psi, rather it would only hit 15psi. Thus, I called and Chris at Cobb is sending me out new boost lines with removed/modified restrictor pills. We shall see if this works, otherwise I may have to manually adjust my wastegate in order to achieve the target boost rate.

Furthermore, I learned that our EVO ECU is more “primitive” than the Subie ECU and even more so than the Mazda Speed 3 ECU. An example, the Subie AP is able to show PSI in the “live” data where our EVO ECU is not. Of course, the AP for their ECU does not show Knock sum readings as our does but still, the EVO ECU is much more "primitive".

Other things that I have learned, is that the AP reflash (base) map needs to be the one that best fits your vehicles modifications. Examples:
• No TBE, use stage 1 as your reflash (base) map.
• TBE installed, use stage 2 as your reflash (base) map.
• TBE installed, never use stage 1 as the reflash (base) map and stage 2 as “realtime” map. (This is because the reflash map stores values/procedures that “realtime” maps cannot. Not exactly sure which ones those values/procedures are, but I would guess possibly air-to-fuel mixtures and the like.)

A good rule of thumb is to use the “realtime” for valet mode, economy mode, anti-theft mode maps and use the reflash for one’s permanent map.

Also, Chris a Cobb states that they are working at providing a write-up of the “live” features of the AP which will be helpful for the user to know what is acceptable and what is not. Such as what is the acceptable knock count and what are acceptable Fuel/Trim percentages. This in my opinion is essential to the product so that the user can keep an eye on the vehicle performance and make sure everything is OK especially when first installing any new reflash or realtime map.
Actually you have a couple of options available already if you plan on making other mods such as intercooler piping, dump pipe, cams, etc. You can either use a vendor with off the shelf maps like PDX or go to a tuner who can use the Pro-tuner software for your AP. My bro used the PDX folks to tune his Subie once he exceeded allowble mods for the Cobb stage 2 map. Otherwise, wait until the street tuner comes out so that you can tune yourself.

 

Hello Sir,

We have released an update which should solve your issue with the real time map switching.

Thank you,

 

i have the same issue with stage 2 idling too low and car running too rich. gonna try v1.01

 

Hytek, how did it go?

 

Cannot speak for Hytek, but just to give an update:

This works flawlessly. For those of you who are worried, I give my thumbs up to Cobb.

Have to say, I owned a Dynoflash mail in flash on my 2003 EVO VIII and loved it. Had a 2005MR that I kept stock. Bought a 2006 MR with the intention of keeping it stock until parts needed to be replaced.

Figured that the exhaust bolts rusting so hard that I couldn't turn them should prompt replacement with a TBE.

I knew that getting a TBE would best be accompanied by a dyno tune. Difficult to get one around here (central virginia). But, a mail in flash from Dynoflash would be fantastic. However, the power of being able to flash different maps would be cool, but unless dynoflash allowed different ways of doing this, it wasn't really possible. Also, the dealer might "erase" a dynoflash tune accidentally. Given, al would fix this, but the trouble of doing it (taking the ECU out, mailing it to New Jersey, renting a car while it is out of commission, etc.) is a different experience alltogether.

So, my total experience:

TBE from COBB is very good. Does hit the crossbar, but they send spacers and bolts to compensate.

AccessPort is great. Flashing is a no brainer. No "looking up" maps, or pouring over the forums to find the best code. While guys out there who have more time than money can get a tactrix cable, and have the time to find the best mods or map, that might be a better overall option, I have very limited time, and I think $2000 in hardware for a $36,000 car and somewhere at least 20hp gain is worth it. I can flash back to stock anytime, and then reflash my best map anytime I want. Very small time commitment.

So, on the EVO IX MR.

1.00a map had too low idle

1.00b map fixed the idle problem, but the boost was too low at full throttle. I took this map and the TBE to VIR for two trackdays. Great horsepower and track drivability. Had no trouble disposing of Porsche Caymans around VIR, where they should be in their element.

1.01 map is perfect. No problems. Boost is the same as stock, and the idle is correct.

I have a trackday set up already. For anybody anxious about getting an AccessPort. Don't be. You may not get the same horsepower as some other options, but this thing works great. For those of us who can't screw around for a couple of hours with the car every weekend, or who don't want to mail the ECU to Dynoflash, or who don't have a local tuner available, this may be the best product.

Shawn

 

1.01 works flawlessly. love it.

 

anyone know when the streettuner software will be out for the ap