I know boost control is not allowed in ESP but if you get your ECU custom tuned or get an Xflash like the Vishnu Stage 0, is this legal? I believe some tuning reduces boost cut but does not not actually increase boost unless you use a boost controller or piggyback like Excede.

Bottom line, is a turboback exhaust followed by a custom tuned ECU flash legal for ESP? How about STU?

Thanks.

 

Currently, most ECU reflashes are illegal for ESP and STU -- most of them change boost parameters directly. If you are getting a true custom ECU reflash, you might be able to request that the boost parameters remain untouched -- although it would be difficult (or maybe even impossible) to prove whether or not the boost parameters are actually the original unchanged values.

There is a proposal to allow free modification of ECU boost control settings in SP beginning next year in 2006. If the proposal is accepted, it's almost certain to be accompanied by a reclassing of the Evo/STi into BSP.

 

We can do a flash that will remap your fuel and timing, without touching boost. I know that some SCCA people are running around in this configuration, whether or not they are in STU or ESP, I couldn't tell ya.

 

that is about all you can do at this point. I had Shiv do this to my old WRX with pretty good results.

The catch 22 is this.. we are allowed "boost level" increases by mechanical allowance (I.E: TB exhaust, intake, intercooler, etc..). This creates an impossible scenario to police when you start reflashing the ECU. The WRX was a little easier to police, just swap the ECU and observe the changes in boost levels. I will be the first to admit that this is totally and completely subjective, but it's all you can do. We can't do that with the EVO without modifing the ECU to work with the imobilizer. So how do you verify that the boost level changes are the result of mechanical allowance and not by software?

you can't...

The other problem you have is that the staged kits typically modify the boost control system by removing the pill from the boost control solinoid, which is illegal under the currrent rules. So, even if you reprogram the ECU, your results will be limited

IMHO, the Xede is the best solution for ECU control under the current rules. Boost control can be removed by disconnecting the wire on the XEDE harness. That's a totally bullet proof from a protest.