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Cobb Stage 2 91 octane Tune and An Invidia Catless Downpipe? 03 WRX

18K views 26 replies 12 participants last post by  thekamikaze kid 
#1 ·
Currently stage 1 with my 03 WRX. Will I be prone to boost creep? I always heard that 02, and 03 wrx's didn't have problems with boost creep after going catless. I just need my aftermarket downpipe and my exhaust will be complete. All catless if it's safe? Invidia catless Uppipe, OEM Downpipe, Turboxs 3in Midpipe, and a Crawford performance Gymkhana 1 Axleback so far. Thanks!
 
#5 ·
Nope, I'm on the normal map. No knock events, DAM at a perfect 16 constant. 93 oct tho. As far as the results, yeah I'm happy but want to get a few more pieces of the puzzle first. Fuel pump, new ecbs, and eventually a pro-tune after that. As long as your ride is maintained and solid, you'll be fine, my man.
 
#6 ·
Always man, Maintenance is extremely important to me. Every other couple days I get some knock feedback though, -2.11 and I rarely see -4.22 but it does show up occasionally. I need to fix my boost leak as well. I'm making just shy under 10 pounds right now when I'm suppose to be hitting 14.5 on my current map.
 
#7 ·
I have been running a stage 2 91 octane with a catless downpipe and stock exhaust on my 02 for just over a week now. I haven't noticed any boost creep and when I ran my data log I hit 16.9 lbs of boost! No codes either!
 
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#11 ·
You heard correctly.

(from Big Ron) Do I need engine management with a downpipe? For 02/03 WRX and 04-06 STI users, no. For 04+ WRX and 07+ STI users, it's pretty much a requirement as the open loop/closed loop fueling issue mandated by the EPA causes long term reliability problems with using a downpipe and no tuning. For STI users, the STI was the one exception manufacturers are allowed to have, but it's a wise move regardless as the STI and 06+ WRX users have a good chance of boost creep occuring with downpipe use. Tuning can ease this issue

Yet another reason bugeyes rule!:rocks:
 
#14 ·
I'm actually going to install a Invidia catless Uppipe and a Invidia catless down pipe this weekend. I'm mating it up to a 3" Borla catback twin tip. Can't wait to hear it!

All wrapped up and ready to go!
<a href="http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/fidrat24/media/IMG_2298_zps109077dc.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag309/fidrat24/IMG_2298_zps109077dc.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2298_zps109077dc.jpg"/></a>

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#18 ·
The wide band just gives you more data. If you were having it pro tuned then the extra data is invaluable. I personally love knowing everything there is to know all the time. If your just gonna drop an etune on and you dont plan on doing any monitoring then it suits you just fine.

No flame intended but it seems dangerous to be running performance tunes without any monitoring. At least run a few logs with your open source cable. Just so the rest of us can put our OCD to sleep.
 
#19 ·
I like the idea of more data too. But what it really comes down to is MONEY. I just don't have the cash to do everything the best way.:crying: Ya' know what? This is the wrong place for this...I'm starting a build thread. I promise this will be fun.;)
 
#21 · (Edited)
What does having a AP have to do with getting a wideband?

"If it needs a wide band,I don't know." Hmmmmm,now where have I heard this before? Oh yea! I said it. Post 17, 2nd sentence, this thread.WTF

I don't know what run a few logs with your open source cable means and what is OCD? I have a feeling those are things for my tuner to worry about.

Guys, calm down, Its an 03. Remember what this thread was all about in the first place? My ECU can take it! Nothing I'm gonna' do is gonna' threaten my engine in any way. I good tune from a professional will just make it better.
 
#22 ·
It's your car and by all means do as you wish with it. I think the suggestion was just referring to having the bung for future expansion of a wideband if you like. It's not just up to your tuner to worry about these things during the tuning process. You have the option to keep tabs on paramaters once your tuned so that you can catch catastrophic failure before it happens, just like checking your oil. You do check your fluids don't you? Or do you leave that up to your tuner as well?

ONCE IM TUNED WHAT SHOULD I WATCH
- Wideband - watch your AFR's if they are more than a full point off (IE went from 10.8 to 11.8) stop doing WOT pulls and start troubleshooting
- AF Learnings ABCD - these are the corrections for the 4 sections of your MAF scale. if they are more than +-8%, start troubleshooting.
- IAM/DAM - if the value is less than 1 (32bit ecu) or less than 16 (16bit ecu), start troubleshooting.
- Logs - take periodic logs looking for knock, overboosting, out of whack AFR's
- Learning View - pull learning views and check the ABCD learnings, FLKC, and IAM
- Regular maintenance - check oil every weekend, turbo cars burn oil..catch it early. do your plugs at 50-75% of recommended intervals. clean air filters. check vacuum/boost lines (clamp everything). keep meth tank full.

BEST REAL TIME MONITORING DEVICE - WIDEBAND (AEM UEGO)
- A wideband is by far the best real time monitoring device for your Subaru. The $165 investment could save you a blown motor and $4000.
- Will show you your WOT AFR's. If you were tuned at 10.8 and now your AFR's are 12.5, then you need to start troubleshooting.
- At idle and in closed loop a Wideband mounted in the downpipe will commonly show 15-15.2 while the ECU is targeting 14.7. This is common and merely due to the location of the sensor compared to the stock 02 sensor in the header.
- Since the ECU is using the stock02 sensor for corrections/trimming to 14.7 this means we basically ignore the wideband at idle....and then at WOT we use the wideband and ignore the stock sensor.

if you have anything but stock injectors or stock intake, you need a wideband. but even with stock components i urge everyone to get a wideband....fuel (and oil) is the lifeblood of your motor and you need to monitor it. Subarus are notorious for developing leaks and the wideband can save your motor. AEM Uegos are ~$165 on ebay and $165 is peanuts to protect your $25k-$40k investment.

MOST IMPORTANT RULE OF TROUBLESHOOTING - DO NOT RESET THE ECU
- The ecu stores the IAM, AF Learnings, CEL's and knock learning so by resetting the ECU you are erasing all the troubleshooting data.
- If your car was knocking and the IAM had dropped or had FLKC all over and you reset the ECU, then you are going to knock all over again until the ECU relearns the knock.
- If you had a leak and your ECU learned +25% fueling corrections and you reset the ECU, then your car is just going to run like crap until it relearns the corrections.
- Its only a good idea to reset the ECU if you have collected a learning view, made changes to correct your issue, and fully understand what you are doing.

As I said in the beginning though, these are just tips and suggestions for you. Take them or leave them but, don't get upset for us sharing them. I hope your tune and hard parts install goes well and you are unable to wipe the grin off your face from the newfound power and rumble. Keep us posted!
 
#26 ·
Wow, boo-key bear.Nice fly-by. That was so far over my head I just hope you didn't bump your head on an orbiting satellite.

I'm 49 yrs old. I just got my 1st smart phone last Saturday. I still don't know what I'm gonna' do with it. I've texted twice in my whole life and probably only sent 20 or so E-mails. But, If you need someone to help sync up the carbs on a '65 Pontiac 389 tri-power I'm your guy.;)

To give you an Idea of what I understood I omitted everything that I didn't get from your post...

It's your car and by all means do as you wish with it. I think the suggestion was just referring to having the bung for future expansion of a wideband if you like. It's not just up to your tuner to worry about these things during the tuning process. You have the option to keep tabs on paramaters once your tuned so that you can catch catastrophic failure before it happens, just like checking your oil. You do check your fluids don't you? Or do you leave that up to your tuner as well?

ONCE IM TUNED WHAT SHOULD I WATCH

- Regular maintenance - check oil every weekend

BEST REAL TIME MONITORING DEVICE - WIDEBAND (AEM UEGO)
- A wideband is by far the best real time monitoring device for your Subaru. The $165 investment could save you a blown motor and $4000.

if you have anything but stock injectors or stock intake, you need a wideband. but even with stock components i urge everyone to get a wideband....fuel (and oil) is the lifeblood of your motor and you need to monitor it. Subarus are notorious for developing leaks and the wideband can save your motor. AEM Uegos are ~$165 on ebay and $165 is peanuts to protect your $25k-$40k investment.

MOST IMPORTANT RULE OF TROUBLESHOOTING - DO NOT RESET THE ECU
- The ecu stores the CEL's and knock learning so by resetting the ECU you are erasing all the troubleshooting data.
- Its only a good idea to reset the ECU if you fully understand what you are doing.

As I said in the beginning though, these are just tips and suggestions for you. Take them or leave them but, don't get upset for us sharing them. I hope your tune and hard parts install goes well and you are unable to wipe the grin off your face from the newfound power and rumble. Keep us posted!
 
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