I want a reliable performance package for my car that is simplistic (i.e- I do not want to mess with the ECU all the time there appears to be too much room for error, and no turbo upgrade) and under $2,500.
I cannot decide between the Cobb Stage II or the Prodrive Stage III, any recommendations. I know the COBB is cheaper but does not include an uppipe or silicone y-pipe (is it even ok to increase 50-60 hp without changing your uppipe???).
My current mods are: K&N drop filter and silencer removed only. The most I will ever change in my car is full exhaust (i.e-whatever comes with the power package), intercooler Y-pipe, lighter pulleys and the ECU upgrade/flash/whatever.
I need advise on which dirrection to go. I want a substancial and noticeble increase in power but reliability is a must.
I got the impression from several forum users that the Vishnu packages were overstated and not as proven as Cobbs. Also, it appeared to me that the Cobb package provides a ECU-Accessport that the USER can install and re-install and update if needed. I do not want to go to the dealer for a warranty repair etc and lose my Vishnu ECU flash and have to send my ECU back to them again. Isn't this an advantage of the Cobb package or am I misunderstanding?
Also, do you know whether I would need an up-pipe before using the Cobb Stage II?
Get an uppipe, UTEC and turboback exhaust. 2200 right there. And as time goes, you can learn to tune the UTEC and get the most power out of it. But for now just run the base map. Just my two pennies.
I would say go cobb stage 2 with whatever kind of turbo back exhaust you want, and get the UP and IC hoses and Pully you will be happy and be putting out very decent HP and TQ. But.. It wont last long. I went into modding the wrx thinking I would stop at stage 2. but Now I have the upgraded turbo and IC that I at first had no interest in messing with. The mod bug got me .
I would definately run the Cobb Stage-II. They have proven performance for the best bang-for-the-buck. They tune everything that comes out of their shop for maximun performance and reliability! Check out Cobb's forum.
cobb is pretty good if you just want to stay at stage 2 or go up to vf34.. if you plan on going any bigger you cant.. plus with a custom tuned utec with a vf34 on a dyno will make more hp then the cobb ecu.. i mean if you dont want to spend alot of $ and just want a vf34 i say go with cobb.. if you plan on upgradeing later on then go with utec..
Or you can go with the Cobb stage2 accessport now, and if you decide to upgrade to more later on, their AccessTuner will be out in 2005 sometime, and to upgrade you need only pay a small upgrade price. That would be the way to go imo
The problem with a reflash is that you get a generic map. They have to tune the maps conservatively to compensate for differences in altitude, climate, fuel quality, etc. If you take your car to them and put it on a dyno, then you can get the maximum performance. Otherwise you'll have to settle with a "good enough" reflash.
heres another one.
vf34,TBE,up/dp,and a reflash,whats the average hp gain?stock boost or a 1-3 psi increase??am i missing anything?will i need injectors?
what is the cobb stage 2 really??
Last edited by janes5150 : 11-07-2004 at 07:55 AM.
heres another one.
vf34,TBE,up/dp,and a reflash,whats the average hp gain?stock boost or a 1-3 psi increase??am i missing anything?will i need injectors?
what is the cobb stage 2 really??
with the VF34, TBE, UP, re-flash, you also need to add new injectors for the Cobb VF34 map (also un-officially known as Stage 2.5) this will get you about 320hp/295tq
max boost on my VF30 map is 16.5psi.
to get to Cobbs Stg3 (when it comes out), you will most likely need a new fuel pump and IC.
Cobb stage 2 is the reflash and TBE exhaust ~285hp/285tq
ok if u have an auto wrx is there a special map u need or can u use the standard Stage 2 map with the turbo back exhaust. And if there is a special map can u tell me what its called
The problem with a reflash is that you get a generic map. They have to tune the maps conservatively to compensate for differences in altitude, climate, fuel quality, etc. If you take your car to them and put it on a dyno, then you can get the maximum performance. Otherwise you'll have to settle with a "good enough" reflash.
Only untill the "Access Tuner" comes out.Then you can fine tune.It ends up being the same price as an Utec but you can have ECU performance in stages($$$) with the Access port now and Access tuner upgrade later if you desire.
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Aarg matey!
ECU Pirated by RomRaider
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I went into modding the wrx thinking I would stop at stage 2. but Now I have the upgraded turbo and IC that I at first had no interest in messing with. The mod bug got me 
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