EcuTek, thoughts and experiences?
 

Hi Guys,

I have just been down to Tim Slako's West racing and had a check engine light looked at. I have been told that the code is fine and there's nothing wrong with the car but the only way to have the check engine light removed is go and get an EcuTek tune.

I was just wondering what people think of the tune? to give some background its a 06 wrx stock engine and turbo with a TBE. Im also a student, so cost is a large factor here. can anyone shed some light on the improvements made by the tune and do they believe it is worth the money they spent.

Thanks Liam

You need to get a tune for the TBE, but it doesn't have to be ecutek. There are a number of options you have as far as tuners go in Perth. I don't know all of them but Allstar Garage, Maximum Motorsport, and EvolutionR come to mind. ASG use verso while the other two are ecutek. I think the only notable difference between the two is that ecutek locks you out of your ecu.

Tuning is definitely recommended and your car will improve immensely. Power and torque will improve, as will the way the car drives in general. Can't recommend it enough, your TBE is going to waste without it.

My first tune with ASG cost me around the $1100 mark.

Friday joke a little early imo

You don't need a tune to clear a fault code or to determine the cause.
Take it to ASG in Malaga or to STechnic in Maddington....they are reputable specialist Subaru garages and will sort it out for you.

[URL="http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/stock-ecu-discussion/54317-ecutek-vs-verso-vs-openecu.html"]Ecutek versus Verso[/URL] Have a read of this, it may help. But you will need a tune at some point with the turbo back exhaust installed, sooner rather than later.

Plus yes RJ is correct. Stechnic can clear the code for you.

EvoR uses link & SSM not ecutek. Mao charges 550-650 for first timer, 250-350 each additional touch up.

Read and clear the code urself with this, no need to pay a workshop, have done it many times on my car and friends cars:
[url=http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ELM327-OBDII-OBD2-Bluetooth-Auto-Car-Diagnostic-Interface-Scanner-AD-/221508640722?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3392f19fd2]ELM327 Obdii OBD2 Bluetooth Auto CAR Diagnostic Interface Scanner AD | eBay[/url]

TBE needs a tune to avoid long term damage and fully utilise its potential.

We know the cause of the fault, it was an air circulation pump for emissions, Tim got in contact with Neil from maximum who me gave the recommendation to just tune out the code.

We tried clearing the fault 3 times, just keeps popping up every time so its not a problem of just clearing it.

I have been told there is no need to replace the pump (roughly $3000 job) but to clear the code properly it needs to be tuned out.

Thanks a big help JRecardo

U dont a tune, just need to communicate with ecu and diaable the pump.

Its just a air pump to heat up the cat quicker. Unless there is a leak in the system, disable it will fix it.

Just called mao for u, he can do it for $80 unless the ecu already has ecutek lock on it.

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Juar remembered there is a fuel compensation table for cold start, but I doubt disabling pump will cause any damage. As it only works for 30 or lesa on each COLD start.

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Yep STecnic in maddington can clear the code for you in fact they cleared the code for free in my dads 07 outback after a check engine came on after we gave it a oil change. Not saying they will do it for free but you will not be ripped if your budget is a concern.

Mark

[QUOTE=Joker;811800]
I have been told there is no need to replace the pump (roughly $3000 job)
[/QUOTE]
Read this - [URL="http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/stock-ecu-discussion/36718-secondary-air-pump-$wtf.html"]http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/stock-ecu-discussion/36718-secondary-air-pump-$wtf.html[/URL]

I still suggest giving AllStarGarage/STechnic a call and taking it there for a proper diagnosis.

If it is the air pump valves then yes you are fkd as it is expensive to fix and the tune from ASG is your option (or they may be able to disable the code in your ECU without a full tune if you don't want to power tune your car, which will be much cheaper).

If it is the secondary air pump, then you can pick one up second hand for about $200.
[url]http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/07-SUBARU-IMPREZA-WRX-amp-STI-SECONDARY-AIR-PUMP-SMOG-OEM-TURBO-14828AA060-Factory-/171537606550?_trksid=p2054897.l4275[/url]
3rd option is to delete it and use block off plates, roughly about $200 too.

Edit: ^what RSlib said^, stechnic or asg for clearing, no need for a power tune(ecutek) to disable a code

[QUOTE=Joker;811789]Hi Guys,

I have just been down to Tim Slako's West racing and had a check engine light looked at. I have been told that the code is fine and there's nothing wrong with the car but the only way to have the check engine light removed is go and get an EcuTek tune.

[/QUOTE]

Sounds like someone's on commission

Seriously just buy that elm obd reader, u will never need to call, wait for or drive to a workshop ever to clear a code.

Just disable the pump if there is no leak, replacing it being expensive is not because of the part is due to the labour.

All my advice is in consideration of u being a student. I understand how stressful it is to be a student in ur position. Just fix the issue for now and save up for a tune at EvoR later as he is by far the cheapest, no hate plz. A tune should not be expensive at all at the first place.

using the Perth-WRX mobile app

You dont need a tune for a TBE.

if you want to get the most out of the new exhaust then sure, but that will be a waste as you may as well wait for a bigger turbo yadyadyada.

[QUOTE=XT43;811815]You dont need a tune for a TBE.

if you want to get the most out of the new exhaust then sure, but that will be a waste as you may as well wait for a bigger turbo yadyadyada.[/QUOTE]

Plenty of good info around that suggests otherwise.

Had one on my old 08... was fine.

Thanks for all the advice guys been extremely helpful. I'll get in contact with Evo R and have a chat with them and go from there. From the sounds of it i can sort this one out easily enough.

PM Jaron (BOMB3R) with regards to any questions you have in regards to Ecutek. He is the resident Ecutek guru and loves talking about and advising of how awesome it is.

[QUOTE=ALLPAWS;811816]Plenty of good info around that suggests otherwise.[/QUOTE]

Please tell me what happens if you don't get a tune.

[QUOTE=REXXXED;811833]PM Jaron (BOMB3R) with regards to any questions you have in regards to Ecutek. He is the resident Ecutek guru and loves talking about and advising of how awesome he is.[/QUOTE]

fixed...

Seriously mate, if you have an MY06 with a TBE, then you should get it tuned....you may well get away without one, but the one time you push it a little bit harder and it leans out you have the potential of internal damage to both your engine and wallet.

ECUTek is done by Maximum Motorsport and Race Torque Engineering. Verso is done by Allstar Garage. Both are good proven products from reputable workshops. As an aside MMS have successfully run ECUTek tuned cars in Targa West, Targa Tas, Bathurst 12 hr and Australasian Safari. ASG Verso tuned cars have also run in various tarmac rallies.

I can't comment on Evolution R because I've never had, nor plan to have, anything to do with them.

im with nauli, lost count of the amount of troubles ive seen on 2.5L with intake exhaust mods, untuned causing dramas. im locked to ecutek and considering removing on next mod hit. it works but i want more freedom. car still purrs like a kitten nauli ;)

Ecutek doesn't lock shit, any code reader can read it and anyone with Ecutek software and cable can tune it. Open source can get into it if they know how. Only aftermarket ecu's can be locked from anyone getting the tune out. Pick your tuner not the software, it's all done on a standard ecu no matter what you choose

[QUOTE=XT43;811834]Please tell me what happens if you don't get a tune.[/QUOTE]

Basically the turbo can spool a bit quicker and provide a bit more boost (as there is now less resistance) which is great, if the computer can recognise this and provide the necessary extra fuel - which it can't unless it is tuned. Do I need to tell you why extra fuel is needed in this scenario?

Obviously not around when a manual boost controller and a tbe was cool.

Bet you there's more tuned stock engines with stock turbos going boom than stock engines just rocking a tbe.

manual boost controller,bog stock.. works great for a few months. then the smoke starts..

[QUOTE=SL33P3R;811851]Ecutek doesn't lock shit, any code reader can read it and anyone with Ecutek software and cable can tune it. Open source can get into it if they know how. Only aftermarket ecu's can be locked from anyone getting the tune out. Pick your tuner not the software, it's all done on a standard ecu no matter what you choose[/QUOTE]

anyone with ecutek software? and this is?? whoever's licensed? (mms +racetorque) who in wa is capable of "hacking into it" open source style?
ive never dealt with racetorque? will they be able to help me sort out a blouch xt1.5/flex e85/fuel system/tune? id rather not have to replace a perfectly good ecu

"Flex e85" isn't possible on stock ecu. Its one or the other, i.e. either e85 or 98octane.... or buy vipec/link ecu for flex.

Racetorque and Mms are the only two WA Ecutek shops.
Racetorque are good and will tune your car fine, the tuner works at the shop, call him and discuss.

Liam @ race torque is actually very good, use him once before took to mms...... if u wanna keep ecutek, talk to him. Tokyo motorsport also use ecutek, but they r evo specialist.

Mao can hack ecutek's lock if previous tune doesn't have racerom (another lock) on it.

Either of them should be fine with e85. In fact, Mao just did a bug eye sti on e85 with altronic ecu and fp green (journal bearing, 8cm hotside, similar to blouch 2.5 xt) at 22psi, 345 whp, 445 wtq, peak torque at 4500rpm. I think gd ecu is ok for e85, but is very user unfriendly and slow, better off with vipec or haltech.

Anthony @ fabcar can do flex tune for u. That flex tune 35 gtr was done by him.He put a ethanol sensor in ur tank, should be able to tune on stock ecu with 10 maps. Call him to double check.

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[QUOTE=s20525xxx;811897]Mao can hack ecutek's lock if previous tune doesn't have racerom (another lock) on it.

Either of them should be fine with e85. In fact, Mao just did a bug eye sti with fp green (journal bearing, 8cm hotside) at 22psi, 345 whp, 445 wtq, peak torque at 4500rpm.[/QUOTE]

Is it above board to be advertising that or? I don't know enough about it all to make an informed statement but sounds interesting.

[QUOTE=MadDocker;811898]Is it above board to be advertising that or? I don't know enough about it all to make an informed statement but sounds interesting.[/QUOTE]

Just offering info. Like I said Liam and anthony r good too.

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I don't mean advertising as in pushing EvoR. I mean advertising the fact that he's hacking the tuning software or whatever that hacking you mention entails.

Oh, i c. I think the whole ecutek lock is unnecessary, its up to the tuner not the programme (but ecutek does have some amazing functions).

All the good open source tuners, like asg and evo r, r giving ecutek pressure. I thimk its good for consumers, competitive market is better than monopoly. Workshop should use skill and service to keep their customers, not by preventing them to go to another shop.

Brett @ mrt percormance is well aware of unlocking ecutek.

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[QUOTE=RJ999;811896]"Flex e85" isn't possible on stock ecu. WRONG.

Racetorque and Mms are the only two WA Ecutek shops. - WRONG AGAIN.[/QUOTE]

Fixed for accuracy

The idea of locking is to prevent the theft of the tuners intellectual property (i.e -specific mapping used in the tune).....Regardless of the ECU platform.

Those that build their reputation based on their skills, knowledge & tuning 'tricks' as a tuner should reserve the right to protect their work - otherwise anyone with a laptop, software & an interface cable can steal the data and re-sell it as their own. Ala ~ Ebay mail order tunes.

If someone is cracking the software locks, why would they not save a copy of another tuner's work?
Especially if the car has a unique set of mods - it would save them time on similar future tunes - would it not?

I'm not saying that happens but it easily could.

Discuss........

Scary...that's what I got told by the tuner about the stock 06/07 STi ECUs when it comes to flex fuel tuning.

Can we "flex" fuel tune with a flex fuel sensor on the stock 06/07 ECUs then?
if so please advise where, Sean said it wasn't possible, can Racetorque do it for that year's model?

You're right, I forgot to mention Tokyo Motorsports and RPW also

[QUOTE=Rossco;811903]The idea of locking is to prevent the theft of the tuners intellectual property (i.e -specific mapping used in the tune).....Regardless of the ECU platform.

Those that build their reputation based on their skills, knowledge & tuning 'tricks' as a tuner should reserve the right to protect their work - otherwise anyone with a laptop, software & an interface cable can steal the data and re-sell it as their own. Ala ~ Ebay mail order tunes.

If someone is cracking the software locks, why would they not save a copy of another tuner's work?
Especially if the car has a unique set of mods - it would save them time on similar future tunes - would it not?

I'm not saying that happens but it easily could.

Discuss........[/QUOTE]

There r shops stealing maps off other workshop for sure. But I dont think its the primary reason why ecutek lock still exists.

What ic is, there r cotpiea of all sort of products, ie pw tmic copy hks turbo copy etc. But those companies r still healthy, because they keep their r&d going and maintain their reputation in this ever competitive market.

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[QUOTE=s20525xxx;811908]

What ic is, there r cotpiea of all sort of products, ie pw tmic copy hks turbo copy etc. But those companies r still healthy, because they keep their r&d going and maintain their reputation in this ever competitive market.
[/QUOTE]

If Process West, HKS, etc. could lock their designs from being copied, they absolutely would. There's just no way to stop a physical product being reverse engineered.

[QUOTE=Patch;811909]If Process West, HKS, etc. could lock their designs from being copied, they absolutely would. There's just no way to stop a physical product being reverse engineered.[/QUOTE]

The only other problem is finding out who is copying whom but good luck with that.

Patents can also be overwritten in some cases by making minute changes to design, using different materials etc, just depends on how much available cash you have to defend IP that may or may not be yours to begin with.

[QUOTE=s20525xxx;811908]But I dont think its the primary reason why ecutek lock still exists.[/QUOTE]

Why do you think they lock the ECU then?
If not to protect the tuners R & D then for what exactly?

Even the good old Power FC can be 'protected' via the setting of a tuner string in Fc Edit, Apexi power Excel or Co-pilot....Locking out changes to whatever sections of the mapping/settings they choose.

I don't wanna start another arguement on ecutek vs open source here.

Ecutek is great tool, but with the wrong tuner, it rather lost its advantage. Pick the tuner.

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