Well

I'm about to put a new TBE and then i'm thinking of some sort of ECU upgrade. I have a MY00, stock and since the car is used every day I don't really want to heavily modify it. Still want my air/con, cold starts, nice and smooth idle etc, so basically a couple of mild mods to the car.

I've already decided on the TBE, what could you guys recommend as to the ECU mods? What are the costs and benefits?

I would also like to speak to Intra and the crew behind Verso. As long as people state what product they sell, it should help newbies like myself

Also by Verso / ECUtek / UniChip etc. do we completely replace the stock ECU or are they just a piggyback systems. I presume MY00 ECU cannot be reprogrammed.

As far as I am aware, ECUTek do have an option for the MY99/00 but it is not recommended as you still need to keep your AFM. I spoke to MMS about it a while ago, and they weren't keen on doing it.

I herd that Verso may have an option very soon.

For small mods a UniChip Piggy Back might be the go, to ensure you retain your consistant cold start/idle.

P.S I am not invested in Verso, ECUTek, UniChip or MMS

The first 2 are a reflash of a stock ECU and the Unichip is a piggyback/interceptor ecu.
EcuTek for MY99/00 are around but RT or MMS have not bought the software to do these models only way you can get EcuTek on a MY99/00 is to wait til MRT come over and do a tuning day (Look on the MRT site www.mrtrally.com.au/forum ). I am not to sure if Verso is available for the 99/00 but I am sure someone else can answer that question.

If you after a full replacement Ecu you have a few options, Autronic, Motec, Power FC and Link all of which come in PnP models.

i would go for the unichip for small mods.. they are cheap, and give you good power increase, cheap tuning, and very versatile.. they are piggyback, so when it comes to sell your car, you can just take it off and sell it if you want haha... i had one in my last car, and it gave me about a 30kw increase at all 4 wheels from just the unichip.. hope this helps

thank you guys, how much would i expect to pay for a 2nd hand unichip and then tuning?

Rex,

The first question I would be asking is how many KM's has your car done ?
The reason is that if its around 100, 000 km your probably looking at a new Air Flow Meter for your MY00 WRX.

That will be $200 straight away for a replacement.

From my previous post.......

MY 99/00 WRX/STI's Air Flow Meters are know to wear out and give un-reliable outputs eventually that can potentially fuck your engine very quickly. Verso, ECUTek, Power FC, UniChip all use the Air Flow Meter. Do you want to take the risk ?

Link, Autronic, Motec are tuned via Manifold Air Pressure MAP. Very Reliable.

Approx Costs Fitted and Tuned:

$900-1400 Link (Second hand)
$2400 ish Autronic (Second Hand)
$3000 Autronic (New)
$2800 ish Motec M800 (Second Hand)
$3600 ish for a Motec M800 (New)

Autronic has Anti Lag already on the board enabled.
Motec M800, it is a $275 enable option but has far far more flexibility (AVCS, Launch, NOS) than Autronic once you pay $$ and enable options.
http://www.capa.com.au/capa_performance_motec_m800.htm


Something to consider.....

J

Here is one:

http://www.wrx.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=37010

I'm not too fused about the boost controller module since i won't be raising any boost. All i want is a TBE with some more aggresive fuel + timing maps with no boost change. WIll this suit a MY00?

go autronics. u never know how far u want to go with mods. autronic can handle anything thrown at it for a decent price.

get a power fc, beats all other ecus hands down in regards to driveability if you dont wanna go all out with modifications

Haha I don't think so, Have you ever driven a car with Autronic or Motec? I have had Autronic in my old 99 and have used both Motec and Autronic in my 05 STi, they have driveablilty close to the stock ECU.

I would recommend the Autronic if you plan to at least do a turbo or I/C upgrade otherwise go for the Unichip/Verso/EcuTek option, you should be able to pick a 2nd hand Autronic cheaper than what Jamie said, I sold mine for about $1700 about 18 months ago.