IS A ECU TUNE WORTH IT?

[Pyramidrocker]

So is an ECU tune really worth the money if you have no other mods?

[Hotwire]

Yes - for the simple reason of engine preservation.

Every AU delivered 2.0T I've seen logged has knocked like a bitch, so if you like your bottom end to stay in tact - have a tune to 98 ron fuel, get the timing sorted to remove the detonation and you will find you will also get more low down grunt in the process by playing with the Turbo Dynamics

[Sonic]

Yes...Lots of free power in there even more when modded.

[Mo_GT]

So is an ECU tune really worth the money if you have no other mods?

Depends on the re-tune and what is/was done. "Copy and paste" tune maybe not worth the money on a std car but dyno and tune then yes.

[tangcla]

Is your car auto or manual?

On the auto - definitely worth it. You won't get much in top end, but you get a lot more usable power through the lower-mid rev range.

[Pyramidrocker]

It's a manual.

[Hotwire]

Manual DBW settings are more conservative than the auto, so with turbo dynamics, DBW and timing improvements the tune is definitely worth while. Clarence is correct about outright power, you wont have dyno bragging rights, BUT the car will be far more driveable, improving your 0-100 times and making the driving experience much more enjoyable

[LibertyGT2]

I have a stock drive train on an 04 auto and on the dyno before and after it went from 310Nm to 420Nm.

The torque curve is much flatter and has 390Nm+ between 2000 and 5000rpm (well so the dyno sheet says)

I drove mine to Melbourne and had it done at STi Docklands 2 years ago.

Well worth the coin

[Skywarp]

Definately worth it.

[matphew]

i read somewhere that it helps with fuel economy can anyone confirm if its true?

thanks a bunch.

Mat

[Robbks]

generally yes.
more ignition timing = more power from the same amount of fuel
so engine does not have to work as hard to do the same task.
Also, throttle pump (acceleration enrichment) values can be backed off a little (extra fuel is injected every time you move the throttle) this is where BIG gains in economy can be made.
getting the enrichment value as low as possible but without reducing drivability/ response is a fine line with big gains
so is driving with smooth throttle control

however, NA and turbo tuning can be slightly different in that leaning out the fuel (to a point) gains more power in a turbo setup.
but NA's can benefit from more fuel in some load ranges.

[matphew]

Very knowledgeable, thanks mate.

[Pyramidrocker]

If an ECU has had a porformance tune i.e EKUTEC is that then concidered an STI tune?

[hamish_023]

If an ECU has had a porformance tune i.e EKUTEC is that then concidered an STI tune?

Did Subaru Tecnica International international tune your car or did MRT or someone else tune it? lol

ps my understanding is that ecutek isn't really a 'tune' at all it's just a downloaded map

[Arith]

If an ECU has had a porformance tune i.e EKUTEC is that then concidered an STI tune?

Not sure what you mean by your question. But EcuTeK is the software used to interface with your ECU to tune your car. Essentially the ECU is tuned with EcuTeK. MRT only authorises certain tuners to use this application to tune your car.

'Tuned by STi' simply means the ECU was slightly tweaked at the factory by STi, the performance division of Subaru, with a bit more aggressive throttle mapping.