Would you do this mod?

[Mr White]

Hi guys,

I have a 2007 Liberty GT Spec B Auto.

AVO can reflash my Sports Sharp mode (leaving Intelligent and Sport alone) and fit a flat panel filter for about $990. They say that i will gain about 10-15kw.

Has anyone done this mod alone? Is it worth it? I really don't want to do any other mods and this Lib is shared between my wife and me. I am just hoping for a bit more responsiveness when i flick it to Sports Sharp mode.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Al

[WhiteGTB]

Ask around abit more before doing it I reckon.

When they say reflash, did they go into detail on what is actually being done? Retune? Increase boost? etc.. etc..

I haven't heard of anyone doing this before but then again, it might be something new.

[WhiteGTB]

After re reading it...

No, I wouldn't do it. For $990 I would go the full tune. Or do something else.

[Mr White]

I think by reflash, they mean retune on the dyno. They set new computer parameters to get a little more out of a stock engine.

I'm a bit of a noob, so i'm not really sure what i'm on about.

BTW Ralph, i got the Spec B badge in the post. Thanks mate!

[WhiteGTB]

I think by reflash, they mean retune on the dyno. They set new computer parameters to get a little more out of a stock engine.

I'm a bit of a noob, so i'm not really sure what i'm on about.

BTW Ralph, i got the Spec B badge in the post. Thanks mate!

No problemo buddy! Glad it arrived safe, sorry about the delay.

Post up some pics when you have it on the car

[Spec B Wgn]

AVO do good work from my knowledge.

A reflash is basically a new program downloaded onto your ECU... its a generic program not an individual tune.

you pay more for a individual or specialist tune specifically for the mods you have ..and the dyno time.

you get more out of the individual tune but it costs you $$$ more

[cpitts]

My last car (05 WRX - 165kW ATW) WAS and my new car (07 Lib GT-B) WILL be done with this reflash process done to it.

It is simply re-writing the maps on the ECU. No different to what you'd do with an after-market ECU, but it uses the stock one instead and is programmed via the ODB-II port.

If it was me, I'd be getting a complete custom job done, not a 'drop in' flash.

I'd also get a couple of other minor mods done along the way to make the most of the reflash process and help hit the limit of the turbo a lot easier.

Simply doing the rear mufflers with something VERY high flowing (like the straight through mufflers on offer in the group buy at the moment) and a silicon intake pipe (also a group buy at the moment) would nett some very tidy results. Certainly well above 10-15kW (no doubt at the fly, not the wheels).

EDIT: Based on my experience with AVO, they know what they're doing with this stuff. A good example is a recently tuned '07 Lib GT that was tuned to ~215kW ATW with an AVO450 (I think, not 420s) turbo.

[swingn]

For that money I'd go a custom tune.

Depending on the turner, for about 1k, you can get a full custom tune (Unsing Open Source) & you should be seeing a much larger gain then 10-15kw atws... I would be expecting more like 20-25kw atws

For general info, a panel filter is generally worth about $75-$120 depending on the brand you go for. IMO they are all much of a muchness, but a dry element filter is what you want (HKS)

[jdm rsk]

For that money I'd go a custom tune.

Depending on the turner, for about 1k, you can get a full custom tune (Unsing Open Source) & you should be seeing a much larger gain then 10-15kw atws... I would be expecting more like 20-25kw atws

For general info, a panel filter is generally worth about $75-$120 depending on the brand you go for. IMO they are all much of a muchness, but a dry element filter is what you want (HKS)

the hks man

[Mr White]

Thanks for all of the replies guys.

[cpitts]

Actually, there's another way of looking at this (thinking about it overnight).

What other mods can you do for under $1K that will result in a 15-25kW increase in power? Whilst ensuring correct fuelling, boost and oxygen flow through the system?

Yes, there's better ways to make the car get higher peak power but would it be for this price?

In reality, it's not _that_ bad value really for an otherwise stock car.

[swingn]

Actually, there's another way of looking at this (thinking about it overnight).

What other mods can you do for under $1K that will result in a 15-25kW increase in power? Whilst ensuring correct fuelling, boost and oxygen flow through the system?

Yes, there's better ways to make the car get higher peak power but would it be for this price?

In reality, it's not _that_ bad value really for an otherwise stock car.

But depending on where you go, you can get a tune done for around 1k, which would gain you more power, better drivability & realistically better fuel ecco.

Even if the tune was say $1100... I'd be willing to pay an extra $100 bucks to gain another 5-10kw atw's... Wouldn't you?

[smythie]

not to mention something that was done for your own car, not someone else's

[GTSPECB STI]

custom tune is the way to go imo because every Liberty will be somewhat different. Open source custom tune FTW.

[cpitts]

But depending on where you go, you can get a tune done for around 1k, which would gain you more power, better drivability & realistically better fuel ecco.

Even if the tune was say $1100... I'd be willing to pay an extra $100 bucks to gain another 5-10kw atw's... Wouldn't you?

Peak kW isn't everything when it comes to drivability, delivery of power, fuel consumption. More power can be had by running a bit leaner or more boost but these things can lead to running too hot and shortening life of engine components.

Personally, I err on the side of caution. I'd trade 5kW for 50,000km more engine/turbo life.

I DO agree with you though, if it was me, I'd top up the extra $100 for a full custom tune. But then again, I'd also make a few minor mods before I did that, so it's not a fair comparison.

The key thing is, peak kW mean NOTHING with a daily driver. Look at all those VVTi/VTEC cars. Big peak numbers, drive like civic/corollas off cam.