Ok so do you "have" to have an AP before you do a UP DP change? What are the cons of not having one? Also do you "have" to have an AP for a tuning session. I guess you would if you wanted to revert back to stock for some reason. I am just trying to learn. Andy
Hope this helps out some: You don't have to have an AP for UP/DP. I ran without AP on that setup for over a year with no ill effects (at least not that I could notice). The AP is just going to get you better performance out of those mods. You are going to have to have an AP or some other sort of EM program/tool in order to get a tune, there are a few options out there. Any tuning is going to change the stock ecu, but AP has the option of unmarrying from your stock ecu, therefore allowing you to go back to stock when you're ready to sell. There's also Ecutek, Utek, among other options.
another thing to point out realy quick cause you where talking about the ap. when you buy ap you get an off the shelf map that are so so as far as tuning goes. you cant actually tune the ap til you get street tuner software ( to tune yourself) or protuner (you get tuned by a shop). either way its 200 for (st) to 650 (pt) more than the actual cost of the ap to get it tuned to your car. not to deture you from ap its probably one of the best em for modderate hp imperzas out right now.
I thought all you needed was the AP, then Topspead or SOG has the protuner software, and can tune you according to your mods... could be wrong.
The Cobb AP can revert back to a generic stock map. If Someone will want to revert to their exect code version, he/she would first want to backup the ECU before first marrying it to the Cobb AP. From what I've read I think the AP doesn't preserve things like the vin when reverting back to stock, and the Cobb generic stock map is not the original code that came on the Densco/Subaru ECU. It's probably not a real issue to run teh cobb generic maps, but I wanted the option of reverting back to my stock code, but once you marry the ap to the ecu you lose the ability to make a backup of your factory code. A backup can be made with freely software tools like ecuflash or ecuedit available from openecu.org . I just bought a Cobb AP and did the above, but I haven't tried a restore procedure yet.
Its not a requirement to install up and DP without AP or any other EM. AP will take advantage of the Upgrades you made to your car. AP is not part specific so a custom tune will take advantage of your modifications. I dont believe you will need the protune software to get a protune. The tuner will have to have that(protuner) in order to make you a map so that you can upload it into your car when you want to with your AP. The tuner is basically making a custom map for your AP. - Someone please confirm my assumption
yeah a protune is like $300 at TS or around $120/hr at SOG but the AP is usually around $600 depending on model and/or if it's used or not
OK so for arguments sake if I did not want to purchase an AP I could put in UP and DP and then scoot over to SOG and get tuned... I would then be locked in to that map until I get an AP and suck it off or whatever. Someone please explain what marrying an AP to the car means. Is that just a fancy way of saying plug it in or is there a sequence to doing it? I need a car with a USB port... Maybe I should just come to the G2G watch and talk to people to get a handle on what can be done... Andy
marrying an AP is a super easy...just connect a few things...plug into your OBDII port and it's just like upgrading a computer....fun stuff....then if you want to take advantage of extra mods you have done...get protuned...plus it's customed formated for your specafic set-up....SS or TP can both make your dreams come true!!!! ya gotta open pandora's box before you modify it...
SS = Scott Siegel TP = Topspeed ( I think he meant to type Topspeed) Also you cannot get tuned without your own Accessport I dont' think. You have to have your ECU 'married' to the license software. I think the Protuner just reconizes that your ECU is 'married' thus meaning you have purchased your version of the license. I have to stress the importance of the off the shelf maps that the Accessport provides. You should not have ANY extra modifications other than what is listed on that map on your car or you run a high chance of blowing the engine due to running lean or too rich. If you have extra modifications it is suggested to call a tuner and ask if they feel you will be fine to drive on the off the shelf map (but possibly stay out of boost) to go get a Protune. Many times they can email you the rough and gritty 'base' map for the extras that will get to the shop to get tuned.