Of Tax preparation and Turbo XS UTEC - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

KenpoKev · 2003-03-06, 10:48 PM

Well, I've been preparing for the CPA visit for the annual blood-letting to the IRS. Staring at a computer screen of numbers for several days and looking at a retirement portfolio diving faster than a Stuka Dive-bomber will put anyone in a foul mood...

So I worked on the car

My UTEC arrived a couple days ago and was a pretty easy install, although the nifty little map switch wire was a bit of a pain to run across the lower dash area.

Unbelievable results. I would never have thought that a simple computer board would add that much performance. Absolutely fabulous results. The car has a great punch in the mid-range and goes bonkers over 5K RPM. I'm running jast a tad over 1 Bar boost, with next to no ping, but I am going to smooth the timing advance just a couple degrees to eliminate the knock at full tilt boogie. Can't test full bore 4th gear due to unacceptable speed. 3rd gear is definately the joy gear. WOW.

The leather interior job may begin this weekend, or maybe a motorcycle ride to mentally check-out for a while. Tough week, saved by a lovable Subie

Have a great weekend gang, it should be lovely here in the Sierras.

Cheers,
Kev

sperry · 2003-03-07, 08:26 AM

I know how that goes... I built an intercooler waterspray system from scratch when my GF broke up with me.

I really interested to check out the UTEC vs. my UniChip. I just got my Stage 1 mapping back from Vishnu. I was running a bit too much boost (I'd actually get up to 1.2bar) with Stage 0 and my exhaust, so I've turned it down to just under 1.1bar. Stage 1 w/ 1.1bar feels just about the same as Stage 0 w/ exhaust and 1.2bar, but it runs a lot smoother. Looks like the guys over at Vishnu have refined their maps a bit, since even my idling is smoother!

Kev, what else do you have on the car? Just the UTEC, or is that in addition to exhaust, pullies, etc? Also, how's the tuning interface to that thing? Just a terminal window, or any cool graphical stuff? You're using a laptop right?

Anyway, sounds like that UTEC is pretty sick! Good luck w/ the rest of your taxes... maybe they'll prompt the leather install!

KenpoKev · 2003-03-07, 09:09 AM

My WRX has the following upgrades:
Samco hoses
Gruppe-S catless up-pipe
Perrin Downpipe with hi-flow cat
Supersprint cat-back (came on car)
UTEC with Turbo XS boost controller

Yes, I'm running the software on my laptop. Nathan Kofahl at Turbo XS indicated that they are contunally upgrading the software and may go to a "sporty" GUI, but for now, it's a nice simple Hyperterminal interface. I like the fact that the computer acts in a piggy-back fashion, allowing the stock ECU to control mundane driving functions, maintaining good general drivability. Then, when you mash the pedal, the UTEC gets in the game with abandon

I have to smooth out my timing advance just a tad, for when I stand on it in 3rd or 4th under load, the computer indicates an occasional knock. I have my boost set a bit lower than what you are running, just to keep me from standing too close to a grenade. I've had an engine grenade on me a long time ago and I'd rather forego a tad of power than repeat that experience. All that to say, Scott, your car likely produces a bit more juice than my set-up.

I'm really happy with the UTEC, however I've certainly heard lots of great feedback about Shiv and the Vishnu line of products. I happen to have a family connection to a dealer back east that does a lot of Turbo XS performance tuning, so that's the direction I went. From other feedback I've received, engine management is the real key to extracting optimal performance from these nifty little cars. Bolting on stuff without the electronics is a recipe for disaster.

Looks like a glorious weekend here in the Sierra! Cheers for Saturday!

sperry · 2003-03-07, 09:29 AM

Wow, sounds like our cars are pretty comparable. I like the idea of the UTEC, since the UniChip can't be easily mapped to deal w/ the high altitude up here, whereas the UTEC gives you control. I'd really like to see your setup sometime and see how it all works... come to the next meet!

I hear Vishnu has yet another product (the XEDE) designed to work as a user tunable piggyback like the UTEC, or in conjunction with an EcuTek remapped stock ECU. Argh, too many choices!!

UniChip
EMI Adapter
UTEC
EcuTeck
XEDE

What to do?

tysonK · 2003-03-24, 06:52 PM

and now the COBB AccessECU

2003-03-06, 10:48 PM	#1
KenpoKev EJ18 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Genoa Posts: 27	Of Tax preparation and Turbo XS UTEC Well, I've been preparing for the CPA visit for the annual blood-letting to the IRS. Staring at a computer screen of numbers for several days and looking at a retirement portfolio diving faster than a Stuka Dive-bomber will put anyone in a foul mood... So I worked on the car My UTEC arrived a couple days ago and was a pretty easy install, although the nifty little map switch wire was a bit of a pain to run across the lower dash area. Unbelievable results. I would never have thought that a simple computer board would add that much performance. Absolutely fabulous results. The car has a great punch in the mid-range and goes bonkers over 5K RPM. I'm running jast a tad over 1 Bar boost, with next to no ping, but I am going to smooth the timing advance just a couple degrees to eliminate the knock at full tilt boogie. Can't test full bore 4th gear due to unacceptable speed. 3rd gear is definately the joy gear. WOW. The leather interior job may begin this weekend, or maybe a motorcycle ride to mentally check-out for a while. Tough week, saved by a lovable Subie Have a great weekend gang, it should be lovely here in the Sierras. Cheers, Kev

2003-03-07, 08:26 AM	#2
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	I know how that goes... I built an intercooler waterspray system from scratch when my GF broke up with me. I really interested to check out the UTEC vs. my UniChip. I just got my Stage 1 mapping back from Vishnu. I was running a bit too much boost (I'd actually get up to 1.2bar) with Stage 0 and my exhaust, so I've turned it down to just under 1.1bar. Stage 1 w/ 1.1bar feels just about the same as Stage 0 w/ exhaust and 1.2bar, but it runs a lot smoother. Looks like the guys over at Vishnu have refined their maps a bit, since even my idling is smoother! Kev, what else do you have on the car? Just the UTEC, or is that in addition to exhaust, pullies, etc? Also, how's the tuning interface to that thing? Just a terminal window, or any cool graphical stuff? You're using a laptop right? Anyway, sounds like that UTEC is pretty sick! Good luck w/ the rest of your taxes... maybe they'll prompt the leather install! __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2003-03-07, 09:29 AM	#4
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	Wow, sounds like our cars are pretty comparable. I like the idea of the UTEC, since the UniChip can't be easily mapped to deal w/ the high altitude up here, whereas the UTEC gives you control. I'd really like to see your setup sometime and see how it all works... come to the next meet! I hear Vishnu has yet another product (the XEDE) designed to work as a user tunable piggyback like the UTEC, or in conjunction with an EcuTek remapped stock ECU. Argh, too many choices!! UniChip EMI Adapter UTEC EcuTeck XEDE What to do? __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2003-03-24, 06:52 PM	#5
tysonK warehouse SECCS Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SoCal... Posts: 6,253 Car: 04 Evo 99 Cadillac Class: street de le mod	and now the COBB AccessECU __________________ Anjali? Anjali?

2003-03-07, 09:09 AM	#3
KenpoKev EJ18 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Genoa Posts: 27	My WRX has the following upgrades: Samco hoses Gruppe-S catless up-pipe Perrin Downpipe with hi-flow cat Supersprint cat-back (came on car) UTEC with Turbo XS boost controller Yes, I'm running the software on my laptop. Nathan Kofahl at Turbo XS indicated that they are contunally upgrading the software and may go to a "sporty" GUI, but for now, it's a nice simple Hyperterminal interface. I like the fact that the computer acts in a piggy-back fashion, allowing the stock ECU to control mundane driving functions, maintaining good general drivability. Then, when you mash the pedal, the UTEC gets in the game with abandon I have to smooth out my timing advance just a tad, for when I stand on it in 3rd or 4th under load, the computer indicates an occasional knock. I have my boost set a bit lower than what you are running, just to keep me from standing too close to a grenade. I've had an engine grenade on me a long time ago and I'd rather forego a tad of power than repeat that experience. All that to say, Scott, your car likely produces a bit more juice than my set-up. I'm really happy with the UTEC, however I've certainly heard lots of great feedback about Shiv and the Vishnu line of products. I happen to have a family connection to a dealer back east that does a lot of Turbo XS performance tuning, so that's the direction I went. From other feedback I've received, engine management is the real key to extracting optimal performance from these nifty little cars. Bolting on stuff without the electronics is a recipe for disaster. Looks like a glorious weekend here in the Sierra! Cheers for Saturday!