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So you want to tune your Subaru?

So you want to tune your Subaru?

Whether you are modifying your Subaru or maintaining your daily driver Subaru, there are many ways to tune or modify the engine calibration in your Subaru.

Why tune your Subaru?

Tuning can increase reliability, improve performance, and compensate engine fueling, ignition timing, cam timing, etc… to compensate for mechanical changes.

Who needs a tune?

You need a tune if you’ve changed mechanical parts on your vehicle related to engine efficiency, you need a tune if you are changing fuel types, or a tune could be right for you if you are just looking to optimize performance and reliability on a stock standard setup.

Changing out the intake on a Subaru for example, modifies the airflow past the mass airflow sensor, which is used to calculate fuel requirements, engine load, ignition timing, and more. An intake 15% larger than factory will make the car run 15% leaner (read 13.2:1 AFR at WOT vs 11.5:1 AFR at WOT!). The calculated load will be 15% lower (2.55 calculated load vs 3.00 calculated load, which could add 4-5 degrees of ignition advance!) 

THIS IS ENOUGH OF A DIFFERENCE TO CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE!

Another popular reason in Canada to tune a Subaru is if you are running an aftermarket catalytic convertor. Even the slightest change to catalyst efficiency or operation can result in a CEL. When replacing the catalytic convertor it may be necessary to modify the tune to allow you to retain cruise control and other vehicle operations and prevent the DTC from appearing.

We can do this for almost any Subaru model. Be it a 2015 Forester or a 2002 Impreza.

What do you need to tune your Subaru?

Recommended tuning paths can vary based on the requirements of your build, power goals, DTC suppression requirements, level of modifications, and local laws.

There are many different aftermarket tuning options for Subarus including:

Cobb Accessport

  • Cobb is our go to tuning option for our "Street tuning path" for most supported Subarus. Since "Green Speed" - Cobb does not allow for suppression of emissions related codes.
  • Great option for 2002+ USDM Subaru Tuning. Handheld display for viewing live data, logging, dtc, and map switching.
  • Always available and in stock.
  • Lots of tuning experience.
  • Base maps.
  • Cobb custom features!
  • DIT support!
  • We run this software on our 2022 415whp WRX and many customer cars.
  • Due to aggressive action by the EPA, COBB has not been able to allow DTC suppression of any emissions related codes.
  • Does not support less popular or non-performance related options

Link Engine Management

  • This is the same engine management we run on our GC8 drag car which has ran 9.1@162mph in the ¼ mile, with just a WRX2X plug-in ECU running the show.
  • Link ECU is a standalone, and therefore can tune any combination of intake/exhaust/etc… without concern for emissions related DTCs. The best performance, the best safety, internal data-logging, oil pressure based rev limiters, lambda protection, fuel pressure compensation, launch control, rolling anti-lag.
  • Standalone engine management allows for maximum flexibility for highly modified vehicles with internal data logging, custom CAN streams and CAN integration.
  • Almost limitless levels of engine protection available, only dictated by available sensors on the car.
  • Plug and play ECUs for 1992-2021 STI models, 1992-2014 WRX models, and many other popular Subaru Turbo platforms.
  • Can be wired in to nearly any platform.
  • BRZ/FRS plug and play option available for up to 2021.
  • Perfect for any kind of engine swap!

ECUTek

  • Emissions related DTC Supporession not possible UNLESS JDM CAR.
  • Awesome option for any supported JDM cars, especially Auto.
  • Allows for logging on your phone, adjusting launch control, gauges on phone (phone functionality must be used with bluetooth dongle).
  • Custom features available similar in functionality to COBB – e.g. flex fuel, speed density, launch control…

MoTeC

  • Ultimate option for 2022+ WRX, 2015-2021 WRX, 22+ GT86 and FRS.
  • Full integration of CAN and all factory features.
  • Allows for control of flex fuel, port injection, and any other features.
  • Firmware options available to allow different features.
  • Development firmware.
  • Standalone ECU so no concerns of DTC suppression.
  • Strong support

Project Lambda

  • The Lambda tuning hardware and software can work with almost every Phase 2 EJ engine and many FA/FB engines.
  • Credit based software – cost to tune per vehicle.
  • Allows for suppression of emissions related DTCs.
  • Supports many vehicles that are NOT supported by any other software.
  • https://lambdatuning.com/support/supported-vehicles/

Open Source

  • Most Subaru models are supported with open source tuning JDM 2001-2007 or USDM 2002-2007
  • Support is a term that is used loosely.
  • DTC suppression possible.
  • Definition file dependant.
  • Lose out on any custom features for most models (exception of carberry rom)
  • Deal breakers: 
    • Spotty definition files for any newer Subaru
    • Lack of completeness for definition files
    • Knock sensitivity
    • Speed density
    • Launch control
    • Boost by gear…
    • Adequate for basic bolt ons for some models.

    SubaruEdit

    • FB20, FB25 Tuning
    • NA CrossTrek and Impreza 2013+
    • DTC Suppression

    For more info on what tuning solution suits you best, check out our EJ Subaru HP Recipe!

     

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