[blackhawk444]

Hello. I was wondering how much the SI mode "intelligent" affects the new STI. I was also wondering if there was any easy way to "limit" the car (IE manually adjusting boost pressure?". I am a relatively new driver and I am looking at the 08 STI. Now before everyone starts saying that it is a horrible idea (trust me I have read lots of threads about that...) I consider myself responsible enough to handle it. I will not even think about going over the speed limit. That said I am worried that it is to much car to start of with, and I was wondering about the SI drive, or other options that would allow the car to grow with me. I plan on attending numerous driving schools over the summer in addition to practicing around my house. Also I would consider the 08 WRX, but I am in love with the STI styling. Thanks for any help, and please don't be to harsh.

[jph]

as far as i know, the SI drive has three modes, and the only difference if the throttle position. or how the ECU maps it to the position of the gas pedal.

in normal mode, it act... normally.
in "intelligent" mode, it will map less throttle than you're actually giving it. eg; when you give it 50% gas, the ecu will map it as 30% gas, making the car "feel" slower, and maybe save some gas.
in sharp mode, it will do the opposite, when you give it 30% gas, the ecu will map it as 50%.

sharp mode will not engage unless the car has come to operating temperature.

all numbers have been invented to explain what the three modes bsically do.

but the real potential that *i* can see here is : a stock map, a tuned map (stage1 or 2) and a race gas map. supplied by your favorite local tuner, ofcourse.


J.

[blackhawk444]

So theoretically intelligent mode would be good for a new STI driver learning how to handle it?

[jph]

Originally Posted by blackhawk444

So theoretically intelligent mode would be good for a new STI driver learning how to handle it?

in theory, yeah. i haven't driven it in intelligent mode yet though.
but keep in mind = 100% will still be 100% it's everything inbetween that had been scaled.

but i would not be TOO scared, the sti is pretty easy to drive. if you've driven a manual transmission car before, i would not worry too much, just use common sense with your right foot, and all should be good.


J.

[blackhawk444]

Thanks for the help. Non-relevant question, but do you think a good sized dog can fit in the back?

[S'poreSTI]

Yep, 3 modes, i tried them all out today. I could tell a difference going from sport# to intelligent, hit the dial and suddenly it doesnt respond the same way to the throttle, pickup is reduced. Its very subtle, though,i just felt it was a bit softer in the response, esp.at low speed. Nothing there that'd keep you out of trouble if you went WOT!
Hopefully the real fun from that dial will be provided by the aftermarket

[Nasioc_STi]

wonder if you will be able to reprogram them say stage 2 , protune , race map .

[CFar]

I was reading a review that said that intelligent mode reduces torque by 10% and hp by 20% as well as remapping the throttle to be less sensitive to input. Reducing power is the only way (in this case) to improve mileage as just adjusting the thottle mapping onlly effects how far you push the gas.

I guess we'll see when people start dynoing the car. Only thing is that I see people foregoing the gas sipping intelligent mode for some reason

If I find the review Ill post it in here.

With that said, I'm hoping my dog fits in the back. The WRX's hatch looks pretty big, at least enough to transport my lab/rot to the lake.

Road trips with the dog? Luggage is going in the back seat.

[Rootus]

Originally Posted by CFar

I was reading a review that said that intelligent mode reduces torque by 10% and hp by 20% as well as remapping the throttle to be less sensitive to input. Reducing power is the only way (in this case) to improve mileage as just adjusting the thottle mapping onlly effects how far you push the gas.

We know already that it doesn't change the ultimate output of the engine -- if you tromp the gas, you get the same power regardless of what mode it's in. It seems to change the mapping for part-throttle application.

[CFar]

How do we know?

It appears that the Spec B's intelligent mode produces significantly less power than the sport mode. Since the STi's SI Drive is pulled more or less from the Spec B, makes sense to me.
2007 Spec.B Dyno Number - Subaru Legacy Forums

As you can see in the link, all numbers would be relative to each dyno and each car (STi to LGT), but the power difference is more than noticeable.

A friend who owns a Spec B has advised me the reason for less HP in the sport sharp mode is because for whatever reason the throttle only open something like 98% (which has been logged elsewhere on the site).

We'll see how the ultimate power modes play out.

[Pre]

If you aren't going to go over the limit then I dunno why you'd want this car

As far as I-Drive.....hopefully they'll able to incorporate this once the car has been tuned. It would be really nice to have an economy map that robs lots of power for MPG when commuting. A twist of that button would give you another map and full power. That would be awesome for the commuters out there.

[jph]

i think that perrin dyno'd one in all three modes and got the same results for each one.
so i'm "guessing" that it only remaps the throttle.


J.

[Urban07STI]

Here is the best way to control the car, it's a pretty sick mod, ease up on the pedal on the right. Not trying to be a smartass, but seriously people who drive out of control think oh it's the car that makes me drive fast. It's not, it's your right foot. Just go easy and learn how the car behaves when/if you get one, then begin to have more fun with the "go" pedal. Self control goes a long way. Goodluck on the purchase, I think you'll be pleasantly pleased, I know I certainly am!

[CFar]

If it actually works, Ill use it. This is my commuting car. I drive at a reasonable pace 99% of the time. Its the 1% that I'm buying this and not a WRX

[bigd]

Originally Posted by blackhawk444

Hello. I was wondering how much the SI mode "intelligent" affects the new STI. I was also wondering if there was any easy way to "limit" the car (IE manually adjusting boost pressure?". I am a relatively new driver and I am looking at the 08 STI. Now before everyone starts saying that it is a horrible idea (trust me I have read lots of threads about that...) I consider myself responsible enough to handle it. I will not even think about going over the speed limit. That said I am worried that it is to much car to start of with, and I was wondering about the SI drive, or other options that would allow the car to grow with me. I plan on attending numerous driving schools over the summer in addition to practicing around my house. Also I would consider the 08 WRX, but I am in love with the STI styling. Thanks for any help, and please don't be to harsh.

You sound like you have good reasoning, but if you're actually as responsible as you say you are, it shouldn't be a problem. These cars are VERY easy to drive.

That being said, the car isn't meant to be driven at 10/10ths all the time, nor is ANY car for that matter. If you drive it in a relaxed manner like a normal car, there won't be any surprises. If you start pushing it (outside of YOUR comfort zone) then you should back off. The car will do some amazing things, but that doesn't mean you should put your trust into it and become "Mr Street Racer F*cktard Extraordinare" and rev on everyone and their grandmothers. If YOU are responsible, the car will be responsible. If YOU are an idiot, the car will not save you. If you drive on snow, GET SNOW TIRES for safety.

Soon enough some of the major tuning shops will have the ECU programming unlocked and can tune anything you want. You could always have a tuning shop detune the ECU maps until you feel comfortable with it, then have it turned back to stock.