[CFar]

In an effort to centralize all the rumors or facts of an unsafe tune from the factory, please put posts in this thread giving actual information either confirming or denying this problem.

Rumors have spread about the 2007 having an unsafe tune and people blowing their motors. The most recent was someone who autocrosses and blew (I believe) cyl 3 on a stock tune. A lot of people say that it runs lean at full boost (down low) but I'd like to be able to see the graphs as after searching, I haven't located anything.

With that said, rumors have already emerged about the 08 having the same problem. I don't remember the poster, but he claimed that the tune ran a lot of boost down low and stayed in closed loop pretty late up the RPM range. However he also mentioned that the timing was pretty low in the RPM range (this aspect same as 07 or not?) Someone else mentioned that it ran lean.

So if everyone with the knowledge can post here with actual info of the SAME supposed condition as the 07, and a problem is truly emerging, we will be able to present the problem to the manufacturer, not just complain and worry about it.

Here goes nothing...

[pantag]

That's a pretty good idea. I can't wait to see actual results. Subscribed.

[Digitalfiend]

Lifted from PDX's post on NASIOC:

PDXTuning Tuned 2008 STI - Proven Power Bragging - NASIOC

Originally Posted by PDXTuning

...
To start off, let’s take a look at the bone stock STI. We filled the tank with fresh Oregon 92 (Winter oxy mix) and strapped it down to the dyno.

After several runs, we found the following:

(1) The stock ECU still has the 07 Closed Loop Delay, which results in 14:1 AFRS until almost 4000 rpm, followed by 9.9:1 AFRs to redline. During the lean closed loop section, the stock ECU runs very little timing, which retards low end torque significantly.

(2) After having driven the car for about 200 miles on 92 Octane, the car felt significantly faster than it did right off the show room floor. I did an ECU reset at about 140 miles, and the following learnup on the road made a significant difference. This car seems to be very octane sensitive, and I imagine power on 91 octane will be down a bit.
...

I'm searching for more.

[AP1toGDRev.G]

Deja vu.

[snowman4us]

Stock tune is for reliability, not power.
Why would a manufacture put a bad tune on a production car. Thats what aftermarket tuners are for, to increase performance, emissions, and take away from some reliability.

[unclejemima]

Originally Posted by snowman4us

Stock tune is for reliability, not power.
Why would a manufacture put a bad tune on a production car. Thats what aftermarket tuners are for, to increase performance, emissions, and take away from some reliability.

So you would figure. I've heard too, that the 07's had a crappy stock tune that could cause engine damage.
-mark

[chmura]

Originally Posted by snowman4us

Stock tune is for reliability, not power.
Why would a manufacture put a bad tune on a production car. Thats what aftermarket tuners are for, to increase performance, emissions, and take away from some reliability.

So a Stage 1 reduces reliability??

I thought Stage 1 increases gas mileage a bit, more efficient, car runs smoother, etc?

[snowman4us]

Off the shelf Stage one does, there is no questions about it.
Its just when people start to get gready is when stuff starts blowing up. Same reasons why some shops are getting 400WTQ, out of a STi with just a TBE and a Tune. Push the limit, get higher numbers....hope motor does not blow up.

[twigg107]

Jeff Sponaugle, perrin, and all sorts of tuners all posted stuff on this.

[snowman4us]

Originally Posted by twigg107

Jeff Sponaugle, perrin, and all sorts of tuners all posted stuff on this.

Why wouldnt they say that? they make money on selling aftermarket parts and tunes. The more they say, more they make. Its quite simple.

Not on the other hand, Subaru has to sell milions of cars. Why would they put in bad tunes? They are not out there to do 1K short blocks a week for warrantly.

And the last thing to remember, the STi's are supose to run on 93 octance, but 91 will do. So if someone blew up a STi on a track with a stock tune, well they should have put in a couple gallons of race gas just to increase the octane to the 93 that is recomended from the manufacture. No matter what the tune, if you AutoX or track your car. You would be stupid not to put in at least 2 gallons of 100 for some added protection.

[twigg107]

True but personally I've met all of them and I dont think they would lie just to sell parts. Subaru really didnt put a bad tune.... more like having to meet EPA emission requirements.

Really the only way to see if this lean out condition is true... is to data log your car yourself. I'd do it but I wont have my 08 sti until the end of next month.

[Iguana]

I thought Stage I would reduce overall fuel mileage? Just like stage II right? I'm excluding economy maps which reduce boost and increase mileage.

[CFar]

Originally Posted by Digitalfiend

Lifted from PDX's post on NASIOC:

PDXTuning Tuned 2008 STI - Proven Power Bragging - NASIOC


I'm searching for more.

Thank you for finding it. He says it runs lean until 4k then drops to 9.9:1, but like I said in the initial post he also mentions in the same sentence that there is almost no timing.

Im going to try and get him to expound on what this means.

And as Snowman said, most of the naysayers of the stock tune have been guys that are either selling, or buying some kind of aftermarket tuning device/maps. Why wouldn't they try to hype up a nonexistent problem?

How about some comparison maps with the 04-06?

Still not near enough evidence to see the problem existing in the 08.

Also, how is reading the 14:1 AFR? Unless he drilling out a hole for a wideband he wont be able to tell.

[rj45]

What is the purpose of the lean-rich stock fuel settings? Is it for emissions and fuel saving purposes at normal speeds? TIA

[threader]

Always thought that one of the reasons for fuel enrichment was the ECU sensing that the CAT needed to be cooled down from overheating.