[DGMSTIenroute]

Can't find direct answers to a few 08 break-in questions on previous threads, so here goes:

1. After the break in period is over (i.e. at mile 999.99) is it consistent with the concept to rag as you please at that point? Or better to stagger your attempts in varying degrees over a longer period of time (max. longevity/performance being the goal).

2. If the plan is to go to stage one, is there any good reason to run with the COBB/tune map you desire during the breakout period vs. the stock tune during the first 1k, or the stock tune and then switch to the desired map at 1k, or does either make any difference.

3. Is there any reason a COBB 93 map tune should detract from the overall reliability of the vehicle in any way in either scenario?

4. And finally, given the habits of the same driver with an aftermarket tune vs. a stock tune, should mileage be expected to adversely affected by the adjustment?

Thanks in advance.

[neptunian588]

wow, great questions. I'd like to know this info as well, i'm looking to an 08 sometime in the summer.

[solovus]

@OP: where in MD are you? (off topic I know)

[midnit]

I'd actually really like to know about #1 as I'd like to get max longevity and reliability from my car, but I'm sick of driving around in "I" mode not ripping the car after coming from my 05 STI.

Only at like 416 miles and can't wait to break past 3-4k rpms.

[PCW]

Originally Posted by DGMSTIenroute

Can't find direct answers to a few 08 break-in questions on previous threads, so here goes:

1. After the break in period is over (i.e. at mile 999.99) is it consistent with the concept to rag as you please at that point? Or better to stagger your attempts in varying degrees over a longer period of time (max. longevity/performance being the goal).

2. If the plan is to go to stage one, is there any good reason to run with the COBB/tune map you desire during the breakout period vs. the stock tune during the first 1k, or the stock tune and then switch to the desired map at 1k, or does either make any difference.

3. Is there any reason a COBB 93 map tune should detract from the overall reliability of the vehicle in any way in either scenario?

4. And finally, given the habits of the same driver with an aftermarket tune vs. a stock tune, should mileage be expected to adversely affected by the adjustment?

Thanks in advance.

Let me see if I can answer some of these question.

1. I would not "rag as you please" anyways, that is just me.

2. I just have 450 miles on my car can't really talk about mileage at this point, haven't even gone through a tank of gas yet

PCW

[method]

Same, I'm at mile 526. midnit, you bought your car the same day as me

Best,

Eric

[PCW]

Originally Posted by method

Same, I'm at mile 526. midnit, you bought your car the same day as me

Best,

Eric

Yes, I'm loving the 08 STI. I had an 06 and really do not miss it at all compared to the 08.

PCW

[paikman]

I would not baby the car. This has shown to develop into oil buring motors (pistons rings not sealed properly). This doesn't mean beat it to crap either. This is how I've done it. When you have some open space, load up 2nd 3rd and 4th gears, full accelerations to about 1000rpm before redline after the motor has warmed up. DO NOT SHIFT FAST. Clutch, pause, then shift into next gear and then resume. (Your diffs and etc are still being broken in as well)
Get a dino oil change at 150-250 miles. Get a synthetic change at 1000miles.
This is by far not a perfect method or for everyone, but its been the best balance ive come up with "redline it off the lot" and "baby it forever"

[Bishop]

Originally Posted by DGMSTIenroute

Can't find direct answers to a few 08 break-in questions on previous threads, so here goes:

1. After the break in period is over (i.e. at mile 999.99) is it consistent with the concept to rag as you please at that point? Or better to stagger your attempts in varying degrees over a longer period of time (max. longevity/performance being the goal).

2. If the plan is to go to stage one, is there any good reason to run with the COBB/tune map you desire during the breakout period vs. the stock tune during the first 1k, or the stock tune and then switch to the desired map at 1k, or does either make any difference.

3. Is there any reason a COBB 93 map tune should detract from the overall reliability of the vehicle in any way in either scenario?

4. And finally, given the habits of the same driver with an aftermarket tune vs. a stock tune, should mileage be expected to adversely affected by the adjustment?

Thanks in advance.

1) from what i have heard, after 1k its play ball.... do as you please.... i did 1.5k miles before i took it above like 6k RPM just to be safe but to each their own....

2) i have heard of a few members here doing Cobb OTS stg 1 under 1k miles on the 07 just because of the really really crappy tune..... i personally would wait till after the 1k just to be safe... but like i said above, its anyone's game after 1k, just depends how you treat your car.

3)not really sure what your asking but i've had a few to drink and its gettin kinda late

4) Dunno.... depends on how you treat the car i guess?

[JD_STI]

Originally Posted by DGMSTIenroute

Can't find direct answers to a few 08 break-in questions on previous threads, so here goes:

1. After the break in period is over (i.e. at mile 999.99) is it consistent with the concept to rag as you please at that point? Or better to stagger your attempts in varying degrees over a longer period of time (max. longevity/performance being the goal).

2. If the plan is to go to stage one, is there any good reason to run with the COBB/tune map you desire during the breakout period vs. the stock tune during the first 1k, or the stock tune and then switch to the desired map at 1k, or does either make any difference.

3. Is there any reason a COBB 93 map tune should detract from the overall reliability of the vehicle in any way in either scenario?

4. And finally, given the habits of the same driver with an aftermarket tune vs. a stock tune, should mileage be expected to adversely affected by the adjustment?

Thanks in advance.

1) probably the most debated topic there is

2) I don't see a good reason not to

3) read below

4) Assuming you're referring to MPG, it depends. It may get worse. Cobb maps run pretty rich.

Here's some reading material

2008 Stock Tune: just the facts

PDXTuning Tuned 2008 STI - Proven Power Bragging - NASIOC

[twigg107]

1) repeated beatings will lead to something breaking...... our sti's are known for having strong drivetrains but nothing is bullet proof.

2) From reading and talking to several tuners and seeing the logs from the stock tune, the Cobb ots stg 1 maps are alot safer then stock.... I personally went stage 1 at 600miles. I heard from a little birdie that tim bailey had a big hand in making the 08sti maps for cobb.

3) I ran cobb stage 2 OTS map for 40k miles on my 05sti..... They are very safe. Cobb wouldnt release maps unless they were safe.

4) just like bishop said.... its how you drive the car.

[trevoro]

My MPG got better by almost 3 mpg by going stage 1. It was with a pro tune though. YRMV.

[DGMSTIenroute]

Originally Posted by solovus

@OP: where in MD are you? (off topic I know)

Near Sykesvile. No STI's in this area that I've seen. But I'll keep an eye out for yours...

Originally Posted by PCW

Let me see if I can answer some of these question.

1. I would not "rag as you please"

PCW

Rag as I please = 'Spirited driving". Or "Safely frightening family/friends on long exit ramps". Not grinding on the car for the sake of it.

Originally Posted by paikman

DO NOT SHIFT FAST. Clutch, pause, then shift into next gear and then resume. (Your diffs and etc are still being broken in as well)

Coming from long experience doing uber-long throws on old school Porsche tranny's, getting to 2nd in less than a long pause will be a treat. No plans to force an issue.

Originally Posted by twigg107

1) repeated beatings will lead to something breaking...... our sti's are known for having strong drivetrains but nothing is bullet proof.

No beatings planned. Just looking for the safe zone for rush-as-you-please.

Originally Posted by trevoro

My MPG got better by almost 3 mpg by going stage 1. It was with a pro tune though. YRMV.

I'm getting a strong feeling that despite my a/retentiveness concerning not wanting to flog a car that I plan on putting 150k+ on, that the retune is a reasonable way to go...

Thanks to all for the info. Will post pics when it arrives in 2 weeks (amen). It doesn't seem as if any of us get tired of looking at this car.

[jph]

breaking in the '08 is no different than breaking in any other year sti.

OTOH; you'll find about a hundred different opinions on what someone thinks the best break-in method is.

that being said, the break in period on my '08 lasted about two miles and two traffic lights. long enough to warm up completely. then i made a left turn and got on the freeway, and it saw 6500 rpm in 1st, 2nd 3rd, and multiple WOT runs in 4th and 5th gear building boost.

you only have a short amount of time to properly seat those rings

so far, i'm at around 1600 miles, and it doesn't seem to burn any oil.

oh, and i flashed a cobb stage1 map two days after i got the car. i would have done it at the dealership if they did a saturday delivery of my accessport, but i had to wait till the first weekday to receive it


i'm not telling you that is the best way to break it in. i'm just saying "that's what i did"
i took the "easy" break-in with my '04; not bayby'ing it, but still be gentle for the first 1000 miles. it drank oil religiously. so i took a different approach this time.


J.

[DGMSTIenroute]

Originally Posted by jph

you only have a short amount of time to properly seat those rings J.

Thank goodness there's no controversy surrounding that.

I think I'll go the sub 4k route.

Until, of course, it's necessary.......