Install AP now or wait?

**Digitalfiend** · 03-31-2008, 08:04 PM

As most of you know I bought my AP before I even had the car after reading about the ECU map issues that seem to have carried over from the '07. I picked up my car today and besides absolutely loving it, I gave it a little gas on the last 4-5 kms before home and noticed the hesistation and slight lack of torque until just before 4k (and slight hesitation again at 5k). This is on 94 octane and I didn't hear any pinging.

What I'm debating is whether I should install the AP now, with 60km on the odo and continue my break-in that way or wait a few hundred kilometres first.

For those of you that have gone with the AP for the '08, when did you flash your car?

P.S. I'll put my review together when I get a chance. I've got to finish up some work now as I'll be taking the day off tomorrow to get my clear bra installed. Woohoo.

JD_STI · 03-31-2008, 08:08 PM

From what I've heard, the 08 tune is equally as bad as the 07's.

I installed my AP at 600 miles. Glad I did.

SirMattieP · 03-31-2008, 08:29 PM

Most likely if you installed the AP, your going to break in your new engine hard which is what you want. So do it! Go big or go home. haha

**Digitalfiend** · 03-31-2008, 08:33 PM

I broke my '05 in moderately hard and my engine was rock solid, even after lots of spirited driving and track days at stage 2 (protuned) levels. Even though I don't think the "hard" method of breaking in an engine is bad, I'm going to give it a more progressive and methodical break-in than my '05.

I really like the improvements Cobb made to the AP. My V2 was one of the very first ones and you could tell it was a bit "raw". It seems much more user friendly now.

Back on topic, since I see Christian browsing, do you think it is relatively safe to break-in a new car on the OTS stage 1 map running 94 octane at basically sea-level?

gormansscooby · 03-31-2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digitalfiend

I broke my '05 in moderately hard and my engine was rock solid, even after lots of spirited driving and track days at stage 2 (protuned) levels. Even though I don't think the "hard" method of breaking in an engine is bad, I'm going to give it a more progressive and methodical break-in than my '05.

I really like the improvements Cobb made to the AP. My V2 was one of the very first ones and you could tell it was a bit "raw". It seems much more user friendly now.

Back on topic, since I see Christian browsing, do you think it is relatively safe to break-in a new car on the OTS stage 1 map running 94 octane at basically sea-level?

As long as its broken in the same way. Low boost/ RPMs etc., I can't see how a smoother power curve along with other worked out bugs specifically for making the car run better would hurt it at all. Can you?

paikman · 03-31-2008, 08:38 PM

I am flashing mine after my oil change, which will be at 250 miles.. im following a semi-hard break in (regular driving along with full throttle blips through 2nd ,3rd, 4th, but none to redline, allow engine braking)

SirMattieP · 03-31-2008, 08:44 PM

No one can give a clear answer lol I guess its a really good question. Because i am very curious myself. ha

midnit · 03-31-2008, 08:55 PM

I just passed 700 miles and really want to flash it, not exactly sure where to get one from though... Are they all generally the same price $695+s/h?

SirMattieP · 03-31-2008, 08:56 PM

Yeah, but i've read some may come with a few more maps... dunno

sumint · 03-31-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirMattieP

Yeah, but i've read some may come with a few more maps... dunno

I just ordered mine from Perrin $695 + $5 s/h. I emailed their tech support and they confirmed that their AP comes with all the maps the COBB has + a Perrin map as well. To quote the Perrin email, "...WE use more aggressive and specialized tuning than COBB. All of which is safe, just more effective!"

midnit · 03-31-2008, 09:18 PM

Thanks for the heads up Sumint, just ordered mine too. Back to the topic...

From what I've read from other people, most have flashed mid-break in with no problems whatsoever... Actually reporting better gas mileage. As long as you've got self control not to rape your car during break in, then you should be fine. That's just my opinion though.

I would have bought mine sooner, if I had the cash sooner.

STIcer · 03-31-2008, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paikman

I am flashing mine after my oil change, which will be at 250 miles.. im following a semi-hard break in (regular driving along with full throttle blips through 2nd ,3rd, 4th, but none to redline, allow engine braking)

Do you mean 2500 miles?

paikman · 03-31-2008, 10:36 PM

nope, 250 .. a harder break-in pretty much speeds up when you should change the oil and or frequency..ill be doing it at 250, and then again at 1000 miles to synthetic which i'll leave in for a while..
not saying its advice for everyone, this is just the sum of results from breaking in a lot of new cars and motorcycles...all my vehicles have had great compression and power into higher mileage

**Digitalfiend** · 03-31-2008, 11:03 PM

That's what I did with my '05 and will be doing with my '08 - though I do 600km and 1500km and I switch to synthetic at around 10K km.

HRCboy · 04-01-2008, 12:57 AM

I don't see why you wouldn't install the accessport right away if you have it. If anything it helps the ecu learn right away and having better throttle modulation with the Accessport allows you break in you car the way you want to whether you believe in a hard, soft or inbetween type of break-in process. I have tried a few ways with different bikes and I've been thru 8 bikes in the last 5 years... I find the varying the rpms putting constant load on the engine yields the best results on the dyno.

With the accessport I found it easier to control throttle modulation vs. a stock tune. That's just my 2 cents.

03-31-2008, 08:04 PM	#1
Digitalfiend Super Moderator Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: My wife :) Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 5,393 Join Date: Oct 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Install AP now or wait? As most of you know I bought my AP before I even had the car after reading about the ECU map issues that seem to have carried over from the '07. I picked up my car today and besides absolutely loving it, I gave it a little gas on the last 4-5 kms before home and noticed the hesistation and slight lack of torque until just before 4k (and slight hesitation again at 5k). This is on 94 octane and I didn't hear any pinging. What I'm debating is whether I should install the AP now, with 60km on the odo and continue my break-in that way or wait a few hundred kilometres first. For those of you that have gone with the AP for the '08, when did you flash your car? P.S. I'll put my review together when I get a chance. I've got to finish up some work now as I'll be taking the day off tomorrow to get my clear bra installed. Woohoo. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by Digitalfiend : 03-31-2008 at 08:15 PM.

03-31-2008, 08:08 PM	#2
JD_STI Spec C Club Car: 07 STI Fav Mod: Zzyzx Coilovers Location: SoCal Posts: 1,194 Join Date: Jul 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Install AP now or wait? From what I've heard, the 08 tune is equally as bad as the 07's. I installed my AP at 600 miles. Glad I did.

03-31-2008, 08:29 PM	#3
SirMattieP Professional STI Racer Car: DGM 2008 STI Fav Mod: Advan RZ DGM 18X9" +45 Location: So-Cal Posts: 681 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Install AP now or wait? Most likely if you installed the AP, your going to break in your new engine hard which is what you want. So do it! Go big or go home. haha

03-31-2008, 08:33 PM	#4
Digitalfiend Super Moderator Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: My wife :) Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 5,393 Join Date: Oct 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Install AP now or wait? I broke my '05 in moderately hard and my engine was rock solid, even after lots of spirited driving and track days at stage 2 (protuned) levels. Even though I don't think the "hard" method of breaking in an engine is bad, I'm going to give it a more progressive and methodical break-in than my '05. I really like the improvements Cobb made to the AP. My V2 was one of the very first ones and you could tell it was a bit "raw". It seems much more user friendly now. Back on topic, since I see Christian browsing, do you think it is relatively safe to break-in a new car on the OTS stage 1 map running 94 octane at basically sea-level?

03-31-2008, 08:38 PM	#6
paikman Silver Member Car: 2008 OBP STi Fav Mod: Advan RS 18x9. TurboXS downpipe. Location: VA Posts: 686 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Install AP now or wait? I am flashing mine after my oil change, which will be at 250 miles.. im following a semi-hard break in (regular driving along with full throttle blips through 2nd ,3rd, 4th, but none to redline, allow engine braking)

03-31-2008, 08:44 PM	#7
SirMattieP Professional STI Racer Car: DGM 2008 STI Fav Mod: Advan RZ DGM 18X9" +45 Location: So-Cal Posts: 681 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Install AP now or wait? No one can give a clear answer lol I guess its a really good question. Because i am very curious myself. ha

03-31-2008, 08:55 PM	#8
midnit Silver Member Car: 08 Aspen White STI Location: Northern, VA Posts: 594 Join Date: Feb 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Install AP now or wait? I just passed 700 miles and really want to flash it, not exactly sure where to get one from though... Are they all generally the same price $695+s/h?

03-31-2008, 08:56 PM	#9
SirMattieP Professional STI Racer Car: DGM 2008 STI Fav Mod: Advan RZ DGM 18X9" +45 Location: So-Cal Posts: 681 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Install AP now or wait? Yeah, but i've read some may come with a few more maps... dunno

03-31-2008, 09:18 PM	#11
midnit Silver Member Car: 08 Aspen White STI Location: Northern, VA Posts: 594 Join Date: Feb 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Install AP now or wait? Thanks for the heads up Sumint, just ordered mine too. Back to the topic... From what I've read from other people, most have flashed mid-break in with no problems whatsoever... Actually reporting better gas mileage. As long as you've got self control not to rape your car during break in, then you should be fine. That's just my opinion though. I would have bought mine sooner, if I had the cash sooner.

03-31-2008, 10:36 PM	#13
paikman Silver Member Car: 2008 OBP STi Fav Mod: Advan RS 18x9. TurboXS downpipe. Location: VA Posts: 686 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Install AP now or wait? nope, 250 .. a harder break-in pretty much speeds up when you should change the oil and or frequency..ill be doing it at 250, and then again at 1000 miles to synthetic which i'll leave in for a while.. not saying its advice for everyone, this is just the sum of results from breaking in a lot of new cars and motorcycles...all my vehicles have had great compression and power into higher mileage

03-31-2008, 11:03 PM	#14
Digitalfiend Super Moderator Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: My wife :) Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 5,393 Join Date: Oct 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Install AP now or wait? That's what I did with my '05 and will be doing with my '08 - though I do 600km and 1500km and I switch to synthetic at around 10K km.

04-01-2008, 12:57 AM	#15
HRCboy STI Driver Car: 08 STI and 07 R6 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 228 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Install AP now or wait? I don't see why you wouldn't install the accessport right away if you have it. If anything it helps the ecu learn right away and having better throttle modulation with the Accessport allows you break in you car the way you want to whether you believe in a hard, soft or inbetween type of break-in process. I have tried a few ways with different bikes and I've been thru 8 bikes in the last 5 years... I find the varying the rpms putting constant load on the engine yields the best results on the dyno. With the accessport I found it easier to control throttle modulation vs. a stock tune. That's just my 2 cents. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.