[STiROCKET06]

I am looking to buy the TurboXS Utec but I don't know much about it. I would appreciate if I could get some input from people who have it. For instance, things I should worry about while using it, problems you've had, power gains, knocking(don't know exactly what that is.), etc.

[Toophless]

Originally Posted by STiROCKET06

I am looking to buy the TurboXS Utec but I don't know much about it. I would appreciate if I could get some input from people who have it. For instance, things I should worry about while using it, problems you've had, power gains, knocking(don't know exactly what that is.), etc.

Knock is an event when the gasses in the combustion chamber ignite before the spark-plug tells them too. It means the compression stroke is figting the expansion of gas and it is very hard on internal engine parts. At the best, the rod bearing for that cylinder gets a little flat-sided each time it happens, eventually leading to a spun bearing. Commonly with our cars, over time, the piston can crack the lands that hold the rings in place. Worst-case, the rod itself can break, which nearly always means a new block is required.

In tuning, too much boost, too little fuel (or waaay too much fuel) or too advanced timing can cause it.

Cliff note: avoid knock.

In noting that part of your question, I'd like to ask what your goals are for the car. Power goals, upgrade parts etc...

The UTEC can get you into a lot of trouble in a hurry. It is a very powerful tool. You give it a command and it says "OK," and makes the engine do it... whether the engine can or not. In conjunction with their Tuner, makes for a really sweet tuning / logging setup. But it takes a pretty decent working knowledge of the whole forced-induction process and even if you have that down it still takes a lot of reading and studying and re-reading to get comfortable with.

If you are not planning on huge power, or not huge power for a while, you might want to look into the Cobb AP. It can give the STi a nice kick in the pants without having to spend a lot of time on it. And can be augmented later with the Street Tuner package to allow for more tweaking for the addition of upgrades not supported by the Cobb OTS maps.

But back to the UTEC. The only thing I think it is missing is the ability to remove CEL conditions. For that I run the AP flashed underneath and may go with the ST package later or go the Tactrix route and use opensource to control more aspects of the ECU.

The new UTEC firmware is really nice. PID boost control is as good as any aftermarket EBC. I've run the Apexi and the Greddy Profec and they were slick, but not 5 seperate maps worth of slick.

The new SD fueling setup is smooth and should keep the UTEC's control more stable than before as the weather changes (so far this season, so good.)

There is also a TON of support for the UTEC to be found. wrxhackers and nasioc both have forums dedicated to it and have several really knowledgable members that can talk you through about any problem.

If you want to read up on it, the manual is in the .zip file with the new firmware :
http://www.turboxs.com/stiupdate.htm

and this guide is worded in a way that's easier to understand than the manual... and goes into some theory as well:

http://www.wrxhackers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2469

[STiROCKET06]

im lookimng to go stage 2...i want 310whp and tq, nothing more than that until i go with an ugraded turbo...should i have any problems acheiving this number...and will this be too much power on a stock turbo, will this be enough power to cause engine knock

[Toophless]

You can get knock at 100 hp. It's all in the tune.

That power goal may stretch the VF39 a little. I'm sure it's doable. But a little bigger turbo would do it a lot easier.

[STiROCKET06]

alright thanks man...anything else to be worried about?