[yakker]

Hi all,
I'm currently shopping for an 08-09 STi. I found one at a dealership that is mostly unmolested (harder to find than I originally thought). The exception being the Invidia turbo-back exhaust which drones so excessively I could barely stand it during the test drive.

The person who traded it in, also included the stock exhuast. My question is, how much more modding should I assume has been done when the TBE was installed? Chip reflash? And if so, am I looking for trouble trying to return this to stock? Can a reflash using an Accessport, be reverted back to stock without an Accessport?

I would have the dealer (Nissan dealer) put the stock exhaust back on, but I'm picturing driving this thing off the lot and getting a CEL half mile down the road rendering it un-inspection-able (word? ) when I get it back to my home state.

Thanks for any advice.

[USNSTI]

Either A: it has a reflashed ECU right now. Could be an AP or other type of tuning. If that is the case you would not want to put the stock downpipe on with out returning the ECU to stock parameters.

Or B: it has no form of tuning on it, with a TBE that would be bad. If that were the case I would look for another car because it could have potential problems down the road caused by improper modding.

[yakker]

Thanks USNSTI,

I just received a voice mail from the dealer. They put the stock exhaust back on. Since they're a Nissan dealer, I'm assuming they don't know about the ECU reflash (if it was done).

Dumb question...Does discontecting the battery reset the ECU to stock values or would it hold custom settings (if any)?

[scubie33]

No, disconnecting the battery will not change anything on the ECU. It has a battery backup.

[Napalm_Enema]

Originally Posted by yakker

Hi all,
I'm currently shopping for an 08-09 STi. I found one at a dealership that is mostly unmolested (harder to find than I originally thought). The exception being the Invidia turbo-back exhaust which drones so excessively I could barely stand it during the test drive.

The person who traded it in, also included the stock exhuast. My question is, how much more modding should I assume has been done when the TBE was installed? Chip reflash? And if so, am I looking for trouble trying to return this to stock? Can a reflash using an Accessport, be reverted back to stock without an Accessport?

I would have the dealer (Nissan dealer) put the stock exhaust back on, but I'm picturing driving this thing off the lot and getting a CEL half mile down the road rendering it un-inspection-able (word? ) when I get it back to my home state.

Thanks for any advice.

Probably not a tune on there for just a CBE. If it was me, I'd ensure no other mods were on it, then show up with a new Cobb Accessport on there. Put the stock exhaust on, flash it with Stage 1, and drive away.

Now if it has a downpipe, flash with Stage 2, I'm assuming it just has the exhaust on it... you can run the downpipe with the stock exhaust no problem.

No CEL issues, car will run great.

[yakker]

Originally Posted by Napalm_Enema

Probably not a tune on there for just a CBE. If it was me, I'd ensure no other mods were on it, then show up with a new Cobb Accessport on there. Put the stock exhaust on, flash it with Stage 1, and drive away.

Now if it has a downpipe, flash with Stage 2, I'm assuming it just has the exhaust on it... you can run the downpipe with the stock exhaust no problem.

No CEL issues, car will run great.

Just to clarify, it had a turbo-back including DP. Would a turbo-back absolutely require a reflash, or would the stock ECU learn any change in flow and adjust accordingly?

I can't imagine the previous owner did this mod because he liked the sound, so if it was performance, I have to believe it was reflashed for any performance gains. Although, the stock intake was in place and shows no signs of removal (worn screws,etc). Could it be he really just wanted to annoy people within ear shot? Why would one install a CBE and not an intake or reflash for that matter?

Logic check:
I'm assuming the ECU will now (since the stock TBE has been reinstalled)recognize a decrease in airflow and thus lean out the fuel mixture. What I've learned in my short time researching, is that these motors don't like a lean mix and could be the cause of ring failure. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, I'm sorta new to this.

What's involved in resetting to stock ECU tune, assuming it's been changed? Do I need an AccessPort?

I'm going to see if the dealer can hook me up with the previous owners contact info. If I can get a straight answer, I'd feel better about the purchase.

Thanks to all.

[scubie33]

I would get a compression leakdown test done, paid by the dealer, and get either an AP or a cable and laptop and flash it stage one if the tests come back good.

[Napalm_Enema]

Originally Posted by scubie33

I would get a compression leakdown test done, paid by the dealer, and get either an AP or a cable and laptop and flash it stage one if the tests come back good.

This, however you would need to go stage 2 if it has a downpipe.

You cannot run a downpipe with the factory tune, the computer won't 'learn' anything. Best bet - leakdown / compression test, then if that's clean get a Cobb Accessport, have them take JUST the catback exhaust off, put the stock one on, and flash the car to Stage 2 with the Cobb.

No reason to take off the downpipe, it's not what is making that lame drone noise, the exhaust is.

Also keep the exhaust so you can sell it here or on craigslist... One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Also if you can find someone that has an STi close to you, see if they can test drive it... I would know immediately if an STi was running right from having mine for over a year.

Good luck, it's a great car...

[scubie33]

Originally Posted by Napalm_Enema

This, however you would need to go stage 2 if it has a downpipe.

You cannot run a downpipe with the factory tune, the computer won't 'learn' anything. Best bet - leakdown / compression test, then if that's clean get a Cobb Accessport, have them take JUST the catback exhaust off, put the stock one on, and flash the car to Stage 2 with the Cobb.

No reason to take off the downpipe, it's not what is making that lame drone noise, the exhaust is.

Also keep the exhaust so you can sell it here or on craigslist... One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Also if you can find someone that has an STi close to you, see if they can test drive it... I would know immediately if an STi was running right from having mine for over a year.

Good luck, it's a great car...

Yes, I was assuming they put the stock downpipe back on. Either way you want a better tune. Protune ftw.

[yakker]

Thanks again for the all great info. I'm learning a lot.

I'm likely going to keep shopping for a stock model. Warranty and longevity is still important to me. Subaru will likely deny and coverage if I run into problems. I can't say I'd blame them.

I'll continue to glean what I can from the forum.

Thanks guys.