Help me pick the right one!

[AutoEuphoria]

Hey guys. I'm getting to the point where I can afford a reflash or tuner or something along those lines. There aren't many options out there, but there are enough to make me second guess my first thought, the Cobb AP.

So, those of you who know these systems inside and out, please help me pick the right one for me. Thank you very much. Below are the criteria that I am looking for:

- Must be plug and play. I do not want to splice any wires.
- Must be user friendly. I am not a tuner, nor do I live near any tuners. I have to be able to do this myself in my garage.
- Something that I can grow with. I have some basic mods, and don't plan to go much further, but I don't want something that won't work right or won't be updateable (via a downloaded map or something) if I get a different intercooler or something like that. I'm not planning to go big...I have exhaust right now, want to run 17.9psi on the stock turbo, and am getting the Cobb SRI once it gets off of backorder.
- Something that will utilize the stock boost control system, but allow me to run 17.9 psi consistently without overboosting. I want to get away from MBC's, and I don't want to spend the money on an EBC like the GReddy Profec.
- Something that will give a good remap of the fuel table so I will be running good AFRs on the increased boost, but not running so rich that I have backfire issues or anything like that.
- Something that has an option for vented to atmosphere BPV, since I want to run that setup if I get an aftermarket FMIC.

So, is anything on the market that will give me all of that? I don't need much more than that. Thanks for any help...seriously. I get confused when it comes to things like this, and I've tried looking over the spec sheets but can't figure it out. I seriously appreciate any help you can offer. Also, if this doesn't exist, is there anything coming out in the future that would? I know the Standback has a P&P harness for the MS6...are they working on one for the MS3?

 

[lestat13]

I always thought about the AP, but I know some people have had issues with the cobb tunes and I am also concerned with the safety and longevity of my car.... so I am leaning heavily towards getting tuned on a standback, probably in the springtime. AP isn't hand tunable to most people yet, I heard only a few people can so far by the way. It's actually a little cheaper than the AP, and for not splicing wires, I believe cp-e is selling a plug-n-play harness now for $300. Yeah its almost a grand, and then you gotta have it tunes (does come with a base tune though) but I have more faith in something that is hand tuned.... especially now that I can see the car knocking under certain conditions. I want to try and make sure my car doesn't knock... PERIOD!! The XEDE is also tunable and is another option.


standback can also be tuned to cut fuel when shifting so you can run a bov without dumping tons of fuel. you can also have the boost levels programed into the unit, so no need for a boost controller. they also defeat (might be able to readjust) the level for boost cut.

Hope I helped! Let us know what you decide on

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Yeah, I was really looking at the StandBack because of the boost function. I just don't know of anyone within 3 hours of me who can tune it for me. I mean, if I'd be covered under the base map I would be fine with that, but I also want it to be good. Do you tune it on a laptop or something? The AP has its own unit, but I don't understand how the SB is tuned.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

So, basically...if you want good boost control but p&p capability with downloadable maps the only way to do it is to get a Cobb AP and also get a Profec B or something like it?

 

[AAMguy]

from my dealing with the ap another form of boost control mixed with the ap is never a good idea.

 

[lestat13]

The cobb maps already have higher boost settings, you just can't adjust them yourself

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Ah, I wasn't aware of that. They use the stock setup, then?

 

[lestat13]

Not sure exactly what you mean by stock setup... There is certainly nothing mechanical to add if thats what you mean.

Cobb has various versions of stages with or without certain mods. You can certainly flash the car stock, or with intake, or intake/tbe, fmic etc. Just gotta find the right map.

Hope I answered your question, but doubtful rephrase and we'll both try again!!

 

[ineedmyspeed80]

I can help you

Call Extreme Turbo Shop, ask for Rob, is awesome! You can also check him out on the web at extremeturboshop.com or call 863-647-3700. Trust me you will like what he has to offer.

Hey guys. I'm getting to the point where I can afford a reflash or tuner or something along those lines. There aren't many options out there, but there are enough to make me second guess my first thought, the Cobb AP.

So, those of you who know these systems inside and out, please help me pick the right one for me. Thank you very much. Below are the criteria that I am looking for:

- Must be plug and play. I do not want to splice any wires.
- Must be user friendly. I am not a tuner, nor do I live near any tuners. I have to be able to do this myself in my garage.
- Something that I can grow with. I have some basic mods, and don't plan to go much further, but I don't want something that won't work right or won't be updateable (via a downloaded map or something) if I get a different intercooler or something like that. I'm not planning to go big...I have exhaust right now, want to run 17.9psi on the stock turbo, and am getting the Cobb SRI once it gets off of backorder.
- Something that will utilize the stock boost control system, but allow me to run 17.9 psi consistently without overboosting. I want to get away from MBC's, and I don't want to spend the money on an EBC like the GReddy Profec.
- Something that will give a good remap of the fuel table so I will be running good AFRs on the increased boost, but not running so rich that I have backfire issues or anything like that.
- Something that has an option for vented to atmosphere BPV, since I want to run that setup if I get an aftermarket FMIC.

So, is anything on the market that will give me all of that? I don't need much more than that. Thanks for any help...seriously. I get confused when it comes to things like this, and I've tried looking over the spec sheets but can't figure it out. I seriously appreciate any help you can offer. Also, if this doesn't exist, is there anything coming out in the future that would? I know the Standback has a P&P harness for the MS6...are they working on one for the MS3?

 

[ineedmyspeed80]

There is an answer to your needs

There is a shop here in Lakeland Florida, the guy is a genius! 99% of what he does is with Mazda. Give him a call, 863-647-3700. You can also check out his website www.extremeturboshop.com he specializes in Madza turbo upgrades, you don't have to buy from another company and pay $600-900. You can buy direct from him for hundreds less.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Not sure exactly what you mean by stock setup... There is certainly nothing mechanical to add if thats what you mean.

You've answered my questions very well, thank you. By "stock setup" I just meant the stock boost control solenoid and vacuum line setup. With a MBC you tap into certain lines, cap off certain vacuum nipples, etc. If I went with the AP I'd have to return that all to the way it was stock, correct?

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Also,

I was briefly looking through the available maps for the AP, but it seemed like all of them require a catalytic converter. I don't have either of the cats anymore...what would I do in my circumstance?

 

[lestat13]

I have heard that the AP maps that say turboback are fine for full catless or catted turboback, or stock catback with catted or catless downpipe/racepipe