My 2 cents:
From what I could read, one approach to progression of ECU mod could be, mainly:
1. Stock
2. Exhaust
3. Header
4. Intercooler
5. Turbo

Someone corrects me if I am wrong, but for at least 2 companies, GIAC and EVOMS, there is no software change with stage 3, in other words if you are at stage 2, then add a header, there is no need to do a reflash, but there is ECU software change with steps 3 and 4. What that tells me is, for those 2 steps of adding intercooler and turbo, you'd better stick with the hardware that the software is developed with.

No criticism of Softronic at all, but since you start with GIAC, my opinion is you should stick to AWE hardware if you want to keep the GIAC tune.

BTW, have you changed the supsension of your car? That's one main part of the triad of Turbo modding right? Suspension, ECU, exhaust. Good luck & have fun.

 

Thanks for the $.02 -- good insights.

Yes, next week I'm getting H&R springs to lower the car ~ 1" w/ 7mm front and 14mm rear spacers. Keeping the wheels stock for now.

Yeah, it's fun. Doing the mods thus far has been generally straightforward. Getting into the upgraded turbos and i/c zone seems to be a bit more challenging.

 

Hey Taylor,

If you deceide to upgrade the IC's, keep in mind GIAC can offer you a upgrade flash so you can get full use from the IC's. Do you have the GIAC race gas program? If you do, try it, thats how your car will feel with the IC's on pump gas.

 

Interesting. No, did not get the race gas program, just their v2 flash w/ no loader.

I think I'm leaning toward doing the the I/C's first w/ upgraded GIAC programming. Sounds as if that will give me a little more power & punch, and won't tax the "system". Then, I could do a combo turbo + clutch.

Thoughts?

 

I got the IC's from AWE and the GIAC upgrade first then my clutch slipped when my car was on the dyno for the race gas program with the IC's. It didn't slip again but I just upgraded to the clutch to be safe. Your in Pittsburg with better gas and cooler weather so you guys are making more power then us poor saps on the west coast. You can get the simple IC upgrade and then clutch if you fine it necessary. I would strongly suggest getting the hand held flasher. Its pretty cool. You can switch from pump, race and back to stock while driving. Its pretty neat to see the differences between programs. You should talk to Mike at AWE, I don't think the GIAC upgrade will cost that much. Well worth it if you ask me, right now, your car is probably operating at its limits with the stock IC's. If you can bring the intake temps down, your car will be much happier.

 

You are welcome. Before going ahead with that H&R spring, you might want to click on the Bilstein thread in my signature and read the first few pages. Unless you are trying to save money, all things considered, a coilover replacement is a much better choice: Bilstein for street/track, Moton for serious track. Again, my 2 cents.

 

Some tuners recommend a reflasing the ECU every time something is added to the car, some others just do it once and works perfect even if you have jumped from exhaust/ECU to 700 kit. It adjusts.

Can someone explain me this?

 

With Protomotive u don't need to reflash everytime u add somthing..Even of u go to his 700kit

 

The question is why other tuners recommend reflashing every modd?

 

Interesting thread link...scanned most of it...good stuff.

Yeah, I chose the H&Rs because this mod is 80% aesthetic and 20% performance. I drove in one with this setup & the drivability seems fine for my non-track driving and it's not a DD. What I will definately do is drive one with a coilover replacement when I have a chance. Since the H&Rs + install is rather modest, perhaps I'll make the switch at some point. Again, great reference thread for anyone considering coilover replacements.

 

you can always count on Cann for great advice/research/write-ups.

 

Or get Motons... or whatever...