A
akki
Guest
Hi Folks,
this is just an information for all Legacy drivers who are looking into mapping their Stock ECU of the models pre 1999 (Not the B4).
From my researches and information I got from our own club-members / dealers, I know that a Legacy pre 1999 is almost impossible to re-map cheaply.
Means: You need a piggyback system which cost you ~2200.- jojos.
I have taken the chellange and bought the 1998 RS STi from Gizmo5 against the advise from friends and other people because there is the problem with mapping the stock ECU on crappy irish/british fuel and the low octane numbers here on our beloved island.
During my investigation how to trick the system, I was a bit confused by the following facts:
- On my ECU seems to be no speed delimiter (usually jap-imports are limited to 180km/h).
- My ECU has a sticker saying "Eifel - Prova concept of Nuerburgring" or so and the Nuerburgring race track shape. First I thought someone put a sticker on the box, but it isn't.
Since I am still researching for further documentation (Workshop book etc...) I found out, that my ECU is called "PROVA Super Sports"
Prova Super Sports ECU - Review
The Prova SS-ECU for a BD Twin Turbo Subaru Legacy is made in Japan and in Europe almost unknown (Strange enough since they call it "Prova concept of Nuerburgring").
Most information is in Japanese, and with the help of a colleague in Japan (Thanks to Hatamoto or just Hamo) I got some figures and information translated into English, that I can write up some review my self.
The Prova ECU is not such an agressive upgrade compared to others, which is why it is safer than some other ECUs. Prova goes for someone, who is conservative with maps that modestly lean out the fuel/air ratios, raise the boost and provide for a bit of timing advance. The problem with it is endemic to any ECU replacement, in that you still lack any adjustment for any changes outside of those that Prova anticipated - which is basically some sort of hi-flow panel filter and a cat-back exhaust (Prova admitted that they have tuned it specifically for a Fujitsubo cat-back). As long as you don't go too far, the Prova ECU is a good, safe ECU that definitely is better than the stock ECU. The Prova ECU is a plug'n'play system and it takes roughly 10 minutes to put it in.
Under the old factory ECU the primary turbo would peak at about 0.6-0.7 bar boost and fall back to 0.5-0.6 bar. While the secondary turbo would peak at 0.9 bar and fall back to 0.6 bar. With the PROVA ECU the primary peaks and holds 0.7 bar and the secondary peaks and holds 1.0-1.1 bar in normal driving. Under load however 1.2 bar has been hit. Naturally now with the secondary turbo on boost the car feels significantly faster. More importantly the primary boost peaks much quicker making the engine feel much smoother and responsive. In testing in 4th gear boost hit 0.3 and 0.8 bar at 2000 and 2500rpm respectively. While the famous valley of death feels reduced.
The Prova SS-ECU is tuned for quicker engine response and a wider torque range.
ECU FEATURES
Since the ECU can now learn via the knock sensor to handle 95 octane fuel, you are driving much safer with the Irish fuel.
However I would suggest to go for the Maxol E5 at least or still use some octane boost on the 95 octane low premium fuel.
From what I found out in the net, you can get the Prova ECU much cheaper then e.g. the MoTec system wich off course is much more flexible and enhanced then the Prova ECU.
It is just a matter where you set the priority.
If you like to get more information where to get one of these ECUs, you can look in Ebay (found this one today: http://cgi.ebay.ie/Subaru-Prova-Performance-ECU-STI-WRX-Forester-LegacyGC8_W0QQitemZ250278317712QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250278317712&_trkparms=72%3A1301|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14) or send me a PM. I will try to find out more details where else you could order such an ECU.
I hope it helps a bit and I could bring some light into the mystics of Legacy mapping.
Akki
this is just an information for all Legacy drivers who are looking into mapping their Stock ECU of the models pre 1999 (Not the B4).
From my researches and information I got from our own club-members / dealers, I know that a Legacy pre 1999 is almost impossible to re-map cheaply.
Means: You need a piggyback system which cost you ~2200.- jojos.
I have taken the chellange and bought the 1998 RS STi from Gizmo5 against the advise from friends and other people because there is the problem with mapping the stock ECU on crappy irish/british fuel and the low octane numbers here on our beloved island.
During my investigation how to trick the system, I was a bit confused by the following facts:
- On my ECU seems to be no speed delimiter (usually jap-imports are limited to 180km/h).
- My ECU has a sticker saying "Eifel - Prova concept of Nuerburgring" or so and the Nuerburgring race track shape. First I thought someone put a sticker on the box, but it isn't.
Since I am still researching for further documentation (Workshop book etc...) I found out, that my ECU is called "PROVA Super Sports"
Prova Super Sports ECU - Review
The Prova SS-ECU for a BD Twin Turbo Subaru Legacy is made in Japan and in Europe almost unknown (Strange enough since they call it "Prova concept of Nuerburgring").
Most information is in Japanese, and with the help of a colleague in Japan (Thanks to Hatamoto or just Hamo) I got some figures and information translated into English, that I can write up some review my self.
The Prova ECU is not such an agressive upgrade compared to others, which is why it is safer than some other ECUs. Prova goes for someone, who is conservative with maps that modestly lean out the fuel/air ratios, raise the boost and provide for a bit of timing advance. The problem with it is endemic to any ECU replacement, in that you still lack any adjustment for any changes outside of those that Prova anticipated - which is basically some sort of hi-flow panel filter and a cat-back exhaust (Prova admitted that they have tuned it specifically for a Fujitsubo cat-back). As long as you don't go too far, the Prova ECU is a good, safe ECU that definitely is better than the stock ECU. The Prova ECU is a plug'n'play system and it takes roughly 10 minutes to put it in.
Under the old factory ECU the primary turbo would peak at about 0.6-0.7 bar boost and fall back to 0.5-0.6 bar. While the secondary turbo would peak at 0.9 bar and fall back to 0.6 bar. With the PROVA ECU the primary peaks and holds 0.7 bar and the secondary peaks and holds 1.0-1.1 bar in normal driving. Under load however 1.2 bar has been hit. Naturally now with the secondary turbo on boost the car feels significantly faster. More importantly the primary boost peaks much quicker making the engine feel much smoother and responsive. In testing in 4th gear boost hit 0.3 and 0.8 bar at 2000 and 2500rpm respectively. While the famous valley of death feels reduced.
The Prova SS-ECU is tuned for quicker engine response and a wider torque range.
ECU FEATURES
|
|
Since the ECU can now learn via the knock sensor to handle 95 octane fuel, you are driving much safer with the Irish fuel.
However I would suggest to go for the Maxol E5 at least or still use some octane boost on the 95 octane low premium fuel.
From what I found out in the net, you can get the Prova ECU much cheaper then e.g. the MoTec system wich off course is much more flexible and enhanced then the Prova ECU.
It is just a matter where you set the priority.
If you like to get more information where to get one of these ECUs, you can look in Ebay (found this one today: http://cgi.ebay.ie/Subaru-Prova-Performance-ECU-STI-WRX-Forester-LegacyGC8_W0QQitemZ250278317712QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250278317712&_trkparms=72%3A1301|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14) or send me a PM. I will try to find out more details where else you could order such an ECU.
I hope it helps a bit and I could bring some light into the mystics of Legacy mapping.
Akki