Go visit Enginuity.org and OSecuROMs.org and read on there. There are a lot of FAQs and good information there about tuning. In general, MBCs are frowned upon, because the ECU can control the boost, and adjust timing and fuel for the pressure. If you are running higher boost, the ECU is probably pulling timing to compensate.

Enginuity is a good alternative, for a couple of cases:

1) You have a tuner who will use it.

2) You are willing and able to put in a lot of time to learn what you need to, and are willing to log the car to ensure you are not damaging it.

There are some OTS (Off The Shelf) maps, like Cobb, for Enginuity, but they are primarily put together by individuals, and the quality may vary. Some people use them just fine. With either one you can get "email" tunes for $25-$200.

If you really want no blown engines, I would remove the MBC now. You can get the same boost, with fule/timing adjustment with just ECU changes.

 

Thanks FXTIam. I'm already planing to remove the EBC.

 

If you have a solid understanding of engine dynamics and what will happen when you tweak a parameter, engunity is the way to go. You will always be able to get a better tune with a fully custom map.

Go with Cobb if you don't have a full understanding and are afraid of blowing the motor.

 

"do they make pre-designed MAPs for cars kinda like the Cobb?"

I believe he is asking of loading generic roms similar to the ots cobb maps..

Not changing any parameters, just using a "free" rom that is similar to another persons setup... and hopefully getting tuned later by someone that knows and understands the ish that goes along with the mixture of fuel/air/and boost.

To the OP ... sure paying $700 dollars is the safest bet, but don't buy random computer altering engine parts w/out doing research, and some sorta engine management. My dad always told me

"you gotta master her bunny slope before you ride the black diamond":monkey_dance:

Not gospel but truth...

 

Thanks guys, I'm working on gauges first because they are a must have for tuning. Next will be an exhaust and off to the tuner. I have done a lot of reading with tuning but I still don't trust myself with making changes to my ECU. So, I'm taking it to a shop in Ohio to get it tuned by a pro. That will give me a good base to work with. Oh, and the EBC is off and now she is so slow. :Banane14:

 

Preacher, you can check Enginuity.org. They have maps that people have farted around with. But you have to be careful there as you don't know who has done the fiddling. That is as far as it goes for free.

If you want to get something professionally done, I know XPT has maps you can load up with Enginuity. But they don't have maps specifically for the FXT, only the WRX and STi.

I'm just starting to fiddle with this level of tuning. I'm coming from the old school dsm crowd of MBC's and fuel pressure regulators, so I'm just getting on this steep learning curve as well.

 

I did not know XPT offers maps.... but who is running a WRX/STI map on their car? Wouldn't you want one specific to your vehicle?

 

I have actually emailed XPT before and they said that they are working on a Stage 2 map for Foresters. Maybe if more people start emailing them on this it will push them to come out with one faster. As to osecuroms.org I have seen any Forester Specific Modified ROMs posted to date.

 

I emailed them right after I posted the other night. It got bounced back at me though. I think his mail box is full. I would gladly pay $50 for a map to start with that I can dial in.

I'm confident is fiddling with the A/F maps, boost maps, and ignition maps. But at the current moment, I don't know where to begin with the cam timing maps. I could leave those alone, but I know the Cobb maps mess with the cam timing maps so I know there is something to gain there.

 

As I understand it, the WRX/STi maps are almost the same as the FXT - once you match mods. So, you can use essentially the same fuel and timing maps on any of them. However, each car has differences, so one WRX may be able to handle more advance or boost than the next. So, you do not want a tune that is "on the edge" and put it in yours. This doesn't matter if it came from a WRX or an FXT. But, you MUST know what you are doing to do this - there are many, many small differences!

XPT has some maps for free, his better ones cost money. Once you buy it, he will review your logs in detail and make changes. Be advised, however, he protects his maps, and will not allow you to post even logs of his maps in a public forum. (No, we will not discuss the logic, legality or anything else like that here.). So, you are slightly restricted with his pay maps. However, they are very affordable.

 

XPT is working on a stage 1 map for us 04 FXT guys. It is available for download in its beta and lightly tested format. I'm going to give the map a look over tonight and decide whether or not I want to give it a go.

I have been messing with WOT boost and hopefully, I will be able to get out to the dragstrip in a few weeks to give it a shot.

 

Let us know how it goes. I'm going to hold off until I get the gauges that i need.

 

If you are getting gauges because you need to keep tabs on things, don't worry about it. You can datalog and have realtime 'gage' feedback with your laptop and enginuity.

Actually, I suggest getting a laptop and cable and datalogging for a while just to get familiar with everything.

 

Thanks good to know. Do you know of any tuners in Indiana that have all wheel drive dyno?

 

Thanks good to know. Do you know of any tuners in Indiana that have all wheel drive dino?

I don't know of anyone in Indiana that has an AWD dyno. I was out at Burchur's a couple of months ago when Tim (a respected protuner, formerly with PDX I believe) was there for a suby tuning day. If you are just wanting to dyno your car, I would go there. I think AMS in Chicago has one as well. I assume you are in the Ft Wayne area, so Burchur's is probably your best bet.

 

Should I assume that using an existing modified WRX Map as a starting point for my 2004 XT that I should look for one for a 2006 and up model since that is when they upgraded to the 2.5 block?

 

For some reason, I remember the 06 WRX maps were a bit different in some way. My buddy has a stage 2 map from xpt on his 06 WRX TR. I will take a look at his map and get back to you on this one.

 

The '06 FXT maps use a different WGDC from earlier ones. Why I am not sure. In general, you can use the WRX/STi maps as a starting point, but you need to know the differences between the cars. And you need to use the one that matches yoru setup! A VF39 FXT would be closer to an STi than the WRX. For example, if the boost control is not exactly the same, you would have differences on the WGDC settings - in at least two maps.

Since you have an '04, I am guessing that your ECU is '04, and that is where I would start - but it depends on a lot of things in your car, including pill size, etc.

 

Do we have to connect the green connectors under the dash to upload our ECU? I registered with ecuflash but I can't find FXT on the list of supported ECUs. Anyone else having problems or is it just me

 

For reading or flashing you need to connect the green connectors.
I'd recommend first just trying to copy to your laptop the rom that's on your ECU for starters.

What version of ecuflash are you using the latest (1.34?)
Looking at the vehicle support list shows the FXT's from here

here's a good guide for connecting
ConnectingToYourECU#toc4
here's a good guide for ecuflash (work in progress)
EcuFlashUserGuide

I perfer to use romraider for map examination/editing and ecuflash for flashing.

dm

 

For anyone that's having problems reading from the ROM, my green connectors were behind the passenger side kick panel...

 

Thanks everyone, I got it working last night. I needed to reinstall Ecuflash.