Getting ready for my first tune. standalone or piggyback?

[mx4life]

I have been gathering parts for a couple months now for my big tune. Now Im down to the question if I go Standalone or piggyback. I have a ROB tune ecu now but its not going to keep up with my next stage. aiming for 350AWHP. currently at 250.1 @ 15PSI. I need some opinions based on first hand experience with dyno tuning.

[wtdash]

HI,
If I may paraphrase what Josh/Legacy777 told me "just say No to piggybacks" and I'd have to agree after using a Greddy EMU. I suggest you spend the next month reading up on the standalones, and don't forget about the Megasquirt.

Also, the UK EJ20G had the Apexi PowerFC option in the UK (maybe Aussie, too) which may have more head room? But your limiting factor is the MAF, according to Rob (tune), so you'll need something that runs speed density/MAP-base or a bigger MAF such as the Nissan Z32, most likely.

EDIT: The most important part of either a piggyback or a standalone is the Tuner. Get references and make sure they've tuned your specific EM, not just 'yeah, I've seen those'.

GL,
TD

[dscoobydoo]

After reading all the bearing issues with the 20K, I am not sure I would try for 350whp. That and there is probably the least amount of tuning options for this engine.

The post above from wtdash has some good points.

Personally, since you are only at 15lbs, I would probably push for 18-20 and stop there. You will probably be a hair short of 300, but you will be better off financially.

Our swapped RS sits at 300 whp, and my STI is around 320. In am very happy with those numbers both for speed and MPG/ longevity

[Legacy777]

I agree with both posts above.

A piggy back would be a step backwards to what you have now, and a stand alone is a whole different ball game. Unless you've had one in the past, no matter how much someone tells you about it (positive & negative) there's always little things that come up that create headaches.

[mx4life]

After reading all the bearing issues with the 20K, I am not sure I would try for 350whp. That and there is probably the least amount of tuning options for this engine.

Personally, since you are only at 15lbs, I would probably push for 18-20 and stop there. You will probably be a hair short of 300, but you will be better off financially.

the bearing problems is due to the crappy oil pump that comes with the engine. I already upgraded to the larger 08 sti oil pump. found that on type-ra.com. Theres guys pushin out more than that on the stock 20k build.

Any good suggestions for a standalone? I heard megasquirt is hard to work with.

[subaru_styles]

PnP drop in standalone.... like a link or vipec

[mx4life]

Considering mega squirt.

[dscoobydoo]

You might consider that you answered your own question. Type-ra.com is where you found the oil pump issues, so you might consider the tuning from there also for some answers. Obviously the 20G tuning is Rob, and most people make the USDM harness work for a 207, but 20K is kind of out in no mans land. I would check type-ra.com as well as the Nasioc threads on tuning and pre-2002 turbo.

[Grayguy]

I have a used LINKecu standalone for sale in the classifieds here that is a damn good deal if I do say so myself

[mx4life]

I have a used LINKecu standalone for sale in the classifieds here that is a damn good deal if I do say so myself

Whats the link for the thread?

[Legacy777]

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=51313

[mx4life]

I am interested. how does it hook up? directly wire it in or does it come with plugs to my ECU plugs? Does it come with the software to put on my laptop?

[Grayguy]

Sorry I just got your pm a little while ago.

It wires directly in, it might be possible to make a connector for the stock harness using a sacrificed ecu but idk, I just cut my stock harness up. You can download the software for free froklm link's website.