tuning a gen 1

[turbo970]

is it possible to tune our gen 1 subies? i'm thinking of getting the grimmspeed ebc til i can get some good upgrades but they say to tune after install

[macipusy]

Best thing I have ever done to my gen 1 turbo...standalone ECU! Everything else is a band aid solution...IMHO (not familiar with Rob Tune that much, so I can't comment on that)

It runs better then it ever did, even in stock form. No more idle issues, no stumbling or hesitation, tuning and retuning not a problem, running flex fuel possible....the list can go on.

[Legacy777]

Go with a Robtune or stand alone. As Maciek mentioned, the stand alone does run the engine much better than the original ECU ever did.

However, I am somewhat familar with the Robtune, and would recommend that over the stand alone. Unless you have a lot of money and a lot of time, the Robtune is a much better solution. I've got quite a bit more money and time into my stand alone than if I would have gotten a Robtune. However, when I decided to go stand alone, the Robtune wasn't available for the first gen Legacy.

The stand alone will give you more flexibility and options, but as mentioned it does come at a cost....one for the ECU and wiring it up, and for the tuning, and subsequent tuning when you change stuff.

[turbo970]

can i run that grimmspeed ebc on the stock ecu

[James614]

You can run an EBC/MBC on the stock ECU. Just don't go over I think it's 13psi on the stock ECU/fuel system.

[Thesubielover]

Where can I get a stand alone? Still considering rob tune for the 440 injectors

[turbo970]

cool. from what i heard about them it will bump the boost to a solid 11psi. but i'm in no rush to get one because the car still in the trans shop

[Legacy777]

There are several different stand alone ECU's. I'm running a Link ECU, Haltech makes a stand alone, and there are several others out there. I decided to go with the Link due to their features and also the fact that their roots are in Subaru so crank triggers and all that stuff work very reliably.

Personally....I'd recommend gettting the Robtune.

[kimokalihi]

You can run an EBC/MBC on the stock ECU. Just don't go over I think it's 13psi on the stock ECU/fuel system.

You cannot run the grimmspeed ebc as it is made for obd2 and your obd1 ecu won't be able to use it.

[mike-tracy]

Theres some acronym confusion in this thread:
EBC= Electronic Boost Controller
EBCS= Electronic Boost Control Solenoid


EBC will work on any car as it does not interface with the ECU or boost solenoids.
EBCS, specifically the grimspeed one is designed for 02+ wrx/sti's, and is tunable on their hardware. It is a 3 port BCS (boost control solenoid) just like what we got stock. IIRC 02+ wrx all had 2 port bleed type solenoids which is inferior, hence the reason for the Grimspeed's EBCS as an upgrade.

[kimokalihi]

I realized he could possibly be talking about an electronic boost control unit but he mentioned grimmspeed and they don't make one they only have a plug and play solenoid for obd2.

[James614]

Whoops, didn't realize Grimmspeed only made the EBCS and not a generic EBC. A regular electronic boost controller will be a good deal more complicated to install as they involve an external controller being placed in the cabin somewhere, and they need a little wiring too.

I personally would recommend a good manual boost controller, they are far cheaper and the good ones like the Hallman Pro work great. And it's probably one of the easiest mods to install.