motorbreath

I just finished an opensource e-tune a few weeks ago use RomRaider/TactrixOP for logging. I switched back to my usual gauges through through my aftermarket head unit through my iDatalink/Maestro. The "boost" measurements I am getting through this system and through Btssm/TactrixOP are quite different than what I was getting using RomRaider. I am seeing maximum boost in the low 20s, like 22-23psi, which is waaaay higher than I expected. With RomRaider I am seeing manifold relative pressure topping-out at 18.43psi, attached. I have also attached a plot of manifold absolute pressure from RomRaider. Am I completely missing something or am I doing something wrong with RomRaider and actually overboosting badly right now?

So I installed the missing front heat shield, it was really tricky! I had to remove the turbo oil pan and the coolant hard lines. The heat shield was slightly misformed, so getting the holes for the bolts lined up took me at least 20 minutes of fiddling. Anyway, it's done, I'll do the transmission mount next week.

Yeah, not many newer engines actually need 93. I think direct injection has reduced issues with knock compared to port injection. I have 93 available down the street, but whenever I leave the city where I live I have a hard time finding it, so I'm sticking with a 91 octane tune.

Just for future reference, you suggest OEM or is there another aftermarket that is better?

You have got to be kidding me.

I had these installed when I had the failed front subframe replaced, so far so good, very happy with how they are holding up.

OK, the I'll find the best price on a solid mount and while I'm under there I'll replace the "crossmember pad bushings", there is a Whiteline kit for that which is pretty affordable.

I think I am going to go with either the OEM or there are a few very affordable aftermarket ones from Rock Auto. I think I will need to do this soon, though, see how it affects the slop I am feeling, then replace engine mounts if there is not much improvement.

I just finished an open-source e-tune with Shinji Tuned, I have the Invidia catted j-pipe/down-pipe and Q300 cat-back exhaust. I also swapped in a lightly used stock turbo, aftermarket 3-port BCS, along with an aftermarket TMIC. I do not think there is much more top-end power, but my butt dyno feels a ton more mid-range. Attached is a plot of the boost pressure (psi) versus RPM for a 3rd gear WOT run (3k to redline). It is not from the final version of the tune, but the second to last one. Unfortunately I did not do any logging with the stock setup, but at 110k miles on the engine/turbo with a glitching wastegate actuator, that probably would not have been reflective of stock performance. Also, note that this tune is for 91 octane (AKI or (R+M)/2), getting 93 is not so easy in my area.

I think by lifetime they mean warranty duration... my family has two Outbacks with CVTs with well over 100k miles. Both have had dealer CVT fluid flushes at the 10 year mark, around 90k miles, both are still running relatively well. Knock on wood!

The front engine mount looks like it's easily replaceable, but the side mounts not so much... but after spending some time under the car I noticed that the transmission mount (41022AJ090) seems to be missing a stud. Picture attached, this might explain the slop I am feeling in the drivetrain, thoughts?

I already had the front subframe replaced due to rust-related failure, I'll probably need to do the same with the rear subframe. I think I'll get new bushings with the subframe and I think I can replace it myself to save $$$. Keeping these cars on the road is a whole different experience in the rust belt!

I'll have the heat shield and exhaust studs tomorrow, while I have the skid plate off installing these parts over the weekend I am going to inspect how difficult it is to replace all of the engine mounts and transmission ?bushings?. The open-source tune with Shinji Tuned is going VERY well, mid-range torque is much higher according to my butt dyno. However, I am feeling a bit of "slop" in the drivetrain that bothers me, so I think I mounts and bushings need to be replaced. Should I go aftermarket or OEM? Aftermarket engine mounts are available and Subaru wants $$$ for theirs. For the transmission bushings I do not think I have an option other than OEM.

Thanks to both of you for the information, I should have the missing heat shield by Monday. I also bought new exhaust manifold studs and nuts, I want to replace the existing ones that have the stud/nut fused together. I also have the third revision of the ECU firmware from Shinji Tuned, so I'll do some logging for that. After trying to figure out what DBW is from one of his emails, I found one of the most interesting posts I've ever read about Subaru's drive by wire system, https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1537010

Turns out this has the wrong adaptor for my fifth gen, but will work fine with forth gens. Tactrix 3-port boost control solenoid 40USD plus shipping I'll be is the USA the next two weekends, so I can ship without dealing with customs.

I found a Grimmspeed BCS for my fifth gen at a local tuner in stock. I wanted to get my e-tune started, so spent some $$$and didn't bother looking for an adapter for the Tactrix unit. Note, you will need two 1/8" to 1/4" couplers for the turbo and waste gate lines, in addition to the adapter plate to connect to the turbo intake. This was more of a PITA than I expected, but should help my tuner safely dual in more boost.

Just to confirm, I can drop the turbo sump without having to drain the oil, correct? I need to install this heat shield that I missed the first time around.

Last night I readjusted the position of the exhaust pipe under the transmission as suggested earlier in the thread, the knocking is gone now. Installed version 2 of the OS tune from Shinji Tuned and did some logging. Lots more torque from 3-4k compared to stock, which really improves the feel of the car. It's been about 3 months since I took it off the road to replace the turbo and j-pipe, it's good to have it back on the road!

I have a 2010 fifth gen, bought it with about 105k miles on it and got around to changing the timing belt, tensioner, and pulleys at 107k almost 10 years from its build date. The timing belt was still flexible with no cracking, but it had been skimmed of alot of rubber because one of the ?guides? had shifted and was digging into the belt. Was a real shock to pull the covers off an find tons of rubber shavings and I am pretty sure it skipped a tooth.

I got it installed, loaded the base map to the ECU, and did some logging! The base map felt great, more low end from 2500-3500!

Thanks! I found the Grimmspeed one at a local tuner, they have one in stock, so I am just going to go with that one so I can get it installed and start logging with my basemap.

I have not found anything through searching the forum on this, so I just want to put it in writing, if you are looking to upgrade to a 3-port BCS do not order the Tactrix unit. The harness adapter is not compatible with the fifth gen and 2015+ FA20 engines. Both Grimmspeed and Cobb sell units with the correct connector. See my build thread for pictures, if I can find a correct adapter I'll update this thread, otherwise I am going to buy the Grimmspeed unit (search "2015-21 WRX/FA20/2010-2012 LGT" on their website) and sell or give away my Tactrix unit to someone with a fourth gen LGT.

I have determined what the issue is from looking at 3-port BCSs made by Grimmspeed and Cobb. Taking Grimmspeed as an example, their BCS for 08-14 WRX, 05-09 LGT, 9-13 FXT has the same connector as was provided by Tactrix. However, their BCS for 2015-21 WRX/FA20/2010-2012 LGT has the same connector as my stock BCS. I have contacted Tactrix so that they can correct their website, I assume I am the only one to try to use a Tactrix BCS because they responded that this is the only connector for Subaru they have ever sold. So the question is, do I try to find or make a connector to use the Tactrix BCS that I have (saving $$$), or do I just order the Grimmspeed BCS that has the correct connector (spending $$$). I am not really a fan of Cobb, so I am not interested in their BCS, thus these are my two options. Until then, my favorite car is essentially a paperweight.

So I took some pictures for reference and also noted that the box from Tactrix indicates that this is the kit for the WRX 2015+/FA20 engine. When I purchased it there was no option to specify which engine, which is still the case on Tactrix's website. I have attached pictures, top pic is the plug from the engine harness and bottom pic is the plug from the provided adapter. The plug is too large and the alignment slot is centered on the harness plug, offset on the adaptor (to the right in the picture).

I was so excited, I got the BCS mounted in true "you might be redneck" fashion (see pic), but then I go to plug the adapter into the plug off the wiring harness and it does not fit!!! The Tactrix website only has one Subaru option, so I did not make a mistake, do fifth gens have a unique plug for the BCS?! The only thing I can think of is to buy a generic two prong plug to install, but I really was not expecting this...stuck at the very last step!