COBB Tuning Blog

At COBB Tuning, we like to go fast. We like it even more when tuners and race teams use the tools that we create to increase the performance of their racecars in head to head competition! In an effort to showcase AccessPORT tuners and teams who use their AccessPORTs to get around the track faster than everybody else, we bring you the AccessPORT Racer Spotlight!

The last round of the Redline Time Attack at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., saw some fierce competition at all levels. While the big budgets and huge horsepower of the Unlimited Class wow the crowd with their outright speed, the compeition in the Street Class is fierce and close as the cars are closer in specification, and the drivers are ravenous for first place.

Stephen Ruiz in the GMG Racing, Stoptech EVO X GSR, was continually near the top of the podium this year. His 2008 GSR runs in the S-Street AWD Class, which is a sort of “modified” street class. Stephen not only drives this car, but he is also a COBB Tuning ProTuner. After finishing third at the Superlap Battle at WillowSprings and suffering mechanical issues with his clutches and wastegate in his direct bolt on Garrett 3076 turbocharger, the team was eager to get back on track and prove their mettle. “After superlap battle where we finished 3rd in the AWD class, we spent Thursday and Friday putting the car back together,” said Stephen. “ We got done around 11pm and headed for the track. During the the first morning practice session, we were sitting in 1st but got edged out at the last minute by Reese tuning in their EVO 9.”

For the rest of the weekend, the team concentrated on suspension setup and tire pressures and tried to chase down the EVO 9 which was running a bigger turbo and a bit more power, which can be key at California Speedway’s high-speed oval section. “We just did suspension tuning and tire pressures and did a very good 1:49,” said Stephen.”That was good enough for second and we are happy with that. The car ran 25-minute practice sessions without issues. No changes to the tune were needed. We did not touch the motor, just checked datalog info and everything was cool.”

Steve and the team will be back next year to contest both SuperLap Battle and Redline Time Attack. Contact GMG Racing for details on race preparation and tuning for your own track or street car.

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The Nissan GT-R is the newest and arguably the most cutting-edge addition to the import-tuning community and Time Attack. With over 400hp on tap from the factory, a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and a quick-shifting F1-style gearbox, it is hard to imagine a car more suited to motorsport competition. The last round of the Redline Time Attack at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., saw several teams choosing the GT-R as their track-weapon-of-choice, including Sharif Abdelbaset, head tuner and owner of Forged Performance in Marietta, Ga.

“Competition out west was far greater than anything I have seen thus far, but we were able to finish 2/10 seconds behind Mike Cronin Jr. in the Fontana Nissan GT-R,” said Sharif. “Once again the Forged Performance GT-R performed flawlessly and encountered no problems. What’s even more remarkable is this was my first time laying eyes on Autoclub Speedway and the very intimidating Turn 1 and Turn 2 banked oval section where I saw speeds exceeding 170mph.”

“The car ran beautifully all weekend long with a Forged Spec Cobb AccessPORT calibration,” said Sharif. “The Willall transmission cooler and fluids, along with the JRZ triple coilovers allowed us to push harder than ever. The addition of the Aeromotions R2 Active rear wing helped shave nearly a second off Saturday’s practice times which were run without active aero. All of the fast track GT-Rs are running this type of wing, and it’s proven incredibly effective.”

The team would like to thank our sponsors for 2009: JRZ Suspension, Toyo Tires, HKS,Willall Racing, Volk Racing, AP Racing, Cobb Tuning, CBRD, Aeromotions, and NAGTROC.ORG

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The Unlimited Class is the pinnacle of Time Attack competition. Big power, big budgets and high of speed combine to make this class the most exciting racing in the Redline Time Attack series. The GT-R is a natural choice for this, the highest level of competition and the GOTO:Racing team decided if they were to go racing with Nissan’s Supercar, this was the place to be. Starting with a bone-stock 2009 GT-R, the team stripped the car down to a bare chassis, and then built it back up to be a hugely powerful racing machine that is still run on the stock ECU and tuned with the COBB Tuning AccessPORT.

the GOTO:Racing GT-R driven by Brian Lock shows the tuning world that even with huge amounts of horsepower, just under 800whp in this case, the COBB Tuning AccessPORT is the best way to make reliable power lap after lap. With larger turbos and injectors and a turboback exhaust system, the GOTO:Racing GT-R was able to make 787whp on the HBSpeed dyno with COBB Tuning Surgeline’s Tim Bailey and HBSpeed’s Jon Drenas, doing the tuning. The Unlimited Class is the top level of Time Attack with the rules allowing unrestricted engine and chassis modifications, slick racing tires and aerodynamic aids. Brian drove the COBB Tuning-sponsored GT-R to a third place position in the Unlimited AWD class, as well as a second place position in the Grande Finale wheel to wheel race.

The AccessPORT continues to show itself as a race-proven product that has the ability to power competitors to the top of the podium. COBB Tuning is committed to excellence and performance for both racecars and street cars. Visit COBB Tuning today and see what the AccessPORT can do for your car!

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The GT-R has been touted as the greatest car of this decade, and at the hands of an experienced driver with the right modifications, it can be a fearsome racer. Mike Cronin Jr., who some of you might remember from our trip to Spring Mountain Raceway for the Top Gear Tuner expose, is also competing in the Redline Time Attack in the Modified AWD Class. With some properly-chosen modifications, bolstered cooling and braking capabilities and a COBB AccessPORT, Mike was able to take 2nd in the Modified AWD Class at the final round of the Redline Time Attack.

Mike’s car, which is run and Sponsored by Fontana Nissan, is tuned by Jon Drenas at HB Speed in Huntington Beach, California.

This car features simple engine performance upgrades like a turbo-back exhaust and an E-Tune from HBSpeed. Jon was able to extract very impressive performance from a car that has yet to see a dyno. Jon has helped with datalog analysis trackside at the events to ensure that the Fontana Nissan GT-R is running optimally, and did so flawlessly throughout the weekend. Mike was the fastest GTR in the Modified AWD class with a blazing lap of 1:44.730 in the Time Attack session. That time held up for 2nd overall in Modified AWD. We will see Mike and Fontana back again next year for the 2010 season, and hopefully see him on top of the podium.

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COBB Tuning is pleased to announce the availability of Nissan GT-R AccessPORT mapping version 2.00, which includes the long awaited COBB Proportional Gain Boost Control Logic. Proportional Gain Boost is a more simple and elegant RPM dependant boost control system and offers a great leap forward in Nissan R-35 performance. This new method of boost control has been responsible for many recent impressive GT-R racing accomplishments, including a 787whp time attack racer and a slightly modified daily-driven 10 second quarter-mile weekend warrior.

New v2.00 Off-The-Shelf Stage1 and Stage2 maps are available for download from the Nissan GT-R AccessPORT Map Database. For the first time, Cobb Tuning is offering specific maps for each major world market, including: Australia, East Asia, Europe, Gulf Spec, JDM, South Africa and USDM. To accommodate global fuel variances, every map in each region is available for 91, 93 and 100 octane as well as 95, 97 and 102 RON.

The new Nissan GT-R AccessTUNER Pro tuning software using the new COBB Proportional Gain Boost Control is nearing completion and will be released to professional tuners in the near future (currently available as beta). The AccessTUNER Pro GT-R software offers several new enhancements in addition to the new boost control system that will assist professional tuners in maximizing GT-R power output, including: knock sum, manifold absolute pressure (relative pressure), pre-turbocharger pressure (right and left banks), short term and long term fuel trims (left and right banks), injector duty cycle and pulse width, refined fuel tables, access to tune proportional gain boost control system and refined ignition tables as starting points in v2.00 mapping.

COBB Tuning is dedicated to bringing the most comprehensive tuning solution to Nissan GT-R tuning enthusiasts and continues to lead the way with innovative engineering, advanced OEM ECU control and global vehicle compatibility. Install a COBB AccessPORT on your Nissan GT-R and experience a whole new level of obscene performance with the push of a button.

Happy Holidays!

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If you have a GT-R and you crave unparalleled performance and speed, then you must have an AccessPORT. This time slip comes from one of our AccessPORT E-Tune customers (Jason from Florida) who simply installed an AccessPORT onto his GT-R along with a custom tune from COBB Tuning SurgeLine. The results are incredible and would almost be unbelieveable, a 10.95-second ET at 126mph, except he has the tell-all timeslip to prove it. With a monster 60′ time and an even more monstrous MPH, this GT-R proves that the AccessPORT is bar-none, the only engine management you need to be seriously fast! Congratulations to Jason for excellent driving.

The starting point for Jason’s custom E-Tune was the new v2.0 GTR mapping which includes COBB’s elegant proportional gain boost control system.

If you’d like to tune up the performance on your GTR with a custom tuned map from COBB Tuning SurgeLine simply fill out there tune request form here: http://surgeline.cobbtuning.com/maprequest.php

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The AccessPORT Challenge continues to be a huge success with all kinds of different enthusiasts deciding to step up to the COBB Tuning AccessPORT. Several, like Todd Williard and his STI, decided to put his Open Source tune up against the AccessPORT and the tuning skills of our ProTuners!

Todd accepted the challenge at our COBB Tuning Surgeline location with head tuner, Tim Bailey, working his magic with AccessTUNER Pro. Todd came in with an Open Source tune on a standard stage 2 setup with a methanol injection kit. His baseline pull showed a respectable 240whp and 280lb/ft of torque but running a very rich 10:1 AFR. Tim knew he could not only improve the power of the STI, but also lean out the mixture a bit, making for better fuel economy.

With the AccessPORT ProTune by Tim Bailey, the car was able to make 320lb/ft of torque and 280whp at 18psi! With the boost turned up to 21 psi, power was increased to 350lb/ft of torque and 290whp at a leaner, but still very safe AFR.

The results are undeniable, with competent tuning and the AccessPORT, Todd now has a much more powerful car that is not only more fun to drive, but is safer for the engine and more economical. Take your own AccessPORT Challenge today at COBB Tuning or visit one of our Premier Tuning facilities for more details on how you can make more power, with the AccessPORT!

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Introducing the COBB 3″ Stainless Steel Cat-back Exhaust for the 2008 and newer Subaru STI. This much anticipated exhaust uses a unique straight-through muffler section rather than common chambered designs, which minimizes tubing bends, reduces back-pressure and keeps sound output below SAE standards. The outstanding craftsmanship and attention to detail are evident in every aspect of this cat-back.

Exhaust gasses are guided through 3-inch diameter tubing into the center inlet of the fully-24-inch wide muffler section. Internal to the muffler, the exhaust gasses pass through a reversed Y merge, efficiently splitting the exhaust into separate muffling chambers on each side of the canister. 2.5-inch outlets emerge symmetrically from each side of the canister and direct the exhaust out the rear through quad polished exhaust tips. This straight-through exhaust design is much more effective at reducing exhaust back-pressure as can be seen in the illustrations below:

304 stainless steel is used throughout the exhaust construction. All components are meticulously TIG welded for outstanding appearance and strength. Four custom exhaust tips fill the factory bumper cut-outs perfectly, protruding just enough to show off the COBB logos etched into the top of each polished tip. Perfect fitment is achieved with either the Subaru factory downpipe or the COBB 3” SS Downpipe.

The COBB 3″ SS Cat-back Exhaust for the 2008+ Subaru STI is a triumph in design and execution. Install the COBB 3″ SS Cat-back Exhaust on your STI and experience performance like no other.

COBB 3” SS Cat-back: Straight-through optimum flow design 304 stainless throughout TIG welded Direct replacement for OEM Quad polished tips Fits stock downpipe Fits COBB 3″ SS Downpipe Hardware included

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COBB Tuning is seeking candidates to participate in a Launch Control and Flat Foot Shift beta test for all manual transmission turbo Subaru models supported by the AccessPORT.

Launch Control allows the user to set the RPM the ECU will hold the engine at while the clutch is depressed and the throttle is held wide open. This will build some boost pressure, providing more power at launch and make it easier for the driver to manage a performance launch.

Flat Foot Shift allows the user to set the RPM the ECU will hold between upshifts while the clutch is depressed and the throttle is held wide open. This allows the driver to hold the throttle pedal to the floor between shifts and maintain partial boost during upshifting events.

This beta test applies to the following vehicles:
2004-2007 STI: AP-SUB-002 > LC & FFS
2008-2010 STI: AP-SUB-003 > LC & FFS
2002-2005 WRX: AP-SUB-001 > LC Only
2006-2007 WRX: AP-SUB-002 > LC & FFS
2008-2009 WRX: AP-SUB-003 > LC & FFS
2004-2006 Forester XT: AP-SUB-002 > LC & FFS
2007-2009 Forester XT: AP-SUB-003 > LC & FFS
2005-2006 Legacy GT: AP-SUB-002 > LC & FFS
2007-2009 Legacy GT: AP-SUB-003 > LC & FFS
2005-2006 Outback XT: AP-SUB-002 > LC & FFS
2007-2009 Outback XT: AP-SUB-003 > LC & FFS

Interested candidates should send an email to subaru.beta@cobbtuning.com with Subaru LC and FFS Beta Candidate as the email subject the following information information contained in the email message:

Full Name:
Address:
Are You Able to Visit the SLC, Plano or Portland Facility?: (Y/N) (COBB Tuning would like to test some additional vehicles first hand)
Vehicle Model Year:
Vehicle Model:
Transmission Type:
Current AccessPORT Map on ECU:
List of Power Modifications:

COBB Tuning will be selecting candidates to ensure adequate testing coverage across vehicle models and model years. Not all candidates will become beta testers, otherwise the beta test will become too large to be effectively managed. Once beta testing is complete, the LC and FFS features will be rolled out to the entire AccessPORT user community in an official firmware upgrade.

We are looking forward to bringing these features to Subaru tuning enthusiasts! Thank you for your continued support!

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COBB Tuning announces the immediate availability of the AccessPORT for the 2010 Subaru STI. The AccessPORT is the first hand-held device available for the 2010 STI that performs an ECU reflash through the vehicle’s OBDII port. Just plug it in, load the maps and go! Faster!

A firmware upgrade is available to update existing AP-SUB-003 AccessPORTS to function on the 2010 Subaru STI. Simply plug the AccessPORT into your computer, launch the AccessPORT Updater software to update the firmware. Off-The-Shelf maps are available for the 2010 Subaru STI in the Subaru AccessPORT Map Database.

Typical Performance Gains Stage 1: +12% HP and +19% TQ Stage 2: +15% HP and +24% TQ

The AccessPORT provides owners of 2010 Subaru STI vehicles the ability to unlock power hidden within the factory ECU. Performance gains across the entire powerband can be quickly realized in the short time it takes to flash the vehicle’s ECU with the AccessPORT. No tools are required. No additional “piggy-back” hardware. No mailing the factory ECU across the country. No vehicle downtime. No waiting. Just plug the AccessPORT in, flash the ECU and enjoy the thrill of increased torque and horsepower!

Flashing the ECU for increased performance is just the start of what the AccessPORT is capable of. Set the AccessPORT to Performance mode to capture 0-60MPH times, ¼ Mile times and Trap Speeds. Switch over to Live Data and choose a gauge to monitor, such as; coolant temperature, intake air temperature, throttle position, intake cam advance, exhaust cam retard, MAF voltage, injector pulse width and many more. Use the Troubleshooting mode to diagnose issues by reading the factory codes and resetting the system once the issues have been resolved.

The AccessPORT can be used to eliminate separation anxiety for those times you are away from your car. Protect your investment when out on the town by quickly loading the Valet map to prevent the engine from revving above
3,200 rpm. Load the Anti-Theft map when you park to make it impossible to start. And in the event the car must be returned to the stock configuration, the AccessPORT can be completely removed and the ECU restored to is factory condition.

The AccessPORT from COBB Tuning is the most comprehensive hand-held ECU flashing, monitoring and managing device available for the Subaru STI. Satisfy your hunger for more power. Access the Potential of your STI today!

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