COBB Tuning Blog

COBB Tuning is proud to announce the immediate availability of our proprietary Speed Density (SD) tuning solution for all currently-supported 2.5L USDM turbocharged Subaru vehicles! This capability is available as a free update to our AccessTUNER Pro software and AccessPORT firmware. Our implementation of Speed Density adds our proprietary tuning logic to the factory ECU, enabling it to calculate load, ignition and fueling requirements using the engine’s manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, instead of the factory mass airflow (MAF) sensor. COBB Tuning’s exclusive Realtime tuning capabilities and Hybrid Logic (active switching between MAP and MAF based logic) make this a uniquely powerful and flexible engine management solution. Read on for more details about the work COBB Tuning is doing to make sure the AccessPORT is the most comprehensive OEM ECU tuning solution available for Subaru performance enthusiasts.

Why Speed Density
The most basic function of an engine control unit (ECU) is to measure airflow and its translation to engine load. Precise and consistent load calculations along with feedback from other critical sensors allow the ECU to accurately control ignition timing, variable camshafts, and fuel delivery. The most common way to measure load in modern vehicles is with a MAF sensor. Vehicles with stock engines and mild upgrades can utilize the MAF sensor with excellent overall results. However, in big-build and motorsports applications where power levels are extremely high and intake airflow configurations are less standardized, the use of a MAF sensor can be limiting.

Speed Density tuning using the Subaru factory ECU is a major break-through for high-power Subaru builds. High-power builds using the OEM MAF sensor require very large MAF intake housings to keep the MAF sensor within its usable range, which introduces reduced resolution and unpredictable turbulence that can affect tunability and drivability. Eliminating the need for a very large, high-quality MAF intake housing using Speed Density tuning logic allows for more flexibility when designing a turbo kit and the associated piping and plumbing. Speed Density tuning gives precise control over fueling, timing and other critical tuning components necessary to properly calibrate the vehicle at the very high power levels that today’s big Subaru builds are capable of producing.

Hybrid Logic – Ultimate Flexibility
The Speed Density update for AccessTUNER Pro software offers multiple ECU control modes to give the professional tuner and AccessPORT user a wider choice of engine modifications and tuning options. The software can program the ECU to run in the traditional pure MAF mode, a pure “Speed Density” mode, or a Hybrid Mode which uses both MAF and “Speed Density” with dynamic logic switching between the two.

Ease of Conversion
In order to make the transition to Speed Density as painless as possible, COBB Tuning has streamlined the process within the AccessTUNER software. Simply open an existing MAF-based calibration using the new Speed Density enabled software and resave the map. All of the tables from the MAF-based calibration will be loaded into the Speed Density based calibration. You are now ready to start tuning the Volumetric Efficiency (VE) table without the need of starting a new calibration from scratch!

Proven Performance
COBB Tuning’s Speed Density for 2.5L Subarus has already proven capable of tuning big-power Subaru engines. The LIC Motorsports 2004 Subaru STI Time Attack race car claimed the Modified AWD class victory and set a new Modified AWD class record at the Infineon Raceway Global Time Attack 2011 season finale using the AccessPORT and Speed Density tuning. More information about this performance and in-car action can be seen HERE.

Speed Density Availability
This initial release of Speed Density is available for professional tuning shops using AccessTUNER Pro software for turbocharged Subaru USDM vehicles. Speed Density for AccessTUNER Race is currently in development and will be made available to self-tuners once development and testing is completed. “Off-The-Shelf” maps will not be made available for Speed Density as custom calibration specific to each vehicle is required.

Currently, the following USDM 2.5L turbocharged Subaru vehicles are supported:

• 2008-2012 STI
• 2004-2007 STI
• 2008-2012 WRX
• 2006-2007 WRX
• 2007-2011 Forester XT
• 2004-2006 Forester XT
• 2007-2011 Legacy GT
• 2005-2006 Legacy GT
• 2009 Impreza GT / 2.5GT

We are in the process of investigating the feasibility of implementing Speed Density on 2.0L turbocharged Subaru vehicles. More information on this will be available soon.

To have your vehicle tuned using Speed Density logic, simply follow these steps:

• Contact your preferred ProTUNER, confirm they have the latest Speed Density enabled AccessTUNER Pro software and schedule a Speed Density dyno-tune appointment with them.
• Update your AccessPORT firmware to version 1.6.4.0-3162 (or later) prior to your scheduled tuning appointment. To update your firmware follow this Step-By-Step AccessPORT Firmware Update Tutorial.

It took us quite a bit longer than anticipated to develop Speed Density for all USDM 2.5L turbocharged Subaru vehicles, but now that it is complete, we are very excited about this release. We have combined our proprietary Speed Density logic with the flexibility of Hybrid Mode dynamic logic switching, the convenience of the AccessPORT’s Realtime tuning capabilities and the sophistication inherent in the factory ECU, bringing a powerful and unique solution to meet a large and long-standing demand in the Subaru enthusiast community. We would like to thank you for your patience and want to hear your feedback regarding Speed Density on your Subaru!

To learn more about our implementation of Speed Density, please download the Subaru 2.5L Speed Density Tuning Guide. If you are interested in becoming a new Subaru ProTUNER capable of tuning customer vehicles with Speed Density, please give us a call at 866-922-3059.

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COBB Tuning is proud to announce the release of our latest addition to our line of Subaru performance parts: The COBB Tuning Catless Uppipe. These kits are made for the Subaru enthusiast looking to unlock the hidden power in their vehicle’s exhaust manifold.

The COBB Tuning Catless Uppipe is constructed of rugged, 14-gauge,  2-inch diameter polished stainless steel tubing to endure the intense exhaust gas temperatures these turbocharged engines put out. These Catless Uppipes are CNC mandrel bent, ensuring precise and consistent fitment. The Catless Uppipe inlet diameter matches the inner diameter of the gasket to maximize flow to the turbo. The extra-thick flanges are cut from 1/2″ 304 Stainless Steel to prevent warping and eliminate high pressure exhaust leaks. The five turbo-flange studs come pre-installed. This gorgeous Uppipe is built to last for many long years of service.

Does your 2002-2005 WRX, Forester XT or Legacy GT still have the stock uppipe with wound metal cat? Get rid of it and install a high-quality COBB Tuning Catless Uppipe! The factory metal cat is a known failure point and can melt and break apart causing catastrophic turbocharger damage. Additionally, the stock uppipe is restrictive and can inhibit spool-up. Our units feature a 2-inch pipe and are made of T-304 stainless steel and are compatible with all stock-location turbochargers and stock exhaust manifolds or stock fitment header systems. Bring your Subaru up to date and enjoy the benefits of a free-flowing uppipe today!

The COBB Tuning Catless Uppipe is available for all late-model turbocharged Subarus (does not include 2010+ Legacy GT). For more information, visit the COBB Tuning 2-inch Uppipe Product information page.

Stay tuned for more COBB Tuning parts for your Subaru, visit our website at COBB Tuning.com, visit the COBB Tuning Forums or call us at 866-922-3059. To join in on the COBB Tuning conversation, head over to our COBB Tuning Facebook page and click the LIKE button to stay plugged in, or follow us on Twitter!

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COBB Tuning is happy to announce the return of the COBB Tuning Double-Adjustable Short Shifter for Subaru 5-speed and 6-speed applications. These shifters are made of light-weight, high-quality aluminum and hard-anodized steel and will greatly improve shifting feel while reducing shifter throw for more precise shifting.

A shorter shifter does not mean losing shifter height! COBB Tuning short-throw shifters are double-adjustable for both throw and shifter height. Most short throw shifters also shorten the shift lever, resulting in a longer reach to the shifter. But with COBB’s exclusive double-adjustable shifter, you can shorten the shifter throw while maintaining your shift lever at the stock height for faster shifting, without the extra reach!

The COBB Tuning double adjustable shifter is constructed of a billet, blue-anodized 6061 T6 Aluminum adjustable shift lever clamp with COBB Tuning engraving and zinc-coated black, steel upper and lower levers and ball joint for maximum strength and longevity. All hardware required for installation is included as well as allen-keys for adjusting your shifter.

The COBB Tuning double adjustable short shifter is available for 99-2001 Impreza, 2002-2007 WRX, 2008-2011 WRX, 2004-2007 STI, 2008-2011 STI, 2005-2009 Legacy GT, 2006-2009 Legacy SpecB and 2004-2005 Forester XT. All COBB Tuning short throw shifter kits are compatible with COBB Tuning’s 5-speed and 6-speed shifter bushing kits and rear shifter stay bushing kit and 5-speed and 6-speed shift knobs. Complete your shifter kit with these high-quality shift linkage parts and never miss another shift!

For more information on the COBB Tuning Double Adjustable Short-Throw Shifter, visit the 5-speed and 6-Speed product information pages. Stay tuned for more COBB Tuning parts for your Subaru, visit our website at COBB Tuning.com, visit the COBB Tuning Forums or call us at 866-922-3059. To join in on the COBB Tuning conversation, head over to our COBB Tuning Facebook page and click the LIKE button to stay plugged in, or follow us on Twitter!

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COBB Tuning is happy to announce more billet parts for your Subaru engine bay; our Battery Tie Downs are back in Black, Gold and COBB Tuning Blue and constructed of 6061 T6 Aluminum. Replace your factory stamped-steel tie down with this stylish piece, that not only looks good, but won’t rust, flake or crack like the stock galvanized strap.

The COBB Tuning Battery Tie Down is available for all Subaru applications and can be used on older models as well. These units were designed with the factory battery in mind, but can be made to work with aftermarket lightweight or dry-cell batteries.

For more information on the COBB Tuning Billet Battery Tie Down, visit our Product Information Page. Stay tuned for more COBB Tuning reissue parts for your Subaru, visit our website at COBB Tuning.com, visit the COBB Tuning Forums or call us at 866-922-3059. To join in on the COBB Tuning conversation, head over to our COBB Tuning Facebook page and click the LIKE button to stay plugged in, or follow us on Twitter!

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COBB Tuning is happy to announce addition of a new color of our popular, billet aluminum Lightweight Main Pulley for all EJ-series Subaru engines. Black anodized pulleys are now available in addition to Gold and COBB Blue. These pulleys are lightweight and extremely durable, made from anodized billet 6061-T6 aluminum taking unwanted, power-robbing rotational mass off of your crank, freeing up horsepower and letting the engine rev more freely.

The stock crank pulley is not solid, but is made of two sections held together by soft rubber. Over time, this rubber can become brittle and the pulley can separate. When this happens, catastrophic engine damage may occur. That is why COBB Tuning retail stores include a billet Lightweight Main Pulley with every new engine build.

The COBB Tuning Billet Main Pulley is compatible with 2002-2011 WRX, 2004-2011 STI, 2005-2009 Legacy GT, 2005-2009 Outback XT and 2004-2011 Forester XT, but it will also fit older EJ-series engines as well. The COBB Lightweight Main Pulley is available from all COBB Tuning retail stores and dealers in COBB Blue, Gold and now, Black. Stay tuned for other COBB Tuning billet engine accessories in matching colors to round out your engine bay!

For more information on the COBB Tuning Lightweight Main Pulley, visit our Product Information Page. Stay tuned for more COBB Tuning reissue parts for your Subaru, visit our website at COBB Tuning.com, visit the COBB Tuning Forums or call us at 866-922-3059. To join in on the COBB Tuning conversation, head over to our COBB Tuning Facebook page and click the LIKE button to stay plugged in, or follow us on Twitter!

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COBB Tuning is happy to announce the re-release of our popular billet aluminum Oil Cap for All Subaru vehicles. These rugged and handsome pieces bring a bit of bling to your engine bay with a selection of colors. Available in COBB Blue, Gold and now Black, these billet oil caps will keep oil in your engine with a bit of style. The stock oil cap will get brittle and discolored over time, but our anodized pieces will keep their color and their style for years to come!

For more information on the COBB Tuning Billet Aluminum Oil Cap, visit our Product Information Page. Stay tuned for more COBB Tuning reissue parts for your Subaru, visit our website at COBB Tuning.com, visit the COBB Tuning Forums or call us at 866-922-3059. To join in on the COBB Tuning conversation, head over to our COBB Tuning Facebook page and click the LIKE button to stay plugged in, or follow us on Twitter!

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COBB Tuning is pleased to announce the return of our popular shifter bushing kits for Subaru 5-Speed and 6-Speed transmissions. COBB Tuning shifter bushing kits are direct replacements for the soft rubber OEM bushings and greatly improve shifting feel for faster, more positive shifting. The COBB Tuning shifter bushings are made from high-quality, high-durometer urethane and come with everything needed to install with simple hand tools. These bushings are compatible with all factory shifters and aftermarket short shifters that are direct OEM replacements.

5-Speed Front Shifter Bushing

6-Speed Front Shifter Bushing

Rear Shifter Stay Bushing

Bushings for Older Subarus

Do you own an older 5-speed Legacy or Impreza? Is your shifter sloppy, imprecise or just plain worn out? The COBB Tuning 5-Speed shifter bushing kit is a great way to improve your shifting feel or just get it back to where it should be. Our front and rear bushing kit will fit most transmissions starting with the 1st generation Legacy and Imprezas. Don’t settle for poor shifting because you have an older car, update you bushings and make your car shift like new.

For more information on shifter bushings for your Subaru, visit our website at COBB Tuning.com, visit the COBB Tuning Forums or call us at 866-922-3059. To join in on the COBB Tuning conversation, head over to our COBB Tuning Facebook page and click the LIKE button to stay plugged in, or follow us on Twitter!

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This year was COBB Tuning’s second time out at Wicked Big Meet, and we decided to show a larger presence to better support the Subaru community. Wicked Big Meet is the largest all-Subaru meet on the East Coast, so I knew it would be a ton of fun. We also planned to cruise the East Coast and visit as many of our dealers as possible to get a feel for how the right coast does it.

But just getting from Austin to NY can be a challenge, especially for a few small town boys visiting the Big Apple for the first time! An early morning flight out of Austin to Detroit to LaGuardia got Braden Berger, Lance Lucas and me into New York in the early afternoon. We very quickly learned about New York traffic as we were sitting in it for an hour or two on our way to our first stop: Vinny Ten Racing.

Vinny graciously welcomed us to his shop with hot Italian food (chicken parm) waiting for us. He has a great staff on hand in a well-kept facility. Braden spent the afternoon and early evening training tuners Vinny and Steve on MAZDASPEED while Lance and I mingled with the staff and got an idea of their work-flow and how they use our products. After a long day we decided to start the quest for New York pizza. After another hour or so in traffic, as well as leaving our car in a questionable “parking garage”, we made it to Lombardi’s for their famous pizza. The food was fantastic! After that we drove around and saw some of the sights New York had to offer: Central park, Twin Towers memorial site, Wall Street, and Times Square. Time didn’t permit us to spend a lot of time at any specific location, but it was an experience that left us all wanting to come back to New York just to see the city.

The second day we met with No Limit Motorsports and Dave at MSPT. Dave showed us around his new facility, including some great customer builds that were in progress. He is getting setup to do some great work for customers using the AccessPORT for tuning. After MSPT it was back to Vinny Ten to tune an EVO X. Lance spent the early evening with Vinny and Steve teaching tuning on EVO X while Braden and I chatted with the staff and customers that were arriving for a meet Vinny was holding that evening. We all stuck around for the Vinny Ten meet and met some very enthusiastic AccessPORT customers with both MAZDASPEEDs and GT-Rs. After the meet we met up with Dave at MSPT where he very graciously took us out for some amazing food which included awesome steak and “bacon slabs”. We were able to have some great conversations with Dave about the market and feedback on our products.

On the third day we were up bright and early to take a prop plane (the vomit master 2000) into Bradley airport. From there we met with Paul at ECS and got a tour of his great facility. Paul had a lot of very nice and very big builds ranging from Subaru, to GTR, to Ford Mustang. We spent the majority of the day there training GT-R software with Paul and I spent a good amount of time working with him on some software issues he had as well as a lot of great feedback. We had planned on a MAZDASPEED Demo but were short on time. We are scheduling a followup to get him trained on the MAZDASPEED platform as we speak. After that we headed over to see Chris at EFI Logics to check out the shop and go out for dinner.

There was some pretty incredible rain happening that caused a rollover on the freeway which resulted in more traffic. Four hours later we made it to EFI. EFI has a top notch crew and have built an amazing shop out of what started as a temporary location. They had a variety of customer builds they were working on while we were there that were all drool worthy. EFI showed us their east coast hospitality by having us out for dinner with their crew which was a great time. After that we were headed back to the hotel for our precious few hours of sleep.

An early morning saw us arriving to Wicked Big Meet at 7:30 and we had planned to set up right away, but we had to wait a bit for our gear to arrive. The event officially kicked off at 10am but we found our booth slammed starting at about 9am. From 9am to 4pm our booth had a line of anxious customers at it the entire time that kept us busy! We had a mix of people who had never heard of our product, people on the fence ready to purchase our product, and people with our products that wanted to stop by and say hi! It was a great experience to meet all of these enthusiasts at this great event.

We talked to so many people that were blown away by our products and service. We had a few customers name Ian and Chris Haag specifically as customer service advocates that have made them loyal customers. On top of the sales aspect we were able to meet with several customers and sit down to discuss technical questions and issues they were having as well as diagnosing and swapping out a bad OBD-II cable for one customer who left ecstatic. We had the good fortune to have some of our vendors come and meet with us at our booth (as we couldn’t find a way to escape our booth until after 4pm!) and spend time with us giving us great feedback and having some great discussions about our market and products. After 4pm me and Lance made some rounds visiting some other Vendors, while Braden bravely held down the fort.

Chris at EFI showed us a great time at an amazing burger restaurant where I met my true love…. the Fatty Melt. The Fatty Melt is a 1/2 burger put between two grilled cheese sandwiches that acted as buns! After dinner we headed back to the hotel to try to organize all of our stuff to return back to Austin. Three hours of sleep later we headed home, looking forward to returning to Wicked Big Meet next year!

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This summer, the COBB Tuning Surgeline crew has just been slammed with cars. It seems like every day there are throngs of people in the shop and we have kept ourselves incredibly busy just doing what we do best, building fast cars! However, I was looking forward to an opportunity to break out of the four walls of the shop and get out into the world and see all of these cars being enjoyed in the wild. The BIG NW Subaru show gave us a chance to get out there and have some fun with our customers and friends and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

I love being out into the world and gathering together with the community. Subaru has always been “my home” in the car world and so it’s good to get back my roots. I helped organize the first ever Subiefest at Pacific Raceways almost half a decade ago, so going back to Pacific for the Big NW Subaru meet is like going home in some ways.

The show was very laid back, letting Lance, Linc, Geoff, Nick and I talk with all the friendly faces that stopped by the booth, as well as let us stroll around and talk with friends and colleagues that we don’t normally get to see!

The show was a good chance for us to see what everyone in the NW is doing with their cars. I personally liked the BG Legacy wagon with the 240SX drif body kit and RWD conversion, but that is just because I am a ricer at heart. Then again, I did love Jamie “SubieGal’s” Subaru 360 van. I don’t know if I would drive one on the freeway, but maybe a small back road to the coast… maybe.

While this event was more of a field meet and not a “driving” event, there was an autocross and I got to see a few people attack the cones. While it wasn’t a Subaru, the Merkur X4RTi with anti-lag was good fun to watch as it spat fireballs across the parking lot.

Of course, having Yukio “Yukes” Taira on the mic doing the announcing made the show complete. Yukio is one of the announcers for the Redline Time Attack series, and after listening to him and John, “Nads”, Naderie banter on and on for hours and hours at event after event last summer, it felt oddly comfortable to have Yukes’ silver tongue in my ear again. I don’t really know what he was talking about for 8 hours non-stop, but that velvety drone is somehow musical to me now.

At the end of the day, the Big NW Subaru Show was a huge success and a chance for us to see our friends up north that we don’t get to see too often! There needs to be more get-togethers like this in the Northwest and I can’t wait for Big NW Subaru show part 2, next year! Also, congratulations to Patrick Jo for winning a COBB Tuning downpipe in the raffle! And special thanks to Brett Michael, Brant Proden, Gamma Aguilar-Gamez and Matt Kincaid for lending us their cars and helping represent COBB Tuning!

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Subaru AccessTUNER Race and Pro software just received a 3D graphing facelift in the latest release, version 1.9.1.0-2236. Both solid and wire 3D graphing styles have been improved. Solid 3D graphing is enhanced with a grid overlay and more intuitive color gradient. Wire 3D graphing is improved with finer wire drawing and higher contrast colors that are easier to view.

Here are some before and after examples of 3D graphing in the Subaru AccessTUNER software:

To take advantage of these 3D graphing improvements, simply open AccessTUNER and click on Help > Updates > Check For Updates. Your Subaru AccessTUNER software will be automatically updated. If your version of AccessTUNER is old and does not have the built-in Update feature, please fill out the AccessTUNER Race request form and a link for your software download will be emailed to you.

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