Want advice on my tuning idea for the Dom 3

[ndubz]

I'll be doing the Blouch Dominator 3 sometime this summer along with supporting mods. Now everyone has been saying that with my setup my car will be in the near 400whp range. This is close to the limit of the stock internals, and Ive heard everything from "o you'll be fine" to "youve got about a year before you start loosing compression". One guy told be that he ran his 400whp Dom 3 sti for 2 years as a DD and had no problems. Other ppl been saying i'll need internals very soon after. I cant afford internals right now.

So, here's a possible solution i came up with. I have a Cobb AP V2. So i was thinkin, why not have 2 maps. I could have one map flashed permanently, one with say 340-360whp or so, and one that would be around 400awhp (w/e 20 or 21 psi will get me, i dont really care if its 400 or not). I would run the lower map most of the time and not really risk the engine, but still be like 50whp up from where i am now. And id temporarily flash the Higher hp map only on certain occasions.

I would do this until i get another car to DD in a few years, then I'll probs do internals and run the higher map all the time. I just dont want my DD to be outt commission here.

Also, lets be real here. I dont "beat" on my car as much as some people, but I do like to get into boost when i can. (thats why ppl buy the sti). ppl been saying id be fine with the Dom3 if i didnt boost. Well then WTF am i paying that much money for??? I figure if i keep a lower power map on most of the time, then I can still have my fun without risking the motor too much, and I can access that big power every so often when i want/ need it.

What do you guys think?

[SLVRSUBBIEREX]

a buddy of mine made 400 easy on a blouch 2.5R and DD it for a while and it was fine. to be on the safe side i would def keep the tune low and save for pistons and rods and why not build the heads while ur at it

[ndubz]

Thats kinda my plan here, for the next few years, the sti is my dd, so im not gonna build the motor till i get another car to use as a dd. I figure it like this, if i run a conservative tune around 350whp (probs boosting in the mid teens) then I wont have to worry as much about blowing my motor but i'll still be 50whp over what im at now. And I will also have the other map on like 20psi to use on special occasions when the Dom 3s potential is required. Ive done this B4 when i was on Cobb Stage 2. I ran around in stock mode most of the time and used stage 2 to treat myself.

That way I will only be using the ~400whp every so often, and not every time want to go into boost. Then I will probs build the motor once i get a dd, and at that point I'll run the 20psi map full time.

[SLVRSUBBIEREX]

yeah the main thing u want to do is pistons and if u do them then i would recommend u do rods as well just to be safe. it wouldnt hurt to sleeve the motor either

[ndubz]

Ya, i figure if the whole motor will be apart, there's no point in half assing it. Id at least do pistons and rods. Hows the stock crankshaft and valves?

[SLVRSUBBIEREX]

as far as i know the stock crank can take a beating. the valves im not so sure but i havent heard anything bad. if it means anything im saving money so i can do it all right the first time which means everything from crank to cams

[ndubz]

Ok can anyone else give me some input about the whole tuning thing plz

[Ender81]

I would say if you can't afford for it to break your best bet may be to go with a smaller turbo and save up to do a total package when you could afford the internals. There's no harm to be done in playing it safe when it's your dd as opposed to trying on betting if your car will be fine or not.

[Honest_Bob]

Nothing wrong with buying a big turbo and not using it to its full potential. Its more financially smart as you wont have to deal with resell value of whatever "intermediate" turbo you buy as well as the installation costs X2.

Play it safe and have your tuner stop at 350whp. Thats gonna be enough hp to give you some pretty nasty traction issues that your going to have to relearn how to drive you new monster. We are talking your not going to be able to go wot in 1st and 2nd gear without breaking all 4 loose.

Later on get a built motor + retune. I would stay away from having two maps, its just to tempting on a DD car.

[ndubz]

Ya I realize what u mean about the 2 maps, but idk. I did the same thing with cobb stage 2 and I legit only used stage 2 every so often, as in less than once a week. On average it was like 2 or 3 times a month if that. And what id do for my permanent map would probly be exactly what u were suggesting. Like 350whp. Should be plenty of fun, and will be a big improvement over my current 300whp. But I would like to have that 380-400whp map for special occasions. I really believe that I would only use it every so often. Its not like 350whp is slacking at all in an sti, like u said, 1st and 2nd will spin all my wheels. LOL I just wanna be able to tap the potential of the Dominator every now and then, cuz I did pay to have it. u know?

[Got Insulin?]

I agree with Bob, but the fact of the matter is that it really is all in your tune. A local DSM guru DD'd his low 10 sec car with a fat turbo and some head work, but stock internals. Think about that. As long as you show responsibility, and take things slow, learning consistently, you'll start to know your car. People will be able to give you 1000 different answers on how their car responded, but at the end of the day, all cars respond differently, and driver error ( no offense to you) may cause your engine to kick the bucket sooner than expected. I've learned all this first-hand as I've DD'd a 350-375 hp car before, and trust me, it's more than you'll need to shut up about 85% of anybody that wants a little light-to-light action with you.

Good luck.

[arkadyzv]

As far as the Dom 3 question. Talk to Ray, and get a nice reliable tune to around 350whp. That should be more than and enough and should be reliable. You can always go bigger later.

Whats the point of switching from stock to stage 2 here and there? Just leave it be, especially with the Cobb maps. Before you do anything talk to Ray@Turbotek and have him pro-tune your Accessport. It should drive like a totally different car, Cobbs OTS maps are made to work in all 50 states , climates, etc thus they are pretty "basic" and usually run pretty rich. If anything just sell the Accessport, put the money towards the Dom, and get a proper tune specifically for your car.

[ndubz]

Im past stage 2 now, my car has been protuned at precision tuning. I still use the accessport tho, with the precision map on it. Its a really useful product even w/o using the cobb maps. Im on the protuned map now permanently. But the point is this. pushing around 400whp will be pusshing my engine pretty hard. And i like being able to drive around and get into boost a fair amount (i dont beat on it too bad though, Im not always in boost, but i do use my turbo ). The point is id like the best of both worlds here. A map that still has alot of power that I can drive around on and have plenty of fun with, without pushing the internals too hard. But I would also like to be able to tap the Doms real potential every so often. I want to have my cake and eat it too.

Ive been told "just dont go into boost alot" and while i dont boost everywhere, i do boost a good amount (especially late at night when i have the road to myself). Not going into boost much defeats the purpose of having an STi. But i know if i just have the top end map from the Dom 3, then i'll be pushing my motor real hard whenever i just wanna have a little fun. Whereas if i run another lower tuned map around 350whp, then i can still have my day to day fun w/o pushing the engine too hard. And the Top end map will be used only on special occasions when i really want / need like 400whp. for most times, 350whp is more than enough. However, theres no point in having to get it tuned twice. I want to be able to use the turbos potential, but i dont wanna kill the motor with day to day fun. Hence my idea, use my ever so useful Cobb Accessport to run 2 maps. The big power, high risk map will only be used on certain occasions and for short periods of time. Its the day to day fun that would really F my motor. And id run the conservative tune as my permanent map.

[RayArroyo]

best advice i can give you is contact your tuner and speak with them. no one will be able to answer your questions better than your tuner

[Buster]

Its called throttle control.. learn it. A turbo that big isnt going to be spooling up everywhere you go. It takes time, that said, you just keep the throttle light. I have a 16g turbo, very very easy to spool. On a given day, I see tops 5psi of my 21psi unless I want my 21psi.

[Ender81]

I know you are attatched to the AP but have you considered a Utec with map selector to switch between the maps like you want? I think you've been talking with Ryan at 1320 I would say take whatever advice he gives you. He installed Honest_Bob's 20g, Bob had a moderate tune put in and the car is holding up on a stock wrx trans for almost a year now. So yes it is possible if you do a tune like Bob suggested to keep your car in one piece until you can afford the rest of the upgrades as long as you have self control lol.

[ndubz]

Yes I have been talking to Ryan. I think im getting the install done at A1320, but he told me I should still go to Precision for the tune. So I think that is what I'll do, cuz Ive already been taking my car to them and they do a great job. The only thing is that they are a bit pricy when it comes to installation.

As far as the whole self control thing, I have plenty of it. But my point is that nobody buys an sti to go partial throttle all the time. If ur gonna do that then buy an accord and leave it stock. I like to enjoy spirited driving in my car, because that is what it was built for. Yes, 98% of the time im driving normally like a sane controlled person. But ud better believe that I love the other 2% and that I do use it.

Look, "Having my cake" is having the dom 3 installed with a good but conservative tune, exactly like many of u are suggesting. "Getting to eat my cake too" is having the other map with like 20 psi or so and a little under 400whp, that I can use whenever Id like to treat myself even more that what the normal map offers. (Believe me, this wouldnt be all that often)

If i just had the higher map, then Id constantly feel like id have to keep the car down for fear of pushing the engine too hard. Id only be able to really have fun with it every so often anyways.

Now, I could just run the conservative tune, which is still much improved over my current numbers, but Im paying 1600 for the DOM. For that potential. And with this idea, i wouldnt be able to fully use the turbo i payed so much for.

With my 2 map idea, I get the best of both worlds. I get to have my cake and eat it too. I get the conservative tune map to Drive 99% of the time (and i can still have fun with it the way i do now w/o worrying to much about busting the motor), And Id be able to tap into the Dom 3s real potential when I really wanted/ needed to. In all actuality, Id probly wind up using full 20psi boost less this way than in having to use self control all the time.

I have the tool to do this in my Accessport. Utec is great im sure, but Precision doesnt like it for some reason and they will not tune on it. I respect their opinion on these things, ad I trust that they have good reasons. Again, Im not still using cobb maps, I just still use the AP. When Precision protuned my car, they put their map on my Accessport. that way i retain all the other useful aspects of it, which are actually alot. And i just like knowing that I could have Launch control and flat floor shifting if i wanted them. (even though i can launch my car just fine as is )

[Ender81]

Originally Posted by ndubz

Yes I have been talking to Ryan. I think im getting the install done at A1320, but he told me I should still go to Precision for the tune. So I think that is what I'll do, cuz Ive already been taking my car to them and they do a great job. The only thing is that they are a bit pricy when it comes to installation.

As far as the whole self control thing, I have plenty of it. But my point is that nobody buys an sti to go partial throttle all the time. If ur gonna do that then buy an accord and leave it stock. I like to enjoy spirited driving in my car, because that is what it was built for. Yes, 98% of the time im driving normally like a sane controlled person. But ud better believe that I love the other 2% and that I do use it.

Look, "Having my cake" is having the dom 3 installed with a good but conservative tune, exactly like many of u are suggesting. "Getting to eat my cake too" is having the other map with like 20 psi or so and a little under 400whp, that I can use whenever Id like to treat myself even more that what the normal map offers. (Believe me, this wouldnt be all that often)

If i just had the higher map, then Id constantly feel like id have to keep the car down for fear of pushing the engine too hard. Id only be able to really have fun with it every so often anyways.

Now, I could just run the conservative tune, which is still much improved over my current numbers, but Im paying 1600 for the DOM. For that potential. And with this idea, i wouldnt be able to fully use the turbo i payed so much for.

With my 2 map idea, I get the best of both worlds. I get to have my cake and eat it too. I get the conservative tune map to Drive 99% of the time (and i can still have fun with it the way i do now w/o worrying to much about busting the motor), And Id be able to tap into the Dom 3s real potential when I really wanted/ needed to. In all actuality, Id probly wind up using full 20psi boost less this way than in having to use self control all the time.

I have the tool to do this in my Accessport. Utec is great im sure, but Precision doesnt like it for some reason and they will not tune on it. I respect their opinion on these things, ad I trust that they have good reasons. Again, Im not still using cobb maps, I just still use the AP. When Precision protuned my car, they put their map on my Accessport. that way i retain all the other useful aspects of it, which are actually alot. And i just like knowing that I could have Launch control and flat floor shifting if i wanted them. (even though i can launch my car just fine as is )

All valid points...if you have the money for what could go wrong. I didn't buy my WRX to go "Partial Throttle" as you put it but I was also prepared (as much as you can be) for the effects of doing all the runs and whatnot with the car. So when my trans did blow (it's a wrx...lol) I didn't bitch too much and just went and got the ppgs installed. See you are arguing for having 400whp, and that is awesome, but the footnote to what you are saying is you can't afford for the engine to blow. My point is if you can't afford that, and it's your only car, then why not take it easy with the tune like Bob said.

As for the Ap, we all have our own opinions and that's fine. I based mine on the reccomendations of the shop I go to and through research on Nasioc. You based yours on Precision and that's cool too. I just dig the perks of a piggy back ecu over something that just flashes, including the remote map select. If I'm not mistaken they have launch control too but that is neither here nor there.

Best of luck with whichever way you go, I am sure I will see the car if you have it over at 1320.

[Buster]

Originally Posted by ndubz

As far as the whole self control thing, I have plenty of it. But my point is that nobody buys an sti to go partial throttle all the time. If ur gonna do that then buy an accord and leave it stock. I like to enjoy spirited driving in my car, because that is what it was built for. Yes, 98% of the time im driving normally like a sane controlled person. But ud better believe that I love the other 2% and that I do use it.

what you're saying doesnt make any sense. You drive around full throttle all the time? but 98% of the time you drive like a normal person? Do you live on the autobahn or something? If you go with a single tune and drive it normally then whats the problem. You couldn't be putting more stress with a milder tune to drive regular than without.

You sound like you are making excuses for wanting to drive fast, be glad you have an STi and not a WRX, you could be waiting on a new trans with a stock turbo...

[ndubz]

no that isn't really wat I was saying. I do not go full throttle all the time. But I dont baby it either. My point is 350 is enough for most of my fun. And it would be better to have on a daily basis b/c I wouldn't have to worry much. At the same time I would like to be able to use the doms potential. Yes this is sort of an excuse to let me drive fast if I want to and not have to worry much about my engine as much. Then I'd have the really fast map where I would have to worry about the engine for sparse limited use only.

Ie it would take some of the fun outta the car if I had to worry everytime I went into boost. So I want a conservative tune for normal use. But I also want to be able to access the big power too just not all the time because it risks the motor a lot more.

And yes. I am very glad that I have an sti thank you. Don't get me wrong u wrx guys are my bros and I love u ****ers. But. Like guys are glad they aren't girls so we don't have to give birth and menstrate. I am glad I have the sti with the bulletproof tranny and that I ain't gotta deal with the 5spd trans issues