API exhaust and remap - will it be a decent job?

[Adamxck]

Looking at a used blobeye wrx wagon that has had a 'full 2.5" decat exhaust system, sport panel air filter and a remap'. It was fitted in 2014.

Some brief research concludes that an exhaust, air filter and remap are indeed lauded as the standard 'stage 1' performance modification for the wrx and that back in 2014, API was a well respected subaru tuning company.

It also looks as though some weirdness happened and they have since split/gone out of business. There are polarising reviews on various forums about their work and looks as though they did the remaps on the road, which in my limited experience is inferior to a rolling road/dyno.

Do any of your know (having had it done) what brand of exhaust/filter they likely put on there, how many cats they may have decatted and the likelyhood that the remap is actually any good? (potential power?)
I mean, it's lasted 4 years so I have every reason to believe it's a good job, but not having the ability to call up and check the history and specifics from the horses mouth gives me some concern.

There are a stack of receipts and a full service history with the car which is lovely, but I'm always a bit sceptical buying a modified car unless I can verify with the person who did it what they actually did.

I dont ask much

Cheers.

[madwrx]

tbh if its still on a standard turbo- thats very basic tuning -if it has,nt gone bang in 4 years i would,nt worry too much. API had quite a good name at the time-if your worried just have it remapped by a decent mapper- in fairness it usually highlights any existing problems with the car during mapping

totally disagree about road tuning though-the loading between road and rolling road are quite different.
just had my car tuned at TDI on RR by my tame syvecs mapper and dare i say the map feels quite "flat" ,he was having trouble getting a long clean run on the dyno as the intercooler was heating up on the top of the runs-
logging on the road has never shown even the slightest problem with ACT temps.

better imo to do the "power" end of the map on the RR with a final check to ensure good spool and drivabillity on the road(the bit before 3k rpm). unfortunately really good maps are often not done in one sitting -
had about 20 different maps put on various scoobs over the years both road and RR so just my opinion really-
this one currently sitting around 600 bhp give or take- certainly not a daily driver but good fun anyway lol

Edited by madwrx on Monday 9th April 22:32

[Laura-x]

I think API used to use TDR in Warwick for the mapping, pretty sure this was the case when they did the forged engine in mine in 2014, so may be worth checking with Mark over at TDR??

[plenty]

Adamxck said:

...they did the remaps on the road, which in my limited experience is inferior to a rolling road/dyno.

Dyno mapping has its advocates but it's worth pointing out that of the "name" Subaru mappers who tend to get favourable reviews (every mapper has his critics as it's an emotional subject for some), mapping on the road is very common. E.g. Bob Rawle, TDR, FB Tuning, Richard Bulmer, Andrew Carr. Those who have RR facilities and use them (e.g Pat at Scoobyclinic) will typically still "finish" the mapping on the road.