Daily Archives: June 24, 2014

US-spec Alfa Romeo 4C loses nothing in the transition to U.S. trim

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/first-drives/2014-alfa-romeo-4c-first-drive-review-us-spec

The fact that the US-spec version of the Alfa Romeo 4C doesn’t turn into a weighted-down pig of a car due to US-mandated requirements is pretty amazing! In fact, the review states that the car being driven was particularly robust.

Although I’m usually pretty vocal about this car not being the end-all-be-all of hardcore sports cars (the car has been quite sensationalized), the car is gorgeous and I love the “lighter is quicker” concept. It’s not the car I desire, but I’d be lying if I stated the car was ugly and not a driver’s car.

Another review is here (Automobile Magazine is the author of the article).

Firmware updates for ALL Subaru Accessports!

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/cobb-accesstuner/271467-firmware-updates-all-subaru-accessports.html

I like leveraging IWSTI forum posts (because I spend a good bit of time reading and posting there).

Cobb has updated the firmware for all Subaru APs. The notes are below:

Fast Logging for ALL Subaru Accessports!!

We’ve improved datalogging rates for all Subaru Accessports. This includes V2, V2b, and V3 units and all Subaru Accessport part numbers.

V2 and V2b units will now see improvements in excess of 300% over previous datalogging rates. V3 Accessports will see nearly 250% higher resolution.

OTS Map Updates!!

2008-2014 STI v334 Map Updates

Revised Engine Load Compensation tables to address potentially high absolute values in the A/F Learning “C” range.
Activated new toggle to induce Per-Gear Timing Compensations for 6th gear.
Eliminated factory “Fuel Enrichment Ramping” behavior that caused temporarily lean conditions following shifts while driving aggressively.

2002-2007 WRX v310 Map Updates

Massive update for Stage1 and Stage2 mapping. Includes refinements to boost control and overall ignition timing strategy.
Added Stage1 and Stage2 support for COBB Electronic Boost Control Solenoid (EBCS).

2009-2014 WRX v331 Map Updates

Synchronized mapping across all model years.
Implemented Per-Gear Timing compensations.
Reshaped Boost Targets table for better control at higher RPM which reduces need for Severe Low Wastegate (SLWG mapping).
Removed SLWG maps from map offering
Revised odd factory Per-Cylinder Injector Pulsewidth tables
Updated Primary OL Fuel tables.
Revised ignition timing tables based on power and detonation concerns.
Many minor adjustments (changed per-cylinder timing compensations slightly, disabled trims based on rear O2 sensor, revised closed loop fuel target at idle, etc.).

For access to updated features, simply connect your Accessport to Accessport Manager and perform a firmware update!

For any other questions, feel free to email support@cobbtuning.com or submit a support ticket at cobbtuning.com/support

The coolest part? The increase in datalogging rates — 300% for pre-v3 APs and 250% for v3s!! What does that mean? Better (quicker) logging! That means better quality datalogs!

Standing Mile: 2015 STI and 2014 Porsche Cayman

I saw the below on Google+, posted by Automobile Magazine.

Note that these two cars aren’t really comparable (they both use horizontally-opposed engines but it’s a stretch to think that they’re related in any sense). As well, the STI’s AWD advantage is nullified by the fact that this is a standing mile competition…the distance is far too long for AWD to be a definitive factor. Also, even though the Cayman is down 25 HP, it weighs 300-lb less while also being 2-wheeled, which means there’s less parasitic drivetrain loss (more of its power is making it to the ground in comparison to the STI).

These two cars only have one thing in common: horizontally-opposed engines. Well, there’s one other thing they share…they both ran the exact same standing mile completion time.

It’s fun to watch as long as the viewers realize that neither of these two cars are designed for drag racing.