You can run an intake without a tune just fine.
To get the absolute most out of your cold air intake, it's important to pick up a tuner to finish the combo. Adding a cold air intake to your engine will definitely free up some power by removing restrictions in the intake track, but a proper tune will allow you to get the most out of your intake.
You absolutely need a tune for an intake.
You don't need a tune with a short ram. Been running my car over 6000miles with hondata. No problems.
You "need" a tune when not doing so will create the potential for damage to the engine do to a new part throwing off your ECU's calculations. As opposed to you "should" tune when not doing so will reduce your potential power gain from a new part. A new turbo inlet "should" be tuned, but it does not need it.
A performance chip does not cause damage to your engine or transmission as it increases the horsepower and torque output. This power is generated mainly by harmlessly adjusting your air/fuel ratio and ignition timing to optimal settings. In fact, a performance chip can even protect your engine from damage.
Cat-back exhaust systems affect the region of exhaust after the catalytic converters. This means that the new parts are clear from any sensors or meters that the ECU (Engine Control Unit) may need to run the vehicle. As a result, Cat-Back exhaust systems do not require an updated tune.
As for a tune up (what a shady shop calls replacing your plugs and charging you like $70) after an intake and exhaust, no you don't need it. As for fuel tuning, no you don't need it either unless you put in or modified something that requires for or could further benefit from it.
The Accessport is the world's best selling, most flexible, and easiest to use ECU upgrade solution for your Subaru. Unlock power hidden within the vehicle by replacing conservative factory settings with more aggressive calibrations.
Stage 1 adds significant horsepower over stock, around 30 whp. It also smooths out the throttle, making it much more linear, fixing the oversensitivity of the stock tune. It also smooths out the powerband, eliminating the mid RPM dip around 4.5k present in the stock tune.
Stage 1 is relatively safe since you arent really doing any mods to put a strain on your car. The intake if you get it is more for noise at that point. Currently I have cobbs intake+exhaust on my 2018 wrx and its been there since I got the car (flashed and installed everything at 1k miles) and my car drives great.
FLAT-FOOT SHIFTING allows you to keep your foot flat on the accelerator while changing gear, so as to minimise gearchange time and keep engine speed and torque up in preparation for the next gear.
But as /u/profetic stated, the Cobb AP is generally very safe. IMO it is the safest tuning method available (especially for beginners).
The COBB Stage 1+ Big SF Power Package is a simple bolt-on and tuning solution that will allow you to easily improve the power output of your 2020 WRX! The heart of this package is the Accessport V3. It also provides increased airflow from the Big SF Intake & Airbox combo.
BEFORE & AFTER
| HP Level | TQ Level |
|---|
| BASELINE | 264.62 WHP @ 5,600 RPM | 262.8 lb-ft @ 3,300 RPM |
| Test 1: Cobb Tuning Accessport with Delicious Tuning Reflash | 276.45 WHP @ 5,500 RPM | 289.39 lb-ft @ 3,700 RPM |
| Test 2: Cobb Tuning SF Intake and Airbox | 281.40 WHP @ 6,000 RPM | 289.71 lb-ft @ 3,700 RPM |
They are specialized in modifying mechanical components like turbo kits, exhaust system and suspension to electronic parts and ECU management. COBB hit the market strong using one of the first hand held units (Accessport) to access the cars performance potential.
The Accessport does not need to be plugged into the vehicle for the calibration to be in effect. You can disconnect the Accessport at this time or leave it plugged in to use any of the many features outlined below. Please note that the Accessport is designed to work with only one vehicle at a time.
If an Accessport was never uninstalled from a previous vehicle, it can be re-licensed, or set to an uninstalled state. Therefore, in cases like this when the tuning license is still being used on another vehicle, COBB can re-license the Accessport for 70% of the price of a brand new Accessport of that part number.
