We were one of Cobb Tuning’s original few authorized facilities in the world when they started the ProTUNER program years ago with the Subarus and a little while back we added ProTUNER for Mitsubishi Evos to our tuning program. It supports Evo 8, 9, X for now. The ProTUNER software is the same shop level software Cobb uses to create off the shelf staged maps from scratch. We use it to custom tune vehicles to each customer’s needs.
To be clear, this does NOT mean we’re going to stop tuning Evos with open source tools like OpenECU, as we have been for a few years now. We are offering both options!
The AccessPORT has some unique advantages over the open source tools. Perhaps most importantly for some, it’s extremely user friendly. It’s super easy to use, updates are automatic just by plugging it to a computer on the internet via USB and using their supplied free software. There’s no searching around the internet to find patches or code segments to add new features to a ROM. It’s a piece of cake and there’s no legwork on your part.
It allows quick/easy map swapping from say a pump gas map to a race gas map, or to an anti-theft map or valet map using their simple cell phone sized handheld unit that’s very easy to use. Just plug it into the OBD2 port (and test connector port next to it if necessary) and a few seconds later you’re off and running. No laptop required.
Here’s the unit:
As you can see there are only four buttons. Up, down, ok/enter (big circle), and cancel/go back (little one on the left).
My mother could literally use it. Their user interface is absolutely fantastic. You’ll be view realtime coolant and intake temps and whatnot in no time if you want to play with it’s features. Others just keep the little guy in the glove box as a CEL code reader and to switch maps.
Here are some other features of the AccessPORT:
Display vehicle data such as RPM, temperatures and more while you drive Easy installation, no mechanical or computer skills necessary
Connects to your vehicle via the OBD-II port conveniently located under your dash
Exclusive ability to switch between different ‘modes’ on the fly
Easy-to-read color display
Update over the Internet to stay up-to-date with the latest features
Read engine trouble codes (DTC) yourself, eliminating trips to the dealership
Not a “piggyback” - once vehicle’s computer has been programmed by the AccessPORT, it can be removed and the settings will stay on your computer.
Not just an “ECU reflash” - AccessPORT features enhancements such as on-the-fly mode switching, data monitors, reading DTCs, performance monitors and more
Can be custom tailored to your vehicle by our network of professional tuners
Cobb has had support for the Evo X so while they got into the Evos after open source, they have pulled ahead as you’d expect when there’s a whole company of software engineers etc. plugging away at it, as compared to open source where random people pitch in and work on the software in their spare time. There are 82 tables full of values I can tune on the Evo X at the moment and they add more regularly.
Cobb’s software also allows realtime tuning on some Evos. This dramatically reduces tuning time because as I make a change, it immediately takes effect. Without realtime tuning every time you want to change something you shut the car off, wait a few seconds, plug a test connector in, read the checksum off the ECU and reflash the data, then shut car back off, unplug test connector, wait a few seconds, then start car back up, then resume tuning. That’s for EVERY change. You can see how this gets very time consuming. If you’re paying by the hour, this is costing you money so the cost of the AccessPORT itself somewhat comes back to you by saving on tuning time. Tuners are also more apt to give you a more detailed tune when it doesn’t take forever to make small changes.
AccessPORTs are currently 695 and we offer our customers who purchase them from us a discount on tuning.
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY SHOPS THAT SAY THEY CAN PROTUNE YOUR CAR, BUT ARE NOT COBB AUTHORIZED!
Some shops are posing as authorized protuners. If they’re not on the list on Cobb’s site as an Accesstuner, they’re not authorized and don’t have the real ProTUNER software. Here’s Cobb’s list. We’re the only authorized tuner in Western NY:
http://cobbtuning.com/dealers/Default.asp
Anyone interested in a tune for their Evo gets a rundown on the pros/cons of AccessPORT vs. open source tools. Both tuning methods have their place. This thread is just an announcement of the new offering.
Here’s an example of a setup we tuned with ProTUNER…an Evo X we built with twin scroll GT35R turbo kit etc.
