Cobb AccessPort vs Haltech Decision Thread

[stikya]

I'd like to hear from people with direct knowlege on the subject and not speculation, please. Keep to the facts, without personal opinions, so it's as unbiased as possible...this way people can use it to really make an informed decision.

Assume we have all read the manufacturer website ECU descrition, so let's discuss the differences and pro/con of each vs the other on:

installation,
interface,
usage,
map switching on the fly
maps # and upgrades,
useful features,
undetectable (by dealership) installation/uninstallation,
customization,
other that is pertinant.

Thanks.

[zullard]

Does anyone know if the Cobb Tuning protuner software is available to dealers for the GTR yet? And when the street tuning software will be out? That would help determine which offers more.

[bluebird]

You are comparing 2 completely different things. One is a piggy back and the other is a standalone. There is no comparison. But there are definitely alot of differences.

The best is obviously a standalone so haltech would be your answer. The accessport is definitely cheaper but definitely limited. I guess it comes down to peoples pockets at this point. I hope that answers your thread.

[bluebird]

Does anyone know if the Cobb Tuning protuner software is available to dealers for the GTR yet? And when the street tuning software will be out? That would help determine which offers more.

Yes there are several downloadable tuning maps for the accessport available for the GTR. Here is a link for them. This info should probably be a sticky but I will let the forum decide.

http://www.accessecu.com/accessport/nissan/AP-NIS-005/R35.html

[stikya]

You are comparing 2 completely different things. One is a piggy back and the other is a standalone.

I realize they are very different.. that is exactly why I'm trying to compare them to determine which route people should go. Assuming money is no issue.

THis is to help people with limited/no ECU experience, make an informed decision. Since these seem to be two of the most reputable and popular. (I have only done minor modding: boost controllers, a/f controllers, intakes, exhausts, pulleys, etc... )

OK, so stand alone vs piggy back, that is difference #1. What does that mean to a user?
Haltech = more flexible to program than Cobb
Cobb = quicker and simplier upgrade
etc....

[bluebird]

I realize they are very different.. that is exactly why I'm trying to compare them to determine which route people should go. Assuming money is no issue.

THis is to help people with limited/no ECU experience, make an informed decision. Since these seem to be two of the most reputable and popular. (I have only done minor modding: boost controllers, a/f controllers, intakes, exhausts, pulleys, etc... )

OK, so stand alone vs piggy back, that is difference #1. What does that mean to a user?
Haltech = more flexible to program than Cobb
Cobb = quicker and simplier upgrade
etc....


Well assuming money is no object there are better standalones than that. But since your thread is specifically only accessport and haltech then im goin with haltech hands down.

Also haltech and accessport arent the most popular. Maybe thats only what you have heard but the aem ems, electromotive, megasquirt, apexi, and greddy are also very popular amongst tuners.

However, for this particular application if money is no object id go with a aem ems.

Standalone vs piggyback. First of all price. Second of all the amount of parameters you are allowed to tune. And third of all performance enhancement. I dont know why we are comparing standlones to piggy backs if money is no object. Because if it was Id chose a standalone every time.

[stikya]

I dont know why we are comparing standlones to piggy backs if money is no object. Because if it was Id chose a standalone every time.

Actually, I bet anyone buying a $85K car would say money is the last factor they care about in the choice.

How about level of modifications one wishes to achieve, gains they want out of it, time they wish to spend tunning, desire to keep mods as stealth as possible in case warantees need to be utilized, ability to switch maps on the fly without a laptop at acess, expertise level needed to do the tunes in case they don't have good tuners in the area, etc....
i'm trying to figure the in/outs of each, since I haven't any experience with either...
But everyone seems more prone to argue and question why I'm asking than wanting to help. Not sure what that's about.
But, thanks for the input you did provide.

[Skyline]

The Accessport is not a piggyback - it actually reflashes the stock ECU. The Halltech will be better for all out race apps, the Accessport will give you the driveability/economy of a stock ECU, but will be limited on power out (relative to the Halltech).

Look at Subarus and Evos, using the Cobb hardware many many cars have gone into 500+ whp; I know a few cars pushing 700whp on Ecutek.

My guess is the OEM ECU is very advanced, once Cobb makes pro-tuning available, it will be a great solution.

Halltech is very nice, but with a CAN-bus car it actually functions as a piggyback, not a standalone - like an F-Con as well, b/c you cannot run the factory gauges and DBW throttle w/o the stock ECU.

[bluebird]

Actually, I bet anyone buying a $85K car would say money is the last factor they care about in the choice.

How about level of modifications one wishes to achieve, gains they want out of it, time they wish to spend tunning, desire to keep mods as stealth as possible in case warantees need to be utilized, ability to switch maps on the fly without a laptop at acess, expertise level needed to do the tunes in case they don't have good tuners in the area, etc....
i'm trying to figure the in/outs of each, since I haven't any experience with either...
But everyone seems more prone to argue and question why I'm asking than wanting to help. Not sure what that's about.
But, thanks for the input you did provide.


Well in this case I would go with the accessport. The accessport is not entirely a piggyback as skyline noted but it utilizes much of the same parameters to change and modify as a piggy back does except in this instance it actually utilizes the stock ecu instead of utilizing a separate system to modify the parameters. Since you are very new to this I wouldnt expect you to know of things like ecutek, ecuflash, or dynoflash. All of these are utilized in the evo community and have been proven to work very well. This all allows the entusiast to look stock but gain performance while being very stealthy as far as tuning hardware goes.

I hope that helps a little

[Skyline]

Well in this case I would go with the accessport. The accessport is not entirely a piggyback as skyline noted but it utilizes much of the same parameters to change and modify as a piggy back does except in this instance it actually utilizes the stock ecu instead of utilizing a separate system to modify the parameters. Since you are very new to this I wouldnt expect you to know of things like ecutek, ecuflash, or dynoflash. All of these are utilized in the evo community and have been proven to work very well. This all allows the entusiast to look stock but gain performance while being very stealthy as far as tuning hardware goes.

I hope that helps a little


It actually changes the programming in the stock ECU, which is why it is great for driveability, etc. Instead of fooling the stock ECU like a piggyback by modifying the signals going in/out of the sensors, it actually reprograms the factory maps, adding/removing fuel, timing, and changing AFR targets, etc. making a seamless, stock-like feel.

It can't be physically detected by a dealership, but they can tell it's there if they're A. looking for it, and B. scanning the ECU code.

Alot of 350z guys love the Haltech, but for a stock turbo car that is only seeing some mild bolt-ons right now, I'd go w/ the AP hands down.

[Skyline]

On that note, anybody use either yet?

[zullard]

I have used AccessPORTs on other cars but not a GT-R

[Skyline]

Zullard, keep in mind that the port has changed alot recently; it has a color screen and lots of nifty gauge features, etc.

[stikya]

It actually changes the programming in the stock ECU, which is why it is great for driveability, etc. Instead of fooling the stock ECU like a piggyback by modifying the signals going in/out of the sensors, it actually reprograms the factory maps, adding/removing fuel, timing, and changing AFR targets, etc. making a seamless, stock-like feel.

It can't be physically detected by a dealership, but they can tell it's there if they're A. looking for it, and B. scanning the ECU code.

Alot of 350z guys love the Haltech, but for a stock turbo car that is only seeing some mild bolt-ons right now, I'd go w/ the AP hands down.

I think it's sounding like the Access port is ECU upgrade I want. My main concerns are-
1) quick remove w/out any trailing signs to a dealership it has been there
2) support about 600hp w/ minor mods like intake, exhauset, pulleys, boost controller w/ slight boost increase
3) quick switch between modes: theft disable, valet, economy
4) quick prefab map uploads/upgrades not needing laptop or dyno to precision tune (no 4-wheel dyno w/in 3 hours of me).

It sounds like the Accessport will address all of these seamlessly, with the possiblility of additional. Let me know if this is not correct. (And thanks for all the quality input!)

[zullard]

stikya - from what you're saying the AccessPORT was pretty much made for you. Please support a vendor that supports this message board if you buy an accessPORT, everyone sells them for the same price so you might as well help a shop that is helping the community.