I know i shouldn't be starting a thread for this but i have yet to find one that differs the two, here is the question, should i wait for the Cobb tuning access port or just buy the Interceptor x. I do not have a turbo or SC. If anyone knows which would be better off for me please let me know thanks!

 

Interceptor X = External Piggy Back .... errmm ... Fuel Management System.

Access Port = Flash your car's computer.

 

Since the Cobb is currently vaporware, the Int-X is the only possibility on that rather short list.

 

The Int-X is a "piggyback" ecu that will intercept signals to your cars computer and adjust them so your PCM reacts differently so you can adjust them for FI applications and tune your fuel and spark timing. The downside is there is only so much adjustability until you exceed the range of the piggyback unit and there are only so many channels your can adjust.

With the Cobb unit you can upload a program that changes parameters on your PCM directly. The benefit is you have more things you can adjust and control and you don't have the adjustability limitations of the "piggyback" pcm.

The downside right now is, as MM said, it's not available yet and it sounds like it won't ship with the ability to tune with it. Just upload pre-programmed maps. Cobb has said they will be selling their tuning software soon after release and then working on some base FI maps for some of the existing applications.

If you're not in a hurry I personally think programming the PCM via the Cobb software is the better long term solution.

If you want something now then you really only have 1 choice.

Jeff feel free to comment if you think I missed something.

 

The Interceptor is not a piggyback. The emanage is a piggyback. The Interceptor behaves as a standalone when it comes to fuel and ignition.

 

The Int-X is actually standalone fuel and spark

 

Go nuts. I'm not as familiar as you guys are. I figured I would at least lay some groundwork for a more in-depth reply from some of you smarter folk.

Thanks RG and Chickenwafer for the clarification. This is the first I'd realized the int-x was actually standalone for fuel and spark. So what does the PCM see to keep it happy then?

 

The PCM isn't happy with the Int-X, thus you get a CEL. And it is why the idle can be hard to nail down

 

I guess my standards of PCM happiness are lower than yours. I was thinking more simply like how does it even keep it out of limp mode?

 

im suprised nobodys brought up the "MAP + MAF" vs "Only MAF" issue yet. I guess this doesnt really apply if your staying NA, but if your boosted it becomes a factor.

If your staying NA, i think youll be fine with either. Then again we havent seen the Cobb unit on very many rx8s yet... so its really hard to see what its true abilities are.

 

there are plenty of OEM turbo cars out there only running a MAF sensor... mass flow is mass flow (its independent of pressure)