2018 Subaru WRX Accessport And Compatible Hard Parts
The Subaru team at COBB Tuning is excited to announce the immediate availability of Accessport and bolt-on hard part compatibility for the USDM 2018 Subaru WRX (6MT and CVT). Subaru’s newest WRX comes with some nice upgrades over the previous model year. We turn it up just a bit to transform this capable performance sedan into an asphalt-ripping performance machine.
Accessport Support
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. Follow our staged upgrade path with pre-loaded Off The Shelf (OTS) maps or use custom mapping for any modification level. It’s the last engine management solution you’ll ever need.
A simple firmware update to the existing AP3-SUB-004 Accessport, compatible with all USDM 2015+ WRXs, will now include support for the 2018 Subaru WRX. Accessports with firmware version 1.7.3.0-15029 or newer will offer 2018 Subaru WRX compatibility.
Already have an Accessport and need to know how to update it? Check out our Accessport Firmware Update Guide.
Off The Shelf Maps
Qualifying Accessport firmware will come pre-loaded with the following Off The Shelf Maps. Please note the absence of “+BigSF” variants upon this initial release. With a change in hardware required for fitment, our current Big SF Intake System is not compatible with the 2018 Subaru WRX. Upon completion of a revised intake, “+BigSF” maps will be made available in firmware and for download from the COBB website. As with 2015-2017 WRX support, support for vehicles with CVT transmissions is limited to a Stage 1 power levels due to concerns with long-term reliability of the transmission.
2018 Subaru WRX 6MT OTS Maps
- Anti-Theft Mode v302.ptm
- Stage0 v302.ptm
- Stage1 91 v302 HWG.ptm
- Stage1 91 v302.ptm
- Stage1 93 v302 HWG.ptm
- Stage1 93 v302.ptm
- Stage1 Economy Mode v302.ptm
- Stage1 Valet Mode v302.ptm
- Stage2 91 v302 HWG.ptm
- Stage2 91 v302.ptm
- Stage2 93 v302 HWG.ptm
- Stage2 93 v302.ptm
- Stage2 Economy Mode v302.ptm
- Stage2 Valet Mode v302.ptm
2018 Subaru WRX CVT OTS Maps
- Anti-Theft Mode v302.ptm
- Stage0 v302.ptm
- Stage1 91 v302 HWG.ptm
- Stage1 91 v302.ptm
- Stage1 93 v302 HWG.ptm
- Stage1 93 v302.ptm
- Stage1 Economy Mode v302.ptm
- Stage1 Valet Mode v302.ptm
Additional information relating to Off The Shelf Maps can be found on the Map Notes Pages below:
Map Notes for VA WRX 6MT
Map Notes for VA WRX CVT
Hard Parts and Stage Power Packages
Along with Accessport tuning support, we are also excited to announce compatibility with many of our exiting bolt-on performance upgrades! Aside from the COBB BigSF Intake, the remainder of our bolt-on parts carry over and are compatible with the 2018 Subaru WRX. An updated version of the BigSF Intake for 2015+ Subaru WRX will be released soon.
For a list of parts compatible with your specific vehicle, follow one of the links below:
Our highly desired Stage 2 Power Package is also now available for the 2018 WRX 6MT. Combining an upgraded Turbo-back Exhaust with the Accessport and corresponding Off The Shelf Map produces peak gains of +10% HP / + 15% TQ over stock and maximum gains of +18% HP and 17% TQ over stock.
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COBB Stage 2 Power Package (6MT Only)
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Accesstuner Pro & Accesstuner
For vehicles that require custom tuning, our Accesstuner and Accesstuner Pro software is also now compatible with the 2018 Subaru WRX. Versions 1.9.1.0-15029 and newer will offer tuning support for the 2018 WRX.
Certified COBB Protuners now have the ability to custom tune 2018 WRX vehicles using Accesstuner Pro. If your vehicle has modifications that place it outside the coverage of our Off The Shelf Maps, contact your preferred Protuner today!
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Accesstuner is engine tuning software created for enthusiast tuners whom are not Certified Protuners. Accesstuner allows the user to get into the heart of the OEM ECU and create custom calibrations for vehicles equipped with virtually any performance modification. The end result is a tune that is custom tailored to the vehicle’s unique modifications, producing maximum power gains while maintaining the drive-ability and sophistication inherent in the OEM ECU.
The end-user version of Subaru Accesstuner can be accessed HERE.
Any word on when the stage 1 with mishimoto cai tunes will be out?
We do not currently plan to offer an OTS map to support the Mishimoto CAI for 2018 WRXs. Sorry for the bad news!
Marshall@COBB
Any idea when the accessport will be available for the 2018 STI?
Can I expect it to be available on AP3-SUB-004 Accessport with a firmware update?
We do not currently have an accurate ETA however it is the top priority of our Subaru team. I would expect to see something in the next couple of months. Yes, we plan to add 2018 STI support to the AP3-SUB-004 Accessport.
Marshall@COBB
I’ve read stage 2 with OTS map works with just the J pipe and factory exhaust? I assume you would get most, but not all the gains a CBE would provide?
I have a bigSF (OTS map) and would like to go stage 2 but want to keep noise down.
Hey Sean, you are correct – it would be just fine to install an upgraded J-Pipe with the factory cat-back exhaust. I do highly recommend the resonated version of our J-pipe if you intend to retain the factory catback as the non-resonated version causes quite a bit of rasp. Power differences between the factory and upgraded cat-back systems are minimal and not really an issue at the Stage 2 power level. With an upgraded J-Pipe and BigSF Intake you would need to use one of the Stage2+BigSF OTS maps.
Marshall@COBB
I cannot find BigSF OTS maps for my 2018 WRX
We do not yet offer any +BigSF OTS Maps for the 2018 WRX as we do not yet offer an intake compatible with the 2018 WRX. Once the updated intake is released, we will have accompanying OTS maps.
Marshall@COBB
Do I have to tune immediately after downpipe and intake? I ordered 2017 catted downpipe, will it fit my 2018? Should I install now or wait till Cobb release Stage 2 OST map?
You should definitely have the appropriate map file flashed when making those changes. Stage 2 OTS maps are available for the 2018 WRX so you can tune for the upgraded J-Pipe. Once the intake is made available you will be able to install that and flash a Stage2+BigSF OTS map.
Marshall@COBB
Marshall, as in your pre-years of the newer model WRX will the 2018 also require a full TBE; in order to run your Stage2+ OTS map. Also is the intake just a hardware configuration..?
Another question, not sure if you can legally answer this, Why do all the other manufactures wait until COBB releases parts before they also release theirs? Seems odd, especially if a competitor would like to gain the upper-hand. Let’s be real, we are not talking about AEM who just throws parts out there as soon as a vehicle hits dealer floors; similar to the early 90’s APC company that you could find in AdvanceAuto Parts.
Hey Nathaniel, we’ve actually seen that the factory exhaust is acceptable for any of our current OTS Maps (Stage 1 thru Stage2+BigSF). An upgraded J-Pipe is the only required upgrade on the exhaust side. I’m not sure if there is any rhyme or reason to why companies wait. The most logical reason I can think of is companies waiting for Accessport/tuning support so they are able to test their product.
Marshall@COBB
Marshall,
Sorry for the brash like comment. I respect everything you do, and truly commend your companys’ craftsmanship, and ability to produce top tier parts.
This is only from a professional standpoint in terms of asking about the marketing wait for COBB to distribute/introduce their parts first..
Any update on the 2018 STI AP?
Hey there! We are hoping to have 2018 STI Accessport support ready to go in the next month or so!
Marshall@COBB
Hi Marshall, is the 2018 STI AP still going for end of OCT release?
Things are still progressing as planned, we should have something available around that time frame.
Marshall@COBB
Hi Marshall, just checking up if release for 2018 STI is coming sometime next week?
Thanks
Hey Jacob! 2018 STI support will be available later in November. Our calibration team currently has the vehicle in their hands and is working on development of Off The Shelf Maps. Once those are completed we will be able to run through final testing and have a more accurate release date.
Marshall@COBB
Any ETA on the big SF intake system for the 2018 WRX ??
Hey Jeffrey, we are hoping to release the updated Big SF Intake for 2018 WRXs next week!
Marshall@COBB
Hello, any update on the 2018 STI AP?
Hey Luis, we are moving along well with 2018 STI support. Back end work is complete and our calibrators are working on creating Off The Shelf Maps. We are currently anticipating a release late this month or early November.
Marshall@COBB
Hey Marshall, I’m bit confused, in this reply you said it’s going to be late Oct, early Nov as just doing ots maps correct? Then in the reply above you’re saying it’s late Nov? How does 1 week turn into 1 month for OTS maps from Oct 17 to Oct 23 (6 days!) LOL
Sorry for the confusion! It did take a bit longer than anticipated for our Reverse Engineering team to finalize the flashing strategy for the 2018 STI, hence the longer lead time. My previous estimate of late October was obviously a bit short-sited.
Marshall@COBB
Ok that’s cool Marshall, so when is the estimate release? First couple weeks in Nov or Mid-Nov or End of Nov?
Here’s my problem, because you said prior that the release was end of this month, I’ve already installed my Cobb downpipe and catback. I really don’t want to remove this just to drive around for next while.. So my car is grounded until you guys can release something.. Couldn’t we just get the basic Stage1/2 maps out first then do the rest? It took me the better part of the day to install these parts.. I really don’t want to take it off and install it again for the 2nd time!
Hey Jacob, I really do apologize for the miscommunication. We are currently targeting a release by the end of November.
Marshall@COBB
Hello, Do you know if the Big SF Intake will be available right as the AP is available for the 2018 STI?
Hey Josh! We plan to release the standard SF Intake for 2018 STI once Accessport tuning support is ready. Since that intake requires tuning we are holding it until the Accessport and supporting OTS maps are available.
Marshall@COBB
Hey Marshall, just checking in, will the 2018 STI update be good for next week sometime?
Thanks
Yes, looking promising!
Marshall@COBB
Are we still looking promising for this week??
Yes! 2018 STI support will be rolling out over the next few hours.
Marshall@COBB
within the next few hours the V3 will be available to purchase online with 2018 STI support?
Hey Christian, 2018 STI support will be added to the existing SUB-004 Accessport which you can technically already purchase! If it leaves here before getting the latest firmware update you can always perform that update in just a few minutes at home using Accessport Manager.
Marshall@COBB