Autronic Ecus

[ookami]

I'm looking at getting rid of my HKS f Con V pro and getting an Autronic SMC, what are peoples experiences with these on a RB25? I have looked at the power fc route, but I believe i will max out the afm with the mods I'm looking at doing. Where is a reptuable tuner for Autroics in Queensland?

cheers

[ish]

heard nothing but good stuff about the Autronic ... many argue that they are on a par with Motec for smaller outlays.

try the guys over at calaisturbo, theres many threads on them there... a popular choice for the hi powered vls

[SteveL]

IMHO autronic are second only to Motec, but it's close. The guy that owns/runs autronic (Richard Aubert was his name I think) was originally one of the founders of Motec. The quality is definately there and their ECU's are also a bit cheaper than Motec. The main issues with Autronic in the past have been:

- after sales support was not great

- some have reported problems with connections to some types of engine sensors (eg CAS - not RB tho)

I suspect with greater web based support in recent times these sorts of problem have been largely overcome.

[rob82]

heard nothing but good stuff about the Autronic ... many argue that they are on a par with Motec for smaller outlays.

try the guys over at calaisturbo, theres many threads on them there... a popular choice for the hi powered vls

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would say they are better then motec but thats just me. The guy that designed it, software and hardware(Richard Orbit) was the brains behind motec before he left. The autronic uses a thermodynamic model to determine fuel delivery. Thats why you must enter engine capacity, compression ratio, amount of cylinders etc etc. Its very smart and lots less mapping than motec as the maths is done for you.

[Sydneykid]

I'm looking at getting rid of my HKS f Con V pro and getting an Autronic SMC, what are peoples experiences with these on a RB25?  I have looked at the power fc route, but I believe i will max out the afm with the mods I'm looking at doing.  Where is a reptuable tuner for Autroics in Queensland?

cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have seen a Power FC and AFM equiped GTR run 8's at 165 mph and make 1100 bhp. Is your target higher/faster than that? If not, the Power Fc is your best choice.

cheers

[ookami]

hmm I've seen afm max out on RB25 with a 3540 regularly. GTR have 2 afm too, I've only got one - being a rb25. Whats the autotune feature like on autronics? is it worth it? I just may have to move the car or drive it at some stage before i get a chance to get it tuned, as I've got to drive a fair way to get it tuned living in hicksville and all.

Edited February 5, 2006 by ookami

[paulr33]

max out a single stock afm, single z32 or single q45?

you could also use the apexi safc to piggyback the afm's into the one signal on the rb25 powerfc

[Sydneykid]

hmm I've seen afm max out on RB25 with a 3540 regularly.  GTR have 2 afm too, I've only got one - being a rb25.  Whats the autotune feature like on autronics?  is it worth it?  I just may have to move the car or drive it at some stage before i get a chance to get it tuned, as I've got to drive a fair way to get it tuned living in hicksville and all.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have an RB31DET with 420+rwkw and a Power FC with one Q45 AFM, no problems. PFC = out of the box, install in 5 minutes and drive to the dyno.

Autotune on Autronics is OK, but you need a fast and wide lambda sensor and the tune needs to be close'ish before it will auto tune. Simplistically you can't just sick it in with no maps and expect auto tune to do the rest. If you have a fast and wide lambda sensor, display and some experience you could get it perfect using auto tune and then trimming yourself. You don't need a dyno.

Forgetting about mapping for a minute, there is a considerable amount of setting up to be done with the Autronic before the engine will even start. You really need someone with experience to do it, it's not a job for a first timer that's for sure.

The PFC is the best answer.

cheers

[BU5TER]

I have an RB31DET with 420+rwkw and a Power FC with one Q45 AFM, no problems.  PFC = out of the box, install in 5 minutes and drive to the dyno.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd like to see the dyno sheet of that if possible please

Brett

[ookami]

yeah the Z32 air flow meter in a mates car maxes out in no time .... not sure how you managed it Sydneykid - good stuff if you have. You usually end up with a small flat spot in the dyno graph when it maxes out. I have quite a few return to idle problems with my cams and have to set the idle much higher than i would like, let alone with an afm in place, would only open new problems, I think I'll stick with a map sensor.

So who in queensland is a goot tuner of autronics? I don't really want to have to buy one and drive 20 hours to NSW or VIC to get the thing tuned.

Edited February 5, 2006 by ookami

[nitemare5]

the Q45 AFM (90mm?) is larger then the Z32 (80mm?) that your mate used.

[SteveL]

So who in queensland is a goot tuner of autronics?  I don't really want to have to buy one and drive 20 hours to NSW or VIC to get the thing tuned.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Check here as a starting point:

http://www.autronic.com/page_files/dealer_....htm#queensland

These are Autronic dealers but can probably point you in the right direction.

[discopotato03]

Like SK my vote goes to the Apexi PFC . Aftermarket engine management is reasonably complex to install - read expensive and time consuming . Even after that without a generic base programme to start with it wont even run .

The Apexi PFC goes plug and run with all the std sensors and AFM . I used an Autronic SMC for about 3-4 years and every time I plugged the lap top in I wished it could have load sensed off a hot wire mass air flow metre . Its one thing to tune a Map or manifold pressure sensed system but difficult to get the correction maps for air and water spot on . To a large degree the hot wire sensor takes the hard work out of this because its load signal reflects mass flow ie CFM AND air temperature so the air density can be known as well . I've heard people say that they'd prefer the old gate type afm to map because it tells the computer how much air the engines ingesting not just manifold pressure . The map sensor signal tells the computer nothing about air volume or density so crude means of correction are needed to get the programming right .

For burial rights - should you wish to remove the Autronic when the car is sold its a fair bit of work to refit the original computer/sensors/AFM/loom etc . If the constabulary were to find out (some of them are petrol heads and know what to look for) its much easier to refit the std computer/AFM/injectors .

Apexi PFC will maintain its resale value better than a second hand Autronic .

Cheers A .

[Turbine]

If you have to stick to an Autronic ECU. Stick your head in the manual and study the hell out of it, learn to tune it yourself.

If you are going to go to the trouble of buying and setting up one of these ECU's, make the most out of it by knowing how it works to get the best benifit.

Most tuners that i've researched don't or are unwilling to cram every ounce of horsepower out of your engine for safetys sake. Especially if it's a street car.

I intend to tune my engine myself, just rent out the dyno and crank it up using all of the Autronic options. I'm not too concerned about cracking an engine to learn what they will handle.

If you can get 420rwkw with Pfc, thats heaps for the steet if you ask me. For a dedicated race care (drag race), i think the Autronic is ideal.

Cheers

Turbine

[fantasy]

I am going to give my vote to the Autronic. If it is wired up correctly it will have at least one air temp sensor.

QLD tuners recommended:

● Hi Talk Performance. Ashley is the head tuner here. Ash is formally from APC. Phone number: 07 55 006512

● Pitt’s. Matt Spry runs the show there. He has an excellent reputation. Phone number: 0411340033.

Both of these guys tune Power FC’s as well so they can, and will give you an honest opinion on both these ECU’s from a tuner's point of view.

I know both of these guys so you can drop my name if you like.

Ricky from Fantasy Performance.

Edited February 5, 2006 by fantasy

[Sydneykid]

I am going to give my vote to the Autronic. If it is wired up correctly it will have at least one air temp sensor.

My Power FC has an air temp sensor and a correction table.

cheers

[2rismo]

I have seen a Power FC and AFM equiped GTR run 8's at 165 mph and make 1100 bhp. Is your target higher/faster than that? If not, the Power Fc is your best choice.

Crock....of......you-know-what.

How many cars running even 1 second SLOWER than that WORKSHOP car and faster than 165mph want NO DATA LOGGING?

Professional race teams - not backyarders or street-car racers run 8's and they don't do it with Power FC's unless they MAKE power fc's or sell them.

Sorry mate but "..the Power FC is your best choice." is a horribly general statement and very irresponsible advice.

I would also love to see the dyno graph for the RB31DET.

Adrian

P.S. I run a Power FC on my street car and think it is one of the best choices for that application. I sure as shit wont be using one on any out-and-out race car that may or may not be in the future.

[NXTIME]

PFC's are ideal for street cars, but an aftermarket ecu is the best choice for a more race-orientated car. The only question is which ecu? I would go for the ecu that your tuner is more than comfortable tuning. This piece of advice is constant amongst all the ecu threads that I have seen.

[manage13]

Geeez! What is up with all you people always bad mouthing the Motec and Autronic systems? You people carry on like the Power FC unit was sent down to earth from God himself.

If you want to know why the Motec and Autronic systems are far superior to the PFC send WetGTR a PM he will be able to clear it all up for the doubters.

Do you guys realize how easy it is to actually tune an Autronic system? Adam (WetGTR) showed me himself how easy it was to tune. Do you people realize how well this system will work for even a street car?

The PFC unit is an economical upgrade and a good one but if you have the money the Motec and Autronic systems are light years ahead.

Ookami, if you really want to know what an Autronic is like ask people that use it. My suggestion is PM WetGTR.

[R31Nismoid]

If you want to know why the Motec and Autronic systems are far superior to the PFC send WetGTR a PM he will be able to clear it all up for the doubters.

Do you guys realize how easy it is to actually tune an Autronic system? Adam (WetGTR) showed me himself how easy it was to tune. Do you people realize how well this system will work for even a street car?

I wouldnt go preaching about someones car unless unless you helped build it, or are the owner.

Adam (WetGTR) has had his share of problems as everyone else has at varying stages.

Its not my place to say these things of course. And nor is it Adam's if he see's this and chooses not to comment. Its his R&D with RPM and there is a lot of hours as with every major HP car.

But i can say that its up and running now, all issues sorted, making great power. All a owner wants at the end of the day

No full wire-in ECU comes without niggles and other things that can take time to nut down fully. Hence the PFC is a good option for simple and medium level applications.

High end applications is where arguments like this come about without people being fully informed.

Go with what works, and what you need to achieve that goal