S.A.F.C. / Power FC Tune and Boost

[T0nyGTSt]

It's one of those things where you have to improve things as you go along. Eventually I need a z32 AFM but even that will be maxxed out eventually.

T.

[jlnewton]

Just an question, doesn't the SAFC II have the ability to have 2 different settings. Therefore you could have an Air/Fuel setting for High and Low boost??

If so, wouldn't that would be the choice for low mods on bang for buck basis?

[Steve]

tlai909, you would really be putting down the ponies if you maxed out a z32, but you can always tune off the dyno beyond the afm, just like with the stock afm.

jlnewton, IMHO, the SAFC is great for anyone wanting a performance increase without going the whole hog. If you are after a lazy 200+rwkw or so, it should be fine as alot of lads get good results even beyond this figure. If you change your mind later and want a power fc, there is a market for these second hand so you wont be stuck with it.

Steve

[ed]

Ustasa, yep I spoke to Melvin already

I was the guy with the white ER34 with carbon bonnet, I have the basic version of the emanage at the moment but will talk to you guys when I have some $$$

MAP sesnsor is optional extra for the emanage or you can hook it up to a Profec e-01 for the unit to sense boost :uh-huh:

[Sydneykid]

Hi guys the problem with SAFC's and similar products is that they only address one of the problems. By the time you add;

*an ignition tuning piggy back

*a speed cut defender

*a boost controller

*an overboost defeater

*spend the time or pay someone to wire these things up

you end up paying more than a plug in and go, Apexi Power FC would cost.

Plus when you do have a problem it is damn hard to fault find amongst all of the piggy backs and their associated wiring.

Hope that helps.

[JimX]

Sydneykid, I agree with you on all points except the boost controller. Even if you get something like a Power FC, the bleed valve is still going to be inferior to an electronic boost controller. It's best to get an EBC as well as the Power FC.

But you're right, it is generally best to get the Power FC instead of most of those things. However, some people don't want all those things. For example, my car already came with an EBC and fuel cut defender, so adding in a S-AFC was a pretty cheap upgrade. If I had neither of those things then I might have just waited a little longer (who am I kidding - a LOT longer) and gotten the Power FC.

The S-AFC is a very good interim mod if you're low on cash. And when you can afford the Power FC, you'll know that there will be somene to buy it off you.

[ed]

Originally posted by Sydneykid

Hi guys the problem with SAFC's and similar products is that they only address one of the problems.  By the time you add;

*an ignition tuning piggy back

*a speed cut defender

*a boost controller

*an overboost defeater

*spend the time or pay someone to wire these things up  

you end up paying more than a plug in and go, Apexi Power FC would cost.

Plus when you do have a problem it is damn hard to fault find amongst all of the piggy backs and their associated wiring.

Hope that helps.

If you're talking about seperate piggy backs like

SAFC + ITC + HKS speed cut etc... then yes it would add up to probably more than a powerfc itself.

How much is a PowerFC new? $2000?

emanage with all cables etc is around $1000 new.

you could get emanage + tuning for probably less than a new powerfc

I'm not saying powerfc is bad....but hey, we have a new alternative now and it's not all that bad.

[JimX]

Ed, have you got a link for the emanage? I read your thread about it, but I couldn't really see a full list of features and what it can and can't do. Does it cost more to tune than an S-AFC? (which is about $150)

[ed]

JimX,

this is a good start...

http://www.mohdparts.com/emanage/

and probably the best english site about the emanage too...

Ed

[Sydneykid]

Hi ed, last time I bought a new Power FC from Nengun it cost me $1400. I had it fitted and the car tuned on the dyno in under 2 hours.

Last time I bought a SAFC it cost $780, plus $150 for the auto electrician to wire it up and mount it (looked nice and neat). Then I spent 3.5 hours, on the dyno tuning the A/F ratios, 'cause I had to keep compromising with the no adjustment of the ignition timing. Then I hit the overboost limiter a couple of times and had to reset the ECU. Plus I had to do it in 3rd gear cause the speed limiter kicked in in 4th. So the torque numbers were not comparable with other cars done in 4th.

Bottom line, it developed less power and cost more than doing it with a PFC in the first place.

Hi JimX, we use the Power FC boost controller which uses the same solenoid as the Apexi EBC. What I would have done in your case is sell the EBC and the fuel cut defender and buy a second hand PFC with boost controller, better result, not much more cost.

Hey, each to his own, maybe it's just because I don't like all those extra controllers, wiring and stuff hanging around ready to fail.

[predator]

You can pick up 2nd hand PFC's around.. it won't cost you that much. I'd buy one but i'm broke. Spot the stupidity in this post

[ed]

Hey SydneyKid,

Yeah, each their own. But I think PowerFC and emanage both have their spot in the market place.

If you have stock turbo and cooler and just wanna lean out mixtures a bit. Would the PowerFc not be overkill?

Taken from FAQ

It's hard to say at what point it's wiser to go with a stand-alone than a piggyback computer (ie the E-manage) – it really depends on how good the car's ECU is to begin with, the amount of modifications, etc.  If nothing else, the E-manage makes for a great stepping stone before going to a full stand-alone – you can learn to tune the car while having the factory fuel map to fall back on.

[T0nyGTSt]

Hmmm....

Anyway I thought the PowerFC + AVC-R is the right one for me. I don't think getting an S-AFC would be the right choice given that I don't want two blue displays in the cabin.

Mine is going to meet up with a HKS 2540.

T.

[predator]

ed: I think if you have a stock cooler, and only running a bit of boost, even the S-AFC is probably overkill.

It all depends on the price. I know i would prefer to get a 2nd hand PowerFC installed, even if it costs that little bit more, compared to the cost of a new S-AFC. Why do things twice later on down the track when one is just a lower version of the other, and price difference can come down to as little as $600 or so??

The increase to be had in the midrange through the use of a PFC is also not to be overlooked

[T0nyGTSt]

The problem is that everyone thinks the FC is $2,000+

It's not. For the money it's the go.

T.

[ed]

predator666, in my case...stock cooler + 9psi...

S-AFC II is around $600....installation and tune is how much?

e-manage for me was $900 installed + tuned

12 points vs 16?

How much is a 2nd hand PowerFC? $1200? Tuning it?

and if I do decide to upgrade, I'm sure the emanage won't have to be ripped out and replaced.

Trust have a monster GTR running the e-manage, I don't think my car will get quite to that level though

[Sydneykid]

Have I got his right;

Emanage $US299

Support Tool $US119

Injector Harness $US35

Ignition Harness $US35

Presure Sensor $US99

Pressure Sensor Harness $US29

That's $US616 plus duty and freight

say around $A1,350

Plus, I then have to fit all the wiring harnesses and mount the thing. Easy 3 hour job, before I can start tuning.

Each to his own and this each will take the PFC thanks.

[ed]

yep that's right....and it's new

just wondering, does powerfc have an option of using a map sensor to tune?

edit: and you don't need all the parts you listed for it to work.

[Sydneykid]

Hi ed, I prefer AFM's, much more accurate, but you can get a Djetro if you want MAP.

[ed]

there's always pro's and cons of everything...even AFMS