Micro Tech LTX 12 Computer

[Gold Rays]

Hi everyone,

What do you think of the Micro Tech LTX 12? Its a plub an play jobo. I have a 95 gtst and I was just wondering what peoples thoughts were on micro tech and my if you had any cheap sugestions on any other computers to get. I heard the Power FC isn't very compatable for my car. Please help, your replies will be most appreciated.

Thanks

Gold Rays

[Guest Sir Bean]

Easiest way to answer you question, check your PM!

[Gold Rays]

Thanks I'll check now

[iijj]

Hey - I'm interested 2...

PM me with the same info if you still have it!

iijj

[HEL-RZA]

PM me 2 phellas!!! is there a Microtech webb site i can read up on this ecu and other ones???

[Blitz]

Guys you might want to give Unique Autosports a call in Castle Hill.

They have already fitted a number of the new Microtechs to both R32 and R33 GTS-T's with excellent results.

[SLY33]

Ive used this ECU. Scan the performance pages, there are heaps of threads that cover everything! Despite what they say about how good an ecu is, just remember that if your tuner isnt perfect, its more than likely that your tune wont be either .

The best advice i can give anyone buying anything:- You get what you pay for (pretty much all the time, maybe some lucky exceptions! Most of you know this anyway, but like myself, its hard to turn away what "looks like" a bargain!)

[whatsisname]

I've been running a GTS25t plug'n'play LT12 since they first hit the market. I couldn't be happier with the way my car drives & the options the LT12 opens up

A number of forum regulars have been in my car & can confirm "MY" car's driveability is excellent.

However, as SLY33 mentioned, if your local tuner/s don't know the product well or don't use their knowledge & skills properly then you can end up with a less than enjoyable experience.

One last thing, for those LT12 users out there - Get yourself an LTseries 2 line handset! Damn handy little piece of gear for only ~$150

Cheers,

Matt (happy LT12 user)

[SLY33]

I'm actually one of those whos been in Matts car, and yes, its very well setup indeed! If mine was as good as his, id still have it

Specifically for those who are interested, i had a couple of problems. With the adapter loom (which since has been improved i think), and despite tuning, and a retune, it would still stall with the A/C on. Also my fuel econ was not good, while there are guys using the same ecu and getting very acceptable econ. Go figure! Tuner/tuning?! i dunno! But personally im going the tried and tested Power FC. The hand controller looks cool on my dash too

Matt, do you know if the microtech controller is backlit, i never had a good look!?

[Roy]

... my old hand controller was back lit.

As for Power Fc not being very suitable to the R33, well that flys in the face of popular belief.

I loved my MT-8 on my old Skyline, very economical purchase, plenty of people around that can tune it, pretty flexible, only the thing would seem to fall out of tune.

So every 3 months needed the maps cleaned up, as it would start to overfuel or ping???? A few people, i cant really vouch for how well informed these people are, have said "yeh thats common with Microtech"

One thing which you should be made aware of is that Microtechs need a strong voltage to function properly so make sure your battery and alternator are up to the task. well at least they use to, or should i say mine did.

[Interloper]

hey sir bean, can you pm me all the info you have on the LTX12?

I got a LT8 which isn't too great.

thanks

[Guest Sir Bean]

roy, i have also heard that they fall out of tune. I cant understand how in the world they could, but i have had this happen too. I was having my tuning checked, and the car was given back to me with 20kw LESS power at the wheels! thats when it got the flick!

I even heard from a guy i met at a dyno tuning place that he had his car tuned, test drove it round the block, and then it needed retuning!

[Nacho Vidal]

Originally posted by Gold Rays

Hi everyone,

What do you think of the Micro Tech LTX 12? Its a plub an play jobo.

hi guys. firstly its not a "real" plug and play ECU, as it needs an adapter board to mate up to the nissan plug. The Apex FC is a real plug and play, and even mounts perfectly in the place of the factory comp.

SLY33 mentioned the fuel economy. This is because the microtech doesnt use the accurate AFM, and instead uses a MAP sensor, but even more so, the microtech lacks the all important "CLOSED LOOP" function that the FC has, which is why it suffers poorer fuel economy during normal driving.

Microtech's falling out of tune; ive also heard this, but i cant explain it either, nor have i even heard suggestions as to why some of them do this!

I know quite a few people using microtech ECU's, some with the LT12's, others earlier models. Some love them, and others don't and have gotten rid of them! I have never heard of anyone not liking an FC and wanting to change.

Gold Rays, the FC is probably the MOST compatible computer for your car, as APEX make their ECU's "model specific". So if you got one it would work only for your r33 GTS-t(and work extremely well), and no other model car!

Availability of FC's for 33 GTSt's is pretty good, and buying second hand with controller is very popular at the moment (priced from 1300+ with controller, this is even cheaper than an LT12 with controller) I havent heard of these second hand units ever failing, and besides, its pretty safe buying, as there is nothing in the ECU that really wears out. They are even easier to find for GTR's. Very hard to find for 32gtst i'm told.

Hope this helps, NACHO.

[T0nyGTSt]

The FC is the most popular ECU for all 33 cars, GT-R or GTS.

For good reason, power, fuel economy and your mother can tune them.

Price is also very reasonable IMO and the HC is fine.

btw. love your work Nacho Vidal

T.

[Gold Rays]

Thanks Nacho, I'll take your advise.

[whatsisname]

The price I paid for my LT12 & handset (including tuning) was quite a lot less than any 2nd hand PFC & commander deal I've ever seen! I won't give the price I paid, as I was asked to not to.

Microtech's going out of tune? Sounds a bit like the old Unichip fallacy. I had a UC too, & it NEVER did any of the things people claimed 100% they did. Explain to me how the numbers punched into the ECU can 'go out of tune'? Unless the fuel pressure is altered, a sub system is changed, or a sensor gives intermittent readings I see no way the ECU will start changing the mapped timing & inj MS numbers? As for losing 20rwkw on the dyno? Many things can cause a large drop (or increase) on dyno runs. I'd have done a bit of investigation as to why rather than just put it down to the ECU going out of tune.

Closed loop - yep the Microtech range doesn't "currently" utilise CL. If your tuner can, then the fuel & ignition mapping will give very good economy anyway. Just working on WOT, idle & a few points in between isn't what I'd call a tune. Using the laptop software & matrix mode to the full potential will give very good results. It will never be as good as a well tuned CL ECU but 50kms per tank difference max.

Someone mentioned Microtech's being voltage sensitive. This is very true. It pays to have a decent battery.

I've very happy with my LT12 Microtech. I've had it running the show on my car for ~ a yr now & it's not looking like going out of tune yet

At the end of the day it's good to see we Aussies have a wide range of ECU choices. After all we do lead the world aftermarket ECU industry. Nothing wrong with the PFC at all but it too has limitations. Although with the laptop software about to become readily available in OZ it'll remove some of those limitations.

Cheers,

Matt

[Roy]

Fallacy, well it happened to me. Im not in any particular hurry to blame the Microtech, but the integration of the MT8 and my R31 GTSX with ECCS Rb20 wasnt all that great.

I dont have any answers about the thing falling out of tune, or perhaps re-worded to always needing tuning.

I have had some thoughts about the way in which the ECU interprets some of the engines sensors, mA and voltage outputs, as it used Nissan sensors and perhaps wasnt compatible to a resolution that allows accurate control of things like fuelling on trailing throttle.

Maybe when engine was cold the thing doesnt resolve the water temp and air temp readings into better controlling fuel and over richness ruins spark plugs?????

So with the richness ruining plugs, the onset of poor power, pinging, was actually ruined or degradating plugs, which werent change every time the car was tuned. So the prob compounds itself.

And it was me that mentioned voltage, despite having new Bosch Alternator and battery, my car at night or in morning, basically any time i had my lights/radio/wipers etc on the thing ran like a dog. So it wasnt until i put an unusually large alternator in the car did the thing run good at night.

This isnt sounding all the fault of the ECU, but my car was tuned by people very familiar with Microtechs, as in Microtech themselves sent me there. So one must still consider the tuners of the computer when considering the ECU itslef.

[whatsisname]

All valid points Roy.

If anything I would say the Microtech is.... maybe a little less tolerant. All sensors need to be operating 100%; it needs a very good voltage supply & so on.

I know of the odd Microtech authorised dealer that I wouldn't go near with my LT12! Just because someone is very familiar with a product doesn't mean they'll put that knowledge to best use, ALL the time! - Unfortunately Maybe we should amend the old saying, "the best ECU in the world is only as good as its "motivated & dedicated" installer/tuner.

I have no experience with the MT series of Microtech ECU's but I'm tipping that the laptop software upgrade has made the LT series noticeably better.

Cheers,

Matt