How to install a powerFC+h/c

[MRK25T]

My powerFC + H/C arrived today after purchasing it from Nengun performance.

Could someone post the steps I need to follow to replace my old ECU with this one.

From previous posts on the powerFC it looks like I dont have to tune it straight away, ie. I can drive around with it for a week or two before I gather enough cash to get it tuned - is this true.

Should I wack it in just before getting it tuned, or can I put it in tommorow?

thanks for all the replies,

Mark

[benm]

How much did it end up costing from nengun?

I personally would probably leave out until you can get it tuned. No point driving around on an untuned aftermarket ECU when you have a perfectly good 1 already installed.

[B-Man]

Mark, get someone to the the lot for you -

[risk mitigation]

Reason: If you install it then take it to someone else to tune, then if the worst possible thing that could happen, happens, the dude that tuned it will say " well, you installed it , so it's your fault ".

However, if you go to a reputable tuner ( there are lots on the site) And say, "I just got this in from Japan (or wherever) and I want you to install it and I want you to tune it for the best power WITHIN reasonable saftey limits" - and it goes to shite - you have got a much better case for re-course...

Yeah, I know this is a 'glass half empty' responce, but for the extra few bucks, I reckon it's worth it......

Cheers,

[Steve]

This should take you about 5 minutes to install. Just plug it in, reset it in the etc menu, and make sure the EBC option is off (you will know if it is on as it wont fire up:) ).

It is dead easy and you should get a performance increase. dont be paranoid, just dont force the plug. The initialise settings are conservative, so you dont have to worry there.

[B-Man]

Ohhh - OK, if it is that easy - go for it - I spose I was just being an ultra conservative fuddy duddy......

[T0nyGTSt]

Follow the instructions - it's dead simple.

Then you should drive the car to a competant tuner.

Then you get the best from the FC, power + fuel economy.

T.

[benm]

I'm with you B-Man, i'd rather just pay the price and have it all done properly on the day.

Sure it may only take 5mins to install it but if your not gonna get it tuned for 1-2wks after installing it why not spend that 5mins installing it 5mins before you go to the tuners? What have you lost?

[Guest RedLineGTR]

Plug it in yourself, and the controller. So they dont have to take the plastic panel off to get to the ecu or anything like that. From some of experieces, they might break something etc. you never no. hook it up yourself, but all the screws back how they are meant to be, and be happy how you put it in. So all you need to do is just drop it off at the tuners and the pick it up whenever ready.

[Sydneykid]

Hi MRK25T, our record for installing a Power FC and getting the car running (nicely) is 10 minutes. Unlike Windows it really is plug and play. Bill Gates eat your heart out.

Go for it.

[Guest KILLER-T]

Just plug it in turn the boost down and dont beat up too much on your car untill you get it tuned.It will be fine i did the same thing on my car.It might be a good idea to go to the initialize all setting and run the the stock map in the FC you never know what it has be tuned for and if you do reset you need to let the car idle for like 30 or 40 min so it can do its idle learning thing.Have a read of the instruction manual it tells you step by step how to do it

[MRK25T]

Thanks for the response.

Benm: It ended up costing me $1600 for the powerfc + h/c brand new, delivered to my door.

I've only had a quick look at the powerFC and it looks like there are no screws, just two lots of double sided tape. I haven't taken the h/c out of the box yet either.

I've got a uni assignment to finish off tonight, I might see if I can plug it in tonight.

I took a quick look at the manual and it had a lot of japanese characters on it so thought it safe asking here incase there was some kind of warning in Japanese.

I recall reading about having to tell the powerFC i'm using a EBC?

Mark

[Steve]

You need to tell it if you are not using the Power FC EBC. If you are using any other sort of EBC, dont worry about it. when you plug the power fc in and start the car IF it doesnt start, that will be because the EBC has been selected and the power fc cannot find it. Just switch it off - I am pretty sure its in the etc menu.

There is a pdf in english for a power fc hand controller, includes all the warnings, it is at the APEXi USA website, cant remeber the address, but if you do a search on google you should find it.

Honestly, this is absolutely the easiest thing you could do, more chance hurting the car giving it a wax...lol

EDIT: dont even need to use the double sided tape!

[R33NT]

When i got my power FC and plugged it in it was pinging its tits off. Ended up having to take heaps of timing out of the base map and add fuel. I dont know about the rest of the people here but i wish the Autronic with the adaptor loom had been avail when i went ECU hunting.

With regard to the car not running with the EBC switched on (with no EBC connected) i just had the check engin light come up and it drove fine. I have heard of it stopping but i didnt experience it.

The hand controller is a pain because it takes heaps of time to take a couple of degrees out of the entire map (i know i can just turn the crank angle sensor) AND the map chaser function doesnt show you on the actual map only on a grid which represents the entire map which is REALLY annoying.

Oh and i am interested to know what other people have done about mounting it since mine DIDNT come with any brackets to mount it.

Outside of that it was a true plug and play unit.

[Steve]

Mounting, put it behind the kick panel

[Sydneykid]

This is Son of sydneykid

R33NT - did you reset the computer before installing?? If it didn;t come with any brackets to mount, i guess you didn't buy a new one, so, logical question.... would make sence to me then

[MRK25T]

What are the steps for installing the powerFC?

1. disconnect battery

2. remove stock ECU

3. plug in powerFC + H/C

4. reconnect battery

5. switch off powerFCs EBC somehow in the menus

(i'm running a profec B EBC, have full exhaust, pod, high flow turbo) is there a setting I can use on the powerFC so it doesnt do damage to my engine?

My powerFC is brand new, would it have been tuned for a stock r33 gtst?

Killer-T mentioned resetting, should I reset the powerFC and if so how do i do it?

Mark

[Guest KILLER-T]

No if its new then dont worrie about reseting just plug it in and drive it easy untill u get it tuned it will be tuned for jap fuel

[Sydneykid]

Hi Mark download a copy of the English Language Power FC manual and Commander manual from the Apexi USA web site. They are in PDF format. Since they don't have Skylines in the US, the best fit is the RX7 PFC and the Honda Commander.

http://www.apexi-usa.com

Hope that helps.

[MRK25T]

Thanks SydneyKid.

Yesturday during my lunch break I tried disconnecting the battery, but since i've upgraded my battery its very hard to undo. Added to that, I cant really get at it because i've mounted my amp in front of it. The weekend will give me enough time to install it (with the help of the english PDF file i've just downloaded).

Mark