Ecu For R33 Rb25det

[Taso84]

Ok, before i get flamed ive done a search and i couldn't find a conclusive thread about this.

This is basically a question/info thread

Question: i want to get an ECU for my car (r33 rb25DET), and wanna know the main differences and adv/disadv about each one.

So far I've worked out that:

- Apexi FC is the easiest to tune, u can achieve a better tune, its relatively cheap ($1200) its got a hand controller, good resale value and very reliable. Bad points are it uses AFM and does not have a boost controller

- microtech is better for racing but not good for street since it is harder to tune for part throttle and to tune for economy. Alot of tuners are also not competant using it which means more dyno time is needed (= more $$$). Not sure how much the unit costs but it is slightly more expensive than AFC i think. Good thing about this one is that is uses a map sensor instead of an AFM, so no need to upgrade to z32 AFM.

-wolf3D, is the 1 i dont really know anything about. Apparently its good tho.

-Greddy emanage, apparently is more a A/f controller mush like the apexi SAFC, altho its got more features than a SAFC. Compared to an AFC, i'm not sure which ones better. E-manage can be obtained for under $400 from nengun.

- remap, is a ok option if u plan to do no more mods on ur car. If u do, expect to pay 600-700 for each retune (which is only slightly more than a dyno run) but more importantly u are locked into the 1 tuner. Gains are also not as good. Dr-drift chargers less than 1000 from memory for the 1st remap.

So far this is what ive understood. My car is a street car with very little track time and a stock turbo/afm/injectors. Im on a budget of (max $2000 drive away) and would like to hear pples opinions/experienced to help me decide which way to go.

[R31Nismoid]

EMS

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...;hl=Which++ecu*

PowerFC or Microtech

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...;hl=Which++ecu*

Microtech or Link

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...=128762&hl=

There are a dozen other threads, each asking for peoples personal experience... yadda yadda yadda. Im sure you get the idea.

End of the day its a case of choose the ECU your tuner feels most comfortable/familiar with using.

Your ECU/Tune/Car performance will only ever be as good as the tuner, decide on a workshop/tuner and go from there.

Thats the common denominator you have grossly overlooked

[hobzta]

End of the day its a case of choose the ECU your tuner feels most comfortable/familiar with using.

Your ECU/Tune/Car performance will only ever be as good as the tuner, decide on a workshop/tuner and go from there.

that's so true, I dunno how many people I have spoken to who have complained about the tuning job such'n'such workshop did but it was like the first time they had even dealt with that ECU.

I was speaking to the guys at UAS the other day about the PowerFC and if there was going to be anything to replace it from Apexi and they said they didn't have any info, but were going to start working with the E-Manage 2 in the not too distant future and said depending on the ease of tuning (and how long it takes the tuner to get it down-pat) it shoudl perform just as well if not better than the PowerFC.

[paulr33]

the powerfc has a boost control kit, its on www.nengun.com

using an afm is a good thing, using a map sensor is not

the emanage is a piggyback and always will be, so i dont see how it would be better than a replacement stand alone

[Strik3r]

im in a similar boat at the moment and i agree, the information out there is not conclusive... it isn't that easy to find PFC's and your still up for $600 a tune... as long as you dont want much more than 220rwkw, its probably not necissary either. Here are the obvious options as far as piggy back ECU's go - can anyone provide info as to tuning costs for these and any other information ive missed or am unsure about:

Apexi SAFC 2

$320 delivered (2nd hand)

+ 2 saved maps (cruise / performance)

+ Knock sensor

- 12* 2map

Apexi SAFC Neo

$430 delivered (new)

+ brand new interface

. 16*2 map

- no knock sensor

- no saved maps

Greddy Emanage Blue:

$516.51 delivered with harness

+ 16*16 map

+ Ignition Control

+ injector control

- no saved maps/profiles (???)

- apparently the timing adjustment is not great

- has issues with heating up coils (???)

Greddy Emanage Ultimate:

$722.91 delivered with harness

+ ignition control

+ injector control

+ 2 saved maps with quick flick switch to swap between.

+ auto tune (not a huge help, but worth mentioning)

+ extra inputs for mapping of many other car functions

- not a replacement ecu

Apexi Power FC (included for reference)

~$1200 with hand controller (2nd hand)

+ complete ECU replacement

+ complete control over engine

- Difficult to source these days

- $600 to tune.

[paulr33]

2nd hand PFCs are like $800 via slidewize imports

he is a trader on the forums, speak to him

he should be able to get rb25 as well

tune should be $500 ish

or more like $400, shop around, plently of PFC tuners

theres no need to emphasise on multiple maps, you just tune the ecu the best and safest settings your car / engine can deal with. theres no need for a normal spec tune and a "race" spec tune. just tune with whats safe and be done with it. fuel economy will come from how you drive it and your foot on the pedal

[2gceffy]

im looking into all these options at the moment, i know info bout pfc but Emanage n that i cant find info on or opinions really.. what i cant find out is if emanage can run bigger turbos n that? its prob under my nose on this site but havnt come across it yet

[MR331307]

im looking into all these options at the moment, i know info bout pfc but Emanage n that i cant find info on or opinions really.. what i cant find out is if emanage can run bigger turbos n that? its prob under my nose on this site but havnt come across it yet

ASK YOUR TUNER

[paulr33]

a good indication of how good an ecu is the number of people who use it and documentation etc out there. if you cant find much on the emanage, chances are not many people use it. look at the pfc faq (in my sig) should give you an indication on the number of people that use the powerfc, and for good reasons too.

lots of documentation on the motec, for good reasons too

etc, if its good people will have documentation, howto's, guides etc

[Strik3r]

i dont think PFC's for the rb25's are as easy to come by as you think... which is why im considering these other options, especially since im only after 200rwkw... will pm slidewize though and see if he can help tho.

aside from getting a PFC, are there any other comments/feeback/info about the piggy backs i listed ??

[MotoMan]

Interested in what you end up with.. as im chasing similar power levels...

PFC may not be an option due to the issues with an ALSD.. Have you sorted that out yet paulr33?

[paulr33]

last time i spoke with zac about the PFC availability he said it was fine and no problems with finding them, best to ask him. a 200rwkw well tuned r33 with PFC will run very nicely and have some good average power. the response and engine pickup is also much better as you are to tune the low load ign areas significantly. im about 12deg more advanced timing below 3 grand, so the car feels amazing to drive.

powerfc & alsd works fine, its just an official wiring change to make it work, its under the tutorial section, search for "active-lsd" in their and you will find it, its also in the PFC Faq

[paulr33]

if you want a cheap solution go the safc route, most people do this and later change to the PFC further down the track. the safc is cost effective and the tuning is usually cheaper as well.

[OZ_Pomy]

If you want a brand new power fc with controller try pm a user on here called amec he has just sourced a few for some members not sure if theres any left though

[SirRacer]

why dont you guys look at a linkg3 with adaptor loom. i was going to go power fc but are very closely considering oen

they are around 1600nzd so a bit cheaper for you aussies (probably around 1400 + shipping)

www.linkecu.com

[RB30-POWER]

i've got a direct plugin link ecu for these vehicles in the for sale section, if anyone is interested.