Aftermarket Ecus

[quarkgun]

Hey Guys,

Just wondering about whether i'll need to upgrade the ecu, or add a piggyback or not even bother?

Currently my car is stock, other than a cat-back exhaust and air filter.

I aim to keep the car as stock as possible, but also to get as close to 200rwkw as i can without changing turbos/internals, with the goal being performance, efficiency and reliability (it's my daily driver)

So my planned mod path thus far looks like:

* Front/Dump pipe + High flow cat

* Larger Intercooler (e.g. r34 side mount to keep the stock look)

* Boost it up a little, say 10PSI

** also considering a water injection kit **

My question is: with this relatively small list of modifications, do i need to address the ECU to make the most of them? And if so, which path to take - pfc, safc, emanage or other?

[paulr33]

this has been covered to death sorry - you really should try searching

there are lots of modification guides, how-to's and many step by step guides

even documentation like the PFC FAQ covers the PFC vs the SAFC and other common ECU's

all of the information is out there, you should just search and read it

but yes, in summary a stand alone ECU will give you all the benefits you need

this will include fuel economy, response, power etc

[nuclear_skyline]

I have the emanage and it works really well for me. Considering the mods you have, it would work great for you as well...

That being said, so would a PFC, but the Emanage is considerably cheaper and easier to install... Less tuners know them though.

[Wacky Dee]

pfc is probably the best one as there's a lot of people that can tune them ..but the cost is rather high (both chip and the tune itself). However you can score them on japanese auctions for a good price if you're lucky .. I just got an R34 GTT PFC off japanese auctions for $160 ($270 or so after all import costs) using importmonster.com.au so saved $7-800 right there ;D

[quarkgun]

Hey that's pretty good... how much does a PFC tune cost in general?

[.:: GimpS-R34 ::.]

well i got pfc for R34 GTT cost me $1551 and thats about the average price.. so you saved more than that..

i got it installed and tuned for $545.00. GODZILLA MOTORSPORT FTW

[Wacky Dee]

yeah but my one doesn't come with a hand controller, which i think costs about $300-400 on its own (in australia anyway) But still ..$270 for a 2nd hand PFC is a major score

[Sheng]

Hey that's pretty good... how much does a PFC tune cost in general?

anywhere between 70-200 for general touch ups, depends on the tune and the time on the rollers.

[Wacky Dee]

from what I've been quoted, a full PFC tune costs between $650 and $1000 depending on shop and how many mods you have.

[InterCooL]

consider a remap by toshi. he resides in sydney, search / pm him, should only be a few hundred

[paulr33]

a full PFC tune should cost $500

i cannot understand how a full PFC tune would cost anywhere near $1000

for $1000 i would want full documentation of the tune

how its setup, what to expect, a backup of the tune on a floppy disk

complete map dump and every single value on the 20x20 map changed from std

its complete overkill and lunacy, a std $500 should be fine for 9 out of 10 setups

[Ricos]

Sorry to hijack, but also in a similar situation my self.

The OP stated he wants to keep the car "stock locking".

How stock can u get a PFC to look. Does it hide tucked away or is it something that a cop can shine his torch on and say "defection time!!!"

If it is notcied, how easy is it so swap out and put the stock ECU back in.

My mods are as follows and i figure a PFC would be next?

R33 Gtst

3" turbo back exhaust (split dump/front)

Highflow cat

FMIC (Blitz LM style which return back to stock pipes - so no hole needed)

Boost @ 11psi (bleed valve)

Thanks

Edited May 28, 2008 by Ricos

[paulr33]

the PFC and the stock use are the same type of case

just the apexi unit has the hand controller port and an apexi logo on the case

you can swap over the std ecu lid with the PFC lid so that there is no apexi logo

the PFC is a direct fit unit, true plug and play

so if you are caught out you can undo the PFC

slot back the STD ecu and the car will start first crank

no wire changes etc are needed to go between std ECU and PFC

[GTS4WD]

How stock can u get a PFC to look. Does it hide tucked away or is it something that a cop can shine his torch on and say "defection time!!!"

If it is notcied, how easy is it so swap out and put the stock ECU back in.

If you dont have a hand controller you can just as easily leave it where the stock ECU resides, passanger footwell kicker pannel.

How easy is it to swap over? Just undo one screw.

Now Im going to hijack,

With such simple mods why not just use a Apexi SAFC?

PFC's to me seem like overkill for such simple mods. You only need to play around with the Air fuel ratio and perhaps the timing.

Why not just use an SAFC that can be had for $200?

[quarkgun]

With such simple mods why not just use a Apexi SAFC?

PFC's to me seem like overkill for such simple mods. You only need to play around with the Air fuel ratio and perhaps the timing.

Why not just use an SAFC that can be had for $200?

Well that's the reason i raised the post initially - i wanted to know if i needed to go full blown ecu replacement, or if a piggyback would be enough. Though i thought that timing is not something that the SAFC could adjust... and i would need a PowerFC if i wanted to change timings.

[GTS4WD]

Well that's the reason i raised the post initially - i wanted to know if i needed to go full blown ecu replacement, or if a piggyback would be enough. Though i thought that timing is not something that the SAFC could adjust... and i would need a PowerFC if i wanted to change timings.

Timing is adjusted from the engine bay..

[Beer Baron]

no, sadly it's not. base timing is SET in the engine bay, and once set to factory spec needs to be left well alone. to adjust the timing map you need a power FC, or chip, or whatever but an SAFC simply alters the voltage signal between the AFM and the stock ECU which alters the fuel mixture.

[Wheezy]

a full PFC tune should cost $500

i cannot understand how a full PFC tune would cost anywhere near $1000

for $1000 i would want full documentation of the tune

how its setup, what to expect, a backup of the tune on a floppy disk

complete map dump and every single value on the 20x20 map changed from std

its complete overkill and lunacy, a std $500 should be fine for 9 out of 10 setups

LOL....floppy disk, they still around?????

[r33cruiser]

if u plan on going for another turbo and etc. go a pfc. but with the mods u have now i recommend a safc neo.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE dont get a EMU...i know i say it all the time...but they are utter shit!!!

ultimately pfc...but that may be a bit extravagant for the mods u have now

Edited May 28, 2008 by r33cruiser

[sloutch]

from what I've been quoted, a full PFC tune costs between $650 and $1000 depending on shop and how many mods you have.

No way it'll cost that much to near 1000.

For that cost, you'll be tuning a Motec!