New To This Whole Skyline Tuning Stuff

[DN14]

few days ago I purchaced my first skyline an r33 gtst

iv been tolds its running 16 pounds of boost which I find ridiculous

as it doesn't feel or seem nothing like it, iv had a look at the ecu

and looks like a stock one to me as I said im not to well with skylines

so after abit of reading around I have a couple questions

if getting an aftermarket ecu is a nistune board still needed for a tune?

iv heard of several places that now remap the r33 ecu?

im just after a basic tune, an alternative to paying $800+ just for the nistune

just to get everything back on track for now as the car seems like running shit for that much boost..

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

If it's running 16psi then it's definitely not a stock ecu

[DN14]

is there a way I can confirm this?

I was also doubting it was anywhere near that much boost but the stock boost gauge on the cluster definitely maxes out

[iruvyouskyrine]

Buy/borrow a new boost gauge from your mate or any automotive retail store. Make sure it reads 20psi or more.

[DN14]

how would this prove the ecu isn't stock though

I don't doubt the boost im just assuming he upped the boost to that amount of pressure with zero ecu upgrade or tune

which I believe is the reason why the car feels so sluggish

[GTSBoy]

You could take a look at the ECU for a start........

[Super Drager]

how would this prove the ecu isn't stock though

I don't doubt the boost im just assuming he upped the boost to that amount of pressure with zero ecu upgrade or tune

which I believe is the reason why the car feels so sluggish

Because a R33 GTS-25t will run like absolute shit at 16PSI on a stock ECU. The standard ECU will dump in fuel and retard timing pretty harshly.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

It won't even run once it hits that to load. Literally feels like a brick wall

I reckon not stock or maybe signal bend

[Trex]

remove the cabin pass side footwell cover, the one next to the guard. Tell us what is there and if any wires are spliced into.

I doubt that boost. As josh said, get a boost gauge.

[DN14]

oh ok well I just took couple photos of the ecu

here they are

http://i.imgur.com/blF627p.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Uk5VebI.jpg

[GTSBoy]

That's a stock R33 turbo auto ECU. Unless it has been Toshi tuned or similar (which is not so likely) then it is a piece of crap that will not appreciate being run over 10-12 psi. Massive pig richness and a complete absence of ignition advance will occur. Horrible brick wall lack of power feeling to go with it.

Also, if you are running 16 psi, there is a good chance that you will destroy the turbo any time you boost it up. They just don't like it. Too hot, too fast, too bad.

[Trex]

Was hoping for mines.

[DN14]

yeah though so, I doubt its toshi tuned either according to a quick look up his located in NSW and im from VIC

so back the the actual question what would be a slightly inexpensive alternative then getting nistune installed?

[GTSBoy]

Turn the boost down to something safe an keep it that way until you can afford to replace the ECU totally.

By the way. Just in case you think you can, you cannot Nistune that ECU. R33 ECUs won't do it. The alternatives are to use an R32 or a Z32 ECU, both of which are less than ideal solutions. For the effort and compromise involved, if I were trying to tune an R33, I'd get an Adaptronic or some other suitable aftermarket ECU and just live with the defect threat, such as it is.

[DN14]

alright if I were to get an aftermarket I would still have to get nistune installed on it?

[djr81]

No just tuned.

[GTSBoy]

No. Nistune is a daughterboard conversion that you put into a Nissan factory ECU (as long as it's not an R33 one!) to turn it into a programmable ECU.

Your car is an auto? That can be a complicating factor. A lot of people like to use the PowerFC, but as far as I can remember they don't like to work on auto R33s. The problem is that there is a comms link between the ECU and the TCU (gearbox computer) that gets upset when it's not connected. The TCU goes into a sulk. I think - I don't know for sure, because as soon as I hear "auto" I go to sleep and dream of manual conversions.

[Badgaz]

yeah though so, I doubt its toshi tuned either according to a quick look up his located in NSW and im from VIC

so back the the actual question what would be a slightly inexpensive alternative then getting nistune installed?

Second hand powerfc.

[DN14]

hmm what bout a Emanage piggy back ecu ?

and yes its auto

Edited September 26, 2014 by DN14