1999 Q45 ECU ?

[MrPresidentQ45]

Is anyone aware of a quality performance ECU for the Y33 cars? I haven't seen anything other than some shifty looking stuff on E-bay.

[maxnix]

Impul. Not cheap, but only one that probably improves performance if the fuel can keep up. Note that JDM VH41DE had the spider intake like the VH45DE and better flowing headers also.

[MrPresidentQ45]

Once you mentioned that, I checked another source... apparently Mine's also makes an ECU, although at $1600, it had better be pretty neat.Any idea what the real world gains of a tuned ECU in this application would be?

[maxnix]

No idea whatsoever, but the Impul is the same price. I bet 10% at best, maybe only 5%.

Headers might make the largest difference, but for the price Impul charges (for RHD models, obviously) you would want to custom build your own.

[MrPresidentQ45]

I don't think I could get away with home-built headers here in the socialist republic of California, as neat as that would be. I think I'll have to start with a cat-back exhaust and go from there. And start saving.

[Q45tech]

OBD2 allows designers to leave less safety margin on the table so 3-5% is about all one can gain and still meet emission requirements.In theory there is 25 lb/ft between published and theorectical max, but each pound ft will probally cost $150................whether 0.3 second is worth $3750 is up to you.

It was easy on old pre96 models to tweek 10%.

[MrPresidentQ45]

I think that gives me a direction, if nothing else. No goofing off with the '99 and I'll start looking for a '94 touring to hot rod.

[Q45tech]

The problem is the heavier 94 requires more but has more cubic inches.In theory the extra 24 ci could produce 30 more pound feet but most of that will be used up in acceleating the extra 300 pounds.

Same problem a real hot rodded 94 is only 0.3 of a second faster than a stock 94. Without supercharging you just run out of air to make power. After you tweek software the intake and exhaust are just not very restrictive, so little to be gainned.

Plus a 94 will cost more than a 99 in potential repairs and annual mainteances due to age factor alone plus weight.

If money is no object pick a 90 standard and spend liberally to totally rebuild.

[MrPresidentQ45]

If I intended to keep the stock drivetrain, that would be sound advice By hotrod, I'm thinking vg30dett swap and a president front clip. Something over the top. This is all conjecture, as any major project is a few bills away for me. I just like to do my homework ahead of time.

[maxnix]

The VG30DET adn VQ30DET were available in lower line Cima.

In spite of the revised title of this Forum, we really don't cover these here because they were never imported, just like the AWD models.