ATTENTION! NICO ECU's ARE BACK!

[ponzy]

when i saw the thread with 30+ answers, i immediately opened up my email....and emailed you wes.................

hey, that's unfair man.........just got home from work. it just so happen that i logged out early last night..........tsk..tsk........

tha'ts ok WES, just dont forget me on next's batch..................

WES, what happen to the laptop-powered-conzult? any news don't forget me on your list there too.....

Guess I've been away too long. House fires tend to temporarily adjust your priorities, and some things get put on hold, but I'm back and ready to dedicate some time and $$$ to make the Q into a reliable performance machine. Won't ever equal my long lost mid-engine 1800lb. Italian exotic pocket rocket in handling or adrenaline rushes, but now I'm too old for that anyway. Fell in love w/the Q within 3 minutes of my first test drive and haven't looked back. Many moments of angst and questions about my practical judgment, but each time I spend some time in maintenance, I am richly rewarded by taking it out for a spin. Suspension components are next, and I've already found that it can be a bit spendy, even as a DIY. Haven't even installed Jeff's strut tower brace yet. Anyway, lemme know the next step as I don't want to miss out on this batch. Should I swap out the ECU's and send my original, or would I run into issues w/HICAS etc. if I put the '92 in my touring model. If no issues, it makes no difference which one is modded.

I'll have to do some research to see what the stage 3&4 do. I've been out of the loop for a while. Thanks again.

MOBIUS where did you get JEFF's tower brace? please let me know ok, i am interested....thanks

[ponzy]

please give some consideration for those in the EAST COAST

[Jeff Williams]

Robert sent me mine about 1 day before the multi switched ECU was released. I sent several emails, but got no response. I really wanted the "Mad Max" tune, to see what kind of quarter mile times I couuld get comparing the tunes.

Now that I have whined enough, can I get my original NICO ECU updated?

Remember, I was oen of the pioneer supporters of this, and the only one that provided written Dyno proof of the quoted 30 HP add.

My initial Dyno run with the NICO ECU showed a max 244 RWHP at about 5,800 RPM and a max RWTQ at 239 at 4,800 RPM. The Tq might have been better, if I knew about unplugging the TCU to keep the car from shifting back into second. Sam didn't get hard on it until the car reached 3,200 RPM. As it stands, the TQ numbers are right at the stock numbers.

If you take into account an 18% driveline loss, 244 RWHP = 338 Crank HP which is a 60 HP gain over the stock numbers. Of course, I had the K&N POP Charger on the car as well, which we all know adds 15 or 20 HP .

There is nothing like the sound of the car at 155 MPH maxed out in third gear at 7,400 RPM on the Dyno!

My other runs netted an average of 247.5 Torque at the rear wheels, which equates to about 304 Crank TQ, which is an improvement of 12 Ft-lb or 4%.

[elwesso]

jeff when it comes time for the next run ill talk to robert about it.

[maxnix]

Nice numbers, but I am surprised the torque was not higher also.

I have the safe 91 octane tune on my cars (TX summer heat and who knows what will be sold as gasoline next year?), and it works fine. Nothing wrong with a little safety margin for a daily driver.

Just need new wheels and tires and a long runway to check top speed.

[qsiguy]

I'm in the same boat as Jeff. I have an original single map NICO ECU and would like an updated one. I also want your boost map as one of my selections. If you need to you could eliminate the valet mode or another one.

Talk to Robert about me as well and let me know. I have my original unmodified ECU w/TCS I can sent you guys if you need it as well. The one I'm using I had sent direct from the salvage yard to Robert for the mod.

Did you guys (Wes or Robert) ever break down the techie details of the differences between the different maps? Also I'd like to know what the boost map does exactly, just more fuel above XX RMS's, etc?

[T45]

Wes, I am down for the next run. Keep in mind that I have a stock 92 with TCS and wish to get a NICO without TCS in it. The ECU is sitting and not in use so let me know when you need it and also if one without TCS will be available at the next run. Thanks!

[elwesso]

T45 thats fine, TCS ecu's are harder to get than non TCS ECUs so your TCS core will be glady accepted!

[redmanfx]

availability of upgrades on the original NICO/Robert ECU's? Let us/me know what Robert says.

Jeff hows that new exhaust holding up? Is that the Q you Dynoed?

[T45]

Thanks Wes, BTW my name is Ben.

[Fred D.]

If you still have one available for a '94, I will buy it. How much is shipping to Seattle, & I will send my ECU for the rebate.

[julio]

Remember, I was oen of the pioneer supporters of this, and the only one that provided written Dyno proof of the quoted 30 HP add.

My initial Dyno run with the NICO ECU showed a max 244 RWHP at about 5,800 RPM and a max RWTQ at 239 at 4,800 RPM. The Tq might have been better, if I knew about unplugging the TCU to keep the car from shifting back into second. Sam didn't get hard on it until the car reached 3,200 RPM. As it stands, the TQ numbers are right at the stock numbers.

If you take into account an 18% driveline loss, 244 RWHP = 338 Crank HP which is a 60 HP gain over the stock numbers. Of course, I had the K&N POP Charger on the car as well, which we all know adds 15 or 20 HP . My other runs netted an average of 247.5 Torque at the rear wheels, which equates to about 304 Crank TQ, which is an improvement of 12 Ft-lb or 4%.

I'm not sure how you did your math, but the correct crank HP for a 244 RWHP pull with an 18% drivetrain loss is 298 HP. Your torque calculation is pretty on the money though. Do you have a before and after dyno (back to back) to prove this gain?

[superuber]

I would like an update on when I'm going to see my ecu.

[Q45tech]

"That the automobile has practically reached the limit of its development is suggested by the fact that during the past year no improvements of a radical nature have been introduced." (Scientific American January 2, 1909).

[superuber]

Been sniffing carb clean again?

[hannibal]

Q45tech, I'm stealing that for my sig. That is amazing...

Are the 90-93 and 94-95 ECU's different? I'm wondering if the NICO ECU would have the same effects on both the early and late motors.

[superuber]

Q45tech, I'm stealing that for my sig. That is amazing...

Pet!

[f1refly]

Are these still available? I have a 94 Q45a with TCS. Thank you.

[mksue3240sx]

That sounds awsome

[DrewQ45]

I have stock 90' and 92' ECUs available if anyone needs one.

[captainluigi]

where's the ecu love for the 96's?

[Q45tech]

Not cost effective to deal with OBD2, no simple memory chip containing the formulae for WOT.

[bruce.weiland]

Wes,

As you know I got my ECU last Thursday. I put it in today.

It came wired with a very nice switch for each of the four programs.

I didn't checked shift points or rev limiter before changing.

At full throttle shift to second gear takes place at about 6.6 or 6.7K.

When held in 1st gear the rev limiter is hit at 7k in the stock program.

It is hit at 7.8k in stage II and stage III. And of course between 2.8 and 3k in the valet setting.

I will get the core off to you by Tuesday, if not before.

Thanks to you and Robert.

Bruce

[qsiguy]

Wes,

I have my original '94 ECU w/TCS, non active. I also have my "generation 1" NICO ECU that's on my Q right now that has 1 map. I need to get a NICO ECU that contains your "boost" map. Which is the best way to get this done? Would you prefer to modify the still stock ECU or remap the NICO one? I would like to have a couple stages to switch between for use before I need the boost map. What 4 maps would you recommend for my setup.

I will donate the stock one if it'll save me some money

Also, I'd still like to know some details of what your boost map does differently and how much boost it's designed for. I don't guess anyone's tested it on a boosted Q so just wondering how you've verified the map.

Thanks for the update. PM me if you need to discuss any particulars.

[elwesso]

Wes,

As you know I got my ECU last Thursday. I put it in today.

It came wired with a very nice switch for each of the four programs.

I didn't checked shift points or rev limiter before changing.

At full throttle shift to second gear takes place at about 6.6 or 6.7K.

When held in 1st gear the rev limiter is hit at 7k in the stock program.

It is hit at 7.8k in stage II and stage III. And of course between 2.8 and 3k in the valet setting.

I will get the core off to you by Tuesday, if not before.

Thanks to you and Robert.

Bruce

Do you feel a nice increase in power?

Q- We will have to work that seperately with Robert. I dont know how he wants to do it. Last time I asked, he said he'd make a starter program to get you going, and then you could get a wideband o2, take some readings and then he could retune it.... In all honesty, that shoudl come later, because you can run a little bit of boost safely (say 4lbs or less) on the stock ECU no problem... I hate to say this, but I think you would be much better off trying to either a) find someone who can remap stock Nissan ECUs or b) start researching it yourself. Once you get the equipment and a good dyno operator, from what I hear you can have a nicely tuned vehicle with 2-3 pulls on the dyno. I think trying to play cat and mouse with Robert to get a fully tuned boost map would be way more hassle and take too much time. Its a shame he's so busy.

You are smart enough with electronics and stuff that I dont think its going ot be an issue. Start reading up on 240sx and 300ZX tuning with stock ECUs, its all the same [idea].

[qsiguy]

Would the NICO ECU I currently have be better than the stock ECU to use with boost? The setup I'm currently concidering will be around 6.8 PSI. I'll have to see if I can dial it in lower than that or get a different spring.

I will start doing some research per your suggestion but if you have a map that's closer to what I'd need I would appreciate having that one, like you said, to get me started.

So from what you know, tuning the '94 Q should be similar to tuning a similar year 240/300? Did they use the same or similar ECU?

I will be getting one if those consults when Jamie gets his next batch going so that should help significantly.

[qsiguy]

Spoke to JWT today and they have a boost map program for their Q ECU that has been used on a Q with a supercharger running about 6 PSI on stock injectors. They want $595 for it tho It was nice to hear that they've done it successfully tho.

[SUB ZERO CAR FANATIC]

how much longer are the ecu's going to be available?? very interested!!!!

[elwesso]

JWT's boost map is far from ideal... It makes it super rich so that bsaically you dont blow the motor up...

The stock ECU would be better for running a little boost... We can get you a boost map but its just going to bea little more trouble. Bottom line is if you want, we can get you one for cheaper than a JWT (about half the price) but it may take a while to get everything right.

I guess what I was thinking is if you can find someone thats good with tuning Nissan ECUs we can get you a program to get you started, and then you could have someone tweak it after that.

The 240sx and 300ZX ECUs are different but the way they are tuned, the EEPROMS and so on are basically the same.

[f1refly]

Wes,

Since this board does not have a PM system, I sent you an email regarding purchasing an ecu for my 94 q45a. Thanks.