Best engine management setup for me?

[sausagelinks98]

Well, I think I'm gonna swap in an RB25 and I was wondering what the best tuning setup would be for my goals. I'm just using very basic mods, I will stay with stock turbo, injectors, cams and all that. I'm still not sure if I'm gonna use a front mount but I think I will. Anyway, I was thinking of using a Power FC but it seems to me to be more then I need. Can I send in for an Enthalpy tune? If so, I would like to have an Enthalpy tune with a AFC 2. What do you think? Can I do this or does Enthalpy just tune KA's and SR's?

[Sil240]

What are you power goals?What kind of driving (drag,drift, street???)

I would say stay with the stock ECU and just chip it. Cheapest Way togo.If your just going to up the boost and FMIC.You may be able to get away with just a SAFC.

[l0nestar]

Enthalpy only tunes KA's (and possibly SR's). He does not do RB's (or CA's ).Do NOT go with a GReddy e-manage. Horror stories are easy to find about them.

Just stick with the stock RB25 ECU. There is some talk about if a Z32 ECU will work, but nothing definite. If everything is stock, keep it that way It is a lot easier to troubleshoot / diagnose.

[sausagelinks98]

so should I just use a Apexi afc? or actually spring for the power FC?Heres my parts lists, its not complete though.

FMIC Custom intercooler pipingCustom intake pipingApexi intakeBOV Syko 3” Downpipe/ O2 housingTest pipe Apexi N1 exhaustFlex-A-Lite FansWalbro 255 Fuel PumpNismo FPRBlitz BCC’s short shifterACT street/strip clutch

Its a street car btw

[Joe]

the apexi SAFC while it does work, it not a good viable GOOD tuning option

why?

the AFC tricks the computer to thinking there is more/less air going into your engine so it changes the fuel intake as well.

the only problem with this is all of your ignition maps are also based on airflow.

a SAFC works for small changes but if you ever upgrade your turbo, i wouldnt touch it. your stock ECU will work fine for the little mod's you have.

[Bluefire]

safc - not really worth it imo, its very limited... but its cheap

rom tuning - Only do this if the tuner is local. I really don't see how a tuner can properly tune and chip an ecu without having the car there to test on. Also any modifications will require rechipping. But if you have a local guy that can do this for you, this is the best cheapest option.

greddy e-manage - Still a piggy-back but much more functional in tuning. Easy to use software which is included. I have had a lot of good experience with this unit and is a great in between tuning option between rom tuning and full standalone. mid range pricing

power-fc/aem ems - Plug and play stand alone units. pricey but well worth the money. Allows for full control over your motor, and will support any and all future modifications. I especially like that fact that they come with base maps so you can plug it in and be on your way.

of course there are the other universal standalones, but I doubt you'll even consider going that route...

-Bluefire

[Joe]

rom tuning - Only do this if the tuner is local. I really don't see how a tuner can properly tune and chip an ecu without having the car there to test on. Also any modifications will require rechipping. But if you have a local guy that can do this for you, this is the best cheapest option.

not really a good option on a RB25.

you have to do a few ECU modifications to even get the ability to reprogram it.

its basically standalone or bust.

[Sil240]

well he's staying with stock turbo and stock injectors. So thats why I mentioned the SAFC.

Everything else is way too much $$ to use for stock turbo and injectors.

[Joe]

well he's staying with stock turbo and stock injectors. So thats why I mentioned the SAFC.

Everything else is way too much $$ to use for stock turbo and injectors.

there is NO reason to upgrade management with stock turbo and injectors. the factory 25 ecu can MORE than compensate for what the crappy rb25 turbo can put out.

[lucky7]

my 2nd PFC pooped out on me the other day. they are both on their way to apex, hopefully its something relatively easy to fix. im praing so anyways. but if i was doing it all over again, id go microtech.

[l0nestar]

... you have serious wiring issues...

"And the Captain Obvious award goes too...l0nestar!!!!

Sorry man, not to poke fun, but to pop TWO PFC's, that is saying something.. I remember seeing a part number for a new RB25 wiring harness, but I can't remember it. If it were ME, I would try talking to CarlH or McKinney and have them straighten it out. It will cost you, but less than a third PFC, and with the savings of knowing it actually _works_. I wish Jon Powell still did them. He would hook you up, but he quit. I could look in FAST, but it is early and I'm kinda lazy at the moment. Back to bed with me.

/thread jack

[Sil240]

Yeah bro if you've popped two PFC's then you definetly have a problem, like a short in the wiring somewhere.

Don't even bother putting a good ecu on your wiring harness.

"I wish Jon Powell still did them. He would hook you up, but he quit."

Yeah.... So anyway......

[lucky7]

its at a shop. i paid for the wiring 1 time, and 1 PFC. believe me, im not paying for anything else. apex sent the 2nd pfc for free, and i was told they couldnt get that one to even power up... also told me they couldnt get it to power up bench testing it. i dont really even care anymore. after 2 years, ive really kinda lost intrest in the car at this point. but again, the shop is in charge of getting it all resolved. by when, i have no idea.

[lucky7]

sorry dude, im jacking your thread. haha.

i just got back from the shop. Dan, the owner was explaining the situation to me. they are baffled. the spent the past 3 days going through all the wiring. and EVERYTHING is where it should be. apexi sent the 2nd ecu as a replacement, because they said they had a bad batch. so upon hearing that the 2nd one wasnt working, they were ready to send out a 3rd. the 2nd powered up, but never got passed the opening screen. it wouldnt go any further. so they made a mockup, and bench tested it. same thing happened. SO, instead of trying a 3rd ECU, the 2 origional ECU's are going back to apexi. they should have them on monday. they are going to test them and see what is going on. i talked it over with Dan, and he is going to give me a call monday afternoon when he gets an update from apexi. i think we've decided to scrap the PFC idea if apexi cant figure it out. the harness has been triple checked this past week alone. again, everything is perfect on it. but i may just be going AEM very shortly.

[Carl H]

do you have the right commander for the pfc, a wrong commander will cause it to freeze and not start properly.have you tried cranking the car without the commander attatched?

[lucky7]

i dont believe so. monday i will bring that to their attention. the way it was explained to me, that would make complete sense. thanks for the suggestion. im in no mood to drop another $1000 on top of what i paid for a PFC for an EMS. thanks.

[sausagelinks98]

I think I might get a Mines ecu tune, I've heard good things and a few ppl on here have it. What you think, better yet, how do I go about getting it?

[Sil240]

Just remember its tuned for 98 RON.What that equates to in octane, dunno??

[Carl H]

mines ecus = bad.mines likes to lean out the fuel maps TONS and ramp up timing...engine assplode.

[eh?]

Why bother getting an ecu if you have to think about getting a fmic?

[sausagelinks98]

true, I think I will just forget about the tuning since everyone says the stock ECU will be fine and maybe after I'm done with it all spring for an S-AFC for just slight tunning.

[eh?]

No need for a S-afc.

[s14kouki]

mines ecus = bad.mines likes to lean out the fuel maps TONS and ramp up timing...engine assplode.

i've had a Mine's ecu(on rb25) for well over a year. Been running it on crap cali 91 octane, up to almost 12psi and even with time at the track. Redline is now at 7200, not knocking, AFR is not lean at all, if anything it's rich. The Mine's ecu is awesome, i dynoed my car at SR motorcars and Steve (the owner) used to work at apexi. He even help design the power fc, he even loves Mine's ecus. I've compared my dyno sheets to those with stock ecus and even some tuned with a AFC, or power FCs(Skyline down under forums). My ecu seems to give me a good amount of power compared to them.

The problem youre probably thinking of is that people use mines ecu when it is not tuned for their engine. My ecu came with my front clip and i have not changed anything major on the engine so it runs perfect with that ecu.

Just thought i would clear that up

Henry

[meet07]

I know this is old but what all is needed for the chipping side of things. What is the name of the program used. I have a moates ostrich.

Or would the power fc be the best as far as standaolne on a budget.