Engine Management for a VH45DE (Twin Turbo)

[Guishnu]

Hi Folks,I could really do with some input from you guys on what managment to use for my VH45DE (twin turbo) S15 that im building. It's getting to the point where i need to make a firm decision and buy but im not 100% sure on what to go for.

The engine will be running twin inlet plenums with top feed injectors and twin turbos with a 8.2:1 compression ratio, Forged Keronite coated pistons and possibly bores with ferriday head gaskets. Standard rods and totally rebuilt engine with a full service kit.

ECU system needs to be stand alone, run a map sensor and have independant cylinder mapping with at least a 32bit processor.

It would also be massivly helpfull if the system could pickup and accomodate standard Nissan triggers and VVT (if possible)

Im currently tossing up the Motec M800 and Haltec E11v2.

Does anybody have any input?

[SuperHatch]

If I had to make a choice between those two engine management systems, I'd choose the E11v2. I like the compatibility of the Haltec with all of the OEM sensors, coils, etc. There is also a chance that the VG30DETT plug and play harness could be adapted to work with the VH ECU, it just may require the swapping of some pins. That alone would greatly simplify the install.

[Carl H]

both nice systems and both will do a killer job altho the motec is a touch more refined...all depends what your tuner is comfortable with else its all junk.

[Stinky]

Check out the Link G3 plus. That's what I'm keeping my eye on.

[darinz]

Check out the Link G3 plus. That's what I'm keeping my eye on.

You'll regret it! They appear to be good value for money but with the problems you will have, you are better off with a better brand. I took my Link Plus out and replaced with Auntronic as it could run boost control on an 8 cylinder motor. Whichever aux you used for BC would interfer with coresponding inj. Sent back to Link to fix, they said they had fixed it and still had exact same problem. So just sent the whole thing back for refund. Refund got and then fitted Autronic. At same time I fitted CDI and since then it has had intial tune on dyno which was about half a day and have never had any problems since.

A case of a few extra dollars saving **** loads!!Link have a place and it is in boy racer Subbies not in a serious performance car as they are too unreliable.

[Mettler]

I agree with darinz, I've heard some pretty bad stories about link computers & serious motors.

[ultrapulse]

I beg to differ. A mates (well not really a mate as such) has a link plus g2 and has had nothing but sweet driving. His car did a 503rwkw run over at Tuaranga around say 18months or 2 years ago!! Thats with a z32 vg30dett.He definitely isnt a boyracer. His car is still going sweet, apart from the poxy inlet cam clutches flopping around. They have detuned it a little so prob only 80% of that power normally.I think it really depends on the amount of setup & tuning time and the individual, apart from darinz ecu issues. I was going to buy one, as it was the only fair priced ecu that could do 8 x inj, and 8 x coils. Not even a microtec (that eveyone raves about) could do that:(.I think more the tune and general engine condition / build is more to blame than an ecu.However I'm all ears and havent decided on an ecu yet, as if a factory ecu could be used then sweet.

[TSL]

both nice systems and both will do a killer job altho the motec is a touch more refined...all depends what your tuner is comfortable with else its all junk.

Seriously good advice there. If you have a tuner in mind then maybe ask his opinion.

[ultrapulse]

Agreed again. I had a motec in my zed a while back and they are the ducks nuts, but just a little fiddlier to tune. The only downside with motec is that all the 'extra' options like, wideband lambda sensor and some other inputs (I cant remember now) etc is an extra cost and can soon add up to $$$, so check out what you get before handing over the money. But yeah the motec construction and accuracy are incredible! The Link looked like a d!ck smith electronic kitset next to the motec.

[TSL]

Yep, Autronic and Motec are the most sophisticated. The top models are designed for professional motorsport use and are priced accordingly. The design features and build quality is of a very high level. In some cases they can be overkill.

The new Haltech ecu's with the latest software are excellent.

Power FC is great for ease of use but is not available for vh45 afaik.

Things like Microtech, Link and Wolf etc. are really entry level stuff. Sure they get the job done but they lack sophistication, have awful software and can be time consuming and difficult to setup and tune.

As said above, the key is in the tuner.A good tune with a Link is better than a bad tune with a Motec.

[ultrapulse]

As said above, the key is in the tuner.A good tune with a Link is better than a bad tune with a Motec.

Exactly

[darinz]

Exactly

And that is why you should be talking to the tuner as what they are best with is the way to go.My coments about Link relevant to V8 as it is not relevat with a 6. And that is what pissed me off the most. They just said they had never had the problem before and that they had plenty of 6's running EBC without the problem as they just use aux 7 or 8!I know of quite afew cars running Link and if you are running an 4 or 6 that is common then I think they'd be fine as the bugs are known and dealt with.

[John Dixon]

Chris, you're not likely to find much that will use the stock nissan CAS pattern but I can make up a disk with a ford 36-1 like I use on mine if you need one.VTC is just a switched -ve so no problem there.Ignition you can use the stock ignition amps with most ECU's.I'm using an emerald M3DK on mine because I like the software and it does what I need it to do for a great price.

[Guishnu]

Thanks Jon Basically my tuner and i have been working together on my race cars for a fair few years now and i trust his judgement. He's happy to tune either but tends to be leaning more towards the Haltech system. Only reason why Motec is a great option is that Owen Developments are one of the premier motec dealers and tuners in the UK + they are fairly close to where i live...

Will definatly contact you about the cas disc mate. Good idea!

[John Dixon]

Fair enough, Owen are superb. Best dyno room I've used.