FINAL RUN for NICO ECU, Will also upgrade early NICO ECU to switchers!

[DrewQ45]

I haven't followed all the ECU threads as much as I should since getting mine a year or more ago.

Wes, can you tell me what switch options there are? I'm interested in both ends of the spectrum. All out beast and fuel miser modes if available. Will I need to send my ECU back to you or will you just send me a chip w/switch?

Oh, and for anyone intersted, I have 2 Fed std 90-93 ECUs for only $50 shipped.

zerothread/247384

[elwesso]

So you're saying a non-TCS car could use a modified ECU from any 90-95 - that the actual hardware in there is essentially the same, and that the only difference from the factory was the programming? That should make finding ECU cores a lot easier!

Heath

Basically. For instance the ECU im currently runing in my Q is from a 91 with active suspension. Doesnt throw any codes or act abnormally at all..

The hardware is actually different in the 90-93 vs 94-95 (8 vs 16 bit) but they are interchangeable.. Theres no real advantage of having one vs the other.

Drew... You will have to send your ECU in because we had problems in the past. Its not a hard install but robert wants to make sure that everything is working....

Also, I got an email from maxnix this morning and I will respond to it here for everyone to see.

Wes, As you may recall, I have one of the early 91 octane ones. I am wondering what the advantages are of the later programs. Seems like when I emailed Robert, mostly they seemd to avoid closed loop and ignore the KS. And is the switch on the ECU so the only way without a remote switch to change the programs is to disassemble the passenger side kickpanel? Any information will help, so thanks in advance. Post it to the thread so all can see it.

Basically we offer 4 programs and these are what you get on the switcher. Stock, stage 2, stage 3, and valet....

Stage 2 is the 91 octane and is the "run-all" program. It is safe and for most driving is recommended

Stage 3 is the "mad-max" program. It is basically the same as stage 2 except with more timing, especially up top. Also, this program ignores knock sensors as well as the o2 sensors at WOT... You CAN get pinging and theres no way for the ECU to stop it, but the car is BEASTLY with this program, a noticeable power increase even over stage 2. FWIW, I run stage 3 all the time and I got my record gas mileage on this program (23.4 MPG).

Valet is simple in that it limits RPMs to 3000 and MPH to 60.

When you get the ECU you will have a stock program, stage 2, stage 3, and valet installed. THere are no other options available.

[Chuby]

The one I have has a NICO, valet, stock and non tcs/non egr setting

[maxnix]

Thanks, Wes. Think I will stick with the 91 Octane one as switching without a remote switch seems like a pain and Texas summers and who knows what our future fuels will be? I may even drive in CA or AZ again someday.

Thanks to Robert also, again. Still breaking the rears loose on the slow mapping.

[elwesso]

Thanks, Wes. Think I will stick with the 91 Octane one as switching without a remote switch seems like a pain and Texas summers and who knows what our future fuels will be? I may even drive in CA or AZ again someday.

Thanks to Robert also, again. Still breaking the rears loose on the slow mapping.

The switch actually has a cord and if you requested it he could make it long enough so you could install it in your center console. My cord is about 2 foot long and I stuff it above the trim piece under the glovebox so all I have to do is fish it out and turn the dial.

Still you only gain a little bit by going with stage 3 so for most IMO it proabbly isnt worth the money.

[maxnix]

Yeah, I'm more interested in getting 300K than another tenth or two in the quarter mile. Seldom had trouble passing even when stock.

[ponzy]

Basically. For instance the ECU im currently runing in my Q is from a 91 with active suspension. Doesnt throw any codes or act abnormally at all..

The hardware is actually different in the 90-93 vs 94-95 (8 vs 16 bit) but they are interchangeable.. Theres no real advantage of having one vs the other.

nice wes. a couple questions:(actually three)

a.) im running a stock 94 ecu with tcs can i use any regular ecu from 90 - 96 without tcs? b.) just in case i will be able to, do i have to disable tcs or do i have to disable or remove tcs for me to operate the car? c.) what's gonna be a disadvantage if i will be using a non-tcs ecu for my tcs 94 q?

thanks a lot. pls. dont forget me on the nico ecu list....hehe i just dont have a spare ecu but would like to buy one from anuyone here.

I haven't followed all the ECU threads as much as I should since getting mine a year or more ago.

Wes, can you tell me what switch options there are? I'm interested in both ends of the spectrum. All out beast and fuel miser modes if available. Will I need to send my ECU back to you or will you just send me a chip w/switch?

Oh, and for anyone intersted, I have 2 Fed std 90-93 ECUs for only $50 shipped.

zerothread/247384

drew, if you could reserve one for me. i'll buy it tomorrow just let me know my email is [email protected] thanks a lot

[elwesso]

Your car will run fine if you use a non TCS ECU on a TCS car, outside of the fact that the TCS wont work. Youll just have to stare at the SLIP and TCS lights all the time. Otherwise the car will be fine.

Personally IMO its not worth getting the wrong ECU reprogrammed.

[Chuby]

Wes the ecu I have has a NICO, valet, stock and non tcs/non egr setting. Is that the same as what the newest one is or how different is it?

[elwesso]

Thats pretty much what you want, doesnt have stage 3 but you can live without that.

[RobertsnewQ]

Guys just to clarify - there are a couple of exceptions to the "any car any ECU" rule:

1. TCS - TCS cars should have a TCS ECU becuase the non-TCS ECU is not equipped to communicate with the TCS controller and will get confused if you get wheelspin.2. 90-93 ECUs can be used in a 94/95, but they won't operate the second cooling fan. The first fan will still come on with the AC, but the second one won't operate. Not a big deal, and many people (including several in CA and FL) do it.3. The 90-93 ECU is the only one I can do the full 4-way switcher on. The 94/95 ECU only gets a 2-way (stock and modified) program.

Also, I do have a turbo program that I already developed for someone else that I can put on there if you want instead of stage III. BUT it is still experimental and you will use it at your own risk.

[qsiguy]

Robert,

So with the older ECU's in a '94 that 2nd fan will never turn on? Will that cause an overtemp problem in hot climates like here in Phoenix? I haven't noticed a problem myself. We could just wire up both of the fans to the same trigger with a relay. Then they would both turn on at the same time. Could also wire up that 2nd fan to a temp switch.

I'm not sure if you replied to my email yet as my email has been down for a few days. It should be back up within 24hrs so they tell me. Depending on your email response I may need you to upgrade my NICO ecu with the switcher and make one of the programs the boost program. I don't want to get into to much detail until I see your email regarding helping with ECU mods so I'll leave it at that for now. If you want to resend your reply email to another address in case my host lost my emails you can send it to [email protected]

Thanks Robert, sorry to hear you'll be leaving us.

[elwesso]

The FAN will still come on, but the ECU cant trigger it, however if its that hot out you probably have the AC on anyway so it doesnt matter.

on the 90-93 ECU the ECU didnt control the fan.. A seperate temp switch controlled the fan... On the 94 the ECU uses coolant temp reading to trigger the fan.

IMO it doesnt matter because like I said if its THAT hot out youll have the AC on anyway... and even if its 100+ out and your cooling system is in good shape your not gonna overheat.

[Q45tech]

The ecu controls the multispeed selection also.....................remember best performance occurs WHEN the coolant temp sensor reports under 200F and over 160F.A 200F you start to LOOSE ignition advance.................wasted programming.

[maxnix]

The 90-93 ECU is the only one I can do the full 4-way switcher on. The 94/95 ECU only gets a 2-way (stock and modified) program.

Also, I do have a turbo program that I already developed for someone else that I can put on there if you want instead of stage III. BUT it is still experimental and you will use it at your own risk.

So if you only add one program (turbo or stock) to a later (1994-1995), is it still the same $50 fee?

Hmmmm.....

Thanks again for your efforts. I bet the guy who bought your car is in heaven. Care to share what replaced it? I've helped a few friends lately obtain new vehicles, but havent found anything that serves my needs as well unless I want to spend way more money and bet on spotty reliability compared to the Q45.

[elwesso]

Let me also expound on what Robert said by saying we have the equipment to make:

9x 94/95 2-way ECUs3x 90-93 4-way ECUs10x 90-93 2-way ECUs (stock and stage II, or stage II and stage III)

There will also be a $50 discount to those who chose to get the 90-93 2 way.. So its $250 for a 4 way 90-93 or 94-95, and $200 for a 2 way 90-93.

The 4 ways come as first come first serve as I recieve payment.

[ponzy]

Wes, can you please explain with re: 94 ecu (stock and modified). Meaning only 2 ways right? One is stock as is and the other one is modified (a combination of stage 2 and 3?) so, it only added one way, ?. -- for 200?

pls dont get me wrong im just weighing its worth but honestly speaking eventhough i didnt know the advantages of that im pretty excited to have rob's ecu. Actually, im positive as of now to send a spare 94 with tcs which i need to settle first tonight once i got home .I just need some info for us 94'ers with tcs, thats all. : - )

thanks a lot.

[elwesso]

You can actually get stage 2 and 3 on a 2 way if you wanted. You dont HAVE to have a stock program on there. If you had stage 2 IMO there probably isnt a need for a stock program.

If your ECU is from a 94-95, your only option is the 2 way switch for $250. If your ECU is a 90-93, then you can either get a 2 way switch for $200 or a 4 way for $250.

[KillerAngel]

leme butt in for sec and ask what the turn around time on an ECU job would be. Im really interested in one, but school keeps me busy enough to not be able to go looking for an extra 95 TCS ecu... I can live without the car for a certain period of time though.

Also, is this happening now or will it happen in the not so distant future?

[ponzy]

you got mail..........

paypal sent already. and i have asked mike to send my ecu directly to rob...just making sure, all those stages to my 94 ecu with tcs, right? not just stock plus modified.

edit: mike did'nt know Robert's address. please let us know.. thanks
Modified by ponzy at 8:33 PM 5/15/2007

[ponzy]

I just wanted to mention that I finally got to install my ECU that Robert programmed for me a few months ago. I know... slack.

Anyhow, it works great! One annoyance with both of my Qs is that the target idle (I think it's called curb idle in the FSM) that the ECU uses is something like 550 or 600. So in the summertime, sitting in D but not moving in traffic, with the A/C on - there has always been some vibration. Even if you set the Base idle up with the IAC valve, the ECU is still targeting it's program. Except for mine!

We gave it a new target of 700RPM in the "Stage II" program. I drove it today, and it really works nice. Since Robert has already written that program, other members may be able to request it in the future.[/B]

Robert

Heath

just adding this quote from heath ( from last thread about nico ecu )

[maxnix]

Roberts's ECU didn't affect my idle at all on either G50. And I am glad. Mine does well at the lower rpm and burns less fuel while not in motion.

[elwesso]

leme butt in for sec and ask what the turn around time on an ECU job would be. Im really interested in one, but school keeps me busy enough to not be able to go looking for an extra 95 TCS ecu... I can live without the car for a certain period of time though.

Also, is this happening now or will it happen in the not so distant future?

Id plan on 3 weeks.

[ILuvNkdChx]

Hey Wes! You've got mail! Payment sent!

[elwesso]

Got it, could you send me an email requesting what you want. Hopefully u have a 94 because I think all I have is 94 non TCS cores.

[Clyons0203]

I have a 94 Q45 with an early reprogrammed Nico ecu (91 octane version I think). But the ECU that was repgrogrammed came from a 92. My stock 94 ECU is forsale by the way.

I did notice my second radiator fan wouldnt come on and my car has over heated TWICE. I think it was time for my radiator to go anyway since it had a small pin hole but the non-fan operation made things worse.

In the winter time, my car would drive fine. Soon as the outside temperature got to atleast 75 degrees it would overheat. It is in the shop now getting a brand new oem radiator, thermostat, and belts.

Im not saying the older ECU caused my radiator to fail, but I think it did make a small problem (pin hole) worse.

If you dont know the condition of your cooling system, I would get the right ecu to control the fans.

[elwesso]

The fact that you let the motor get that hot, the smallish electric fan would NOT have made a difference! You were screwed regardless, sorry.

[ILuvNkdChx]

Robert I was wondering if you would be able to put an extra long cord on to my switcher. That way I could integrate it in to the open spot next to my TCS and seat heat switches, where the ACTIVE was supposed to go. Also I just ordered a 92 ECU off E-bay so if you or Wes could E-mail me an address of where I could ship it to, that would be great! Thanks guys! - Adam

[Clyons0203]

The fact that you let the motor get that hot, the smallish electric fan would NOT have made a difference! You were screwed regardless, sorry.

Oh I never let the car get really hot. As soon as the temp gauge would start to rise I would pop the hood and turn the heat on full blast. My mechanic said the pin hole was located near the end tanks and the fins. Over time it must have gotten bigger.

All Im saying is Nissan put that fan there for a reason, and if your cooling system isnt up to spec, I would make sure that fan is working. Modern Infiniti of Greensboro, NC charges $1200 for a new radiator + labor.

I took my car to a nissan specialist and got the job done cheaper.

Even with all that said I still love my NICO ecu and I am thinking about upgrading my stock 94 or the one I already have to a switcher type.

[rbaze]

Wes Rich here. I have an old ECU Iv'e been keeping in the garage for just such an occasion. Please let me know the address to send it to. Thanks.