Help me decide: s-afc II or JWT ECU

[vwluv10338]

Yes I have searched but I still have a few questions:

So using a s-afc II on a stock ECU is about the same as a JWT ECU correct? I am trying to decided the best way to run a z32 MAF, 550 inj., and more boost. For $500 I can get a JWT ECU tuned for that or for around $300 I can get a afc and tune it. I was not aware untill recently that I can use the z32 maf on the afc but I dont know much about them. Which purchase do you guys think is better? I know about the JWT being conservative and all that but some tunability with the afc would be nice I think. Help me decide which is the best way to go.

Eric

P.S. Or is this all pointless untill I get a larger turbo? Is the stock ecu able to control fuel corectly up untill the 14 psi effiency range of the turbo? I always thought turning up the boost without fuel mods would destroy your engine but some posts I read said that you could just turn up the boost untill you maxed out the MAF.

[Onizuka]

if your going to be upgrading at all in the near future, go with the SAFC, the ECU cannot be retuned without being sent back to JWT (and spending more money). Buud was also saying that their programing isnt the greatest.

[quiksilvia]

yea, u dont want to have to send ur ecu away everytime u upgrade something

[vwluv10338]

Isnt it something like $100 for a reprogram? Also, I believe their turnaround time was extremely long. A while ago I think someone told me it took months to get an ECU. But overall, an s-afc would be able to control the z32 maf and 550's?

Eric

[BuudWeizErr]

Say no to JWT.

[vwluv10338]

Buud, is there a specific story you have about the JWT ECU or some specific info?

Eric

[180fan]

yes the afc can handle the z32 mafs and the 550cc injectors. Go with the afc, it's something that can also be carried over to any other efi car in the event of you ever selling your car, you can do on the fly tunes, has plotting functions, a knock sensor (although only as accurate as your knock sensor), and has warning alert capability such as rpm, knock, throttle %, etc. The features alone make it a worthy investment over the JWT ECU, let alone the lower initial cost and convenience.

[LiU]

no1 has mentioned that dyno tune can be costly as well: expect $100+/hour, which can eventually reach and surpass the cost of a JWT ECU

[SRdave240]

I tuned my safc-II at a local dyno day for $75 for 7 pulls with WB02. If you get on local message boards, you can usually find dyno time pretty cheap. There is another dynoday comming up (that I'm going to go to as well) and it is hella cheap, $35 for 2 pulls WITH WBO2 plus only 5bux each additional pull.

The thing about using the SAFC is that you are stuck with your stock timing maps which are pretty crappy above 7 psi.

[RobDET]

Hey VW did you sort out your turbo issues man? Are the wierd noises gone? I still hear them...

[vwluv10338]

Rob,I am still trying to decide what to do. I am trying to get a t3/t4 setup used but I am not sure if it is worth it because I dont have the money to do enough supportinng mods yet. Right now I am looking into just getting the stock one rebuilt and turning up the boost. Once I start making flat rate at Lexus I will be able to upgrade. Right now they are only paying me $8 /hr untill I get my cert. so I am fairly strapped for cash.

Eric

[vwluv10338]

Crap. Well I got an email about getting my turbo rebuilt, $475. Screw that, back to square one. I guess I will have to look back into the FP big 28 since isnt not that much more.

Eric

[BuudWeizErr]

Buud, is there a specific story you have about the JWT ECU or some specific info?

Eric

I've posted it a million times why I don't like JWT.

1) Their pricing is ridiculous and their turnaround time is obscene. $600 to retune, then $100 every time after that.

2) Their mapping changes are just generic for every mod. It will not A) extract the most power or B) be as safe as a map tuned specifically for your car.

3) Ask them what the recommend for an SR20. They will sell you their 600 dollar KA24 ECU retune, and 500 dollars worth of other parts (or thats how much it was when I was so stupid to call them). Other parts you need are an SR20DE distributor, spark plug wires, coil, etc. All this when wiring with distributorless ignition is not only possible, but pretty simple, comparatively speaking. Oh yeah, one more thing, expect that setup to cost you about 10-20WHP.

I will never willingly hand over a single cent to JWT.

[RobDET]

*** SOLD ***

I didn't realize they didn't keep the coil packs!

[vwluv10338]

Thanks for the info Budd. I guess I will go with the s-afc. Now all I need to find is a new turbo.

Eric

[Tai Mai Shu]

SAFC sucks SPL ROm tune by Secret Services for life!

[SRdave240]

My plan is to run the SAFC-II (that I already have) then when I decide what set-up I want, I can get a ROM tune and just use the SAFC-II for tweaking.

[GraySilvia]

Well, you can just get a plain SR retune, that's what I had before i got my power FC, so you can keep your coilpacks, but the JWT ECU is DEFINITELY a compromise, and it did take 3 months to get my shiat from them. I say get a custom flashed ECU or an AFC and someone that knows what they're doing to tune it. Good luck!

[BuudWeizErr]

piggy back / ecu retune both suck.

but if you can't get standalone power fc or something comparable, get s-afc i guess.

[RobDET]

Now budd... Standalone isn't for everyone... Way down here in south mississippi there aren't ANY dynos and even fewer people who have tuned up a standalone. If i was shooting for 400RWHP i would be worried but i'll be happy with high 12's so a SAFC should be fine...

[BuudWeizErr]

Now budd... Standalone isn't for everyone... Way down here in south mississippi there aren't ANY dynos and even fewer people who have tuned up a standalone. If i was shooting for 400RWHP i would be worried but i'll be happy with high 12's so a SAFC should be fine...

My buddy has been driving around with a Power FC on it's base map for the SR20 for about 6 months now. It makes more power, spools quicker, doesn't backfire with an atmospheric blow off valve, etc. He has yet to have it tuned on a dyno.

A Haltech or Motec, yeah, you gotta have it tuned.

[I H8 UR DSM]

no1 has mentioned that dyno tune can be costly as well: expect $100+/hour, which can eventually reach and surpass the cost of a JWT ECU

You do NOT need a dyno to tune w/ AFC. Drive on street, and tune for best results.

[LiU]

You do NOT need a dyno to tune w/ AFC. Drive on street, and tune for best results.

I doubt tuning it yourself with just an safc will net results as good as dyno tune...

[Redline240]

I doubt tuning it yourself with just an safc will net results as good as dyno tune...

He didn't say it was better, just an option for those who arn't near any dynos...like me!

Redline

[LiU]

oh ok, I misunderstood him, my point is with an SAFC if you do decide to get it dyno tuned, and that can add up. Again I'm not saying JWT is better but, it also address timing, but the safc doesn't.

[unfrgivn]

You don't need a dyno! Get on the highway with someone who knows how to tune an afc/standalone and let them go to town, or you learn how to program one (not hard) and have someone else get in the driver's seat.