Is it worth it? -Experienced RB'ers advice wanted.

[LSDrift]

So, I'm just curious what peoples' opinions are. I'm looking to get a go fast upgrade for my mostly stock RB25. I currently am all stock other than a fat FMIC, 3" downpipe/straight through exhaust, and a Greddy IM. I have a Z32 MAF ready for use. I was thinking standalone fuel management.

I know my dinky little stock RB25 turbo isn't really worth trying to squeeze too hard but it's what's gonna be in there for a while. So, that's why I figured fuel management was the way to go, say Haltech or PFC, because then at least I'm prepped for my future plans.

Any input? If you have other suggestions they are more than welcome! Experienced RB'ers wanted. Thanks!

Eric

[240z4u]

You will be able to make a bit more power with a standalone and it is something you will want eventually. I hear great things from people I respect about Nistune. PFC works great, but is kind of archaic on the software front and tuning it without the datalogit software sucks.

That said, I did it the other way and did a turbo upgrade first (before I even started the installation).

[RRRRB]

nistune is a great cheap EMS option from what i hear, i have no experience with it, my only problem with it is you cant go speed density..

Im currently running haltech, and its a pretty solid peice, if i had a choice to do it all over again, id still stick with the haltech platinum pro Plug and play..

[b00stinbmx]

go with nistune, my buddy squeezed 333whp out of his stock injector stock turbo rb25. i have nistune as well and i love it. the software is really nice and it isn't too expensive, their customer service is EXCELLENT as well. matt has been very helpful to me with anything i have needed.

[Kevin.A]

I have a Haltech, and i love it, MAP sensor, wideband O2, AITS (air intake temp sensor) plus the haltech itself should run you around 1800, but it's so worth it

[Coolwhip]

Haltech all day, everyday. Great unit for the street and all the way around the track.

For the turbo.. how much power are you looking to make?

[Cjmartz2k]

Just wanted to throw out there, any stand alone is useless with out somebody to tune it. Make sure you figure that into your cost vs benefit equation.

[LSDrift]

Ricky - I'm just trying to squeeze as much out of it as I safely can pretty much and leave the door open for the future. I know the Haltech is awesome and that's why I'm considering it. Also I don't know if I feel like taking the time to make Nistune work for me even though it's a great option as well.

Cjmartz - Yeah I definitely will be needing to find someone who can reliably tune it due to my lack of knowledge/experience there. I would love to do most of that myself but until I can take the time to learn how I'll be looking for someone because this is my only car at the moment and a daily driver.

Basically the bottom line is that I'm trying to decide if the Haltech or something similar is worth the money at this stage in the game. I do have the Z32 MAF but would likely be staying with stock injectors for a while as well.

Thanks guys!

[Darius]

Considering my ultimate goals (700 hp), the stage you are at is where I took a wrong turn. I went with PFC and datalogit but should have gone with a map-based system to avoid being limited by the Z32 MAF sensor now. I am currently at a cross-roads between spending an a$$-load of money on a new standalone management system or spending less money by attempting to get a big MAF sensor to work with the PFC software. Since my budget is limited, I'm leaning towards trying to get the MAF sensor setup installed this fall.

Haltech is fairly common so I doubt you will have issues finding anyone to tune it. My only question with that system is if it can run without the RB26 dual MAF sensor inputs? If so, I'd recommend that or an AEM version 2 or similar.

[Coolwhip]

Haltech is fairly common so I doubt you will have issues finding anyone to tune it. My only question with that system is if it can run without the RB26 dual MAF sensor inputs? If so, I'd recommend that or an AEM version 2 or similar.

The Haltech allows single input for for MAF. There is a base map to load for the RB25 that allows for either the factory MAF or the use of the onboard MAP sensor.

Matt, shoot me an email...

We have the plug n' play Haltech units in stock for all RB applications by the way.

[LSDrift]

Does the Haltech have a built in setting for the Z32 MAF? Or is it a relatively easy thing to input oneself?

[Cjmartz2k]

Are you talking about an RB25 L-jetro or RB26? If you want to swap around a few pins/wires you can run the 26 L-jetro on a 25, and then 2 Z32 MAF's should be MORE than enough air measuring capability.

[StricNyne]

just run haltech i ran power fc, and its user interface in non existent, i think haltech was one of best decisions i made on my car. and NO ITS NOT WORTH IT UNLESS YOU HAVE TWO CARS!!! upgrades for me have lead to about 5 years of downtime on my build and driving s*** cars and being broke as hell. I think i had the most fun when my rb was stock and it was at its most reliable. if u want get a smaller bolt on turbo upgrade but i been through a lot of heartache and stress from my car, but i wont act like i dont love every second i drive it

[Coolwhip]

Does the Haltech have a built in setting for the Z32 MAF? Or is it a relatively easy thing to input oneself?

Very configrable as long as you tell the computer what you need it'll do it. It has no prejudice, just a box of controls

just run haltech i ran power fc, and its user interface in non existent, i think haltech was one of best decisions i made on my car. and NO ITS NOT WORTH IT UNLESS YOU HAVE TWO CARS!!! upgrades for me have lead to about 5 years of downtime on my build and driving s*** cars and being broke as hell. I think i had the most fun when my rb was stock and it was at its most reliable. if u want get a smaller bolt on turbo upgrade but i been through a lot of heartache and stress from my car, but i wont act like i dont love every second i drive it

thus vice president of the NRRBA

[LSDrift]

Haha well sweet deal! I'm quite sure I'm going to be going with the Haltech...just a matter of saving a bit o cash up. Hopefully I can snag it while you've got the price down! haha

StricNyne - Yeah I would really like to avoid downtime lol...I figure that just stepping up to this ECU and taking it to a good tuner wouldn't put me in the danger zone of that though. Hopefully anyways...the car's been running and getting me everywhere I want to go, and taking a bit of abuse for coming up on a month and 2000+ miles. No issues yet but I'm definitely gonna make the clutch fan work hah.