JWT ECU or Apexi FC

[starfireS14]

I have a 97 s14 with blacktop s13 its at stock boost right now. Im going to upgrade fuel pump z32 maf and injectors(550cc). Im not sure which system to use for ECU I know the JWT is cheaper but the Apexi looks more functional. My goal is 300hp but 350 is looking like a better figure. I just want opinions from anyone that have used either of these systems.

[GraySilvia]

I started with the JWT ECU, and, well, all i can say about it is that it works and allows the car to run. Power and drivability seem to be secondary to functionality. And it took them 3 months to get the ECU back to me. Now i have a power FC. Just running off the base maps with the settings to get the car to run with the Z32 MAF and beefy injectors, it drives markedly better than with the JWT ECU. However, professional dyno tuning is a MUST. Also, the FC has NO automatic knock retard like the factory/JWT ECU. So, it has to be tuned accordingly, or you could get a J&S Knockguard, but that and the power FC plus tuning would be like $2000.

You could just get an AFC to run the bigger injectors and the Z32 MAF. That'd be the cheapest way to do it.

[BuudWeizErr]

Power FC. One of my friends has been running it on his S14SR for like 6 months and hasn't had any major problems. EDIT: with base maps.

Do NOT waste money on the JWT crap.

[Supafly]

i don't think the JWT stuff is too horribly overpriced, but their turnaround time sucks horribly. a friend of mine runs a JWT ECU in his car making 348rwhp on 93 pump gas @16psi (the rest of his setup doesn't really matter here) and his A/F is spot on on the wideband. i mean as soon as you hit boost it comes to 11.5-12:1 and stays dead in that range through the entire run, every run on the dyno. for this reason alone i think the JWT tuning is very good. but like i said, i think waiting 3+ months for the chipset to be changed out is ridiculous. so if you're impatient or tend to change your setup a lot, then go with the FC (i plan on going with the FC when i upgrade the turbo/injectors).

[starfireS14]

Thanks for the help guys I must admit I have to do my research because Im not sure about base maps and stuff like that I dont wanna blow my motor up. How exactly does the AFC work does it bypass my ecu? And how much is the Knockguard? I can get my JWT ecu from heavy throttle they already have blactop ecu's programmed for Z32 MAF and 550cc injectors.

[GraySilvia]

The AFC intecepts the signal from the MAF and changes it before it goes to your ECU. I.E, tell the ECU a smaller value for the MAF and voila', you lean your A/F ratio out.

The knockguard is kinda the holy grail of timing control, in my opinion. It's about $600, i believe, and uses your stock knock sensor. It learns exactly what YOUR knock sounds like, not some base "I think that's knock or maybe it's a ticking lifter" knock signature. And it constantly adjusts timing to stay on the knock threshold, so theoretically you could use one of those with an AFC and make really good power without much fuss. I plan on getting one eventually. For now i'm hoping just some good dyno tuning will do the trick for a while. Anyway, hope this helps.

[starfireS14]

Oh ok Im thinking my best option would be the JWT ecu seems more simple to deal with. Thanks for all your help.

[MojoMan]

I use the JWT ecu and the AFC. The JWT ecu is tuned on the rich side so as they are not held liable if a motors blow up unless they programmed the ecu wrong which can be proven. But the JWT+AFC I picked up a lot of hp on the dyno because I was able to squeez out the power the JWT had with the AFC. But stand alone is the way to go. Just stick with the base maps until until you can afford some dyno time. Its all about tuning.

[starfireS14]

ok thanks yea looks like JWT and AFC is gonna be the route I take for now.

[GTS4-R]

I couldn't get a Power FC even if i wanted to up here.......no one in the Northeast has ANY experience with the system or is knowledgable about tuning stand-alone ECU's and I wouldn't want to risk my car blowing up (seen it happen up here just from piggy-back dyno tuning).......I'm pretty much stuck with Greddy E-Manage and I don't kno where to turn for my ECU.....