Standalones/SAFCs/Modified ECUs

[matt0941]

I am going turbo KA with a turbo kit (to be determined) and some engine work that will hopefully get me into the 350+ hp range and possible high 12's. It will be a daily driver and I am currently researching what to do with MAF/MAPs. I have looked at MoTec, and Haltech (motec seems rather expensive http://www.vacmotorsports.com/...MoTec ) And I have read alot of the other posts regarding MAP/MAF. So with my goals and the fact that I do not have that much experience with tuning turbo cars, what do you think I should do, take into account that this will be a daily driver and hopefully as close to hassle free as possible. Thanks.

[C-Kwik]

I like the concept of MAF's better than MAPS, but for all out power, MAP sensors are usually less of a restriction in the intake system. It also does not stall with an open BOV set-up or run erratically if there are any leaks in the intake and such.

The trick is all in the tuning. Once you get it dialed in, you should have little problem with it, no matter which system you use.

[matt0941]

What would you say about the A'Pexi SAFC? Why would people not just save the extra cash and go with a system like that instead of the motec, haltech. (I am sure there is a large difference I do not see). And also, isn't the point-map very small, only being able to set A/F every 500 rpm? Thanks.

[WDRacing]

Exactly, the adjustment points are, shall we say, on the vague side. The guys who go with a standalone like Haltech are usually running alot of boost and big injectors. When you run alot of boost and bigger injectors your also going to want a different timing map the the stock ecu has.

But in your case, only going for 350 to 400, I would say the HKS SAFR would be just fine. You can also run an open atmosphere BOV with the SAFR aswell. It has EIDS which means it has an auto correction feature. It basically weeds out eroneous fluxes in the voltage coming from the MAF. Which would normally make you stock ECU run extremely rich/lean depending.

Since you don't need to access the timing maps, I think a piggyback<HKS SAFR> would be great. Just make sure you use the money you save on the ECU stuff for a really nice turbo kit. I like the GT3037.

WD

[matt0941]

What would I do without you WD? And that is pretty cool I can run a BOV off the SAFR, I love that sound (PSSSST!). But is the A'pexi SAFC use a MAP instead of a MAF?

[WDRacing]

You can keep all the wiring on your car just the way it is, Atleast until your MAFs is running at max noise. Which means it has hit its max readable amount of air, in which case the ECU will continue to get the last signal the maf was able to read.

So lets say you were running 25 psi through your stock MAFs, for the sake of argument we'll say the max noise of the stock MAF was hit right around 20 psi. That means your engine is ingesting another 5 psi without the ECU being able to add the proper amount of fuel.

This could be a bad thing...Thats the main reason I always say to tune your car on the dyno with a wideband O2 sniffer hooked up.

I ran my MAF at max noise for over a year, but I used alcohol as a fuel additive at anything over 20 psi. So my ECU really didn't care what was going on.

As far as BOV's go, look into the TurboXS unit. You won't find better customer service anywhere on the internet. http://WWW.TurboXS.com

WD

[matt0941]

Yea that makes alot of sense, but as I will probably need to know... do you (or anyone else) know what the max amount of boost I can run on the stock ECU before it is at max noise? Thanks.

[cnichols]

IMO, nothing sounds better than the HKS SSQV BOV...just can't beat it although they all sound cool.

[matt0941]

Is there any distinguishing factor (besides sound) between alot of the BOV's on the market? Or do the deciding factors tend to be things like customer-service/sound? Because I want to get a general idea of all the parts I plan on buying before I start modding my car (future car... eh). Thanks.

[I am Technoman]

Most bov do the same thing. they let off air after the throttle is closed. some are just made better than others.

[I am Technoman]

I have seen some bov's built into the turbo it self. but they still do the same thing. i had a volvo turbo with a valve built into the face of it with a slit in the mouth of the turbo so the air could get sucked back in.

[I am Technoman]

Im thinking real hard about the Greddy e manage has anyone used this system? I do know of one person who used it on a CA and it does really well. But as anyone used it on a KA?

[WDRacing]

I haven't talked to anyone about the Emanage system. I'm not sure how its installed either. Is it a universal like the SAFR?

Like Techno said, most BOV's do the same thing. The TurboXS unit is very loud. Its also one of the cheapest on the market.

WD

[cnichols]

http://www.hksusa.com/products/more.asp?id=792

A link to HKS's website explaining the difference between most BOVs and their sequential.

[matt0941]

That's pretty interesting, but I am not sure if I will installing a BOV for a bit, I just want to get the basics done to my car before the add-ons come. But just so I would have a general idea, does anyone have any audio/video clips of the HKS SSQV (or pretty much any BOV so I could get a taste) preferrably on a 240SX or KA24DE-T car?

[cnichols]

Come to the March 8th meet in Bowling Green, KY and you can hear my HKS BOV in person!! :ylsuper