What runs your engine?

[themadscientist]

This isn't a pissing match so keep em zipped. I will mercilessly crush anybody who F-s this thread up with sillyness. The poll is open to add a system I did not include but "Jesda's pants" to my knowledge are not currently able to run an engine so I better not see it appear. I just want to know what system you use, where you got it, price you paid, ease of installation (please include if you are a Nasa rocket scientist ok, your idea of "simple" may be different than mine). Your general satisfaction with the system you used, would you buy it again? Stuff like that. I do not want to hear arguments about "my system is better than yours". Get in, type your testimonial on your setup and get out. People with good relavent questions may pose them, any dumb stuff will be deleted without warning. I want a good resource for the uninitiated to save them the headaches and uncertainty those who went before endured to know what they know. Get them writeups in please.

[themadscientist]

For my part I have a stock automatic CA18DET computer. I have an HKS Vein Pressure Converter and a Graphic Control computer plugged in to tune it. My combo is a completely stock 1989 CA18DET with an S14 turbo. It has full exhuast from the turbo outlet elbow back with no catalytic converter. I have an HKS type-S frontmount intercooler and a Greddy Type-R blowoff valve.The installation of the VPC is very simple. It uses a pressure sensor and air temp sensor to replace the MAF sensor. The air temp sensor is installed in the manifold plenum. Drill the appropriately-sized hole, tap it and screw the sensor in. I put it at the back of the plenum above the #4 intake runner. The pressure sensor is a standard HKS sensor and you hook it to a manifold pressure source, I T-ed into the FPR vacuum hose and mounted the sensor hose nipple down on the firewall as close to the T as possible. Mounting it this way ensures crud will not work down the hose into the sensor and the signal responds as quickly as possible. You could go one extra step and install one of those little screen doodads HKS packages with stuff like this but I buy everything secondhand and never seem to get those too.The wiring is run through the firewall into the cabin where the head unit is mounted. The system uses a jumper harness that plugs into the computer between the engine harness and ECU. The VPC feeds it's signal into the ECU and it does what it's supposed to do based on what the VPC decides to tell it. The head unit has four adjustment knobs; Response, Gain, Idle, Output

UPDATE VPC instructions UPDATEhttp://oldschool.supracentral.com/htm/vpc.htm

I have in addition to the main VPC unit a GCC which allows me to tune mix at six points on the RPM range; 500 2000 3500 5000 6500 and 8000. My unit is old and uses adjustment pots in the front with tiny phillipsheads, the newer ones use dials that you can turn with your fingers, MUCH BETTER!The install was straightfoward, took me about two hours. The car fired up immediately and I was able to fiddle with the two units and get the car running nice in an hour of idling and running up and down the road. The car purrs like kitten at idle and pulls clean and smooth all the way up. I can decellerate with no open chamber blowoff stumble and even run NA with a funnel on the TB if I were to blow a turbine or crush the intercooler Boost response is improved as well without the old tiny MAF blocking the inlet to the turbine.I have not dynoed it and I set it based on sound, seat of the pants and the stock O2 sensor display on my Apexi turbo timer and the car has not needed a tweak in over two years which is why I forget what the damned knobs do I am quite pleased with the unit. It was like $200.00 used from a parts shop. It does exactly what I want it to do, is pretty idiotproof and solid. I would reccomend it to anybody who has a lightly tuned CA18 who needs some adjustablility and wants to lose the MAF. I know HKS dealers can burn a chip specifically for your car so that leaves it flexible to expand for someone who is running something more substantial leaving IMO maybe just an ignition upgrade to do for big power. mine has whatever was on there when it was bought and it performs flawlessly. I give it four naughty christmas smilees.

[float_6969]

SDS EM4-F. Controls fuel, spark, cold start, knock retard, ect. Wiring is pretty straight forward as long as you have a FSM and know how to read a wiring diagram. Tuning is done via a handheld controller and eliminates the need for a laptop. This worked well for me as I would have had to purchase a laptop to tune my car. Having a computer outside of my home isn't something I need, and was one of my main reason's for choosing this system. It's a very solid system and does very well. Not a lot "extra's" but everything you need. The biggest pain was the bracket for the Hall sensor and drilling the holes for the magnets on the crank. I used the front 2 bolt for the A/C for the bracket since I don't have A/C. It made it very simple. I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything.

[biosehnsucht]

stock ECU w/ ROM replaced / ghetto tune

Did the socketing myself, but never again unless I get a bigger iron.. mine was piss weak, took me 8 hours to get all the solder out, and quite killed the stock ROM (good thing I already had bins).

Tuned myself for DSM 450cc's, still KA SOHC MAF. Not running as well as I'd like but that's due to massive boost/vacuum leak, or so it's behavior and my boost gauge tell me (~10inHg vacuum at idle, crossing into boost when the O2 isn't warmed up causes sputtering and backfires, but even w/o O2 warmed up runs "ok" if I can get it INTO boost). Probably all that stupid vacuum crap for the butterflies.. I'll get that rectified electronicly eventually.

Also, I've yet to see a dyno. Hence, ghetto tune - just tuning by the maths.

---

Really, to me it makes sense to have stock computers w/ romtunes and piggybacks seperate, as they are by nature quite different in their abilities and limitations.

And what of people with mere stock ECUs only?

[fitch9014]

Where's the hks pfc fcon, ipm, and gcc3??!! I will forgive this transgression for all the help I recieved. Anyways, it's as easy to install as an early 90's component stereo with japanese manuals, meaning once you figure out where to mount the head units (hardest part) and translate the instructions (second hardest part), you just clip supplied harnesses together. The car runs great now, but I've still got some stuff to add (adjustable fpr, fcd(sorry, TMS), sld, more boost) and I've got to finish the map (those 2 last knobs on the gcc are hard to hit on the roads around here). Oh yeah, price was a steal, $300 for the brand new fcon (I got the filters for the map sensor ), $150 for the gcc3, $250 for the ipm. The motor is stock (injectors, maf) except for a smallish saab fmic, apexi intake, full 3" exhaust, and sr t25 turbo @ 7psi w/ hks actuator. Massive shouts out to TMS and float for all the help!!! Not that it matters to much, but I have run both the mines and blitz access ecus and they both pale in comparison. Because now I've got mad knos to turn, like the evil genius I am!!!! CA world domination!!!

[Bwana]

SDS EM4-F. Controls fuel, spark, cold start, knock retard, ect. Wiring is pretty straight forward as long as you have a FSM and know how to read a wiring diagram. Tuning is done via a handheld controller and eliminates the need for a laptop. This worked well for me as I would have had to purchase a laptop to tune my car. Having a computer outside of my home isn't something I need, and was one of my main reason's for choosing this system. It's a very solid system and does very well. Not a lot "extra's" but everything you need. The biggest pain was the bracket for the Hall sensor and drilling the holes for the magnets on the crank. I used the front 2 bolt for the A/C for the bracket since I don't have A/C. It made it very simple. I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything.

The SDS rocks!

[cheap_sticker05]

I have a Haltech E8. It is not installed on my CA yet. My s14 KA-t is allready running one and I love it. Very user friendy interface once you get used to it. I know I am not using all of the features it has, but I am still getting used to it. My CA will be wired and running off it by the beginning of summer and I will do a write-up if anyone is interested.

[GoofyATX240]

SDS mine ran perfect!!

[r34 gtr]

megasquirt 2, it basically does whatever i build it to do. unfortunately its not sequential injection but i can live with it for now. ill let you all know how the car runs when i wire it up this week.

[Fenvy]

power fc, bought it from japan, for like 700 or 800 with commander new

plug and play, 1st start up is very rough idle and CEL on.

turn off boost module (optional and I don't have it), change injector size, change maf setting and it was done, installation maybe 30 min because there is an initial "learning"

[missionsix43]

stock..

i also have a tuned buddy club "brack box" (assume its supposed to be black box) .. but I have no idea whats tuned on it.. cant find any info

[Kouks]

Currently running chipped 5speed ecu with Apexi SAFC2.Tuned for 390s and Z32 MAF. All governors,limiters removed.

[Sil40sK]

Woot woot for my Mine's ECU! Gotta love having friends that go to Japan. I'm gonna run a AFC Neo on top of the Mine's rom for fine tuning.

[rexhunta]

I got Greddy Emanage.. yeah i'm a loner

[rico05]

I'll be running on a bio-tuned ROM, and more than likely a SAFCII, by the end of January. I just picked up the 450s and now I need to socket my ECU.

YAY! Rico is FINALLY joining the ranks of the tuned!!

[boost_boy]

I too run SDS systems in my cars and most that I get to build and I think they're pretty cool and not tradeable like Ryan says.

Dee

[redtop91]

Mine's SR ECU. Installed like a breeze because I bought a whole front clip. Not any better running off pump but 100+ octane creates a beast. But those of you who"laugh" at them should already know that they are tuned for 100 octane. At least I would like to think you know Sorry madscientist had to add that tidbit in there.

[themadscientist]

Who selected Autronic? Tell us about your experience with the system.

[tyrannix]

BTW, I think i *might* have come up with a way for Jesda's pants to run fuel, but not ignition yet.

[MasterZenki]

any pics of these setups / devices?

[Smurf6x6]

I got Greddy Emanage.. yeah i'm a loner

Not so much, I'm with you in the emanage group, but I'm running a different turbo GT28RS, with the usual stuff, FMIC, full 3inch turbo back etc. Had the emanage from summer didn't do much with it yet though. I need to go buy injectors and tune, for next season.

[redtop91]

I have an e manage but I have no use for it as is. (Stock )

[ca18donny]

I have the AEM ems and have converted to speed density.

[Not_a_sr]

Megasquirt 1 version 3.0 with EDIS it finally started up for the first time tonight on a base map from a turbo dodge neon. It actually runs better on my car then the neon it was taken off of. it idles smoothly and will rev right up to 7500 like it did with the stock ECU. Tomorrow i will install my LC-1 and intake air temp and begin fooling with the maps my base timing is way to advanced so i will also be trying to figure out how to fix that.

[r34 gtr]

for you megasquirt guys, what base maps are you running? im having trouble finding one for the CA and i dont really have any real tuning experience so any help would be appreciated. the ms2 runs great, but the car doesnt at the moment (im driving the old bimmer!).

[float_6969]

Jon just said they used a base map for a turbo dodge neon...

[r34 gtr]

i would rather have a ca18 map, because i know they exist. its cool though, i just got one from MegasquirtCA. you guys can have fun altering your non-nissan maps, ill be over here in awesome-ville.

[Not_a_sr]

have fun with your nissan map in your non nissan ECU

i have a friend that tunes megasquirts pretty good he will be comming down to do the tune in a week or two. hes rocking a 400+HP non SRT4 neon so if he can pull it off in that thing i have confidence in him tuning my car.

[r34 gtr]

but a nissan map for a nissan engine! haHA!!

haha, well youve got something on me. i have not tuned a stand alone before. sounds like itll be fun though. if i break it itll be my fault so no problem there. i just wanted to start with something already made for the CA, as i have to do this by myself with no prior experience.

[themadscientist]

Please to see the update in my second post. Link to VPC instructions.