SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

Was wondering what options there are out there to replace the standard ECU on the car. Been a while since looked at ECU companies and their offerings so was interested in people's opinions

Would like to have the option of ALS and maybe launch control with plenty of pops and bangs
I know the mapper can map in a lot of this
So what do we have , gems , simtek or the newer version ?

Cheers

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Esl

banny sti

iTrader: (68)

Alcatek, motec or my ecu of preference syvecs

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

Is that a whole ECU or a daughter board ?
And does it have the option of multiple maps

Must admit it's been a while since I looked at ECU so wasn't sure how far they have progressed and what to budget for
Alcatek is the new name for simtek is that right ?
And do you know of any benefits comparing them ?

banny sti

iTrader: (68)

progressed a lot, what is your budget? the esl is a daughterboard so a good budget option as it retains the oem ecu functionality which is very good.

Alcatek is the new name for the simtek and as a ecu is a great product, but trying to get the code to get it mapped from someone other than your original mapper can be a nightmare. second hand they fetch 500-550 but the als and lc are cost options so not all have them.

Syvecs has everything you need inc free to download mapping software but a second hand (they dont come up often) is between 900-1k and new is about £1300 inc vat

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

That is what I have been reading up on
ESL nice addition to the stock ECU but it seems the launch control and ALS is only in beta so not sure if it is established enough. Certainly is a great price
I can also see the Alcatek being a pain for the code but as it will probably be mapped by Rich at FB tuning I am sure he will have some input

Your choice sounds great but wow that price is eye watering ! May have to knock over some grannies and their savings for that

mickywrx

iTrader: (29)

Andy @ ESL is very approachable Chris, ask him some questions.

Syvecs would probably be seen as future proffing though.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

I was going to get alcatek but for my v5 so I was limited, so opted for syvecs due to less hasstle with mapping, codes etc etc. (you'll have a hard job for a non supplier of alcatek to map it)
Esl would be a great choice for you, assuming yours is a v4?

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

Yes it is V4 on a stock ECU so I think the best starter option would be the ESL and get FB tuning to do it assuming he is on the list of suppliers
On my old UK 2000 I had the very first Ecutek ever installed and mapped in the country and it was a nice map but things have moved on since then

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Sorry my quote above dosent look right, I meant list of suppliers were focused on alcatek.

Also think about running maffless as afaik the maf on these are not too good
Edit- the v3-4 maf is better than the crap v5-6

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

Too true , my my00 v5 Scooby has the notorious crap maf but at least my wife's Type R has the better one and as she has a lovely forged engine a great base to start from

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Lol your wife has better car rotflol.

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

Isn't that the wrong way around.

I'd go for ESL you can get it fitted and 2 maps for £575

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

Yes it's true far better but then that's okay I can handle it

piehole1983

iTrader: (7)

I have ESL with AL and launch. Does everything you'd need it to. As said before, Andy Stevens is a very helpful man, give him a shout.

TypeR99

iTrader: (2)

antilag, launch, maffless, twin maps are all on ESL but I think its only 97/98 cars that can have all that and the 92-96 are map only. Was reading online that ESL are concentrating on doing 99/00 at the moment which will kill the ecutek strangled market for those years.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

He's been saying that for ages. And also ecutek is no good for v5/6 anyway as once you up the power, you then have maf issues, so alcatek, syvecs etc come into play.

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

It looks like ESL is the choice for the moment for her ladyship and as and when budget allows may move up.

Thanks for all the advice