Andy.F

I've been considering which route next, remap of JECS or aftermarket ECU (MY95 WRX Ra)

I'm attracted to the DIY JECS option on a cost basis but put off slightly as it appears to require opening of the ECU to replace a chip each time you want to tweak a map (which will probably be quite often )
I'm also unsure how 'friendly' the user interface will be ??

I'm more than happy to do an aftermarket install and mapping myself. On a budget of say ~ £800 whats available out there ??

DTA P8pro appears to be high spec for just over £800

Apexi Power FC seems excellent value at approx £650
Popular on Skylines but you don't hear of many fitted to Impreza's

Link ? I'm not sure the current list for a Link ? would it require the additional tuning module ? The DTA/Apexi can be adjusted via laptop, I assume the Link is the same ?

GEMS may be another consideration, again not sure of price ?

MOTEC I think is out of my budget

Any recommendations ???

thanks

Andy

Edited to call the Apexi by its proper name

[Edited by Andy.F - 11/16/2002 8:10:05 PM]

carlos_hiraoka

The Apexi FC can be a good option for the budget, even read on MLR (Mitsubishi Lancer Register) that someone has already developed an antilag feature for it ..... the guys from rcdevelopments should now a little more.

Carlos H.

john banks

What about bringing out a loom and a ZIF socket for the EEPROM? Maybe a daft idea for reliability, and the data rate might be too high, but could be workable and cheap.

However, it would be nice to be able to change zones live. If you have datalogging it reduces the pain a bit, but if I want to change the maximum duty cycle at 3200-3600 RPM to stop it overboosting I have to pull over and it takes about 2 minutes before I can test it.

Getting rid of your MAF would be very nice.

Presumably you would need some bigger injectors, 3 bar MAP sensor and a wideband. Sounds a bit conventional I know, but it would give you more safety by running injectors within their capacity using ECU boost control, having a predictable fuel cut, smooth part throttle and some ability to correct knock quicker than your right foot might.

ustolemyname??stevieturbo

iTrader: (1)

The DTA is very good, but would require the addition/replacement of temp sensors, and a crank trigger. It would also require you to make a wiring loom, or loom adaptor to suit your car, but it means it can easily be transferred to another engine if needed, again with a suitable wiring loom. Not sure about the rest, but it is also easy to setup complete closed loop fuelling with the using either narrowband or ( preferred ) wideband lambda input. Makes mapping fuelling very easy. It also has Anti-Lag, and many other features if its what you are into.
Its also £850+vat. If you are prepared to do the work, it is very good value.. It is mapped via laptop, and quite easy to use. There is 25 mins of datalogging with it too, although it would be better if it logged more info in an easier form. Im using it, but not on my subaru, and I am impressed with it.

The Link, is about the cheapest around, and also a direct plug in unit for the specific vehicle, ie not swappable easily. AFAIK it too is programmed via Laptop, so it does look very tempting, and have considered it myself a few times.

The GEMS also seems to have a lot of features although a little more pricey, but again a direct plug in to a specific vehicle.

Motec too is quite expensive, but swappable.

Havent really heard much about the Apexi, but the rest of their products seem very good, but for £650, it seems almost too cheap???

I think most of them would also require the addition of a suitable 3 bar map sensor.

The DIY one also is interesting, but I think it requires a little too much hassle to reprogram for a novice with computers. Also, most/all of the above, can be adjusted while on the move, whereas i doubt the DIY one will. If considering a lot of fufture mods, then the aftermarket ecu would be the only/best option.
If just after a remap, for mods already done, then the DIY would be hard to beat for value.



[Edited by ustolemyname??stevieturbo - 11/16/2002 12:07:00 PM]

David_Wallis

Andy... you can reprogram it live... you just need an eprom emulator that can do and odd and even split... Im considering writing a front end for one of these as they come with a dll that you can pass calls to...

What we did with mine was logged a lot.. and then programmed up say three different chips and then went for 1 run with them so stopped a third of the way into the run and plugged second set in and so on... two zif sockets wont fit on our boards but Im looking to sort a solution (ribbon cable and veroboard )

David

Andy.F

Nice one David I need to discuss this further with you and Paul, I was planning to come down to Leeds next time Paul comes up to tweak your cars ECU.

Other than the DIY option, the Apexi is looking Favourite at the moment.
Can this be set up on a subaru with a MAP instead of MAF ? I think MAP is more appropriate with a big FMIC and no dump valve as the backrush of charge air confuses the ECU as the MAF records it !
It's also one less restriction in the intake....which is nice

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

Andy,

The Link is about £650-£700 and can be tunned via a laptop.... you can download the PC Link software form the Link website and have a play (plus you can download the instruction manual for the Link and PC Link software... interesting reading). Looks quite user friendly.

Tony.

DAVE26

tony, whats links website again
could do with teh software and manulas to have a play about with b4 i install my link ecu.

thanks

ustolemyname??stevieturbo

iTrader: (1)

I think all the aftermarket ecus get rid of the MAF.

Andy.F

Checking on the Apexi site, it claims to use 'all' the original sensors, guess that includes MAF

Questions about the link, how does it calculate the fuel for boost pressures in excess of the std map limit of 18 psi ? The manual also states that you can't just plug in a 3 bar map sensor either It also only has 6 load rows, if you split that over full vacuum to full boost then it appears to be a fairly course resolution for fueling ? I realise it interpolates between zones but I've observed from the std ECU maps that there are very few straight lines. Is this a disadvantage ?

David_Wallis

Try DIY first, if that doesnt do what you want then move on... whats £60?? and £35 on a programmer.. Could still sell that on... for £60... just bung in a std map..

David

carlos_hiraoka

Andy, IIRC there is an upgrade option on the Apexi FC that let's you use a 3 bar MAP sensor instead of a MAF sensor.

Carlos H.

Andy.F

Agree David, we went to the same 'economy tuning' school

I am fortunate to have the use of a wideband Lamba for a short spell (Many thanks to John Banks ) So ASAP would be a good time for me......you listening Paul ????

FWIW running 1.8 bar midrange tapering to 1.5 bar top end on std 380's with 2 x 0.6mm water injectors also squirting fuel my AFR was a very safe 11.2 !!! Going out now to turn the fuel pressure down a bit for more power .......listen for the BANG !!

Andy.F

Thanks Carlos, I'll look into that

5 Type R

Is it true that the link only has 4 load points???

If true how come so many people slate things such as the Unichip, which infact has 16 load points???

mutant_matt

Andy,

From two different friends experiences, the Apexi is not good at Boost control. This doesn't mean it can't do it or that it is no good but from more that one person's experience that I know, one ditched the Apexi and one runs an EBC as well.

Just thought you'd want to know.

Matt

BoxerFlat4

The Apexi Power FC handle's boost through the standard hardware on the car - if you want to go beyond this, to higher boost levels, you need to get the Boost Control Kit. This is the same solenoid hardware and control as in the Apexi AVC-R, and lets you run upto 2.5 bar IIRC.

Costs about £200-£250 for the kit, depending on application, so it's cheaper than most EBC kits anyway. Don't forget, the Power FC appears to support ALS, and some other fancy features as well !

AlexM

Hi,

Link has 10 load rows in the latest versions... for <=MY98, the link has six load rows.

Rgds,

Alex

BoxerFlat4

Carlos -

Are you sure about this ? I've never heard of such an upgrade - where did you come across this ? Very interested....

Paul Houbart
Gecko Motorsport

hypoluxa

Andy,

I would seriously consider the GEMS. It may cost a bit more than the others but I think you would reap the benefits.17 load sites, anti-lag, launch control, excellent OS, no maf etc.

Speak to Steve Simpson 07836 635001. He knows more 'stuff' about GEMS than GEMS themselves.