Notices

Which after-market ECU?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01 July 2009, 07:43 PM
  #1  
ScaldedCat
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
 
ScaldedCat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Northants
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question Which after-market ECU?

I'm torn between three different after-market ECUs for my '99 UK Classic.

1. Apexi PowerFC
2. Ecutek
3. Simtek

Because...

The Apexi has always had good reviews, and most people I know who have installed them have all been pleased.

The Ecutek is the cheapest and apparently does everything I need it to do (almost).

The Simtek because it removes the need for the MAF, plus (if I buy the bolt-on) I'm a bit partial to the strip at Santa Pod, so the launch control feature may come in handy.

I've only started modifying the car recently and have no plans for big horsepower or anything, just an ECU that gives drivability and power improvements without going OTT.

What do you think/recommend?
Old 01 July 2009, 07:50 PM
  #2  
stevebt
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (8)
 
stevebt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 16,732
Received 33 Likes on 19 Posts
Default

I used to have an apexi on my old 99uk car and it was great but if the maf fails there is no warning whereas the ecutek will retard the ecu keeping the car safe, but I would go with the mafless ECU as the maf's are forever going on this year vehicle
Old 01 July 2009, 08:15 PM
  #3  
projectsubaru
Scooby Regular
 
projectsubaru's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

What about the Solaris on a classic been hearing good things about them
Old 02 July 2009, 05:36 AM
  #4  
ScaldedCat
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
 
ScaldedCat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Northants
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by projectsubaru
What about the Solaris on a classic been hearing good things about them
It's slightly out of my price range, but I've heard they're very good.
Old 02 July 2009, 09:08 AM
  #5  
New_scooby_04
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
New_scooby_04's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The Terry Crews of moderation. P P P P P P POWER!!
Posts: 18,687
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Simtek, no question.

Do a search for the review I submited.

Ns04
Old 02 July 2009, 10:23 PM
  #6  
ScaldedCat
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
 
ScaldedCat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Northants
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Okay, it's looking like the Simtek has come out on top (I can't find Ns04's review though!).

Talking to a mate tonight - who has one on his Legacy - tipped the scales!
Old 03 July 2009, 12:15 AM
  #7  
Jolly Green Monster
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (4)
 
Jolly Green Monster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ECU Mapping - www.JollyGreenMonster.co.uk
Posts: 16,548
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by stevebt
I used to have an apexi on my old 99uk car and it was great but if the maf fails there is no warning whereas the ecutek will retard the ecu keeping the car safe, but I would go with the mafless ECU as the maf's are forever going on this year vehicle
unfortunatly it won't keep the car safe the maf gets worse and worse and the ecu cannot pull enough timing.. the Apexi actually usually just runs like a dog when the maf fails without causing damage.

Simon

Trending Topics

Old 03 July 2009, 12:17 AM
  #8  
Jolly Green Monster
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (4)
 
Jolly Green Monster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ECU Mapping - www.JollyGreenMonster.co.uk
Posts: 16,548
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

The Apexi is slowly becoming less of an option unless you can find a secondhand one as they are expensive when available due to exchange rate and slow down in production.

SimTek wins hands down.. but EcuTek does suit many peoples needs.

Simon
Old 03 July 2009, 12:21 AM
  #9  
New_scooby_04
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
New_scooby_04's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The Terry Crews of moderation. P P P P P P POWER!!
Posts: 18,687
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by UKSC
Okay, it's looking like the Simtek has come out on top (I can't find Ns04's review though!).

Talking to a mate tonight - who has one on his Legacy - tipped the scales!
https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...imtek-ecu.html
Old 04 July 2009, 09:19 AM
  #10  
EJ22 LAD
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (12)
 
EJ22 LAD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Durham
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

HYDRA NEMESIS IS MAFLESS
Old 04 July 2009, 09:34 AM
  #11  
Neil XR
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Neil XR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 728
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

an old link ecu is mafless, running a link on my terzo, no problims at all
Old 04 July 2009, 09:46 AM
  #12  
dazdavies
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (22)
 
dazdavies's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: N/A
Posts: 7,061
Received 82 Likes on 46 Posts
Default

Considering what you've said here and what your goals are it has to be the Simtek.

The only things that better it are the Solaris and a Motec
Old 04 July 2009, 10:01 AM
  #13  
stevebt
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (8)
 
stevebt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 16,732
Received 33 Likes on 19 Posts
Default

I would say an ecu remap is dead money as there is no resale value.
Old 04 July 2009, 11:44 AM
  #14  
Antony@indigo-gt
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (2)
 
Antony@indigo-gt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by EJ22 LAD
HYDRA NEMESIS IS MAFLESS
And they are very very good, one of the few aftermarket ECU's with active knock control.
Old 04 July 2009, 12:09 PM
  #15  
dynamix
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (3)
 
dynamix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: near you
Posts: 9,708
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Awful software though.
Old 04 July 2009, 12:12 PM
  #16  
Antony@indigo-gt
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (2)
 
Antony@indigo-gt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I find it OK tbh, been doing them for a while now.
Old 05 July 2009, 07:47 AM
  #17  
dynamix
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (3)
 
dynamix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: near you
Posts: 9,708
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

IIRC you couldnt select multiple cells in the maps, it wouldnt interpolate for you and it was very clunky.

I was looking at hydra towards the end of last year as Shaun seems to get on well with it, but as I map my car myself the software put me off.

Solaris is in there now and from a mapping and set up point of view it is awesome. Ok it is is a little more expensive on the classic (not especially on the newage) but the flexibility of having 8 map settings to change through makes it great for multi-purpose vehicles such as those that do road and track. Knock control is pretty worthwhile too
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
28
28 December 2015 11:07 PM
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
12
18 November 2015 07:03 AM
T.K
General Technical
10
02 October 2015 11:35 AM
Ganz1983
Subaru
5
02 October 2015 09:22 AM
mmcw
Computer & Technology Related
1
25 September 2015 10:18 PM



Quick Reply: Which after-market ECU?



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:23 AM.