Solaris, motec or hks
25 August 2009, 12:20 AM
#1
Solaris, motec or hks
hey guys have seen a few ecu posts around but now im at this stage. Been looking around and was going for a solaris but now have a few in mind and was maybe wanting some recommendations.
Car is needing remap and im thinking ahead. Planning on around 450- 500hp long term and would be wanting a ecu capatable of this. Have heard many recommendations for the motec but high price comes with this. Noticed the hks f con pro, big in the skyline world and seen a few classics in japan running it, but dont hear of it in the uk. I know mappers are less popular.
Will be installed on jdm hawkeye
Cheers
Chris
Car is needing remap and im thinking ahead. Planning on around 450- 500hp long term and would be wanting a ecu capatable of this. Have heard many recommendations for the motec but high price comes with this. Noticed the hks f con pro, big in the skyline world and seen a few classics in japan running it, but dont hear of it in the uk. I know mappers are less popular.
Will be installed on jdm hawkeye
Cheers
Chris
25 August 2009, 08:31 AM
#4
Solaris is the choice ecu.
Full wideband controlled closed loop fueling
Knock control per cylinder
8 switcheable maps / fuel maps / boost levels etc
Superb datalogging which is worth it's weight in gold IMO.
The knock control is a huge part of it in my view - without active knock control a mapper would need to build a much bigger margin for error in the map and subsequently not get the performance all the time. If fuel quality deteriorates then the Simtek cannot do anything about it.
Simtek does what it does well but it still disturbs me to think that the CEL flashes when it sees knock but the same light flashes as a gear change indicator. So ... knock at the top end could be completely overlooked if you manage to see the CEL at all
25 August 2009, 10:23 AM
#5
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Im with Duncan on this one, had a simtek and all though it worked if i done it again (when i do it again) I will be biting Mr Solaris arm off! 
25 August 2009, 10:56 AM
#6
Scooby Regular
Only if the car was mapped absolutely on the ragged edge in the first place.
Can't disagree with that, but purely on the basis that the DBW SimTek isn't available as yet and the Motec is over priced.
Agreed, the Solaris at present has a better features list, but then it is a more expensive ecu. The external datalogging for SimTeks is something that will be addressed as soon as the Evo ecu is completed.
Closed loop knock control is coming for SimTeks Duncan, and soon.
It will still flash the cell though as a warning, something I believe the Solaris doesn't do.
Personally I would rather know, than just trust the ecu to keep my engine safe, especially as even the factory car does such a crap job of it. I couldn't count the amount of Newage WRX's I have had in for a map that are detting their **** off, and the factory ecu sits there oblivious to it. Little point in having it if it doesn't work.
The shift light can be either turned off or use an external bulb at request.
Can't disagree with that, but purely on the basis that the DBW SimTek isn't available as yet and the Motec is over priced.
The knock control is a huge part of it in my view - without active knock control a mapper would need to build a much bigger margin for error in the map and subsequently not get the performance all the time. If fuel quality deteriorates then the Simtek cannot do anything about it.
Simtek does what it does well but it still disturbs me to think that the CEL flashes when it sees knock but the same light flashes as a gear change indicator. So ... knock at the top end could be completely overlooked if you manage to see the CEL at all
Simtek does what it does well but it still disturbs me to think that the CEL flashes when it sees knock but the same light flashes as a gear change indicator. So ... knock at the top end could be completely overlooked if you manage to see the CEL at all
It will still flash the cell though as a warning, something I believe the Solaris doesn't do.
Personally I would rather know, than just trust the ecu to keep my engine safe, especially as even the factory car does such a crap job of it. I couldn't count the amount of Newage WRX's I have had in for a map that are detting their **** off, and the factory ecu sits there oblivious to it. Little point in having it if it doesn't work.
The shift light can be either turned off or use an external bulb at request.
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25 August 2009, 11:23 AM
#8
Martyn the only issue is things seem to take forever to be released, at the moment it does not bother me as I am not using the ecu. But what about when I am running the ecu in the car, it would mean taking the ecu out and the car being parked up, main issue being it is my daily driver lol
Banny
Banny
25 August 2009, 12:01 PM
#10
Personally I would rather know, than just trust the ecu to keep my engine safe, especially as even the factory car does such a crap job of it. I couldn't count the amount of Newage WRX's I have had in for a map that are detting their **** off, and the factory ecu sits there oblivious to it. Little point in having it if it doesn't work.
The shift light can be either turned off or use an external bulb at request.
The shift light can be either turned off or use an external bulb at request.
The std oe ecu does do a grand job in most cases but you are right - I have seen many that are detting away and not doing an awful lot about it. Mainly unmapped cars mind where the factory map settings for knock control don't give it the room to do much about it higher up the rev range.
Simtek knock control will be a good thing and will save having this discussion every time there is a thread comparing ecu's...
Hydra - it has knock control I believe but I personally never liked the software from a mapping point of view as it was clunky and very 'windows 95' all IMHO. I didn't explore beyond that.
25 August 2009, 12:07 PM
#11
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That's not such an issue mate. The CEL comes on constantly for a gear change indication, and flashes to indicate knock; it's a clear difference from behind the wheel.
25 August 2009, 12:38 PM
#12
A lot of info 
Im thinking the solaris, I had planned to get this as stated before, what anyone think of the f con pro I have been emailing around for prices etc just got one for the hks and seems reasonable but I really havent heard much about them
Whats everyone think?
Chris
Im thinking the solaris, I had planned to get this as stated before, what anyone think of the f con pro I have been emailing around for prices etc just got one for the hks and seems reasonable but I really havent heard much about them
Whats everyone think?
Chris
25 August 2009, 12:56 PM
#13
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hks power writters are quite dear and i dont think you will get much support for the ecu if im to be honest as much as you would for Simtek,solaries hydra etc
also they wont resale as quick as other ecu ive currently got simtek and so pleased with it i wont be changin it for anything else as its more than enough for what i use it for.
mus
also they wont resale as quick as other ecu ive currently got simtek and so pleased with it i wont be changin it for anything else as its more than enough for what i use it for.
mus
25 August 2009, 01:02 PM
#14
got this price for the fcon
"You are looking at about £250+vat to install the F-Con and sensors. F-Cons themselves are £855+vat and the looms are about £200+vat."
Then mapping was £95 per hour
kinda think the solaris is maybe the best
"You are looking at about £250+vat to install the F-Con and sensors. F-Cons themselves are £855+vat and the looms are about £200+vat."
Then mapping was £95 per hour
kinda think the solaris is maybe the best
25 August 2009, 02:04 PM
#15
Scooby Regular
Martyn the only issue is things seem to take forever to be released, at the moment it does not bother me as I am not using the ecu. But what about when I am running the ecu in the car, it would mean taking the ecu out and the car being parked up, main issue being it is my daily driver lol
Banny
Banny
The knock control upgrade AFAIK will be a software only upgrade and won't require customers to remove their ecu.
25 August 2009, 02:12 PM
#16
Scooby Regular
True - but I run a KS3 aswell to let me know of the scale of the det (if I havent got the laptop running real time) or download the logs afterwards and check them. If i choose to ignore what I have calibrated as an audible degree of knock from the det cans then so be it.
To the OP, I don't think you will go far wrong with the Solaris should you choose a decent mapper to install it for you.
25 August 2009, 02:22 PM
#18
I can't argue with that Banny, things do take time. But considering the ecu was designed, built and is constantly being upgraded by one man, i'll cut him a little slack if it takes a little time.
The knock control upgrade AFAIK will be a software only upgrade and won't require customers to remove their ecu.
The knock control upgrade AFAIK will be a software only upgrade and won't require customers to remove their ecu.
Banny
25 August 2009, 02:32 PM
#20
as are scoobyclinic and lots of others...
Martyn .. most guys running higher power cars would be daft to rely on just one source of protection - i chose KS3 as it would show me an actual value of det.
As for downloading logs whenever I go to the shops - dont quite get that obsessive
but after each track session or 1/4 or competitive event i do - just to see if there is anything to improve or owt. Most of the time I leave well alone as it is fit and forget IMO.
Martyn .. most guys running higher power cars would be daft to rely on just one source of protection - i chose KS3 as it would show me an actual value of det.
As for downloading logs whenever I go to the shops - dont quite get that obsessive
but after each track session or 1/4 or competitive event i do - just to see if there is anything to improve or owt. Most of the time I leave well alone as it is fit and forget IMO.
25 August 2009, 03:39 PM
#22
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When we last spoke I believe we said that the mapper will be able to install it, or alternatively if you own a customer version of software you will be able to download the update and upgrade yourself.
25 August 2009, 05:34 PM
#24
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External datalogging is coming too, we have discussed the possibility of using a USB style memory stick.
25 August 2009, 06:13 PM
#26
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Closed loop knock control is coming for SimTeks Duncan, and soon.
It will still flash the cell though as a warning, something I believe the Solaris doesn't do.
Personally I would rather know, than just trust the ecu to keep my engine safe, especially as even the factory car does such a crap job of it. I couldn't count the amount of Newage WRX's I have had in for a map that are detting their **** off, and the factory ecu sits there oblivious to it. Little point in having it if it doesn't work.
It will still flash the cell though as a warning, something I believe the Solaris doesn't do.
Personally I would rather know, than just trust the ecu to keep my engine safe, especially as even the factory car does such a crap job of it. I couldn't count the amount of Newage WRX's I have had in for a map that are detting their **** off, and the factory ecu sits there oblivious to it. Little point in having it if it doesn't work.
The factory map is the issue not the factory ecu.. it can be set it up so that it works very very well.
The SimTek is still a fantastic bit of kit and what I run in my daily drive
and should definitly be considered.
Simon
26 August 2009, 12:15 PM
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I have run Aem, Motec, Simtek, Haltech(Platinium too), Apexi, and hydra..
to me,
Solaris is the best on the market now.
Go for it but dont forget that; A full tuning of Solaris versus Fcon would not be the same. A mapper may well charge you 3X for a full solaris tuning when compared to others. It is also related with your car setup.
to me,
Solaris is the best on the market now.
Go for it but dont forget that; A full tuning of Solaris versus Fcon would not be the same. A mapper may well charge you 3X for a full solaris tuning when compared to others. It is also related with your car setup.
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