went down to Hypersports last friday with a mate to have his headgasket checked out by this place & we got talking about remapping etc to remove det probs, anyway the guy was telling us about this product from Greddy, now he didnt say that it would totally remove det but it would help alot,

Can anyone throw anymore light as to the value of this product & its ability to reduce det?? below is the technical jargon they quote for this product




e-Manage (piggy-back fuel computer)
e-Manage is an inexpensive programmable fuel management system that allows you to properly tune your factory fuel system, without having to change the entire factory ECU system to an expensive "stand-alone" unit. The e-Manage system is a universal "piggy-back" type unit, which taps into most factory ECU wiring and it still utilizes the existing sensors. Basic functions will allow the user to slightly alter factory injector duty-cycle(± 20% at 5 preset RPM points), by intercepting and altering airflow or MAP sensor signals. For VTEC cars you can adjust the VTEC shift point.
Additional features that are built into the system, but are only accessible though the use of our PC-Windows based "e-Manage Support Tool" communication software (Please see our Authorized GReddy Support Dealers for more information) are a 16x16 Airflow Adjustmemt Map, Larger Main Injector correction adjustment, Upgrade Air Flow Meter adjustment, Boost Limiter Cut, Anti-engine Stall, VTEC-fuel adjustment, Real-time Map Trace, Real-time Display, Real-time Communication, and basic Data-logging.

With the use of our "Optional Injector Harness" and the software, the unit has the ability to control an additional 16x16 Injector duty cycle Map and the Controls for adding up to 2 Addional Sub-injectors. If the "Optional Ignition Harrness" and the software is used the unit has the ability to control a 16x16 Ignition Timing Map. All of the above Maps can also be Map-traced in Real-time as well. If the factory range of Map or Airflow meter is surpassed, you can incorperate our "Optional GReddy Pressure Sensor and Pressue Harness" to set larger scales of ajustment.

Sounds like it should do what you want if they can laptop program it and you have the optinal ignition setup to allow completely independent control of ignition timing as a modification to MAF voltage alters timing and fuelling inseparably. Any solution should completely get rid of all detonation.

[Edited by john banks - 7/14/2003 11:10:00 AM]

John, in laymans terms;) in your opinion, would you consider this as an alternative to Tek3?

Yes, but reprogramming the ECU is "better" IMHO, whereas a reflash or standalone have strengths and weaknesses in different area.

Why fool an ECU into producing the results you want when you can just go to the horse's mouth so to speak?

I would choose a reflash or standalone every time when it is available unless the piggyback is much cheaper and you're only doing small tweaks with limited future upgrade ambitions. I don't think they have a place when several standalones or a reflash is available.

Piggybacks do not offer the key advantages that standalones have over the OEM ECU, and are usually more limited in features than reprogramming the OEM ECU, and far more limited compared with the best standalones.

Thanks 4 that john, whilst i have no doubt of the benefits of a Tek3, this product is being offered at a considerable price reduction over Tek3, Also the recepient gets the licence & a copy of the software enabling them to tweek to there knowledge ;).

There is also the benefit of being able to sell this product on at a later stage, My STi is only mildly modded (de-cat & K&N)& i am quite happy to stick at that, I just require safe power.

I note your comments about piggyback limitations but to acheive the above (safe power) & bearing in mind the cost differential do you think its acheiveable with this product & safe?.

It sounds fine for what you need. You will want to check what experience/results there is with these on your model in the UK, although everything has to start somewhere :) You should have a knocklink and boost gauge at least anyway, and not rely on an ECU or piggyback to report knock to you or correct knock, as they are usually not up to the job. You should also not blindly rely on any boost control method to always work flawlessly - there are many things that can go wrong with boost control, so you do need a boost gauge.

What is the price with the ignition module all installed and mapped? You really do need this for best results, otherwise you are doing a three legged race trying to control fuelling and timing together and it will be compromised. Also does the price include a boost controller or are you just leaving the boost standard?

[Edited by john banks - 14/07/2003 13:51:57]

I have a knocklink & gauge fitted john as per your advice, the cost per unit & fitting is £450
Boost levels were discussed but only with ref to its capability IIRC

[Edited by Andy McCord - 14/07/2003 13:57:33]

Andy,
I have the E-Manage installed with both harnesses and the software component.