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?

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 :)

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.

Simtek, no question.

Do a search for the review I submited.

Ns04

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! :)

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

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

HYDRA NEMESIS IS MAFLESS:thumb:

an old link ecu is mafless, running a link on my terzo, no problims at all

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

I would say an ecu remap is dead money as there is no resale value.

And they are very very good, one of the few aftermarket ECU's with active knock control.

Awful software though.

I find it OK tbh, been doing them for a while now.

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 :D