scotty30

which of these would you rather have on your motor?

Moley

iTrader: (9)

Apexi.

(although i'd probably choose Simtek over both of them)

dougwrx

The Hydra is the better of the two by far in my opinion and better than the simtec IMHO.


Dougie

scotty30

what price is the simtek as i have both the hydra and the apexi at the moment so i could sell them and go for the simtek

g7prs

iTrader: (5)

Depends if you want it new or secondhand. I just picked up a second hand one for just over £550 and it comes with the anti lag and launch control extra's.

dougwrx

That is why imho the hydra is better you get all that built in, no extras and you can run as many maps as you want, ive got launch control, low boost and high boost and also race fuel maps, and definable knock control, 32x32 map capabilities which the other two are no were near

Do not sell the Hydra, you will be taking a step backwards.


Dougie

g7prs

iTrader: (5)

Seems like very good advice from Dougie.

ramboscooby

hydra mate got one on mine good bit of kit imo

dougwrx

Moley

iTrader: (9)

I choose Apexi as i like the display (can see whats going on) and it does exactly what i want it to do, and can get easy support/advice from my mapper.

The Hydra is a great ECU, but would be overkill on my car, so Apexi and £££ in my pocket is my personal choice,

dougwrx

But as money isnt an issue because he has both ecu's already, the hydra is the better ecu .


Dougie

scotty30

i already have the hydra on my car but am gettin a wagon with a fair bit of kit on it inc apexi,so i will just sell that if the hydra is the better option

cheers

Shaun

I have no clue which is "best" but I have Hydra on my car.

It performs faultlessly with my fairly high spec set-up and has the added feature of knock control. I understand some mappers slag it off (christ knows why though), but I have found Richard Bulmer of Tracktive Solutions to be exemplary at mapping this ECU. For what I currently need, I do not see any logically reason why I would need to swap this ECU out for another.

It provides me with multiple fuel maps, boost settings and fuel trims. Along with launch control, flat gear shifting, ALS and provides GREAT driveability even using 1150cc injectors. I also don't have any cold start issues.

Moley

iTrader: (9)

Agreed, but the original question asked what would we choose ourselves, not what is best regardless of cost

Shaun

Dougwrx,
Not sure who told you, you can run as many maps as you want? You only have a fixed number of auxillary switched maps and I am using all of them via my incar control panel. If I could have some more I would certainly make use of them.... but I find six enough for now.

Mus

iTrader: (2)

Hydra seems like a great ecu but only problem is most of the big or well know mappers on here don't map them. I do wonder why I was going to go for one but saw there warent many mappers using it and I thought overall it won't sell as quick as a simtek, syvec or even apexi. I do miss the display on the apexi though.


Mus

dougwrx

I think that 6 is enough for most people lol and you dont need to buy any extras to do it just a switch

Cheers Dougie

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

Hi Mus

I am sure the ecu is very capable and once mapped the car will perform well but the software is the main interface for the mapper and that is extremely clunky to say the least. I havent looked at it for the last year so i dont know if they have updated the software.

In comparison, the Simtek software is superb and the Solaris way better still.

It doesn't surprise me that almost no mappers other than Richard Bulmer will map them.

MartynJ

Yep, you've said it all Duncan, the Hydra doesn't have many followers due to exactly that.
IMHO, the SimTek software is slightly better than the Solaris/Syvecs to use, thanks to it's menu structure, and when the closed loop knock and idle updates come there won't be anything to beat it.

TingTongPJ

iTrader: (24)

i always thought that the hydra was a maff-less ecu similar to simtek and solaris

that would be another big plus for me.

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

It is.

Shaun

TingTongPJ,
It is MAP based as you suggest.

Mus

iTrader: (2)

duncan and martyn cheers for clearing that one up.


Scotty 30

If i was in your shoes i would think about how far im looking to take the car if your thinking of going for a big power build like 500bhp then sell the Apexi and use the hydra. or even better sell both and buy a proper ECU lol shaun and doug will be offended by that

The Apexi is great ecu and comes with a display which monitors a lot of things like injector duety, knock,water temp and a lot of other things that i forgot. All the big mappers know it inside out it and resale is easy with many people will want to buy it. i used to have it before and i do miss the Display i currently use simtek and to be honest the car feels so much more smoother anti lag is fun launch control is the best thing since sliced bread. Syvec is another great ecu i havent used it but a lot of good reviews.

good luck with what ever you do mate

g7prs

iTrader: (5)

Martyn any idea when these updates are going to be available?

ZEN Performance

Sorry the Syvecs will continue to spank the Simtek all the way out the park!

Shaun

Why would Doug or I feel offended by your lack of intelligence?

trails

iTrader: (41)

just upgraded from a Power FC to a Hydra, happy to report back once the car is running. Hydra has far more functionality than the Power FC though.

Shaun

Obviously limitations of any ECU need to be accounted for, dependant on requirements, but (and it is a BIG but imo) the most important factor to me is the ability of the mapper themselves.

Any muppet can map a car, but there is a whole world of difference between a muppet mapper and someone that really knows their stuff.

dougwrx

Well said

Duncan, what do you mean by clunky ?


Dougie

dougwrx

lol