Mazda Rotary Club

General => General Technical => Anything Engine/Performance/Tuning related => Topic started by: Tiger_kpt on March 19, 2007, 02:17:54 PM

Title: Apexi Power FC + Commander Hints & Tips.
Post by: Tiger_kpt on March 19, 2007, 02:17:54 PM
Hi all. I have just purchased a nearly new Apexi Power FC + Commander unit suitable for the RX7 FD 90-95 for my UK spec 1993 FD RX7.
 
The unit was preowned, but hardly used and never re-mapped or touched in that way I believe.
 
I\'m just after a few hints and tips to fitting, setting up and running with this new engine management.
 
My car is a manual twin turbo, has had the pre-CAT removed and replaced with a downpipe, ARC super induction box, RacingBeat CAT back exhaust, HKS ignition amplifier and Magnecor leads / performance plugs for now...
 
... with a few bits and bobs coming through to add soon. Such as a Greddy elbow, Greddy Type RS dump valve kit, Sard cooling thermostat, Koyo radiator, Greddy Turbo Timer. Greddy pressure cap. Plus a whole host of gauges and mounting pods. Main CAT still present, but will be de-catting in a couple of months with a centre pipe. Then leaving it there
 
I\'m just wondering whether I am OK running with the above set-up for now. My intention is to de-cat the car and fit a larger intercooler as well as the above parts on their way to me.
 
Does the FC come as standard with a base map good to run one or two modifications? If so what modifications can it run with until you need to have it re-mapped?
 
And how do you install it? This unit has been put into another car and run briefly. An automatic RX7 - hence why he is sold it to me - cannot run with them on automatics apparently. Gearbox keeps slipping.
 
How is the best way for me to go about re-installing this unit into my vehicle? No instructions provided.
Remove existing ECU (in drivers side footwell???) from loom, replace with new FC unit. Plug commander in and go? Or is there more to it than that?
 
Do I have to disconnect the battery? Will I have to re-set the unit to factory settings? How do I engage the learning mode? Would rather ask than stab at the dark when it comes to this. So if you could give a pretty decent guide or offer some useful hints and tips it would all be greatly appreciated.
 
Also... what sort of power output and gains can I expect from this unit on both my current set-up and my projected set-up in the next few months as listed above?
 
Thanks all.
Kyle. :burnout
Title: Apexi Power FC + Commander Hints & Tips.
Post by: BlitzBoy on March 19, 2007, 02:44:48 PM
Fitting it is simple as disconnecting the earth on your battery unplugging the old ECU in your footwell then replugging the loom plugs into the APEXI, the ECU will do a self learn for Idle. The base map is generally rich on stock cars, but I wouldnt boost it until its mapped as each car is diiferent
Title: Apexi Power FC + Commander Hints & Tips.
Post by: Tiger_kpt on March 19, 2007, 03:55:07 PM
Wouldn\'t boost it? As in wouldn\'t raise the boost pressure on the turbochargers until it is remapped?
Title: Apexi Power FC + Commander Hints & Tips.
Post by: BlitzBoy on March 19, 2007, 04:03:48 PM
as in dont put your foot down, dont enter into positive boost until its mapped
Title: Apexi Power FC + Commander Hints & Tips.
Post by: Tiger_kpt on March 19, 2007, 08:17:44 PM
So I would really need to get it mapped by a specialist in the long run with the modifications I have planned for it? Really didn\'t want to have to go down that route. Isn\'t mapping like £300 a session?
Title: Apexi Power FC + Commander Hints & Tips.
Post by: BlitzBoy on March 19, 2007, 08:31:25 PM
yeah better then a popped engine, depends on the tuner but yeah £200 to £300 a session, Thats why I have learned to map my own as Im always doing changes
Title: Apexi Power FC + Commander Hints & Tips.
Post by: Tiger_kpt on March 19, 2007, 08:33:07 PM
Where abouts are you located? Fancy mapping mine if not too far away? I\'d come to you. I\'m in Nottingham.
Title: Apexi Power FC + Commander Hints & Tips.
Post by: Tiger_kpt on March 19, 2007, 08:34:06 PM
I\'d obviously pay you for your time too.
Title: Apexi Power FC + Commander Hints & Tips.
Post by: bobert on March 19, 2007, 11:02:31 PM
get your self up to WGT. pip will sort you out:god
Title: Apexi Power FC + Commander Hints & Tips.
Post by: Tiger_kpt on March 20, 2007, 09:34:53 AM
Well. My car is booked in at WGT\'s first thing on Thursday the 29th through till the end of Saturday for a pile load of work. The bill is going to be sky high as it is. So more expense doesn\'t appeal. I was under the impression that the Apexi was a simple plug and play and no need to map for minimal mods like I am having done.
 
If I was to de-cat the car and have the Apexi mapped to that alongside all of the other modifications... would it be able to pass the old MOT? Or would I have to bolt the centre pipe out, bolt the cat in everytime MOT comes round? And would I be OK running the car with CAT on the Apexi mapped for a decat during the MOT period?