ECUs

[Crispy Beef]

Hi,

I have a few things to do to my FD and then I\'m in the market for a new ECU at the start of a few upgrades.  Most people seem to have and recommend going for the APEXi PowerFC and Commander and it does seem like the best option from what I\'ve read.

However, I was thinking about safety fail-over features, the standard ECU can go into limp mode when it detects a lean condition which can potentially save an expensive engine pop.  I guess what I want to know is if there\'s an aftermarket ECU that has a similar feature which could save a lot of money in the long run.

Which ECUs do you guys have and why did you go for them?

To that end would something like the GReddy e-Manage do the job?  It will allow fuel map to be altered but would keep the factory ECU?

[Jit]

as long as the apexi is ttuned correctly you shouldnt have to worry about the limp mode when lean or knock retard functions....Does the emanage not override this function of the standard ecu anyhow...i think it does on honda ecus?

[Crispy Beef]

This is a direct cut an paste from a site selling the GReddy unit:

The GReddy 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.

Additional features that are built into the system, but are only accessible though the use of a Windows based “e-Manage Support Tool” communication software are: a 16x16 Airflow Adjustment 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 an “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 Additional Sub-injectors. If the “Optional Ignition Harness” 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 incorporate the “Optional GReddy Pressure Sensor and Pressure Harness” to set larger scales of adjustment.

I\'m looking around at the moment as I haven\'t entirely decided which direction I\'m going to go in with regards to power impovements.  I guess my ultimate aim - when decided - will pick the ECU for me.

[OLSKOOLROTAR]

Have a look at the microtech series, thats another good alternative. A few of us are running these.

Check out there website.

//www.microtechefi.com

[Crispy Beef]

Have a look at the microtech series, thats another good alternative. A few of us are running these.

Check out there website.

//www.microtechefi.com

Any model in particular that is the most popular from that series? I guess the LT8??

[Prof]

This is a direct cut an paste from a site selling the GReddy unit:



I\'m looking around at the moment as I haven\'t entirely decided which direction I\'m going to go in with regards to power impovements.  I guess my ultimate aim - when decided - will pick the ECU for me.

If you do go down the eManage route - get the Ultimate version (grey coloured) and not the standard blue one.  It has more maps, much finer adjustment, control of Ignition timing as well for Rotary\'s - Independant leading/trailing.  An airflow replacement map - needs a boost sensor input for this - and a load more goodies than are on the old one.  I have one to go on my FC - will let you know what it\'s like in about 2 months.

BTW - one nice feature is the ability to use a wideband A/F sensor such as the LC-1 and set the desired target a/f ratio in the map for a particular RPM/BOOST level - the eManage will then work out the fuel add/cut value for that mapping point - accurate to about 0.5% - you can do the final tweaking by hand.  It also supports inputs from knock and water temp sensors

[Crispy Beef]

BTW - one nice feature is the ability to use a wideband A/F sensor such as the LC-1 and set the desired target a/f ratio in the map for a particular RPM/BOOST level - the eManage will then work out the fuel add/cut value for that mapping point - accurate to about 0.5% - you can do the final tweaking by hand.  It also supports inputs from knock and water temp sensors

I like the sound of that.  Having read the MicroTech site from the above link I\'ve found that their ECU (LT8) doesn\'t support the turbos in sequential which for me might cut them out of the equation as I\'m nto sure I want to go single turbo on non-seq ... I do like the smooth power with the sequencial.

[aposegil]

Crispy beef - im like you at present moment still unsure what route to take so this is good info/read for me

I know microtech stuff is amazing as i was introduce to it by my mate who\'s got it for his uno turbo so i know how much they can get out of their jap cars


at the mo im gathering the info to carry on running the turbos sequential with after market boost controler as i know there is a few out there that have done it

once i have it planning to do write up so that might help u with the microtech

[OLSKOOLROTAR]

A few people(myself included) are running the LT8 and I think Kev Yorks is running the LT10 series.

1st I\'ve heard about the microtech not supporting non sequential, why not  email them direct and ask the question. They have good support.

Jase

[Crispy Beef]

A few people(myself included) are running the LT8 and I think Kev Yorks is running the LT10 series.

1st I\'ve heard about the microtech not supporting non sequential, why not  email them direct and ask the question. They have good support.

Jase

If you check out this page on their website http://www.microtechefi.com/microtech-wiring.php and then click LT8 there\'s a PDF for the FD which states in it that the standard turbos cannot run in sequencial ... unless I\'m misreading something?

[rmagictastic]

All good in principle, but who is gunna tune your e- manage???

power fc or Microtech is where my money goes!!

Rmaj

[Crispy Beef]

at the mo im gathering the info to carry on running the turbos sequential with after market boost controler as i know there is a few out there that have done it

I installed a GReddy Profec Type-S last year as I was having boost spike issues after ditching my CAT and standard air-box.  Was a snap to install, just followed the general instructions on Rob Robinette\'s site here:

http://www.robrobinette.com/profec.htm

If you need any help with the EBC install I have some photos somewhere when I put mine in, drop me PM or something.

[Crispy Beef]

All good in principle, but who is gunna tune your e- manage???

power fc or Microtech is where my money goes!!

Rmaj

Thor racing sell and install various products so I would hazard a guess that they could do it, if not one of the main rotary tuners would be able to do it I would have thought - haven\'t asked - as it\'s just a matter of plugging in a laptop with the software installed from what I\'ve read.

Edit:  They list the grey and blue eManage on their site as something they install and tune, they have a rolling road there too so should be within their capabilites.  Still ... I haven\'t decided on that route yet anyway.

[aposegil]

mate thanx a lot  

guess u had the info i needed lol so you found it runs lovely now?

[Crispy Beef]

mate thanx a lot  

guess u had the info i needed lol so you found it runs lovely now?

Yeah, runs a perfect 10-8-10, I haven\'t pushed to boost up any higher than it should be stock as I don\'t want to stress anything.  Will wait for a new ECU before pushing things a little, even then I won\'t push my luck.