Tuning Question
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Southern California
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tuning Question
I was wondering if the ECU has to be replaced to tune an Rx7. I've have always been looking at getting a PFC, but with only intake and exhaust I'm wondering if it's really neccesary. Any tips for more mild tuning solutions?
#3
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
Tuning is simply the adjustment/reprogramming how much fuel and ignition advance is used based on rpm, boost, and a few other things.
The stock ECU can't be tuned. There are modified stock ECUs out there that make an overall adjustment of the stock computer outputs - these are called piggyback ecus. It's good for slight increases over stock boost and power levels, but still they are crude and have the same annoyances of the stock ECU (3k hesitation, for one thing).
A programmable ECU is the way to go. PFC obviously is most popular, but Wolf, Microtech, etc are other options. If you expect in the near future to go fully programmable, either buy it now or save your money.
It seems kinda silly to me to not spend the extra few hundred bucks to ge tthe PFC instead of a piggyback. So either keep your boost regulated at 10psi and use the stock ECU, or get a PFC now. The PFC base map is safe to run until you pay for a proper tuning or turn up the boost.
Personally, with just 2 mods I'd save the money and watch the boost. If it's at 10psi and never goes above 11psi, you don't need to do anything at all. All you need is a manual boost controller on the wastegate and you should have no trouble keeping it there.
Dave
The stock ECU can't be tuned. There are modified stock ECUs out there that make an overall adjustment of the stock computer outputs - these are called piggyback ecus. It's good for slight increases over stock boost and power levels, but still they are crude and have the same annoyances of the stock ECU (3k hesitation, for one thing).
A programmable ECU is the way to go. PFC obviously is most popular, but Wolf, Microtech, etc are other options. If you expect in the near future to go fully programmable, either buy it now or save your money.
It seems kinda silly to me to not spend the extra few hundred bucks to ge tthe PFC instead of a piggyback. So either keep your boost regulated at 10psi and use the stock ECU, or get a PFC now. The PFC base map is safe to run until you pay for a proper tuning or turn up the boost.
Personally, with just 2 mods I'd save the money and watch the boost. If it's at 10psi and never goes above 11psi, you don't need to do anything at all. All you need is a manual boost controller on the wastegate and you should have no trouble keeping it there.
Dave
#4
Originally Posted by dgeesaman
Personally, with just 2 mods I'd save the money and watch the boost. If it's at 10psi and never goes above 11psi, you don't need to do anything at all. All you need is a manual boost controller on the wastegate and you should have no trouble keeping it there.
Dave
Dave
#6
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
Actually, the PowerFC has a damn good base map out of the box. It's good for many common bolt-ons and about 12psi, YMMV.
If you're totally happy with the car the way it is now, and you're not experiencing boost spikes, stay with the stock ECU. If you're having spiking, look into a simple boost controller to even out the spikes and stay at 10psi.
If you're wanting a little more out of the car, get a chipped stock ECU, like Pettit or M2. They're pretty reasonably priced used, and they plug right in.
If you think you might have other plans down the road, get a PowerFC. For me, it's one of the best mods I've done - car runs fantastic, no 3,000 RPM hesitation, and I know I have all I need for anything I want to do to the car. They're selling for $650-700ish with commander, which is a LOT of power for the money.
But, in general, there's not an intermediate step - it's either keep or ditch the stock ECU. Simple computers like the Super-AFC and E-manage simply don't work worth a crap on the FD, don't waste your money.
Dale
If you're totally happy with the car the way it is now, and you're not experiencing boost spikes, stay with the stock ECU. If you're having spiking, look into a simple boost controller to even out the spikes and stay at 10psi.
If you're wanting a little more out of the car, get a chipped stock ECU, like Pettit or M2. They're pretty reasonably priced used, and they plug right in.
If you think you might have other plans down the road, get a PowerFC. For me, it's one of the best mods I've done - car runs fantastic, no 3,000 RPM hesitation, and I know I have all I need for anything I want to do to the car. They're selling for $650-700ish with commander, which is a LOT of power for the money.
But, in general, there's not an intermediate step - it's either keep or ditch the stock ECU. Simple computers like the Super-AFC and E-manage simply don't work worth a crap on the FD, don't waste your money.
Dale
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Southern California
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is the pettit chip 700$ if you ship them your own ECU? Also, where can I find the PFC for 650$. That sounds like an awesome deal.
Thanks for all the help
Thanks for all the help
Trending Topics
#10
Rotary Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: STL Area
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by choose2drift
Is the pettit chip 700$ if you ship them your own ECU? Also, where can I find the PFC for 650$. That sounds like an awesome deal.
Thanks for all the help
Thanks for all the help
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Skeese
Adaptronic Engine Mgmt - AUS
65
03-28-17 03:30 PM