Hey everyone,

well, I've finally decided to start messing around with my Power FC. I'm kinda terrified and overwhelmed, but oh well.

I've got a JDM FD with an HKS cat-back, Apexi intake and Power FC. I'd like to get rid of the stock exhaust manifold and main cat for reliability reasons. If I do that, might as well get a downpipe too. If I get that stuff, I'll need to re-tune the car. To do that, I need a wideband. For a wideband, I need a new downpipe, if I get a new downpipe, I need a tune.....

You see the loop I'm in. Long story short, it's time to take the plunge. I've read up on the Power FC as much as I can, I have the manuals printed out in my "FD binder" and such, but I had a few more questions.

I've read somewhere that there is a wideband port on the PFC that I can use if I get the right Apexi sensor. Is this true? If not, the PFC and wideband are completely independant then, correct? If so, are there some widebands that work better in conjunction with the PFC, or does it really matter?

I've got 3 Defi gauges on my dash already, and I'd like to keep the car as clean as possible, so having the wideband sensor integrated into the PFC would be ideal.

Also, I've read about using the PFC as a boost controller. I was planning on just getting an AVC-R, but would having it integrated into the ECU be better?

Thanks guys!

-Devan

 

First, you will need a Datalogit box.

I'd give the PLX a shot. I have an Innovate, and it works, but it's not so straightforward to set up. The AEM wideband is among the cheapest but I've never gotten a fully accurate reading from the 0-5v output. It never seems to agree with the display.

You'll need a separate display unfortunately. I understand the desire to reduce clutter in the engine bay. I use my PFC Commander as a water temp gauge and boost gauge, and then I have a separate wideband display gauge.

The PFC allows independent control of the precontrol and wastegate, just like from the factory--this is as opposed to one EBC controlling two actuators. It mimics the basic factory control logic. The PFC also allows you to log the solenoid duty cycle if you have a Datalogit. You can use the factory solenoids (with the restricters) or replace them with inexpensive 3 port MAC solenoids, same as the AEM/Haltech solenoids and similar to what is used in the AVCR.

But like any boost controller, you have to know how to use it for it to work right. Some of the people who have had trouble using the PFC for boost control were not familiar with its quirks, or did not know how to interpret logs while tuning the controller. I've written extensively about this issue in the 3rd gen section of the forum. You can use the PFC for sequential, non sequential, or single turbo, but you have to know how to use it.

 

I have the PLX SM-AFR and the DM200 display; very satisfied with it The SM-AFR has both wide and narrow band outputs. The wide I have integrated with my Datalogit and the narrow band with the PFC for closed loop operation; all with one O2 sensor. In comparing the laptop and DM200 they are within .2 AFR of each other. I also have the PLX temperature and boost/vacuum modules integrated with the DM200. It is a good system as it is modular and the each module has 0-5VDC outputs if you would like to connect to the Datalogit.

 

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the input!

It's very helpful, but also very terrifying. Even your responses are a little overwhelming...

I'm really looking foreward to playing with it. I love tinkering, I love electronics and I love spreadsheets, so I'm sure I'll have a blast with tuning my own car. I just don't know where to start.... it's all a little daunting....

 

pm cewrx7r1 about tuning notes and the tuning group

 

Good to know...