tmc3

I've been reading some of the threads on the standalone ECUs. When I get my GSL SE I've been thinking about putting one in, but after reading some of the threads I'm thinking that it might be over my head. Are they really difficult to install and get programmed, and are they worth the money for the HP gains? What kinds of gains can I expect with one of these units and am I going to have to pay somebody to install it?

bugman1973

Microtec its the easiest one to install everything is labeled thats what I'm going to put on my GSL-SE engine just go the there section on the forum you can do just so much you can do with these things. and all you have to do is hook up the wires and plug them in

Dan_s_young

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't bother unless you are boosted. I went the microtech route with my car, but that is because I have used alot of different components, and have simplified things to the bare essentials.

The point of a standalone unit is that it allows you complete control over what your fuel injection and ignition system are doing. Neither of which are required if your just running an NA setup, but can make significant difference if you are running a forced induction setup.

Should also mention that the install of the microtech was quite simple. But I highly recommend having some experience with wiring (soldering, reading wiring diagrams, *use shrink tube on all connections*, knowing what components do what).

mikewoodkozar

If you are staying NA why not put a carb on that 13b?

bugman1973

I'm using the microtech for control of all the injectors timing and an extra system to control my 6th ports i want to be able to control all of it at an instant. a guy in my area uses a microtech lt8 for his SE. but he pulled the ports out and turboed it

bugman1973

i thought about carb setups but throttle response is all about fuel injection.

Jeezus

iTrader: (4)

What is the price difference between fuel only and fuel + spark ECU's?

'84-12A-GSL

Is the car stock, and you just wanna add a after market ECU cause you think it'll be a power upgrade?

If so, don't bother.

If you plan on adding a lot of after market parts to the engine, and wanna get the most out of those parts through tuning, than yes.

bugman1973

i bet its stock. if he had porting and injectors s5 intake mod exhaust maybe a CAS and some coils

mikewoodkozar

A weber or holley will out flow the stock injection system, i would carb it for more power and a simple setup

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

What everyone of you guys have missed is the original poster is from Cali. His needs and ability for more power gains comes under an entirely different set of rules to remain emissions legal. A standalone may well be the first mod he needs to do to pursue more power, turbo or NA.

Welcome to the forum. In my sig line are some links to the online FSMs, and other rotary related reading. Enjoy.
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'84-12A-GSL

How could we have overlooked such a crucial detail!

Just kidding, good point...

tmc3

Thanks for all the suggestions. Are carb setups illegal in CA? If not which is going to give me more power, and is that going to kill gas mileage? I'm thinking of porting and maybe a turbo setup way down the line, but with my budget and time, I'm trying to do some simple stuff to get some extra push. Headers aren't smog legal in CA so that's out of the question and alot of the the exhaust stuff is illegal to. What else can I do for the weekend project type of thing? Keep in mind I still haven't bought the car yet so nothing is set in stone. I'm trying to figure out what I want to do.

20bdreams

a complete standalone on just a normal GSL-SE is kinda over the top.....you shouldnt through fast parts on a "slow" engine not saying that the engine is slow, but theres no need to...............YET

mikewoodkozar

You could move out of Cali and hot rod the crap out of it, lol. Just Kidding. But really i dont think you would ever pass emissions with a carb on a 13B. I guess wait for some west coasters to chime in as we dont have emissions testing here in the murder mitten.

tmc3

I saw a GSL SE for sale on cars.com up in WA. It was already ported with headers and a carb and intake and some other mods on it. I'm wondering if it was somebody in here selling. It looks like a car I would really considering, but the headers, porting, carb, and intake, aren't smog legal in CA.
Are there any CA drivers that are driving anything with that kind of setup and getting away with it? Do the Smog Shops know what to look for when inspecting these cars, and would it pass the emmisions test?

mikewoodkozar

Get it smogged and then after you leave the smog and go place put your carb on. Keep everything from the FI setup and swap back when it has to be smogged again. Sucks, but it will probably work...

justint5387

iTrader: (1)

Do that or try to get a hook up.

quasar

I used the megasquirt on the factory setup, it's about $200 but unless you feel like spending the next 2 months out of your life reading about how to build one i'd carb it and call it a day.

They say going with a stand alone gets you like 30% more power but in my case my friends gls-se had so many miles on it you couldn't tell.

And you can always find the 6 port RB manifolds on ebay for round $100 and a $22 holley 600CFM and your all set.

tmc3

Yea, If I didn't have to drive it in Cali, I'd probably throw a carb on it just to keep it less complicated if nothing else. But those are the cards I've been dealt so I'll probably keep the EFI on it and see what I can get out of it. What about "piggyback" systems? What are the differences between that and a "standalone"?

steve84GS TII

Piggyback is pointless on a metered EFI system.
You can improve your HP with the stock EFI,or upgrade to later model 2nd gen EFI for a slight boost.
Very few mods to a 1st gen are going to be CA legal, or will not affect the smoggability.....(C.A.R.B. approved).
MSD direct fire ignition,K&N filter,Bonez cat and a light flywheel are about the only things you can do that will not earn you the wrath of the smog tech.
And you guys in other states should learn up on whats going on here because CA smog standards are, and have been, sweeping the country.It wont be long before everyone in a populated area knows what its like to be held to CA standards.And we do not have a ROLLING 25 or 30 year smog rule here either,only cars made before 1976 are excluded from testing.So dont think that the 1st gen will be exempt by the time the smog ***** make it to your home!

tmc3

Thanks guys, I think I'm getting a pretty good idea of what I want to do with this car when I get it.