I'll be swapping out my stock ECU here soon for something with more degree of flexibility--that is at least my hope. The problem is I'm not sure which one I'd like to go with. I'm leaning more towards a megasquirt right now, but after doing some reading about getting the ignition working correctly i'm not sure if it would be the wisest course of action.

I'd like to know peoples experiences with other EMS' including the MS. How do they compare to eachother. Is there enough resolution on the fuel and timing maps? How do they measure manifold pressure? Can you chuck the MAF after you've hooked it up?

I'm quite clueless when it comes to EMS systems, especially ones that work especially well on the FC (Both piggy back type and full stand alone). I realize that using a SAFCII/Neo would probably work fine for my current setup, but for the same price I could go for a full stand alone. It's just very...well... overwhelming.

If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated. Thanks

Current setup
Stock GXL (freshly restored)

Near Future setup
Coil Overs
New Bushings
Turbo
Front mount

 

SAFC's are like sub $400.

To answer a few of your questions:
I don't know anything about resolutions or anything, so someone else will answer.
They measure pressure with a MAP sensor. Like an FD.
Yes, when you go to a MAP you have no need for the AFM anymore, chuck it.

But anyways, if I were you, what I'de do would be find someone locally who is a tuner (best case scenario, RX-7's), and see what they recommend.

Look towards spending around a grand, unless you go MS of course.

 

megasquirt is a joke....
the ones that arent are too expensive

for your current setup, you dont need anything....

 

What is your reasoning behind this statement?

To address the original poster, the Microtech is likely the best choice. All the standalones have enough resolution to run a stock or ported 13B very well. The Microtech is the easiest to wire up and the simplest to tune for a beginner. Also you generally don't have any issues if the wiring is connected correctly and the car will start first try.

The other common standalone is the Haltech but since it is so configurable (much of the "low level" config of the Microtech is locked down from the factory) it can be a real bear to set up. And lately I've been hearing of a lot of "weird" problems with Haltechs via worth of mouth and forums. Could just be that time of year though....

I've wired and tuned all the major standalones used on the RX-7 (Haltech, Microtech, *shudder* Wolf3D, Megasquirt, RTek) and the Microtech is still my favourite because they are so problem free.

 

+1 for Microtech LT10s. Comes with excellent wiring diagram and pre-labeled wiring harness. Just cut off your factory connectors and splice into microtech harness. Comes with great base map. My S4 TII engine with a 255lph Bosch pump, full intake and exhaust runs great on the basemap up to 14 psi. Plus, you can get them off e-bay for $950.

 

Piggybacks like SAFC suck.

Cheapest EM style
Rtek 2.0(s4 turbo)

Full blown EMS
Microtech
Haltech
Motec
Wolf
MS does seem to be a joke right now. Maybe it will be better later on.

 

I decided to take the plunge on doing the Power FC adapter thing. I'll let you guys know how that works out. I got it hooked up the other night and now I just have to finish the fuel lines and the car should start. Installation isn't too hard. I've tuned a Power FC on an FD before so I'm familiar with it, but you'll spend minimum of $1000 or so for the Power FC and adapter stuff, and then if you want to do serious tuning yourself you will need a $300 datalogit box.

 

I was looking at the Microtech one. It looks good. And if i read your post right, aaron, you say it will work out of the box and still give me enough control to fine tune it? Hmmm, I think this might be a very likely canidate.

 

The Microtech comes loaded with a base map that's generally good enough to run the car. Aside from the fact that the units are hard coded from the factory for a specific enigne, they are a fully tunable standalone like any other.

 

I think Microtech is the way to go at least for the Rotary.
As a matter of fact I know two former Haltech user's that tried the Microtech and fell in love with it the very first time. I myself will be going with a Microtech or an Apexi Power Fc. As mentioned before it really comes down to the accessibility of a local tuner "Preferably RX7's" that you can have easy access to. In other words what’s the point of going let’s say "Haltech" if the closest tuner to you is located a couple hundred miles away or in another state? You really can’t go wrong now a day with any aftermarket EMS system they all pretty much do the same thing more or less, however some do have features that the others don’t have. Like I said before it comes down to having easy accessibility to a local tuner.