I am buying software and am wondering which is better, Haltech, or PowerFC. The money is no problem seeing as how there is a two hundred dollar difference, I just want to know which is better made, has more features, and is easier to work with.

 

if you have a laptop to tune it on, I would suggest the Haltech, the powerFC is just a glorified piggy back... but then again, I would suggest a megasquirt over a haltech any day...

 

MoTeC!!!

 

are you doing the tuning, or someone else?

i usually prefer what the tuner prefers. makes things much easier. other than that, I like the A-pexi PFC for a street/road car. But a full drag car, I like Microtech.

 

haltech or whatever the tuner prefers.

 

"glorified piggyback" greatly overstates the PFC's limitations for typical applications. No offense, but I suspect you have not actually used both the Megasquirt and the PFC and are just repeating what you read on the internet about the PFC. I have used and owned both.

The Power FC's primary limitation is a lack of additional outputs for nitrous control etc. It controls fuel, timing, and boost while installing easily. It's reliable and can make power. It is nowhere near as sensitive to electrical noise as most other engine computers (Megasquirt and Haltech especially) so it's pretty reliable. The PFC can be a bit trickier to tune for idle if you have primary injectors bigger than 720's, but few FC owners do. Also, the PFC allows you to save and share maps if you have the Datalogit interface. The Microtechs to my knowledge don't.

The PFC is certainly no cheaper than other options out there once you buy the installation kit and laptop interface (Datalogit). And it does require that you use good condition OEM sensors. But most modified FD's run a PFC so there are a lot of tuners that know how to use it, and a lot of DIY tuning information available.

 

the new haltech platinums are pretty nice

 

Ok let me clarify I have an 89 T2 and I am looking to make about 450 and max out at about 600 the car is a driver, I go everywhere in it so I need software that has smooth operation and good at tunning light load throttle, also I like to go drifting in it but am building it for GT3. Keep in mind cleanliness is next to godliness so I would like to have plug and play, no wirers everywhere. Since I have not messed with tunning on an rx7 before I don't even know if these systems are standalone.

 

there are plug and play Haltech units and there is also a plug and play Power FC harness that you purchase from Banzai Racing. The PFC does require some extra wiring of the trailing ignition coil, but the wiring is done on part of the coilpack unit itself. It is not noticeable in the engine bay when it's complete, and you don't cut up the factory harness.

 

plug and play wolf ftw.

 

You gotta pay to play. Your 600HP goal will require a full stand alone.

 

If you look in my sig you would see I'm running a Megasquirt 3 beta unit on my FC right now... I've also run both the MS1 and 2.

No I haven't used a PFC, but I don't like that it uses the stock ECU. That and one major benefits of going stand alone is replacing the 20 year old baked wiring harness. I also don't like the dumb commander thing, I'd rather just use a laptop.

 

I want to use my laptop with it. I am going to tune it myself on the street so I like fetures. Can anyone tell me which ones are stand alone and not garbage some guy built himself and put together like crap. I need something reliable, so far the reaserch I've been doing is saying the haltech is the way to go, the one thing i can't figure out is which haltech is the one that i am supposed to use, E6 E8 E11? does someone know

 

The PFC is a standalone EMS, it does not use the stock ECU. That is eliminated along with the AFM, boost sensor, etc. The Commander is simply for viewing engine conditions, Water temp, boost, IAT, (up to 8) etc, it is not for tuning, with exception to basic idle adjustments. A laptop is used for tuning via the Datalogit.

 

Before buying an ECU... Give this a thought...

-New / Custom harness?
in other words, will a PNP ECU appeal to you more so than having to build something from scratch/flying lead(s)

-Does software make a difference?
The PFC is a worthless piece of.. and the DataLogIt is just as bad. It's written in VB6 (welcome to 1990) and the PFC is one slow ECU anyhow.

-Do you foresee wanting to use any additional outputs or inputs?
I wired my ABS wheel sensors to my standalone for traction control.
also had a solenoid wired directly to the ECU for controlling boost (yes, ecu controls boost levels which ties into the TC mentioned above^).

... in other words, figure out what kinds of things *might be* coming down the pike for your car / setup in the long view. Try to buy an ECU that will HELP you get to that goal.

I personally dont have any issues with any ECU mentioned 'cept for the worthless hunk of **** called PowerFC. Yeah sure someone will yell at me because I crapped on their beloved "ecu for dummies" but at the end of the day, its still a powerfc locked to specifics (cas wheel, etc).


If i were to suggest anything to you, it would be one of two ecu's..
-AEM
-Wolf3D

Those have really nice software interfaces to use and they aren't really all that hard to setup. you'd be hard pressed to find someone who couldn't whip up a startup-calibration for you quickly. anyhow, also take a look at the ECU cpu/processor specs. Right now its probably not important but when you start logging stuff on your own.. it'll be vital.

if you buy the powerfc, all i can say is "enjoy your floating ign". :-)

 

if you want a haltech, the cheapest route is the find a used e6k, they can be had for $600-700, but the software is not as friendly as the newer units and runs on DOS. I would recommend getting a new platinum 1000, im running one in my subaru rally car and it is really easy to use. they do run about $1200, but they are very reliable and the interface is awesome, fully customizable

just stay clear of the e6x, they have pickup problems, ive never seen one on a rotary that ran well