hello
i live in texas and it gets real hot here.
i need an ecu to get rid of the infamous boost spiking.

if i spend the +1000$ for the Power FC ecu and tuning
will i notice any speed increase at all?

i am basically stock,
Down pipe, catback, intake, flywheel

thanx alot

 

I personally noticed a differance in speed and acceleration once I installed my PFC. Apex'i has had 10 years to improve on the base maps for a stock car. I don't have any Dyno numbers or 1/4 times but the butt dyno noticed an improvement.

 

I know Steve Kan said he can get about 30 extra HP out of a car with just a Downpipe with a power fc...

 

Even at the stock boost of 10 psi, you will have more power IF the PFC is tuned. Of course, the real gains will come from running higher boost levels than stock. This will require other mods in your case -- such as a better intercooler or for 13+ psi, an upgraded fuel pump and secondary injectors.

BTW, heat should actually reduce any boost spiking issues you have. A $300 Profec B boost controller will also solve it (or a "home depot" boost controller may solve it as well).

Another big advantage of the PFC (and data-logit) is you can change the temp that the radiator fans come on -- a huge deal in your environment.

 

Exactly. Steve can work magic with a Power FC--I've witnessed it on my R1. The trick is in the tuning. Steve lives in Fort Worth, not too far from you. PM me if you'd like to know more .

 

Boost spikes are usually easily fixed with pill changes. Dirt cheap, no PFC or boost controller required.

Do a search on boost spikes and pills, you should find more info.

The stock ECU runs very, very rich, boost is also programmed to drop off at higher RPMs. Gaining more power with just a PFC will just be reducing saftey margins against detonation.

 

While I do agree with what you're saying regarding a/f ratios and protection against detonation, there's more to this story.

An FD with intake, downpipe and catback can realize a substantial performance improvement through the fine tuning of spark and air/fuel ratio. Remember, the power fc has 20 by 20 resolution in regards to rpm and pressure. While peak horsepower might not increase by a huge amount, power across the entire rev range can be optimized for your particular FD and mods.

When I bought my power fc I had the exact same mods you do, and noticed an immediate improvement in smoothness (no more 3k hesitation either), driveability and throttle response, and this was without any tuning at all. With tuning, the added benefits are even more noticeable.

Point being, the Power FC has many benefits that justify the cost.

 

Hahaha true ... I thought that was an entertaining association by him, but everyone has to learn.

 

Personally, I'm not a big fan of pills or bleeder valves that reduce spiking purely by slowing the ascent of boost up to the limit (imagine a plot of boost vs. time...putting an obstruction in those lines, e.g. a pill, simply decreases the slope, and yes, the tendency to overshoot i.e. spike). Something that allows you to vary the shape of the curve with electronics or at least the way the ball-and-spring valves do it is far superior, IMO. There used to be a great discussion of PID (proportional-integral-derivative) boost controllers written up on the net but I've lost the link. At any rate, pills or bleeders are just the P part, you can do much better.

jds

PS: Now, it would be interesting to see how this affects performance in terms of actual numbers, and I'll admit I don't have any, but I would think it would be noticeable and measurable.

 

You bring up a good point. I can simulate the effect of what you are talking about with the "balance" **** on the Profec B. With it turned to mild, boost takes longer to build but is more steady once it gets there. At the sharp setting, boost shoots up quickly but can overshoot and you get ringing.

 

When PFC were new for the FD a few years ago I read in a SCC article of a FD with intake and exhaust and it had 242 rwhp - they then installed the PFC with stock 10 psi boost with no tuning (stock maps) and they pulled 269 rwhp - as Goodfellas said, they noticed immediate smoothness and throttle response. If you have access to datalogit and a GOOD tuner, the PFC is the best mod for the FD.

 

Howdy,

I don't have an rx7 but when I replaced the ecu in the gtr with a pfc, it's not the top end power which impressed me, it was the midrange urge which left me with dry teeth from smiling too much. I doubt it would be much different.