Best ECU for my fd3s?
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Best ECU for my fd3s?
Hey Everyone,
I'm trying to decide between a few of the more popular ECU's for my car and which one would best suite my fd3s.
I have a JDM FD3S (as in my signature) which is currently still running the stock twin turbos, with a little bit of engine work done - but still pretty close to standard. I'm going to eventually be doing a single turbo upgrade - probably looking for around 500hp.
The ECU's ive been looking at are:
Apexi Power FC
Link G3/G4
Microtech LT10s
Haltech
In New Zealand we have plenty of tuners for all these ECU's, especially for the Microtech & PowerFC in the way of the rx7. Afaik the PFC & Link are both more convenient as they are Plug 'n' Play but the Microtech & Haltech both give more tuneability.
Is there one which would be better to use all around for the fd3s/13b-rew or will it really depend on what setup I intend to run in my modifications?
I'm trying to decide between a few of the more popular ECU's for my car and which one would best suite my fd3s.
I have a JDM FD3S (as in my signature) which is currently still running the stock twin turbos, with a little bit of engine work done - but still pretty close to standard. I'm going to eventually be doing a single turbo upgrade - probably looking for around 500hp.
The ECU's ive been looking at are:
Apexi Power FC
Link G3/G4
Microtech LT10s
Haltech
In New Zealand we have plenty of tuners for all these ECU's, especially for the Microtech & PowerFC in the way of the rx7. Afaik the PFC & Link are both more convenient as they are Plug 'n' Play but the Microtech & Haltech both give more tuneability.
Is there one which would be better to use all around for the fd3s/13b-rew or will it really depend on what setup I intend to run in my modifications?
#3
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In NZ a PowerFC is around $1700-1800. A Microtech is around $1200 + install, works out to roughly the same price + tuning.
Tuners are widely available for both in New Zealand & Australia so tuning isn't an issue
I guess i'm leaning towards the Microtech & Haltech as i've been told they're more tuneable - but will they support everything I need for a street car? Like the OMP, O2 sensor, etc...which I guess the PFC & Link ECU's do?
When I replace the ECU I will be welding up the turbos and pulling out the crows nest of sequential vacuum lines (I also have an AVC-R to control the boost with) but eventually as I said aiming for about 500hp on a single turbo setup. I don't really have a budget at such but I worked out just the parts for my conversion to around US$8,000
Tuners are widely available for both in New Zealand & Australia so tuning isn't an issue
I guess i'm leaning towards the Microtech & Haltech as i've been told they're more tuneable - but will they support everything I need for a street car? Like the OMP, O2 sensor, etc...which I guess the PFC & Link ECU's do?
When I replace the ECU I will be welding up the turbos and pulling out the crows nest of sequential vacuum lines (I also have an AVC-R to control the boost with) but eventually as I said aiming for about 500hp on a single turbo setup. I don't really have a budget at such but I worked out just the parts for my conversion to around US$8,000
#7
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lol - nah I'm talking NZD. We can get them new for $1600-1700 incl hand controller.
a microtech lt10s is $1300 + install (and about another $300 for a full set of coils)
a microtech lt10s is $1300 + install (and about another $300 for a full set of coils)
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#8
Back in the BOOST Game
iTrader: (15)
I posed the same question a few months ago... The answer then was go Power FC
Now from experience, the PFC is definitely a solid option with a solid group of users to support/tune.
Tunability on the PFC is perfect for stock twins etc. It really depends how far you plan on taking the car on whether you will actually get to use the extra tunability features on other units.
Now from experience, the PFC is definitely a solid option with a solid group of users to support/tune.
Tunability on the PFC is perfect for stock twins etc. It really depends how far you plan on taking the car on whether you will actually get to use the extra tunability features on other units.
#9
needs more track time
iTrader: (16)
Are you sure about that price for the PFC? That seems odd that it is that much more expensive. Or is that it is getting marked up for some reason? Here in the US, we see them new for well under US$1,000 w/ the hand controller (aka commander).
The Haltechs and Microtechs are nice and are supposed to be 'better' - especially for high power applications. Don't forget the added installation costs and costs required to make a wiring harness (unless they come with one).
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thanks Mahjik
I accidentally posted this subject in the newbie technical forum as well so heres a post i made in there
Originally Posted by Jarsky
i know the guy at our biggest rx7 specialist in NZ for PFC who can tune it for me, and a mate of mine can tune microtech so those are my 2 top choices since until I get seriously into the build, they can do the tuning for me for a box of beers
Well the plan is to rebuild the engine with PTS racing seals and a stage 2 port then modify with
HKS Type-R V-Mount intercooler & radiator kit
GT42RS Turbo
60mm Wastegate
Upgraded fuel rails with 800/1600cc injectors
2 x Bosch fuel pumps
3" HKS downpipe to midpipe with steel cat & catback exhaust system (or maybe Apexi catback)
**and all the little bits and pieces to tie it all together**
Just want to make sure I dont run into problems and having to drop another NZ$2-3k on an ECU to find out that it's not up to the job
Well the plan is to rebuild the engine with PTS racing seals and a stage 2 port then modify with
HKS Type-R V-Mount intercooler & radiator kit
GT42RS Turbo
60mm Wastegate
Upgraded fuel rails with 800/1600cc injectors
2 x Bosch fuel pumps
3" HKS downpipe to midpipe with steel cat & catback exhaust system (or maybe Apexi catback)
**and all the little bits and pieces to tie it all together**
Just want to make sure I dont run into problems and having to drop another NZ$2-3k on an ECU to find out that it's not up to the job
I've owned the car for over 2 years and have spent about the last year working on it so i'm not in a rush to complete the project. I just plan on doing the ECU & Exhaust system for the next 3 months
#12
F'n Newbie...
iTrader: (6)
I've been using a PFC for the past couple years and it handles great!
I'm currently running twins @ 1.3bar and the ECU has been a champ. I think it *really* all depends on who will be doing your mapping...
Also, when you go V-mount, skip the HKS option, right next door to you is PWR, they make a VMIC setup which is INSANE!!! I'd take a trip over to their shop and see if I couldn't convince them to fab one up for me if I were you... I absolutely love mine.
I'm currently running twins @ 1.3bar and the ECU has been a champ. I think it *really* all depends on who will be doing your mapping...
Also, when you go V-mount, skip the HKS option, right next door to you is PWR, they make a VMIC setup which is INSANE!!! I'd take a trip over to their shop and see if I couldn't convince them to fab one up for me if I were you... I absolutely love mine.
#14
needs more track time
iTrader: (16)
I realized that. I was just surprised that the other ECU options were so cheap over there. It is the total opposite here.
Jarsky - For that pricing, I'd also be looking at other ECU options depending on install costs. Spend some time in the subforums for the different engine management options on this forum and try to figure out what would work best for you.
#15
Rotary Enthusiast
most people on this forum use the pfc... so if your looking for a compatible ecu that's proven to work well with the rotary I would go with the pfc or the aem unit as mentioned by banzai racing. (Chris knows his stuff and I would go with his advice). otherwise the more you talk to people the more conflicting info your going to get. narrow down your advice to the top shops and a good decision will be made from the people with the most experience.
Jeff
Jeff
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Haltech & Microtech are Australian, as such we pay much less on these in New Zealand as compared to the likes of the US. We can either get these quite easily when in Australia (they are only AU$1200 - US$830ish) or we have a main distributor in New Zealand as well and dont have to take into account expensive shipping, customs tax & then reseller markup when in the country.
On the downside the likes of the Power FC are expensive as they're US/Japan based. Any parts from US/Japan cost us a fortune to bring in especially with the exchange rate how it is at the moment
On the downside the likes of the Power FC are expensive as they're US/Japan based. Any parts from US/Japan cost us a fortune to bring in especially with the exchange rate how it is at the moment
#17
Rotary Enthusiast
sounds like your decision has been made! but beware cost isn't everything. sometimes a good deal can cost you double the money and happiness in the long run. make your decision on what your needs and expectations are not just price.
Jeff
Jeff
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