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Pettic ECU or Apexi Power FC?

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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 09:08 AM
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Pettic ECU or Apexi Power FC?

I've done the search, but I'd like some fresh input on your preferences of one over the other....Everything done to my car has been done by Pettit, so not sure which direction to go as far as computer.

TIA
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 09:26 AM
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pfc is the far more chosen ecu of the two. i dont have any expirence with either, but i dont know any that have been unsatisified with the pfc.

is the pettit tunable?
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 09:34 AM
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PowerFC - hands down. Don't mess with any ECU reflash garbage.
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 09:40 AM
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Arrow

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/pettit-unlimited-vs-m2-116858/
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 11:54 AM
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if you want more than about 330-350 hp, reliably, you need the PFC

Haltech is better yet
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 02:28 PM
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If your just going for the basic bolt-ons, the Pettit is very simple and reliable. No, its not tuned perfectly for each individual car, but it gets the job done. I've been running the Pettit Unlimited for about a year and a half now and am pleased. I have since converted to a non-sequential setup and am going to be getting a Power FC in the spring. Keep your boost at a reasonable level (read that as below 15psi) and the Pettit will work for you. It is also very nice for those of us that live in a part of the country where there are no shops around with experience in tuning a rotary.
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 02:44 PM
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power fc
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 02:45 PM
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Can the Power FC be used as a boost controller? is it something that can be done through the commander or only through a local shop?
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 05:42 PM
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To make the Power FC control boost you have to get their boost control kit, the PFC alone wont control boost. Not sure how many ppl on here actually use the Power FC for boost control also, most go with a MBC or Electronic unit. I personally have a MBC that hasnt let me down yet.
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 06:06 PM
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let me put it to you like this
I have the pettit and im trying to get a pfc
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 07:33 PM
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I've had the Pettit for 4 years. I'm sticking with the Pettit.
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 07:41 PM
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I have used both but have the PFC now due to the great tuneability, better yet with Datalogit. If you plan on making good reliable power that is dialed in you cant get it with a Pettit/M2 ecu.
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by SidewaysR1
To make the Power FC control boost you have to get their boost control kit, the PFC alone wont control boost. Not sure how many ppl on here actually use the Power FC for boost control also, most go with a MBC or Electronic unit. I personally have a MBC that hasnt let me down yet.
no you don't - the pfc has in-built boost control.
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 08:21 PM
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Depends on your goals for the car. Ive had the Pettit ecu for about a year now. I love it. Im maxed out on it now because I have all the bolt on's. Im even running a pretty large street port and the ecu is handling it fine. I havent been able to dyno it yet and get some afr's, but it definetly runs strong. Im only running about 11-12psi of boost though for the time being.

If your just wanting a car thats going to keep the stock twins for a bit, and just do the bolt on's, I say go with the pettit. Then down the road, if you are wanting more power, just sell the pettit in the forsale secion and put that money up for the pfc.

I will be buying a pfc so I can run higher boost, and run larger injectors, etc. After I get all my suspension figured out.

The pettit is a great choice for the price, and they have a great resale value.
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 08:37 PM
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I have PFC in my 94 FD. After seeing what it did...would definitely not go with it a re-burned ECU.

With the PFC the key is "scalable"
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 08:47 PM
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PFC hands down.
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by ErnieT
PFC hands down.
I disagree, to some extent. Red-Rx7 already said it best:

https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...0&postcount=10

The Pettit ECU is hands down the best option for the stock fuel system. With a good size streetport, it's capable of around 360rwhp which isn't bad for the stock fuel system and stock twin turbos.

For some other people, how good is 360rwhp? Good enough for upper 11's in the 1/4. PFC is ideal for people looking to go for those higher HP numbers and not wanting to run into some of the hassles with the non-rotary specific fully programmable ECU's.
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 09:25 PM
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But just for the fact that if you ever wanted to do "anything" other than "stock", the PFC is the best bang for the buck, especially since they've come down in price. Even if you just wanted to upgrade your fuel pump and secondaries, its ideal. Plus with everyone living in different places (ie...different weather & altitude) the power fc is much more personalized to each person's needs.
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by ErnieT
Plus with everyone living in different places (ie...different weather & altitude) the power fc is much more personalized to each person's needs.
That's *IF* they tune it or get it tuned. Most of the people, don't know how to tune it and are just downloading maps which isn't a whole lot better than a rechipped ECU. Heck you can rechip an ECU for any map you like. Pettit was going to start selling a rechipped map for 1300 secondaries, but I guess Cam changed his mind.

Very few people get their tune "dialed" in that much. The people that do, are the ones typically going for a lot more than 360rwhp in the first place. Everyone else is just going with the PFC because they are just jumping on the bandwagon without even thinking about what they need or want.
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 09:52 PM
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I'm going with the pfc(and planning on getting it tuned) because I want more miles out of my engine. I love my pettit. I've had it for 30k odd miles and its never missed a step(read "engine still works"). But, I need the peace of mind and some flexibility.
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 10:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Barban
I'm going with the pfc(and planning on getting it tuned) because I want more miles out of my engine. I love my pettit. I've had it for 30k odd miles and its never missed a step(read "engine still works"). But, I need the peace of mind and some flexibility.
And exactly what makes you think a PFC is going to make it last longer? Tuning your ECU "more" make shorten it's life compared to the way it's currently running.

I'm not opposed to people wanting to use the PFC. Just don't steer people in a direction they don't "need" to go. The original poster never provided what he planned on doing with the car, and that is the key question which needs to be asked/answered.

One thing I've learned in my short life on this planet is that words "never" and "always" should seldom be used unless you are prepared to be wrong. For instance, the PFC is not "always" the best solution.
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Old Feb 19, 2006 | 12:55 AM
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good ol mahjik is still standing his ground for the Pettit, ha

I drove my car on a Pettit ECU for several years, but it's just too nerve racking, one cold night boost spike and BOOM....if your AFRs are out of line there is nothing you can do...you MUST, WITHOUT FAIL, stay below 13 psi (unless you run race gas) and be content with the wimpy stock turbos ...the fact is these cars love to run pig rich, and bigger injectors become mandatory pretty quickly to keep the AFRs in line

I used to share your philosophy mahjik, but I now believe anyone can go buy a PFC, datalogit, wideband, and EGT, and tune the car properly, with help from the datalogit community, it's not that complicated and there is plenty of knowledgeable tuners like Steve Kan and BDC who make the rounds if you don't want to tune it yourself

just do it....
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Old Feb 19, 2006 | 12:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Barban
I'm going with the pfc(and planning on getting it tuned) because I want more miles out of my engine. I love my pettit. I've had it for 30k odd miles and its never missed a step(read "engine still works"). But, I need the peace of mind and some flexibility.
yep...
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Old Feb 19, 2006 | 08:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Improved FD
I drove my car on a Pettit ECU for several years, but it's just too nerve racking, one cold night boost spike and BOOM
Once again, people need to read this thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/what-situation-do-you-have-259912/

Boost spike, creep or whatever. it doesn't matter what ECU you are running. If you are running a MAP that isn't tuned for the spike or creep, you are in the same boat. A PFC once tuned is not different than a rechipped ECU. It's a map, it's not constantly changing to your car. The difference is it "can" be fine tuned, but who around here adjust their ECU constantly as they are driving? No one.

Originally Posted by Improved FD
....if your AFRs are out of line there is nothing you can do...you MUST, WITHOUT FAIL, stay below 13 psi (unless you run race gas) and be content with the wimpy stock turbos ...the fact is these cars love to run pig rich, and bigger injectors become mandatory pretty quickly to keep the AFRs in line
Absolutely, with the Pettit, M2 ECU's you are currently limited to the stock fuel system and the stock twin turbos. However, for most people that is more than enough. As far as staying below 13 PSI on pump gas, well that's another myth like the 3 mod rule. Pettit will "recommend" only running above 13 PSI with race gas, but many have done it without race gas and not blown their engines.

Originally Posted by Improved FD
I used to share your philosophy mahjik, but I now believe anyone can go buy a PFC, datalogit, wideband, and EGT, and tune the car properly, with help from the datalogit community, it's not that complicated and there is plenty of knowledgeable tuners like Steve Kan and BDC who make the rounds if you don't want to tune it yourself
Well, that's what you believe. I know the reality as I see it here on the forum all the time. People just buy the PFC, run the base map and grenade their engine within a year because they fell the same thing you typed above "I'm now safe from boost spikes and everything else". There is a lot more to making the engine safe than just buying the PFC

People used to push the stock FD components MUCH further back in the day before things like the PFC existed. It can be and has been done.

Once again, I'm not saying the PFC is pointless. For higher HP application it's a must to use a programmable ECU. For the FD, the PFC is a logical choice in that respect as it's much more "FD friendly" than the others. But for lower HP applications, it's overkill and in some cases can do more harm than good.
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Old Feb 19, 2006 | 08:40 AM
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Since were getting into a battle here: Microtech hands down....Seriously .. Its all in how far you will mod. the car. G
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