Hey, I know how everything on my 7 works mechanically, but when it comes to the computer side of the car im not to knoledgable. I want to get a better ECU for my car, but what should i get that takes little tuning skills and is asy to operate? I hear good things about plug and play setups...Anywho, i just got my FD and want to learn how to tune it properly so i dont mess anything. I have fairly light bolt ons for the car, but i have bigger plans for the future (singleturbo). If you could point me to some user frendly easy to use ECUs i would appriciate it....

 

I would think that if you are going to go with a single turbo in the future then to get soemthing like the PFC, AEM, and Haltech.

 

what exactly is plug and play? Is it a whole replacement computer that allows you to tume on the fly?

 

and if i am not making any sence, straighten me out please!!!

 

I would definitely check out the PFC and Haltech. They are both good units.

 

I hear haltech doesent pass emissions

 

That's bullshit. Any computer can be tuned to pass emissions with the correct equipment, and likewise, any computer can be tuned to NOT pass emissions.
PFC and AEM are my recommendations.
~Tom

 

PFC with Datalogit is the way to go .. I'm currently saving my pennys!

check out http://www.fc-datalogit.co.nz/

 

tec III, motec m4,haltech e6k there no where near easy installation. power fc is plug and play becuase you unplug the factory ecu and plug the power fc in . you also have to clip 4 wires on the wire harness depinding on where you bought it. There isnt that much support for the power fc though. I had one and its ok, but I wont buy another one. The dispay on the commander sucks ***. I would go with a haltech and have somebody to tune it. Its not worth experincing tunning on your car. You have to have a dyno and diy wideband o2 to tune it the best. Id say either haltech or aem. Haltech for now. Let aem blow some motors first .

 

how about just sending in your stock ecu to M2 or pettit racing and they can reprogram it to your mods.

 

since he is planning on going single, this would be an uneccessary expense because he would have to upgrade again.
kinda depends on how soon he is planning on replacing the stock twins.

 

It may be awhile....I just bought the car, and it has PFS Catback exhaust, PFS downpipe, PFS intake, PFS sports intercooler, upgraded silicon hoses, and a boost gague, not to mention a factory mazda motor with 6,000 mi on it. From what i hear these mods have engough HP increase that the performance could be affected by the stock ecu. This is why i ak the question. And sence i just bought the car, It will be awhile until i upgrade to a sungle turbo, but when i have the time and money this is what i would like to do. So with that in mind i think the general concensis is to go with Haltech, and i dont want to buy another ecu in the future. your input is helping me alot!

 

You must have some sort of boost control on that car. What are your boost readings in the upper gears?

 

Ill have to get back to you on that, the car is not at my house right now.

 

I just got the PFC and installed it in 45 minutes...it's way more computer than I know how to operate at the moment but will allow me to grow slowly...the install was a cake walk..

 

I am running 10 lbs of boost with both turbos spinning. As for the ecu, i think i may go with an AEM unit. It has a plug and play setup and from what i hear it is easy to use. As for a boost controller, what would you recomend? With the new ECU it may be a good addition.

 

MICROTECH. THAT ECU WILL DO EVERYTHING BUT GO TO THE BATHROOM. IT'S MADE BY A COMPANY OUT OF AUSTRALIA. IT'S THE BEST THING OUT. (MY OPINION) NOT THAT I HAVE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE.

 

What is the price on having your stock ecu reprogramed to fit your mods! does this work as afficently and is there any uning wonce this is done?

need lots of feedback, but only if I can take it to the bank!!

thanks joe,

 

I bought a used M2 Stage 3 rechipped ECU for around $500.00 Proceeded to bolt on all the BPU's.

Two years later and time for a Streetported motor, I just ordered a Apexi Power FC w/ commander for $988.00

I will be selling my M2 ECU once I get my PFC for around $500.

Not a bad way to go. I didn't have to worry about tuning while I was learning about my car. I still am, BTW. The M2 ECU is tuned conservatively for saftey.

 

So reprogram the stock ECU will improve performance for the moment??