Upgrading computer
 

What is a good upgrade for a stock automatic trans computer. I don't have any mods yet, but making my list and doing research. Thanks!

Well, first off, you could get a myriad of information via searching. There are two main computer options: Programmable Standalones, or "piggy-back" chips. I notice you said you have no mods, so really this upgrade should be for a later date, when you do. The main reason we need chips for these cars is to provide adequate fuel for the mods we're running. If you were to add a cat-back, downpipe, midpipe, and intake to your car, you would start overboosting to 11-12psi due to the reduced restriction. This will also cause a horrendous FD-death-inducing lean condition, thus we get a computer upgrade to add fuel.


Standalone vs Piggy back is an often-asked question, and the answer mainly relies on what you want out of the car. If you've done your handful of mods and are going to be happy, then a piggy back would be great. But, if you plan to keep adding things, then the piggy back would have to be retuned over and over. On the other hand, if you wanted to go single turbo you would never ever use a piggy-back, because of all of the tuning involved.

I'm sorry, I forgot to say that I did have a cat-back on it now. I plan on putting a downpipe and intake on it. I read that I will be ok using the stock computer with that. I'm not going to do much more than that...but I'll do the AST and vacuum lines.

I know this is probably a dumb question, but how hard is it to switch out a stock for stock ecu?

JUSTgotMINE, take plug off old ECU, plug into new ECU. Unless the FD is different from all the other ECU's I've changed!

Auto
 

Please note that he said: ECU for an "Auto"!

I know the piggybacks won't work but do not know about the stand alones (like Apexi PFC).

Did you guys read maxpesce's reply in that link? You need to piggyback the stock ECU to retain the Auto full functions.

The PFC alone will get rid of functions like the HOLD and other stuff....

good idea

Why does Maxspec think you need a RRFPR?

Im trying to build my Rx7 to be relatively faster but to be reliable at the same time. One off your first steps should be is to set a goal of what you want and then go for that goal one step at a time. I came to the conclusion not to get a ECU. I just dont want to end up having the car spend more time in the garage than in the road. Other people might disagree with me but I want this car to last me as far as i can. Im not too much of a speed freak. Mid 13`s is my goal and fast enough for me.

Isn't the new AEM supposed to work with an Auto???
I think I remember hearing things like you can even choose the shift points or something crazy like that.
I also thought the Auto ECU was something different from the regular ECU.
I have the answer to all your problems just do a tranny swap. :D

Nope, didn't read it. I've asked Pettit before and they said it wouldn't work. I don't know about the other brands. My friend has an auto so i'm interested in the answer as well.

I don't beleive Pettit is a piggyback, so my last reply was worded wrong. If i'm not mistaken, a piggyback is adding a daughterboard...is that correct?