Yo-
I am new to the site, race an '88 ITS 2nd gen. I heard one fella at Road America tell me about using the Apexi (I think that was the one?) computer, he liked it and seid it was worlds of difference. Anyone have any experience with this or any other computer? The car is an 88 but has an 89-91 drivetrain if that matters. I have also heard people saying that aftermarket computers for these guys are a bad bad idea. Any insight?

Rock out-
Bean13

 

ive heard their is a way to splice in the FD harness and use the apexi power FC. but it doesnt seem worth it.
go with haltech or microtech. megasquirt if your on a budget.

 

thanks!!!! damn that was quick

 

Apex'I S-AFC? Apex'I Power FC?

Both are piggybacks, the S-AFC much more then the Power FC. They will allow you to tune the engine within a range that the stock ECU allows.

To get the most benefit, a full standalone is the way to go. But if you can't tune the car then it will certainly not be worth it.

 

You have an ITS car - are you racing it in ITS? Are you planning on it?

The GCR mandates that you have to use the stock ECU, or an alternate ECU that fits inside the existing ECU case. The stock harness and connector must be used (no splicing the harness). No additional sensors or wires may be added. Piggy-backs are illegal in no uncertain terms.

Right now the two main solutions are either the stock unit or a Motec modified to fit in the stock case ($$$).

If you are a DIY kind of guy, the megasquirt will fit inside the ECU case, but a plug-and-play S5 implementation is not quite ready yet (you can stil roll-your-own).

-b

 

Microtech will also fit in the stock case...Haltech won't though....

 

I didn't think the Power FC was considered a piggyback. I thought the stock ECU was completely removed and the PFC put back in it's place. It's just direct plug and play(in a FD) and works with all the stock systems AC etc. I was just looking into them yesterday and one of the FAQ's in the PFC says to remove the ECU and replace it with the PFC. Also with the Datalogit setup all of the features of it can be accessed and it can be tuned with a laptop as well a have some dataloging functions. Sounds like using one would be against the rules though anyway..

 

The Haltech E8 will work and can be programmed to work with all the stock sensors so it can meet the letter of the rule. I have one mocked up but have put off testing it. More on that later. Speedsource sells a Motec unit but I'm not sure if they've adapted it to the S4 harness. The MT won't work because it won't work with the stock airflow sensor and it's not legal to run the required vacuum line into the stock case. The rule is complex Aaron and you need to think a little outside the box, no pun intended, to jump through the hoops.

What you are asking is "Is there a "chip" that I can easily swap in and make more power?" The answer is no. None of the electronic options you'll find here are going to be legal in ITS.

My advice is to hang on to your spending money. This issue will go before the ITAC soon and there is a possibility there will be a change in the rule. Regardless if there is or isn't a change you would be well advised to update everything to S5 standards. The airlfow sensor is less of a bottleneck and the intake makes more power. Depending on how the new rule shakes out there might be many more ECU options for the S5 than there will be for the S4.

You can email me if you'd like to stay updated on the availability of our product. ludwigmotorsports@insightbb.com In addition to the Haltech option we are also working on something more easily integrated and much less expensive. Currently we're on hold with those projects until we see how the rule shakes out.

 

Been done already...
I'm not going to spill the beans, but the Haltech board minus the heatsink casing has no problems fitting into the stock ECU case.


-Ted