PowerFC or Adaptronic for 13B-REW swap
 

Hey guys, I did a quick search and though the question has sorta been asked before those threads didn't really give the information I think I'm looking for. So a little backstory. I rebuilt and streetported the engine in my S5 n/a a few years ago. Plan was/is to get a standalone and learn to tune on the n/a and see how much power I could get on the stock manifolds then go turbo. Life happens(wife/kid, other hobbies I chose to spend money on instead) so no standalone yet. Originally I had decided on a PowerFC seemed pretty easy with the Banzai harness and a n/a base map available but I like what I read about the adptronic as well. No known local rotary tuner and no plan to take it to one because I want to learn to tune so buy what you're tuner uses is out. Now originally I was gonna port match a TII LIM to the 6 port when the time came but the more I research/read I think I am just going to go to a REW eventually. It seems my power goals of 300 to 325rwhp is no problem for the stock twins. This brings me to my original question. It seems since the PFC was developed for the FD is it the best choice if one plans to retain the stock sequential setup? It seems if I already have one up and running in my FC the electronics of the REW swap will be pretty plug and play. Is this also the case with the Adptronic? If so how does it handle the stock twins vs the PFC? Is being more modern than the PFC make it a better choice, or only if going single? Or in the end is it six of one or half dozen of the other so to speak? Thanks.

Haltech Elite PnP isn't mentioned. Why is that?

Install Software Packages from EACH ECU company you're considering and learn them all. You'll find the answer you seek by the depth of adjustability.

Haltech, Adaptronic, and PowerFC all can run REW Twin Turbo setups flawlessly.

Good luck on the tuning portion. It's a fun process and every day is a classroom.

No good reason I guess. Always wanted a PowerFC' cause it's Japanese I guess. After browsing around the Haltech site their Elite stuff looks nice. Don't flame me but the Street Outlaws endorsments does sway me a little. Big fan of the Dung Beetle. While window shopping the option to replace the gauges with the IQ3 dash looks nice though unrealistic at the moment. Only problem is I couldn't find a PnP for an FC which is what it's going to be in with a n/a motor for awhile before any potential REW swap. I guess a universal one is always an option. I have a spare harness I could cut the plug off of and rewire to the Haltech's plugs. At least I don't have the funds right now so I have plenty of time to add a Haltech into the mix and research it.

So here's my opinion...

PowerFC is going to be too difficult to tune due to the interface/software to properly do it. It's too ancient and there are better ways of doing the same thing.

Adaptronic has zero support besides YouTube videos and their vendors, in which case you're always dealing with a salesman. There are a few inherent software flaws still, but it IS getting better.

Haltech is proven. The forums on here are good enough to have actual DEVELOPMENT and not "Mah Cur Dunt Startup!" threads every few days. It's a completely different forum vibe from Haltech vs. Adaptronic and as someone who has neither (I'm going Emtron, and have zero stock in either company), I couldn't give a shit what you decide, because it doesn't effect me. I would suggest you order through someone who continues to be an incredible asset to Rx7s, and that would be Chris Ludwig of LMS-EFI.com

Given my automotive design, engineering background, I can tell you, hands down, the SOFTWARE package of the Haltech is superior by a landslide. The support is there, you get a printed manual, and the hardware is relatively similar across Adaptronic and Haltech, so it's not a big deal. Building out a M6000 for your REW is more expensive than running an Elite 2500 with I/O Box, don't let anyone fool you.

Build out a list of your requirements and goals. Go wild if you want, but ALWAYS leave room with a better ECU than you think you need so if future upgrades are in order (DBW, Flex Fuel, More Injectors, More I/O, Custom 4D Tables, etc), you have the capacity to program to your satisfaction.

Either way, the first step is to install the software of each of these programs and see what's what.

If you are planning on running sequential twins in an FC, there is no PNP option. The FD harness is not a drop in and the FC harness does not have the controls for the twins. It can be done but there is no straight forward solution.

I had thought I found a thread on here about how to do it. It involved using the FD engine harness and making some modifications to it I guess to make it work in the FC. When I re looked it up they just told the parts needed not exactly how to do it. Anyway maybe not as PnP as I thought but doable it seems.

I think I'm may be rethinking and leaning towards the Haltech Elite now anyway. I'm thinking since I have that spare harness I can just get the ecu and their plug and contact kits cut the factory plug off and rewire it for the Haltech. Then I'll deal with the REW when/if the time comes. I have the FSM for both my FC and one for an FD as well.

If it seems like a lot to handle, there's always an option of going Single Turbo to simply a lot of things. The factory twin turbo setup is good for technical roads with it's great response, but technology has come a long way.

Hi Dak,

If you would like to speak more about the adaptronic and some of the tuning solutions we offer id love to speak with you over the phone. 763-753-9939.

Cheers,

Shawn Christenson

I'm mostly window shopping right now but when I get closer to being ready to actually buy something I may give you a call.

I've had my build going on for 6yrs now and I can tell you that technology and parts will ALWAYS get better, the longer you wait. That being said, an education on when to smell bullshit and half-assery is going to be your best plan of attack for any venture such as this.

ECU Options that most of us can attain in a reasonable timeframe are AEM Infinity 506 (very low I/O for some, zero Rotary support with the 7-Series ECUs), Haltech Elite 1500/2500, Fueltech FT500/600, and Adaptronic. Higher end stuff is MoTec, Syvecs, Emtron, in which there are fewer rotary cars on due to entry cost.

All I ask is that you download the software package of each of these and fart around with them. Educate yourself on Setup Wizards, Injector Data, Input/Output Capabilities, and most of all how they model air and fuel. Your experience may vary, but at least you'll see the whole picture.

I just downloaded the installers for the Haltech and Adaptronic. I'll install and play around with them sometime.

Awesome. If you get into something more drag race oriented, you can also check out FuelTech (FT500/600). I think tuning that would be pretty enjoyable as well.

Given that haltech bought out adaptronic I dont see why you woulnt go with the elite as the flagship model of the company that has guaranteed support going forward. We have yet to really see whats gonna happen with adaptronic now that haltech ownes it. I can't see them allowing it to become a superior product to their internal haltech brand equivalent.

To me its common sense really at this point

Skeese

Here is were you are wrong.. Haltech is owned by another company... That company bought Adaptronic brand to have better market penetration. That company sees both ECU brands as a way to make money. They are going to build both brands to the best they can be to offer solutions for all markets. Adaptronic gets to use haltech IP and haltech gets to use Adaptronic IP. It is a win win for both brands.

I foresee Adaptronic becoming the cheaper series ECU's or going away.

Also, who is "That company"? Your post just sounds like a bunch of regurgitated anecdotal sales BS intended to trigger an argument.

Haltech has a support forum and Adaptronic has nothing
It doesn't look good for Adaptronic's future when the management won't spend the minimal amount in hosting fees required to host a forum
If I didn't already own an Adaptronic ECU, I would buy something else at this point. Not 20 year old tech like a PFC, but something else nonetheless

^This!!
I hate that they took down the forum, so much was lost.

We took down the forum because the owner at the time Andy felt like it was a support gap leading customers into issues. I understand that some individuals were able to navigate the forum and benefit themselves.

Would you like some crackers with that whine? Business has been as usual... Still getting regular software/firmware updates and products are still being produced. Also since you are obviously ignorant you did not notice that they have started their marketing campaign for the Adaptronic ecu with the hpacademy for a ECU give away...

There's a large lack of professionalism on here. If someone wants help with their ECU, make a thread on the appropriate Engine Management (in this case Adaptronic) forum and I'll personally go over it with you. Working on three right now.

it's not haltech simple as that.... do your own research and I'm sure you can find out.

100% agree. No matter how the people tied to it want to portray it, never do I seem them developing it to be an equivalent of their product developed through legacy iterations.

There was definitely a support gap...because I WAS THE ONLY PERSON ON THERE PROVIDING SUPPORT.

Your position throughout this thread has been so hilariously accurate of the whole platform you are trying to defend...
1) first try and sell something
2) make some big statements and a show with nothing of actual substance
3) fail to provide any answers supporting after the fact and instead tell everyone to figure it out themselves

If you really want to help this situation, you should put some stock in helping those who are disgruntled on here and in doing so bring some real facts to the table instead of only replying to a sales opportunity. There's a whole ongoing thread discussing what happened to the forums which you have been conveniently ignoring, and you have the audacity to simultaneously throw it out here. LINK.

The thing is, the wolves are hungry, so I wouldn't show up with any fake news.

Skeese

Wow quite a bit went on here since the last time I looked at this thread. Though I'm not ready to buy yet it looks like the one of the Haltech elite series is the way to go. I know some won't agree with the logic of why I came to that decision, but here it is.
1. I guess I bought into their marketing via quite a few of the guys on Street Outlaws are using them. I know they are using the REM modules for controlling their nitrous staging and traction/launch control stuff. They got a lot more going on than I probably will ever have so it should suit my power goals just fine.
2. I may not even stay rotary though I would prefer to. If I choose the ECU with the right # of outputs they have PnP LSX harnesses. Adaptronic does not. I know Adaptronic has ECU's with enough outputs but Haltech has the PnP option and seems to be more established in the LS world.

That's my thoughts at the time. Flame on for the V8 talk if you must but I'd still like my next engine to be a 13B-REW if it's any consolation.

Lockin Pty Ltd is the parent company. It is private and does business as the following:

• Haltech Engine Management Systems
• Haltech Research
• Haltech NGV
• Haltech / PWR Products
• Haltech Diesel
• Haltech Racing
• Haltech Engine Management Technology

In other words, it's Haltech.

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