Haltech E6K vs. Microtech LT8
 

Alright, so I want the Haltech side of the story. I'm about to go standalone, and I was planning on using the Microtech LT8 but now, an E6K has presented itself.

What are the pros/cons when compared to an LT8?

Thanks

Just off the top of my head:

Pros:

-finer resolution
-ignition cut rev-limiter
-closed loop

Closed loop, as opposed to Open Loop? What does this mean?

And yes, I do like the rev limiting function, but an MSD box can do much the same thing, no?

o2 closed loop. Nice for fuel economy.
The rev limiter is nice, I like how you can set it up as two stage (yet to do though). I hit it last weekend, lets you know real fast what rpm you're at ;)

Mr Brian Cain should be stepping in here any minute now...:D
Don't get him wound up on Haltech vs Microtech

Microtech is a piece of crap.

Why do you say that?

do a search at teamfc3s.org/forum there is a thread about 200+ long regarding haltech vs microtech.

Let's just say it involves some reputable people and some people who will never visit that forum again

Hm. Interesting. Too bad it'll have to wait until I'm at home. Too long for work.

d/p

Suds7: Care to back that statement up with informed opinion or fact?

boost1205: What do you mean? Brian's an open-minded guy. From our discussions (which have been, at times, lengthy), he doesn't have an opinion yet, having not had personal experience with the LT. Until then, he recommends the E6K by default.

Anyway, the biggest deciding factor should be your support options. If your tuner prefers one over the other, that's the one you should go for.

Brandon
BR7 Racing

Suds7
after installing and owning a E6k for a year
and now having a LT Microtech
and my car now up and running with the Mirotech as of today

I can say with "first hand comparison"

Haltech can suck my ****

Hey Brian,
Don't take it personally. I didn't mean any harm.
It's just that Brian gets wound up if you know what I mean:D
It's kinda funny.

Sorry...I meant to say "Hey Brandon" not "Hey Brian".
Brain fart.

It all comes down to what you want. I have no problem with gas mileage with out closed loop, and most tuners turn it off anyhow. I know when we had 2 cars tuned in Atlanta by Matt he turned it off on both cars. I personally saw over 22mph on a highway trip from Pensacola to Tallahasse, with plenty of blasts up to about 120. Here is my pro/con list for both.

Microtech LT8:
Full Sequencial Staged Injecton
32bit Processor
Windows based software
Graphical and numerical presentation of datalogging
Optional hand and Dash unit
Manual with car specific wiring diagrams

Haltech E6K:
More Inputs outputs
More injector resolution
Little more universal after purchase (MT must be sent back)

Both units offer new wiring harnesses, currently will not run the OMP (LT8 may shortly, and the plugin version for the FD may already). Neither company any longer has a US corporate office. After the two Microtech groupbuys I am sure the number of Microtechs rival the number of Haltechs installed on RX7's in the US. We have as of yet also to get a report of a DOA unit.

My PERSONAL choice is the LT8, becasue of the advanteages it offers on the software side and datalogging. I also like that I can start in a 2D fuel map, get the car DAMN close then swap to 3d and fine tune it in. Its much easier to just worry about one fuel curve when driving and watching a wideband. You can also set a 2 stage rev limiter with the Microtech just as easy as with the Haltech. Cutting ALL fuel cannot blow up an engine, period, compressed air with no fuel does not spontaniously combust.

I am not saying the Microtech is a better EMS, but for me I'd choose it almost everytime over the E6K, the only time I would go with an E6K is if #1 I lived close to Matt Lecher (instead of across the world), or I needed the extra inputs/ouputs.

This thread shouldn't even be in here.&nbsp It's almost like going into the Microtech section and posting the same question.&nbsp Advocates of each brand are usually perusing their pertinent ECU sections.

I dunno about Microtech user being more prolific than Haltech users, but if we're talking rotary, I'm sure Haltech powered rotary vehicles would easily outnumber the Microtech crowd.&nbsp RP has been a staunch Haltech advocate, and I'd bet the number of Haltech rotaries they've built outnumber all the GB's the Microtech folks had in the past few months.&nbsp Please, don't argue with me - why don't you go contact RP instead?

There are also a number of individuals who have had bad experiences with a particular brand, and they are always going to preach their bad experiences to those who give them an ear.&nbsp I count TWO people who have had bad experiences with Haltechs in this thread (you know who you are), and they might not be the best reference for such a debate.

In reality, I'd bet that 90% of the systems out there (Haltech, Microtech, whatever) are not tuned efficiently.&nbsp Of course people are going to be disappointed or in some ignorant bliss which they don't know better.&nbsp A tuned stand-alone approaching 90% of it's efficiency will surprise the hell out of anyone who has never driven such a vehicle.&nbsp It still comes down to the tuner's abilities...

We can go quoting specs till our faces turn blue.&nbsp We can go pointing out how many engines people have lost on certain ECU's.&nbsp We can point how "crappy" an ECU brand was and how much better another ECU brand fared in your application.&nbsp Bottom line is...it's hard to give you an objective presentation of a clear-cut winner for each individual asking.&nbsp I'm a Haltech advocate, and I can give you reasons for going with Haltech till I turn blue in the face.&nbsp Does that mean Haltech is best for you?&nbsp Not necessarily...

About 90% of the people wanting to go with an aftermarket ECU are probably in over their heads with such a project.&nbsp Yet, time after time, other people push such ECU's as a cure-all for your performance needs.&nbsp In a sense, it is one of the ultimate in performance upgrades, BUT...with all that power comes responsibility.&nbsp It can also be an engine/parts killer without hesitation.&nbsp The core of the problem is that most people do not have a good fundamental knowledge of how an internal combustion engine operates.&nbsp If they did, we'd eliminate 99% of the "stupid" questions that constantly pop up in such forums.&nbsp This is where the competent shop/tuner comes in - they can address and help with your needs...of course, this comes at a price.&nbsp Most people would ignore that bit of advice and try and do everything themselves...this is where we run into trouble.&nbsp Of course, when something goes wrong, blame the ECU!

Performance takes money...
Getting cheap will always bite you in the ass...


-Ted

I agree with you 100% Ted, the Haltech is in no way a BAD ECU. It is a VERY competent and capable ECU as is the Microtech. Just as I have said in other threads you won't a clear cut winner on wich is better.

Best advice, make a table with pros and cons that you need, write LT8 and E6K by each pro/con that its associated with let the best ECU for you be the one you get. Haltech cars can make power and drive nice as well as Microtech cars.

I started looking into the Microtech simply because it was different. I owned an E6K, have been around plenty of E6K's (on rotaries and piston engines) and I have no real beef with them at all. I bought my Microtech blind, and cuold have ended up with a turd, but I got lucky and found out I liked it more and more each day. I would have been just as happy with an E6K I am sure, but in the end, i have the LT8, my car drives better than it did before, makes good power, and I am happy with the choice I made.

And the big #1 as Ted said, it can be a SDS or a Magneti Marrelli, but if its tuned like ass, it will run like ass.


Daniel

Ted,
I only started this thread because I couldn't find a good comprehensive Haltech Pro/Con list. Basically, I've already taken the time to research the LT8 unit, but the time to purchase is here (Tuner will only be in town for so long), and I don't really have the time to read lots of threads and get the information, so I just asked a general question: I know what sucks about the LT8, now what sucks about the Haltech?
You all have been informative (well, not every one of you ;)), but in the end I am taking the advice that many of the "gurus" have said: Go with what your tuner does.
Since Steve Kan has done a crapload of Haltechs, but very few Microtechs, I'm going with the E6K. If it's good enough for steve, it's good enough for me.

Sounds like a smart descion to me.

Daniel

Please be aware that there will be a definite Microtech presence at Steve's tuneorama. :)

Brandon
BR7 Racing

Brandon, I know. In fact, my buddy Rocky (ALTurbo2)'s car will use an LT8 (and hell, he's helping me build my car), as will a couple of the cars that he'll tune that weekend in September, when he's in the Ham.

But when Steve Kan says to me, "I'd rather see you get an E6K," I get an E6K. I hope we can still be friends :P

I am still a believer in Microtech, and if I ever get the funds (hah) to do another car (been interested in hooking one up to a volvo for some time now, heh) that I tune myself, I will certainly look into an LT8/12 or whatever is available at the time.

Victor

c,mon guys i tuned haltech for 15 years,as soon as i tested out microtech 3 years ago my life change,everything start going faster like start up the cars,technical support,timeslips,no more laptop crab etc,etc. you guys wanna stay in the slowest lane keep using haltech,my name is Rolo lopez ex crewchief from titan motorsports supra and crewchief from kilo racing,thanks.

thanks for that informative comment, 'chief'

Well I have been looking into both for a long time now. As soon as Microtech came to be I was looking into them. For a long time I saw MT as an ECU that could only "get the job done." Basically, Haltech was for the big boys, and a microtech could just get you down the track but with no options or drivabilty on the street. Since then they have improved and I have read more and more and seen first hand that Microtech is also a good choice. Locally, 2 FDs have just recently had E6Ks pulled to put in LT-8s at the local rotary performance shop. Now, my mind has been made up to go with an LT-8 with all my researched. I'm not sure how much a Haltech costs installed most places, but I can get an LT-8 installed for less than $1500, or do it myself and be under $1000. Basically, its just a decision that should be based upon which unit you are more comfortable and confident in IMO.

e6k with the connectors, harness, sensors was $1150, when i finish paying for it. I'll do the install myself.