Picking up my FD3S soon and looking to jump right into buying some stuff for it. Its a 97 Type Rb Bathurst X. Currently has an ARC intake kit (Aluminum Box with dual filters), and a kakimoto catback. I have already purchased an HKS dowpipe ($70 at upgarage here in Tokyo), and have questions about what else I should be buying soon. The dealership I'm purchasing from is currently giving the car a once over with new plugs and a full fluid flush for the tranny, rear diff, oil, coolant, and clutch and brake fluid. They are also putting it through the 2 year Japanese Compulsory Inpection for road safety. I've been researching and reading as much as possible, with one of my first stops being the FAQ section and Useful links thread for 3rd gens. One of the threads was what to spend the first $1000 on and most people mentioned reliability mods. I'm currently planning on buying and replacing the fuel filter, a new shifter bushing kit, and a new AST. I also have the opportunity to buy the appropriate Power FC for my vehicle for about $550. My question comes for the next things that most people listed; boost and water temperature gauges. Would it be beneficial to buy these two gauges on top of the Power FC, or does the Power FC do a good enough job at displaying and monitoring coolant temp and boost? Also, how accurate is the Power FC at reading coolant if its using the stock sensor, or should I plumb in a new sensor using the throttle body coolant lines and just run an extra gauge for temp? Thanks for the help and look forward to hearing what knowledge you guys can pass on. Also I've read the Power FC FAQ document written by Dale Clark and wasn't able to find an answer. Thanks!

 

The commander will display boost and water temp. Its the same reading that an external gauge would give. The redundancy is not needed. Stock sensors are fine. Only install the power fc if you're going to get it tuned or have someone to tune it.

The stock ecu for the mods you have will be fine

 

My thinking was that I could either buy gauges now per the reliability mods thread, then buy a power fc later once I get to more power mods. There are a few places around me here in Japan that specialize in rotaries and tune with the power fc. I figured, instead of spending $100-200 on gauges, then spending $600 on a power fc, I can just buy the power fc now to monitor the same thing as the gauges and also use it to clean up the stock tune. I'm just wanting to take the most cost effective approach and take advantage of what's around and available to me here during my time in Japan.

 

The most cost effective approach is to not buy things twice. The car has been fine for the past 24 years without gauges and a power fc. It will continue to be fine. Theres no need to rush any of this. Just wait and install the power fc when you're ready to get it tuned.

 

Here is a video of the displays of the Power FC commander.

CR-REX is right. The stock ECU has decent knock control unlike the PFC. Unless you have it tuned or at least adjusted with FC Tweak you may see detonation. A coolant gauge is a good reliability mod, you can always do the linearization mod and the FC thermo-switch. I would keep an eye on a koyorad.

 

I agree with your approach and the other guys...just get the PFC. Stock sensors will be fine. BUT be sure to get the newer OLED commander. Way way easier to read at a glance and in varying light. There are choices available on mounting the PFC that are just personal preference.

 

Yea, maybe I worded my question weirdly. I don't feel that I'm rushing into things, I just want to get some of the reliability mods done first so I can enjoy the car without too many worries. I forgot to mention that I'm getting a compression test done here at a shop as well before anything else.

So far, my list of items I'm getting is this:
Compression Test
Map Lid Replacement from Bubble Tech
Leather Armrest replacement (the lid on the one I have is broken off. If I can use some 3M tape to hold it in place, then I wont have to buy a new one)
Aluminum AST
Then either Boost gauge/Coolant Gauge set (about $110 at upgarage) OR the Power FC ($550ish), which will give me both of those readings, AND future proof the car to an extent.