I have a 1993 RX7 with Stock motor that had some Pettit modifications. Such as the following Pettit cold air intake, Pettit twin turbo, 3inch downpipe with no-cats at all, pettit AST. I purchased the Apexi from reputable dealer and they instructed me they would give me a Base MAP for the Apexi that would be tuned to the above modifications. So how important is it for me to get the car to a professional tuner? Or should I be safe to drive it with the Base MAP?

 

I did not see an AFR or boost gauge mentioned, so I would start with those 2 next and see where your rates are. PIG rich or **** lean is not good.

 

So, my boost gauge with me driving it very conservately (less than 2600 rpms no higher between gear changes) show on the Apexi a 0.54mmHg and my boost gauge showing 10psi at that? I will just take it in two weeks to Performance Autowerks here in Greensboro and have them tune it for me to be safe. After I talked with them they advised me to buy the Innovate LC-1 which I did today and to relocate the battery and to get a better IC. They told me to have those parts purchased prior to them tuning it. That made total sense. I still have the stock fuel injectors, should I buy new ones prior to them tuning it as well and ignition coils?

 

Small piece of advice for ya.
If you have one "unit" that tells you Boost in KP's(?) and another unit(gauge) in PSI,then you would be constantly doing math in your head!
Personally I use PSI as it is easy to figure.

My Boost controller shows a bit different than my Boost gauge,but it doesn't bother me so much as the controller is the Key.

Now,Injectors:What do you want to do with the car?.do you need the Extra fuel?.is your Setup requiring extra fuel?.
Can you afford the Extras????

Lots of options once you get the car isn't there?Try to keep within reason and for God's Sake!,stay within your Financial LIMIT!..not what others are doing..they do NOT pay your bills!

 

The 'Base Map' comes on the PFC is IIRC sufficient for the basic bolts ons but it's just that...a base. Tuning is needed. How experienced is this shop in tuning a rotary? You need fuel mods only if you increase boost beyond stock (10 psi) levels on the stock twins. Likewise ignition modifications. Likewise the intercooler. At stock boost and properly ducted Pettit's SMIC is a decent upgrade and should provide decent intake temps. Relocating the battery IMO is a major modification and a small PITA for a street car. Nonsense in you situation unless you have major plans for up'ing boost and other modifications.
I would also encourage you to go to the 3rd gen. section FAQ sticky and read about boost creep. You get it from having an open exhaust (DP, no cats and a free flowing cat-back). A boost controller does NOTHING for it. Consider a hi-flow cat and don't confuse creep with boost spike , which can happen from opening the intake side and can be avoided with a boost controller.

As a side-note, have you checked the ECU that was in the car? Pettit makes a re-flashed ECU that's programmed for those mods. Since everything else is Pettit, it's possible you really didn't need the PFC at all... at your current modification level.

 

I wouldn't trust the stock tune. Its fine to get around with , Just stay out of boost until you A learn to tune it a bit yourself and get a wideband . and a boost gauge ( the boost gauge on the PFC is not always correct its based off the mapsensor and it is a bit skewed )

And like stated above its important to make sure the place you take the car to knows what they are doing.

AND even if they do and you trust them you should STILL get a wideband and a boost gauge.

 

No not planning over 10psi. So bought wideband and putting on SMIC and will leave battery as is and not worry with injectors. I appreciate all replies already bought Apexi so Pettit ECU not option

 

Good information in this thread.. Can I ask how much more bang for the buck is the PFC over say an apexi ecu?

 

If I understand what you're asking correctly, they're one in the same. Apex'i makes them. Sometimes called the "Power FC"....shortened to 'PFC'.

 

Oops I meant the PFC opposed to say one of another brand (which appear to be so much cheaper) such as the mine's ecu or petit ecu.. What real benefits other than the commander does the PFC ecu provide that other standalone do not?

 

Never heard of "mine's ecu", but Pettit's is simply a re-programmed stock ECU that is suitable for a certain level of performance modification....but no more. It is a simple, plug-n-play installation and from what I understand affords great drivability. But it's not programmable. The PFC is a "stand-alone" ECU, which is programmable to an extent using the Commander, and extensively programmable using a datalogger.
While I have a PFC on my car, I'm not a tuner and not smart enough to become one. So I've had others do it for me at cost. I'm happy with the PFC. I don't have emissions where I live and a side benefit of the PFC (and likely other standalones) is that I could remove emissions w/o affecting drivability and creating CEL's... and simplifying things ALOT under the hood on my FD. The Commander also allows me to monitor things like coolant temp (I also have a traditional gauge), Peak Boost, Injector Duty %, Intake Air Temperature, Knock levels and other parameters that can be important on a turbo car. I think it has by far the widest user/knowledge base for the FD too. But there are other options out there. You can go to the Engine Management Section of this forum for more info.

 

Will do, thanks a lot Sarge