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Power FC Drivability Advantages of Power FC on FD3S?

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Old Oct 12, 2017 | 08:22 AM
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Drivability Advantages of Power FC on FD3S?

The advantages of the Power FC for the sake of performance tuning are very well documented, but I would like to learn more about the advantages of it on a lightly modified semi-daily driver. I have extensively refurbished my FD and it remains mostly stock, with the exception of a MBC bumping maximum boost to 12 psi, downpipe, and high flow cat. Overall it is well behaved and reliable but still has the occasional bout with the 3.5k hesitation despite rebuilt injectors, added grounds, and extensive other maintenance. I am considering the Power FC because I've heard it does a better job as an EFI ECU overall, including eliminating the hesitation. Can anyone outline some of the other advantages of going Power FC when huge HP is not your ultimate goal?
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Old Oct 16, 2017 | 06:19 PM
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The removal of the 3.5K hesitation is worth the cost of it.
Having the ability to ad over boost protection by modifying the P rows above the highest one used has saved many engines.
Using negative lag at idle helps some engines to run smoother and can help power under vacuum acceleration.
The ability to lean out the idle and cruise areas of the maps keeps plugs cleaner.
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Old Oct 16, 2017 | 10:27 PM
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Not really drivability related, but definite advantages:

To add to the above, the commander allows you to forego many of the gauges that folks install, and it aids in troubleshooting issues with OEM sensors.

You also get a pretty badass way to keep (for example) alignment shops from joyriding your FD---- just set the rev limiter for 3500 and they'll be sorely disappointed

Along the same lines, you can set the limiter for 500 rpm and the car isn't starting no matter what anyone does if you take the commander with you
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Old Oct 17, 2017 | 07:13 AM
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Ditching the manual boost controller, since the PFC controls boost. Having the fans come on at lower temps.
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Old Oct 17, 2017 | 08:20 AM
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Thanks for the feedback thus far guys, all good as expected. For a stockish application like mine are most using the Apexi boost control kit so the FC controls boost as well?
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Old Oct 17, 2017 | 08:50 AM
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PFC controls the sequential twins with the stock solenoids, just put them back on and remove your MBC.
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Old Feb 1, 2018 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by GoodfellaFD3S
Along the same lines, you can set the limiter for 500 rpm and the car isn't starting no matter what anyone does if you take the commander with you
Never thought of this before, awesome idea!
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Old Feb 1, 2018 | 04:13 PM
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Since this was recently bumped.

How many ppl have good working AC with a PFC installed?
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Old Feb 1, 2018 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Johnny Kommavongsa
Since this was recently bumped.

How many ppl have good working AC with a PFC installed?
Most do not and Apexi has not fixed the problem which has been there since 1999.
The best fix is the relay fix.
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Old Feb 7, 2018 | 06:21 AM
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I have never encountered the A/C issue, only read about it here. Every car that had functioning A/C before install had 100% functioning A/C after I have installed the PFC, on both FD and FC.
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Old Feb 7, 2018 | 10:16 AM
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when i installed my pfc everything was working fine. over the years the AC problems developed, first it was random, and eventually it only works on 1. I'm going to change the selector switch and do the relay mod.
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Old Feb 7, 2018 | 11:35 AM
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I've run across the A/C issue a few times and don't use the 'relay' workaround, I jump 2 diodes on the fan switch so as not to hack up anything that isn't relatively easy to remove.
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Old Feb 7, 2018 | 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by cewrx7r1
Most do not and Apexi has not fixed the problem which has been there since 1999.
The best fix is the relay fix.
Yea, relay fix didn't work on my MB. Need to try on my BB.

Originally Posted by Banzai-Racing
I have never encountered the A/C issue, only read about it here. Every car that had functioning A/C before install had 100% functioning A/C after I have installed the PFC, on both FD and FC.
interesting..

Originally Posted by neit_jnf
when i installed my pfc everything was working fine. over the years the AC problems developed, first it was random, and eventually it only works on 1. I'm going to change the selector switch and do the relay mod.
yea, i can only get it to work on fan speed 1.

Originally Posted by dguy
I've run across the A/C issue a few times and don't use the 'relay' workaround, I jump 2 diodes on the fan switch so as not to hack up anything that isn't relatively easy to remove.
What 2 diodes on the fan switch are you referring to? I may try this.
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Old Feb 7, 2018 | 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Johnny Kommavongsa
Yea, relay fix didn't work on my MB. Need to try on my BB.


interesting..



yea, i can only get it to work on fan speed 1.


What 2 diodes on the fan switch are you referring to? I may try this.

https://www.rx7club.com/power-fc-for...-c-fix-435420/

I believe that thread actually covers just about every option for fixing the AC. The diodes if done properly seems to be the cleanest as well as very easy.
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