Ok, i have avoided it for a long time. seems like a pain in the ***, reliability etc..

I have an M2 ECU, but now that i am having my turbos rebuilt, by BRN. (ball bearings, comments if you have heard about these for an extra $700)

Anyway i have heard that i should have a little more fuel on the high end, so...

How is the base map of the PowerFC? is it better than M2? How easy is it to increase fuel, turn on fans earlier etc? I live in N. Cal, is there a turner still alive around here?

If there are good threads on the setting and working with the PowerFC let me know. Oh should I, or do I really need the Commander?

Thanks

 

M2 is a piggyback style ecu that i belive only controlls a bolt on setup and has no timing control

Power FC, is more of a stand alone type of system, it still maintains the stock harness but it takes the place of the stock ecu. I own one, and in my opinion, it is the most user friendly setup and is relativly easier to tune then some of the other systems out there. You can tune mostly anything on it including AFR's and timing, you can run pretty much any setup on this using as opposed to the M2 which is a relativly bolt on setup piggyback.

hopefully that will be of some help.

 

thanks,

i am asking how well it performs? is the base map better than the M2, since i already have the M2 installed. If i need another map, where do i go to get one? I guess a turner is the right answer, but not sure if there is a quality one around.

do i need the commander?

 

You don't NEED the commander but it allows you to view many sensors and temperatures that are useful and eliminates the need for excess gauges, as well as eliminating the NEED for a laptop to do the tuning. The commander allows you to change ALL the settings with the use of 6 buttons (Up, Down, Left, Right, Next, Previous). The base map on the PFC is good. I am still running a tiny bit rich and am in need of a tune for optimal performance, but for only driving the car once every couple of months it does well and the car actually runs much better than it did with the stock ECU. (BTW I have only had my PFC for a few months anf have been trying to work out coolant issues before I get it tuned) I would recommend you spend the money for the PFC if you plan on doing more mods to your car, then you won't have to get a new map every time you mod your car. You can just adjust the settings on your PFC. It is easy to use, but if you're not familiar with tuning the numbers get confusing....

Check the Power FC subforum in the Engine Management forum for possibly more info.

 

First off, you might want to read through my PowerFC FAQ -

http://www.clubrx.org/media/pfc/PowerFC_FAQ.pdf

The PowerFC is a GREAT way to go. Any chipped ECU is still stuck with the parameters of the stock ECU, not to mention the 3k hesitation . Most cars drive and run far better with the PFC and the base map.

The base map is good for intake, downpipe, catback, and intercooler, and around 12psi of boost. That's a guideline, your mileage may vary.

Jap Parts Specialist sells the PFC for $690 plus $40 shipping. This is a STEAL. That's where I and many others have bought ours from, with no hassles or problems.

http://www.jappartsspecialist.com/main.htm

Dale

 

is the powerFC able to control boost? or does one need to get a boost controller on TOP of hte PFC

 

Who the hell is BRN? You mean BNR?

 

the PFC does not controll boost out of the box, there is a solenoid for it to controll boost that you can purchase , but i dont see a lot of people using it. i would reccomend some of the more well known EBC's

 

Whatchu talkin bout willjs? The PowerFC can control the boost using the stock solenoids up to the limitations of the MAP sensor (~14.7PSI) and has low and high boost settings.

 

The apexi 'boost control kit' is basically a 3 bar map sensor for those who want to boost past the stock map sensor's limit of 16 psi but don't want to install the GM 3-bar. The PFC does control boost out of the box, up to a bit more than 1 bar, ~16 psi, safely.

 

Help me understand what you mean by stock parameters are fixed in the ECU? Doesn't the M2 ECU change some of the parameters? I know after I installed it, it boosted to 12PSI, which is fine for me and few track days i do.

It sounds like the stock map will do as good if not better than the M2 ECU?

Thanks,

BTW will look up that FAQ.

 

Just my personal experience:

I installed the PFC on my car, which is not heavilly modded at all, and it immediately ran smoother and idled better, and as was mentioned before, no more 3k hesitation

Beyond that, you can adjust your fuel/spark any time you want to, for any future mod you do. Its the last computer you will need for the car, really.

 

Ok, but does the base map give more HP than the stock ECU? I am trying to figure out if i put in the PFC, will it be better than my M2 ECU, which was not stock, as it was boosting 12-10-12.

Thanks

 

anytime you add a "power" mod to the car, IMHO and many others here, your ecu will need a retune, M2 or PFC reguardless. obviously there are exceptions to the rule but to play it safe...so will the PFC be better than your M2? well it certainly is capable of being better............

 

I'm a bit reluctant to purchase because this company is based in Jap. Did you pay via paypal or credit card? This is a very good deal and would like some more experiences on it before I make the call.

 

Or...you can check the For sale section. I just paid $635 used for mine. THere's one on there right now for ^600 shipped used. Both have commanders

 

^^

Don't hesitate at all they are based in Japan.

Most guys I have read from have gotten their PFC's in 3 DAYS!! Thats faster than most stateside companys can ship to your door!

When you upgrade your car, you can get it tuned for those modifications. PFC is very very flexible. Also for the gauge elimination factor I LOVE IT.

I just put it on 4 channel with Injector duty, Water Temp., Intake Temp., Boost and life is beautiful!

Alex

 

how do you know an used one is working right? How do you put the 'base' map on it, and ensure it is the right base map?

the rotary doesn't take a lot of "accidents".

Anyone know if there is a good tuner for the PFC in n. California?

David

 

Just checking if anyone knows how to "know" if an used PFC is working and not of the circuits have been damaged.

Has anyone else heard about an air condition bug w/ the units?

 

Jeez, Do a search and all your questions will be answered. Download the manual for the PFC and you can figure most of it out yourself. You sound like someone that will have to have it tuned for them so make sure theres a shop around that know how to tune a rotary and PFC. If you don't know go to the location section for your area and ask there if there are any local tuners.

 

Ditto on the rep of that company. Thats price seems to good to be true, and you know what that usually means. From their site it seems to be paypal. This is a breand new unit, or is it refurbished or contain some older programming?

**oops shoudl have finished reading the thread/clicked next page. Still interested if anyone has had any hiccups with this vendor.

 

if anyone else is reading this wondering on the rep of the company listed above. I can say that I received my unit from them in about 3 days, and it was one of the newer versions (fd3s4) and brand new. Have yet to plug it up, waiting on other stuff.

 

I also got my PFC from them, never had any problems with the PFC.

 

Dale,

Question for you about the correct model on the PFC. Your FAQ and other posts I've read indicate that everyone should purchase the FD3S 4 model. However, on the jappartsspecialist website they indicate that this model is for the 12/95 thru 12/98 models. FD3S1-3 is for the earlier models. I have a '93. Just want to be sure before ordering. Thanks -Randy

 

As recommended, I ordered my PFC & Commander from JapPartsSpecialist.com and the Datalogit from rx7.com.

I received both in just a few days. (I ordered on Monday - a holiday - and received both on Friday) I was skeptical but now recommend both vendors.