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The PFC Master is now available in two versions:
Model A is terminated with a USB cable meant for existing DL-340XB interface owners.
Model B is terminated in the standard mini din PFC connector, and plugs directly to the PFC data port. This model does not require any external interface box.
Both models have the same firmware and features and install in less than 15 minutes, by far the easiest way to upgrade your Apexi PFC. Zero hidden costs, zero tuning costs as the units are able to auto-tune your map from scratch (not just fine tune).
Does this mean that Model B does all the datalogging that the DL-340XB does? How does it handle the Wideband O2 connection?
Model B has the DL-340XB unit built-in, so yes it does exactly the same functions as Model A with the external DL-340XB.
The RX7 PFC Masters (both models A & B) re-define the PFC's own O2 input as a full accuracy analog port, so the Wideband O2 connection from your AFR gauge analog port is connected to the factory harness O2 sensor socket. A noise filter and connecting cable is included with model B. See below for more detail.
Wideband O2 connection for PFC Master model B
Last edited by Xavier Borg; Jun 10, 2025 at 03:39 AM.
Reason: Added screenshot from installation manual
How is it? Im considering purchasing one, i have absolutely 0 tuning experience. don't even have an AFR gauge yet, but going to splurge and buy a wideband and pfc master but a bit skeptical about it. my PFC is already tuned w just intake , DP , and catback and ported wastegate. I want to add more (smart coils, cat delete, injectors, non-seq) but there's 0 tuners around. if this is as good as it sounds it will be a life saver for me.
Hi, there's nothing to be skeptical about. Like all my other products, it works exactly as described. No need to have any tuning experience as the unit will tune your engine by itself, you only have to drive your car. A wideband O2 kit is required for the auto-tuning feature. It's your best upgrade option especially if you have no tuner shops in the vicinity. Even if your map is already tuned, it will further improve and fine tune your existing map and will re-tune it whenever you add new mods.
Hi, there's nothing to be skeptical about. Like all my other products, it works exactly as described. No need to have any tuning experience as the unit will tune your engine by itself, you only have to drive your car. A wideband O2 kit is required for the auto-tuning feature. It's your best upgrade option especially if you have no tuner shops in the vicinity. Even if your map is already tuned, it will further improve and fine tune your existing map and will re-tune it whenever you add new mods.
Does your system have some form of closed loop ignition control with knock detection/retard? Fuel tuning if it's not so lean or rich as to misfire is easy enough but ignition is a different story.
Sure it does. As mentioned in previous posts, the PFC Master has got full knock protection. Its real time knock control retards the ignition timing and/or richens up the mixture whenever knock is detected. This is the short term knock control.
It also features long term knock control, which is pro-active, in that it retards the timing of cells which have recorded persistent knock during past driving events.
All engine protection functions, such as these, are fully user programmable, so that the user can disable, enable them, set knock thresholds, limit retardation angle trims, limit fuel enrichment trims, etc....
You also have the option of transferring the long term retardation trims permanently into the main ignition map just like any modern ECU.
Real-time engine protections on the PFC Master
PFC Master long term knock control
Last edited by Xavier Borg; Jun 18, 2025 at 07:57 AM.
Reason: Added screen-shots
I got mine a few weeks ago, and I have to say that it's a really nice unit. As soon as I plugged it in, everything just worked. Installation was simple, very much plug and play. Looking forward to trying out the auto-tune function when I get all my exhaust parts in a few weeks.
One question: The PFC Master allows me to turn on auto-tune and gives me the option of selecting a "WB02 connected to Power FC" option as the AFR source while tuning, but to my knowledge there is no WB02 sensor on this car yet -- I did check, and unless it's well hidden, it doesn't seem to be there. Is this an option that is just always available to select? Or is PowerFC actually detecting that one is installed and connected? I do plan to install one with the new exhaust but this took me by surprise.
Other feedback: The unit sometimes doesn't turn off and I have to shut it down manually. It also sometimes doesn't turn back on after being powered down even if I wait the full 10+ seconds for it to be fully off before turning the car back on -- it can take another 10-15s after the car is back on and 2-3 taps of the power button to turn back on. Please let me know if there is anything to verify here. I did confirm that the fuse tap is in the correct socket.
Hi TheWulf. Thanks for your positive feedback. Regarding the wideband O2 connection to the PFC, the PFC Master internally redefines (through software) the PFC's own narrow-band O2 input to function as a full accuracy input for wideband O2 use. So, once you fit any aftermarket wideband O2 kit on your car, you will simply disconnect the factory narrow band O2 sensor connector, and replace it by your gauge analog output signal. That way, both Apexi and PFC Master will have access to an accurate AFR reading which is also used (and required) by the PFC Master to perform auto-tuning. The PFC Master has a built-in list of all aftermarket WBO2 kits on the market, so once you install your wideband kit, just select the model from the list, and the Master will configure itself to that specific model. Also, do not forget that you have free membership to my official Google support group for all DL-340XB and PFC Master owners. Web link is on the user manual.
Regarding auto-powering on and auto-powering off, this is all explained in the user manual. It obeys programmed rules, and there is no such thing as sometimes it does this, and sometimes not.
Auto-powering OFF is only enabled when in virtual dash mode. Turning car key off in any other screen intentionally leaves the PFC Master turned on. To turn off the unit you then exist to the main menu and tap on 'Force shut down'
Auto-power ON always turns on, as long as you wait at least 10 seconds after the last key OFF. To force power on at any time before those 10 seconds, you can press the power button.
Please make sure you download the user manual. The booklet that comes with the PFC Master package is just the installation manual.
Hi Xavier, in your reply in post 58 above, you mention a list of various 02 sensor set ups in the pfc master system. I haven’t hooked mine up yet but if the PLX SM-Afr 4th gen in the list? I bought the sensor previously but if I need to pick up another sensor, just let me know.
Hi Tim, yes all wideband O2 kits on the market are pre-defined on the PFC-Master, including your PLX SM-AFR v4. The PFC Master's firmware can be remotely updated, so we can add any new WB kit model that appears on the market to its built-in list at any time.
HEY @Xavier Borg look at this 2005 post of mine! I'm so happy I get to experience PFC Master! I only waited 20 years HAHA ! Thinking about it, how about adding a baro sensor? Useful? Not?
20 years ago most of the technology was there, but the scale limits of the lithographic process used to manufacture semiconductor ICs was not small enough. For a system like the PFC Master it would have taken more than the volume of the whole glove box. During these past 20 years, the manufacturing process has advanced from 200nm down to 10nm and even smaller. So by utilizing the most advanced manufacturing process, I was able to design this system and fit everything in a handheld unit.
@Xavier Borg I'm sure this has been asked, but is there any chance that the "handle" can be moved off the screen portion, with the ability to mount the screen where the double din radio would go (with some kind of adapter trim piece)? I'm strongly considering purchasing the Master, but mounting it doesn't seem to have the best solution.
Thanks,
New update version v2.76 for all PFC Master units available for free download:
Added features:
(a) daytime/night time programmable display brightness for more comfortable vision during night driving. Accessible from firmware settings menu.
(b) Disable high fuel pressure sensing during deceleration fuel cut off events to eliminate false alarms from the I/O Extender fuel pressure channel. Such false alarms were due to the non-negligible mechanical response time of fuel pressure regulators.
(c) Added new Wideband O2 kit models and new aftermarket sensors to the built in list
(d) Color coded alarm history labels for I/O extender channels (past low alarms are highlighted in blue, while past high alarm levels are highlighted in red)
(e) 'Prot' status on I/O monitor page now shows current status of engine protection for each particular sensor
(f) A second factory boost sensor can be connected to an I/O Extender channel to read barometric pressure. This will eventually be used to compensate fuel due to altitude variations.
(g) Detection of disconnected supply wire or blown power harness fuse.
(h) Programmable factor for speed for owners of aftermarket speedometer clusters or modified gear ratios
I gotta say... Xavier is a rare breed. He continues to support releases and updates to a product even after it's been launched. In 2025, sadly, that's so uncommon. We appreciate all you're doing and look forward to more tweaks and advancements to your products!
I'm saving some coin up, but this will likely be my next upgrade!
It's been one year into this project. It turned out to be a great success with lots of satisfied FD owners who also played an important role in making it a better product. Version 2.78 now includes the ability to edit skin colors and save skin configuration files without the need of any laptop. I also introduced self calibrating boost gauge which eliminates Apexi's negative boost error due to atmospheric pressure. Enjoy the new version ! PFC Master features PFC Master programmable skin PFC Master programmable skin PFC Master programmable skin PFC Master programmable skin
Xavier, here is some idea for future development. I'm looking for a clean install without additional devices on front panel where is it supposed to mount PFC master. So I think it would be great to have PFC master as two separate devices: screen and main CPU box with external inputs. Such config will allow to install cpu box inside dash where I don't see it and place a screen in place of center speaker in such pod as draklore do.
And it would be cool to allow custom skins for main screen with meters.
Hi smann2600, you may update the firmware on your PFC Master to the latest version either by (a) downloading the firmware onto a USB stick or (b) by connecting the PFC Master through Wi-Fi.
Method (a) is recommended. You can find all details on the user manual.
