Tuning Option/Question

[uwntsum]

Ok, so I was trying to search on what people have been using to tune their S14 sr20det motors, and I've only been able to find that most people have the Zenki SR20det w/ a enthalpy rom + afc or they go all out and get a PFC. I checked the enthalpy website and found out that the Kouki SR20det NA ecu is still under development. I have a safcII and I know that only does soo much. So does anyone know of any other tuning options for the Kouki SR20 ecu besides Power FC? I heard mixed things about JWT ecu also and I don't re-call they make a tune for my app. Sorry if this has been covered? I searched found a ton of stuff for s13s/ka-t/and zenki sr. Not much on the kouki sr if any... Just that people actually dropping the $ for the Apexi PFC which I don't really want to do.

Mods about to go on motor are:
GT2871r
555cc Injectors
turbo elbow, 3inch down and exhaust
and possibly Z32 maf if I can find it.

[S14DB]

I got the PFC. I only have a Z32. I will prolly get 550cc injectors down the road.

I view the SAFC as worthless save only for trimming a stock setup. Trying to run a larger MAF or injectors and trying to trick the ECU is just asking for trouble.

JWT tunes while revolutionary when they came out are generic at best these days. Almost at the cost of a PFC if you have to trim it with a SAFC.

AEM EMS is the the going all out IMHO. Fully adjustable in every way. Had it on the KA but it's 2x as much as a PFC.

The PFC is a compromise I decided was the best. Has settings for the Z32 MAF and Injectors in the Commander. Which allows me to get up and running out of the box. The only disadvantage is that some shops don't like to tune it.

I would go with at least the PFC for your setup.

[fromxtor]

I'm running the Turbo XS Dtec and love it. :D

[usdm180sx]

The FCon VPro is another alternative to the AEM EMS. Both are expensive. The VPro also converts to MAP sensor so you won't need a Z32 MAFS. The only downside with the VPro is that there are a limited number of tuners.

Here's a link to HKS: http://www.hksusa.com/products/more.asp?id=1965

Full Function Technology would be the closest tuner:

Full Function Technology
1260 Pacific Street
Union City, CA 94587
(510) 475-5855 Phone

www.fftec.com

[GSXRJJordan]

You can find AEM setups (meaning EMS and all sensors, including UEGO wideband and MAP/IAT) for $1500 used if you look. I believe the wiring can be redone to make a S13 EMS work with the Kouki S14. The AEM is easier to tune yourself, because the software is free and thus people post their own setups - and did I mention you get to do the cool Paul Walker "computer in the passenger seat" thing? lol.

If you're not lookin to spend that much cash, the Enthalpy ECU isn't a bad way to go, but you can't change anything, or you need a retune. Also, you still have to run a MAFS and don't get the wideband.

I see the powerfc (even the D Jetro) as a mediocre investment unless you have a tuning place nearby/on call. The commander will do small things, like S14DB said, and if that's all you need it'll be just as good as the AEM at about 1/2 the cost - but as soon as you need to go somewhere to have it tuned, the Power Excel shops know you need them, and want about $400 for a good tune.

Overall I'd say if those mods you listed are all you're gonna do to the car and you're on a budget, get that ECU tuned and call it a day. You will definitely need that Z32 MAF btw.

[S14DB]

For $400 you can get the Commander Pro Software and do almost as much as a Excel shop at any shop.

[usdm180sx]

If you don't know much about tuning motors I suggest having a professional dyno tune your motor.

If you get a mail order enthalpy rom tune you'll need an safc to fine tune it because it won't be spot on unless you can get Scott (Enthalpy) to real time dyno tune your car but he's in Florida and you're in CA.

A power fc with the commander pro software will give you more flexibility than a rom tune and an safc regardless of who tunes your motor.

There are 2 power excel dealers up north who can tune the power fc in the event that you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself:

Motorsport Dynamics
2439 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: (916) 648-8000

SR Motorsports
18391 C. Marsh Creek Rd.
Brentwood, CA 94513
Phone: (925) 516-7382

Good luck!

[uwntsum]

Thanks for the advice/comments guys. I will not be tuning the car myself. I was planning on having it tuned at a shop on a dyno. I already had the feeling the safc2 is useless. Like I mentioned above, I already checked the website for Enthalpy and he doesn't support the NA ECU for Kouki SR, so I'm out of luck on that. Soo. I guess i'm only left with a few options. I guess I will look more into the Power FC. I know AEM is hands down the ultimate way to go, but besides the cost of the unit finding a reliable/knowledegable tuner is another story not to mention the cost of tuning EMS.

[Dousan_PG]

i too was in the same boat about 5 months ago

PFC vs AEM vs FCon pro

+

limited funds

=

sell my stuff, get a zenki WC ecu + motor harness and Enthalpy tune

NO regrets

the cost for all of the above is cheap
but add the same cost for tuning.

FconV is only by certain people
a good tuner for AEM/PFC is tricky.

Enthalpy is agreat beause not only do they have a great rep but they have great suppor tand back stuff up

finding zenki stuff is super easy
in fact i think i have an extra WC ecu and getting and new motor harness is like 300 bucks retail.

on the dyno w/ the ENTHALPY i used the FPR to adj and got about 11:1 safetly at 1.5 bar of boost and made something like 350rwhp. i run 1.2 bar at the track. runs like a champ.
of course could use some more 'fine tune' but safcs dont adjust timing.
they are only good for the knock sensor hahaha

something to think about...

[Flybert]

Enthalpy ECU's don't need a fine tune unless your going for that extra 2% of horsepower. I've seen so many of his setups do so well on dynos on the first try that I got myself an enthalpy ECU as well. SAFC2 is only good for the knock sensor.

[toledo240]

with enthalpy ecu, are they tuned for how much boost and horsepower your looking to do?
i got 480cc's and z32 mafs on my bigfp28...looking to do 300whp

[steve shadows]

Enthalpy ECU's don't need a fine tune unless your going for that extra 2% of horsepower. I've seen so many of his setups do so well on dynos on the first try that I got myself an enthalpy ECU as well. SAFC2 is only good for the knock sensor.

and the knock sensor is worthless...you draw the lines together from there.

[steve shadows]

with enthalpy ecu, are they tuned for how much boost and horsepower your looking to do?
i got 480cc's and z32 mafs on my bigfp28...looking to do 300whp

If you were a tuner you'd know the answer to this.

but for a second...

NOOOST! haha

just had to

Boost is not something you tune for, you tune for either AF signal seen by the UNIT or if your lucky enough to evolve to an Absolute Pressure sensor, you adjsut timing and fuel according to load points that are based on Manfiold absolute pressure. (MAP SENSOR).

Fine tuning to take into account spool up, compressor efficency (the size of the wheel on your turbo), injector min and max open time and inj time etc, as well as other mitigating factors can be taken into account when building a map in an EMS or prepping one for burn or chip or eprom replacemetn etc.