Microtech

[DrtyRat]

Well we're coming up on a new year, and its time to make my next purchase. I generally try to save a little at a time for the entire year, and then make a sizeable purchase(for me anyways). Last year I did me 5 lug swap, q45 brakes, and got my wheels. This year, I'm going to get a standalone. I almost went this route last year, but decided the basics were a little more important.
Last year, when I was looking @ standalones, I had pretty much decided on the pfc, but after looking at the local support for it, I've found that there aren't but a few that are familiar w/it. I had thought about going w/a rom tune (enthalpy) but its not worth it for a mostly stock setup. I've given haltech some consideration, but I feel its too much for my goals. Which leads me to microtech. Every search that I've done, seems to say that it is a simple standalone to work w/as compared to a haltech. My mechanic recomended I go w/microtech, and he said he could do the install and tuning for me, and to be honest the cost is appealing to me. I wanted to go w/the lt8, but it seems to be discontinued. My goals are eventually 350whp, but for now I just want the car to run well.
I've done a lot of trouble shooting to resolve some of the issues that I've been having, and it seems, from the cel, that alot of it is sensor related. According to my mechanic, going standalone will allow me ot get rid of alot fo the emission sensors that are causing problems. I'm just curious as to what kind of experiences, those of you w/the microtech (lt8 or lt10) have had w/sr20's. What all is included? Meaning are there alot of essential accessories that I will be required to purchase, in addition to the ecu itself? For instance, with the pfc, in order to tune it well you would have to have the datalog software, otherwise it was only the gameboy controller.
Just looking for some real experience w/these. As I stated before, I don't want the pfc anymore, rom tune is not worth it on a stock setup, and haltech is out of my price range.
My engine specs:
s14 sr20det kouki
hybrid fmic
hks sspv
arp head studs, pe hg
3" downpipe
3" test pipe
blitz nur spec exhaust
mbc set @ 9lbs (though I'll be getting rid of that soon)
stock t28
stock injectors
stock maf
Thanks in advance

[bigOdom1]

i say get some 740cc injectors a z32 maf and an enthalpy tune. i made near 300 with that on stock turbo. now i am upgrading to 2871 and i think you can make that power with the above mods plus cams

[DrtyRat]

i say get some 740cc injectors a z32 maf and an enthalpy tune. i made near 300 with that on stock turbo. now i am upgrading to 2871 and i think you can make that power with the above mods plus cams
i have no doubt that enthalpy rom tune is an excellent option, I just rather go stand alone so that i can simplify the setup & lose alot of unecessary sensors that go along w/the stock ecu. come on guys, i need some feedback on this-Mr. shadows?

[statik]

i have no doubt that enthalpy rom tune is an excellent option, I just rather go stand alone so that i can simplify the setup & lose alot of unecessary sensors that go along w/the stock ecu. come on guys, i need some feedback on this-Mr. shadows?

stock emissions sensors on an SR hahah.

maybe your setup is running a lot of the stuff that came with a clip? you can ditch basically everything but:

MAF
CAS
TPS
Coolant Temp (ecu/gauge)
Injectors
IACV
O2
Knock
Igniter
Coil packs

Those are all the required connections in the engine bay, im running a nistune (stock ecu/real time tuning). I don't see you ditching any of those running a standalone with the exception of the MAF, and even then you're swapping one sensor for another.

[genericforumname]

I didn't think there was anyone who could do rom tunes on the kouki s14 sr?
I thought they only did the zenki version, but I may be wrong
<s14 zenki sr owner

[statik]

I didn't think there was anyone who could do rom tunes on the kouki s14 sr?
I thought they only did the zenki version, but I may be wrong
<s14 zenki sr owner


I know nistune is working on a board for the s14a, I don't believe enthalpy or jwt support it.

[smelly240]

calum has a board for them....

[DrtyRat]

kouki motor, zenki ecu (wc)

[S14DB]

I have not seen a Emissions device on my Kouki SR. Scan your codes and replace the sensor before proceeding.

[steve shadows]

get a PFC or a Haltech

microtech just copied haltech, they even sued them over it.

[DrtyRat]

get a PFC or a Haltech

microtech just copied haltech, they even sued them over it.
I really had my mind made up on the pfc, but i found out that there's not alot of local support for the pfc. The hatech is a little out of my price range, and if the microtech is the same or similiar as a haltech, what would be the advantage of the haltech? I really want o simplify my set-up, and I feel a stand alone will do that. i did searches on here and fa and saw your thread from way back ('03?) and you were in favor of the microtech @ the time.

[S14DB]

Any competent tuner can tune any EMS. The closest PowerExcel Shop is in Maryland. Every tuner has their preferred system to tune on. If the Comander is a problem for the tuner you can Get the comander Pro software to run on a laptop. Mircotech has a knock off of the commander:
http://www.microtech-efi.com/images_/product/default/4.jpg

I got the PFC cause it has a base map that I can set my 550's and RB MAF in the set up menus and drive to the shop. All the data is on the screen, don't have to drag a laptop around all the time.

Any shop is going to try and sway you in the direction of their preferred EMS. Not always the best, just the one they are usually more experienced with. I guaranty you say you have 'X' can you tune with it they will. If they balk at using that EMS you keep shopping for a better shop.


As far as microtech I have found their support and updates lacking. IIRC my friend had to blow away his tune to update the bios. Then the new software didn't support the old tune files and couldn't convert and that's when he dumped them for an AEM.

[DrtyRat]

Any competent tuner can tune any EMS. The closest PowerExcel Shop is in Maryland. Every tuner has their preferred system to tune on. If the Comander is a problem for the tuner you can Get the comander Pro software to run on a laptop. Mircotech has a knock off of the commander:
http://www.microtech-efi.com/images_/product/default/4.jpg

I got the PFC cause it has a base map that I can set my 550's and RB MAF in the set up menus and drive to the shop. All the data is on the screen, don't have to drag a laptop around all the time.

Any shop is going to try and sway you in the direction of their preferred EMS. Not always the best, just the one they are usually more experienced with. I guaranty you say you have 'X' can you tune with it they will. If they balk at using that EMS you keep shopping for a better shop.


As far as microtech I have found their support and updates lacking. IIRC my friend had to blow away his tune to update the bios. Then the new software didn't support the old tune files and couldn't convert and that's when he dumped them for an AEM.
you make some valid points, however, in regards to pfc, you need to have the datalogit program in order to tune it well, or at least to tune it easily. I don't go to a "shop", per say, i go to my mechanic, whom I've known as a friend(best way to describe it) for 10yrs. He has an incredible amount of knowledge when it comes to engines and ems's. with that being said, don't you think its better to go with something that is more widely supported?
As far as the mocrotech goes, if what you are saying is true, in terms of support, then that could sway my opinion.

[tony240]

I actually have a microtech lt8 for sale programmed for an sr20 and have a wiring harness already made I alsohave the cd program the adapter and the serial port wire.........unit is brand new shoot me an honest offer and it could be yours .........will sell for cheap though like 700 obo

[DrtyRat]

I actually have a microtech lt8 for sale programmed for an sr20 and have a wiring harness already made I alsohave the cd program the adapter and the serial port wire.........unit is brand new shoot me an honest offer and it could be yours .........will sell for cheap though like 700 obo
why are you getting rid of it? pm me if you'd like

[S14DB]

you make some valid points, however, in regards to pfc, you need to have the datalogit program in order to tune it well, or at least to tune it easily. I don't go to a "shop", per say, i go to my mechanic, whom I've known as a friend(best way to describe it) for 10yrs. He has an incredible amount of knowledge when it comes to engines and ems's. with that being said, don't you think its better to go with something that is more widely supported?
As far as the mocrotech goes, if what you are saying is true, in terms of support, then that could sway my opinion.

Rather get the FC Commander PRO Software for $250 then the Datalogit. You can still do a good basic tune with the Handheld. The Software just expands the capabilities.

[S14DB]

I actually have a microtech lt8 for sale programmed for an sr20 and have a wiring harness already made I alsohave the cd program the adapter and the serial port wire.........unit is brand new shoot me an honest offer and it could be yours .........will sell for cheap though like 700 obo

For a Red Top SR20. It will not work with his S14SR.