Upgrading ECU ...?

[tossaxe]

This is such a silly question that I fear to put it in Engine section =]
But please explain, can't find the answer on the net. :)

As far as I understand an ECU has to be tuned specifically for each car to suit its mod's, characteristics, wear&tear n'etc. So why buy for example a Mine's ECU. That apex'i is easily adustable I know, but Mine's isn't(or atleast hard to) so what's the point of a non-adjustable, pre-tuned ECU ?

[VNG704]

I don't have expirience with a pretune ecu but from what I've read about them from their ads on ebay, they are for basic mods like z32 mafs and raised boost. Basically, just to get your car running if you just installed a z32 mafs and plan on raising your boost. Not something I would buy though. Is Japanese fuel octane even the same as ours?

[tossaxe]

Hmm if they just remove the limiters and up the boost then really it's not too useful. Tuning the stock ECU sounds better..
Well in from Lithuania so there isn't even such a thing as 102 octane gas, but I've read on the internet that in Japan the ECU's are tuned for 98 I think (the link: MINES ECU and 100 Octane - The mkiv Supra Owners Club (http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?t=207) )
Anyway I'm driving on 95. I though I might be able to find a JDM ECU tuned for lower octane.. or maybe the Mine's ECU is with some kind'a self learning ability or very complex algorithms that work quite well even with different mod's :D the Apex'i one is out of my student's budget :)

[VNG704]

Well, do your research so you don't have your engine knocking. As for sub $500(US dollars) ecu tuning, talk to Jim Wolf Tech, RS enthalpy, and Emance.

[tossaxe]

Thank you, if I'll run a dead end I'll contact them, useful to have such contacts. ;)
Well then probably I'm better of with an apex'i safc. But still interesting why should Mine's make such useless gizmos.. Isn't mine's the oldest JDM ECU tunner and one of the very very best Nissan tuners.. =/

[sirfallsalot243]

The advantage of a non-adjustable pre-tuned ecu is price. If you start upgrading your motor with a bigger turbo, bigger injectors, etc, you need your fuel management and timing to be right for THAT SETUP. A stock ecu has stock maps, and wont give enough fuel if youre doing anything besides a stock setup. Because of this, we need to modify our ecu's so the engine gets the desired amount of fuel. With a non-adjustable setup (or ROM tune), you tell them (JWT or Enthalpy) what your mods are. They've got it down to a pretty close science that the tune they send you right out of the box should run your motor fairly well. Most rom tunes are conservative due to the fact that theyre making a tune for a car theyve never seen. There are many variables that will affect the tune other than your mod list, so their tunes come relatively conservative to be on the safe side. A fully adjustable ecu (or standalone) has much more of the tuning capability- and gives you the ability to tune your car yourself- custom tailored to your exact setup. If a ROM tune is "pretty close," a standalone tune will be "dead on."

One option you have to fine tune is to use a ROM tune as a base, and an AFC (Apexi SAFC or similar) to dial it in closer to where you want it. Overall a standalone is "better" but not always necessary depending what youre trying to do. I'll probably switch to a Power FC if I start nearing the 400whp range, but for now, Im only trying to push 290-310, and a ROM tune is fine for that. There are guys using ROM tunes for over 400whp, the only reason I'd switch is for the ease of being able to retune it myself if I add a new part.

[sirfallsalot243]

Heres an excellent thread on ROM tuning. It started as a comparison between JWT and Enthalpy, but quickly turned into a ROM vs Standalone debate. Theres a LOT of good info in there.

http://zilvia.net/f/engine-tech/316895-jwt-vs-enthalpy-ecu-comparison-dyno-results-another-400-whp-codyace-built-car.html

[tossaxe]

Thanks, sirfallalot ;) That was most useful :)
and good to know there's no real profit for me to buy power FC. I'm far from tuning the engine myself and I only aim for ~290hp :) Splendid =]

[sirfallsalot243]

Yeah I'd just send your ECU to a ROM tuner and have them do it based off of your mods and what gas youre running. If you want to further tune, an SAFC will do the job. Standalone would be overkill for 290whp.. your money would be better spent elsewhere.