Z32 Nistune ECU vs. RB25 ECU - WHOA!!

[2.5T_/<ouki]

So I've been running the stock RB25 ECU on my Series 1 RB25 and to be honest, It doesn't feel like I'm driving an RB. My stock SR seemed a LOT faster than this RB. Anyways, too the point of the thread.

I had AutoVaugh Performance Install a NIStune type 2 daughter board into my Z32 ECU and flash it with an RB25 base map image. So the ECU has just been sitting here as i don't have money to get it tuned at the moment, so i thought what the heck, im just gonna throw it in and see how it runs with the base image. MY GOD!!! It now feels like I'm driving an RB25! It booooost soo drity now, but feels like I'm hitting fuel cut (I'm not 100% sure as I have never felt this)..

Why does it feel so much stronger with the z32 ECU in it rather than the standard ECU? (Sorry if a n000b question, I'm not smart on this whole ECU/tune stuff)

[n8RPS13]

We have run numerous RB motors with a Z32 TT ECU.

[n8RPS13]

The EFI programs are nearly identical in all Nissan ECU's.

[2.5T_/<ouki]

Not sure if you understood what i was asking.

My z32 ECU has NIStune type 2 with RB25 base map. Shouldn't that be the exact same base map as what my stock RB25 ECU has on it? If so, why does my engine pull so much better now with the z32 ECU? Hah.

[Sileighty_85]

RB25 ECU's are dookie. from what ive read on the aussie Forums if you boost more than Factory boost, the ECU will pull timing and Dump fuel to prevent detonation.

Mine feels the same way. I installed my Hyper Gear turbo on my RB and with boost @ .6 bar and felt slower, put my Stock turbo back on and felt "better".


but hey if you decide to sell that ECU let me know lol

[fliprayzin240sx]

^^^This, I slapped my PFC, ran just a timing map from Steve Shadows, still on the pre-loaded fuel map from Apexi, the car is night and day difference over the stock ECU.

[KendallH]

In my experience with RBs (both my own, and a few friends who run them), the stock ECU seems very finicky. It seemed like it was always looking for the perfect set of conditions to run right, and threw a fit if that wasn't the case. Anyone who ever talks to me about RB swaps now, I always tell them just to get a standalone, don't even waste time.

[2.5T_/<ouki]

It actually has pull now and feels like VTC is kicking in! :D
Night and day difference in my car now. When the turbo starts spooling it just pulls !!!

@SilEighty i think im going to hang onto it just in case. Thanks tho :P

[fliprayzin240sx]

RB25 ECU's are dookie. from what ive read on the aussie Forums if you boost more than Factory boost, the ECU will pull timing and Dump fuel to prevent detonation.

Mine feels the same way. I installed my Hyper Gear turbo on my RB and with boost @ .6 bar and felt slower, put my Stock turbo back on and felt "better".


but hey if you decide to sell that ECU let me know lol

You dont need to buy an ECU, you need to look for a damn PFC!!! You thought about selling your Hyper Gear turbo?;)

[2.5T_/<ouki]

PFC is so expensive and overkill for a stock setup! :o

[singlecamslam]

Hmm i want a nistune z32 ecu now, seems perfect for a mild setup. Not too terribly expensive either. Gotta go to the junkyards now, i think any z32 ecu works too.

[2.5T_/<ouki]

Hmm i want a nistune z32 ecu now, seems perfect for a mild setup. Not too terribly expensive either. Gotta go to the junkyards now, i think any z32 ecu works too.

Yup! I love it :D
You can get NIStune, ECU, and a tune for the price of just a PFC! I found my NIStune type 2 board on CL for $125!!!

TT/NA/5SPD/AUTO/USDM/JDM/EURO
It doesn't matter. I believe 91' and up tho. Also, you have to solder like 2 things and that's it. There is a full write up on NIStune website about it. Still lets you use VTC also ;).

[username]

Just so you guys know as well enthalpy offers rom tuned z32 plugnplay ecu's for rb25's just like they do for sr20's and ka's. I know its not on their site or posted anywhere but if you email martin he'll be more than happy to set you up with one. Im currently running my rb25 gt3076r setup on an enthalpy tuned z32 ecu and its awesome.

[S14Serge]

This is all great rb info for noons such as myself thanks guys!

[Sileighty_85]

You dont need to buy an ECU, you need to look for a damn PFC!!! You thought about selling your Hyper Gear turbo?;)
yeah i know, Ive been wanting one just everyone wants 1K for a used one.
I guess i could find a cheap used one over here now lol

Nahhhhh, I like it too much lol, plus if i get a missile car over here I might use it on it, if its a R32. lol

[dreamin240sx]

hmm i have never heard of using a z32 ecu for a rb25. so if im understanding this right you can send a z32 ecu to enthalpy get it tuned and run a completely stock rb which in return will run better?? also sileighty stated that the stock rb ecu gets all dookie when you turn the boost up?? so does the z32 ecu fix this issue?

[username]

When i purchased my enthalpy tune it was $450 which included him supplying the ecu. Meaning you dont have to send one to them and you keep your stock rb25 ecu. I switched over to this when i put my bigger turbo setup on so i have no feedback for a stock turbo setup. It was a direct plug n play, i didnt have to do any splicing or repinning.

[dreamin240sx]

soo are you talking about the z32 ecu? if so what did you get it tuned for just stock and a z32 maf??

[username]

Yes for $450 you would be receiving a z32 rom tuned ecu tuned for your mods (ie: turbo, maf, injectors, etc just like their rom tunes offered for sr/ka's) for your rb25. now im not sure as to compatibility of s2/neo rb25's as mine is a s1, email enthalpy for more info on that.

My setup is a gt3076r, 550cc injectors, z32 maf, greddy style manifold with q45 tb.

[dreamin240sx]

awesome man appreciate the info

[s13Kurt]

So does anybody know if the z32 ecu will work with an RB20?

[username]

Rb20 ecu's can be rom tuned themselves. The use of the z32 ecu for rb25's is to retain the VCT feature. If you dont care about vct then you can run a rom tuned rb20 ecu on your rb25.

[2.5T_/<ouki]

Go with the z32 ECU for sure!
My RB25 is a beaaaast now thanks to NIStune.

@username, so your tune isn't fine tuned then? Basically it's not tuned for maximum performance correct? Because if it were hooked up to a dyno and fine tuned wouldn't that be better? I'm pretty much doing what you're doing as I running a stock RB25 image on my z32 ECU w/ NIStune. It's night and day diff but I have yet to fine tune it.

I may even sell the NIStune and go this route if its good! I wanted a tune for better performance but honestly mainly for better gas mileage. If the it that doesn't do that I guess I'll just stick with NIStune and fine tune it down the road.

[username]

I ended up having martin dyno tune mine to fine tune it but the initial mail in tune was pretty good by itself just a little on the rich side.

[2.5T_/<ouki]

I ended up having martin dyno tune mine to fine tune it but the initial mail in tune was pretty good by itself just a little on the rich side.

Gotcha so you did hook you car up to a dyno right? How much more was this service?

[username]

Yeah I had martin personally dyno tune it with the chipped z32 ecu. When i was in the process of talking to martin about ordering the initial tune he said that after paying the $450 for the rom tuned z32 ecu that retunes were the same as he offered for sr/ka's where its $100 or $150(cant remember) for another chipped tune that hed mail me. Or he offered that if I wanted a dyno tune that all i'd have to pay is the dyno fee for the shop he uses($100) and he'd do the tunning for free.

[2.5T_/<ouki]

Oh gotcha, so you physically had your car on a dyno, sorry it seems like you did and also didn't lol. Is he stationed out of Florida? I'm in CA and would be impossible to have him dyno it lol.

[username]

Sorry about that. I drove/boosted the car around just fine on the initial mail in tune (just a tad rich). Then about a month later I took it to have him dyno tune it because I had the time and he's kinda local. He's located in Tampa Florida. Might want to talk to him but i dont see why you couldnt get the initial mail order tune and if its not perfect send him a dyno print out or a/f data log and have him make an adjustment.

[2.5T_/<ouki]

Sorry about that. I drove/boosted the car around just fine on the initial mail in tune (just a tad rich). Then about a month later I took it to have him dyno tune it because I had the time and he's kinda local. He's located in Tampa Florida. Might want to talk to him but i dont see why you couldnt get the initial mail order tune and if its not perfect send him a dyno print out or a/f data log and have him make an adjustment.


Ok gotcha! Makes sense now, thanks. Unfortunately I don't have a wideband so I have no way of data logging it. Also a dyno run just to get print outs would also run me money haha. I'm wondering what my afr are right now with my NIStune base tune. Haha I hope I'm not super lean and about to blow this motor.

[Yellow4g63]

So does anybody know if the z32 ecu will work with an RB20?

I'm selling my Nistuned RB20 ECU soon since I have a AEM for mine.

[TOVI]

Just so you guys know as well enthalpy offers rom tuned z32 plugnplay ecu's for rb25's just like they do for sr20's and ka's. I know its not on their site or posted anywhere but if you email martin he'll be more than happy to set you up with one. Im currently running my rb25 gt3076r setup on an enthalpy tuned z32 ecu and its awesome.

Do you have any horsepower numbers on the enthalpy tune?

[username]

I didnt get a print out from him as he was in a rush to get another car on the dyno. Car made 360whp on 14psi on a mustang dyno through a 2.75" exhaust. Since then i've added a 3" and notice it pulls slightly better.

[bllabong89]

Username, what other mods have you done?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Xparent Cyan Tapatalk 2

[username]

setup is as follow:
stock internals
arp headstuds
oem headgasket
gt3076r
550cc injectors
38mm tial wastegate
Isis maifold
q45 throttle body
Ceramic coated exhaust manifold/downpipe/wastegate dump

Running the Raw Brokerage turbo setup with their modded stock manifold.

http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq117/ncturbospecv/turbo2.jpg

[2.5T_/<ouki]

Dear baby Jesus that is beautiful man!!
Is that 26 valve covers, cam cover, and coil pack covers? Or I that noob and that is a 26 w/ 25 exhaust mani? Nonetheless, looks beautiful.

[username]

Haha thanks man. It's just 26 covers on a 25

[mantas]

Dear baby Jesus that is beautiful man!!
Is that 26 valve covers, cam cover, and coil pack covers? Or I that noob and that is a 26 w/ 25 exhaust mani? Nonetheless, looks beautiful.

HAHA, No ITBS and injectors. Gives it away. But dude i have a nistune that has rb25 base maps loaded and set for a z32 ecu. I'm affraid to try it out until i can get it tuned. How is the car running overall without a tune? Idle ok? etc.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Damn, how you like that setup?

[2.5T_/<ouki]

HAHA, No ITBS and injectors. Gives it away. But dude i have a nistune that has rb25 base maps loaded and set for a z32 ecu. I'm affraid to try it out until i can get it tuned. How is the car running overall without a tune? Idle ok? etc.

Haha, dude I was afraid to put it in till I got a tune also but I was just like what the heck! Put it in and it started right up without any hiccups or hesitation. Took it for a drive and its night and day difference! Pulls like a monster! Idle is perfect as well. I'm running a z32 ECU, NIStune type 2 w/ RB25 base map (stock). I like it so much better that I left the ECU in ;).

I'm thinking because the rb25 ECU can only see 7psi, anymore and it pulls timing. I'm not sure about the z32 ECU and psi but I'm thinking it doesn't pull timing at a certain psi!

[username]

Damn, how you like that setup?

If you're asking me I love it. Super responsive and fast spool. I'm kinda still up in the air about picking up a set of poncams for a little more midrange but my 8k redline is kind making me worry as far as going bigger than stock.

[mantas]

[QUOTE=2.5T_/

Fuck im such an idiot!!! I was sick whole week and typed ECU but meant to say Z32 MAF. Changed the answer completely but i guess thats a good example of why terminology and proper communication goes hand in hand. Im really curious now to try that thing out. But first ill get my wideband fixed so at least i know my afrs. I will definitely report back with results once i know. Btw you got a wideband? If so how are the afrs?

[fliprayzin240sx]

I wonder if I can slap a GT35 under the stock manifold...but 360whp on a GT3076 on a T3 flange, that seems kinda low doesnt it? You tried cranking the boost up more? Figured you should be able to push it up to 20-22 psi with no issue, assuming you wont be spiking.

[username]

Yeah it's only on 14psi. It's plenty for now with the local drift tracks. If I wanted I see no problem in cranking it up to 22psi but for now 14 psi is a good power level for the driving I do. It's a nice conservative tune that leaves a lot of room to go higher if I choose to.

[feito]

Allow me to revive this thread.
I have a question and I think it fits perfectly on this thread: what exactly makes a nistuned z32 ECU make an rb25det run better than it does with it's original ECU when they both have the same maps loaded into them? Is it the fact that with the nistuned z32 ECU you get to upgrade to a less shitty maf than the n60 maf, preventing the ecu from getting an excessive maf reading and going into R&R mode? Because if Im understanding this right, both fuel and ignition maps stay the same, correct? and that includes the knock maps, which is also another big deal with the rb25.
I also have nistune on my daily rb25 240, but it's not a stock engine, so that's a different story. I do have another 240 with a stock rb25 on the works right, and having gone through the whole finicky rb25 stock ecu deal, I am considering getting nistune with the stock map for this one too.
Can someone experienced with nistune explain this to me?