ECU tuning/SAFC/PFC Questions

[K0uk1]

I have little to no knowledge in terms of ECU tuning. I have did however done some research and read a couple of threads on ecu tuning. I read about products such as Apexi Power FC, Greddy E-manage, Enthalpy, etc, etc.

My question is:
1) What is the difference between SAFC and PFC?
2) Are these products difficult to use for someone that had no knowledge of ecu tuning?
3) I have a complete stock s14 kouki (370cc injectors, T28, stock intake, SMIC), I have bolt on mods for this vehicle (FMIC, z32 maf, greddy intake, exhaust system) and I am considering on increasing the boost from 7psi to 12-13psi. Also, I am considering in upgrading turbo and doing top end work next year. What products are would be appropriate in terms of my scenario here.

Thanks.

[Croustibat]

1/
SAFC: put it in the bin, it is a piggyback that "lies" to your ECU to change fueling. Problem is, it also changes timing, and not n a controlled way.

PFC : real new ECU.


Enthalpy : an off the shelf tune. Unsolder the memory chip in your ECU, replace it with a socket, put the new memory chip on the socket. Done. Easy but may not fit your car. These tunes are generic, so are always safe, meaning you never get the full potential from your engine (but then you have safety margin)

2/ yes. You need to understand they are tools. There is no point in getting one if you dont know what to do with it. If you want to tune it yourself, you also need a wideband AFR gauge and sensor, an EGT gauge and sensor, a good knock sensor ... and knowledge about how an engine works.

My advice: you dont know about his, so find someone who could tune your car on a dyno and let him do the work. Where i live you can come at a shop and have your car tuned with the stock ECU (the car gets sensors and a compatible ECU for tuning purpose, then the maps are burned on a memory chip and you can use it like an off the shelf chip). If you can find something similar go for it; the mods you want dont require a new engine management system.


3/ New MAF means new tune. The car may not start without. Same goes with injectors.
If you stick with you current turbo, you just need to add a tune.

Upgrading turbo => gt2871r is a proven good choice, but you will also need new injectors (and a retune). And probably a new gearbox in a near future too :D

[S14_BOSS]

NIStune is also another great option.

[2.5T_/<ouki]

NIStune is also another great option.

Agreed.

SAFC is honestly a waste. I truly could say I will never ever use another one on my cars. It's just a bandaide piggy-back. It "tricks" the ECU by giving it a false voltage MAF reading which honestly could be dangerous. It honestly does not help at all in the idle/closed-loop areas as the O2 is being used and will always try to acheive stoich AFR. (14.7:1) no matter the adjustments you set the SAFC to. You could always unplug the o2 but then you'll run into other problems.

NIStune is a great option for the price.

[K0uk1]

So given in my situation as a novice to ECU tuning. You guys would recommend just getting my ECU tuned by someone or getting my ECU replaced by something like NIStune?

[Rustys14]

So given in my situation as a novice to ECU tuning. You guys would recommend just getting my ECU tuned by someone or getting my ECU replaced by something like NIStune?

Yes, for your situation Enthalpy or having someone else dyno tune your car would be your best bet. If you end up having a shop tune it I would recommend going to see them first and asking what software/system they prefer since most tuners have their own preference. If you want to learn more about tuning making friends and building relationships with people who are experienced tuners is the best way to do it. You can learn a lot by reading stuff online but nothing beats hands on learning from people with actual experience. Tuning is fairly simple but you really have know what you are doing if you don't want to majorly screw something up. It took me a couple years of reading, watching other people and asking questions before I actually felt comfortable enough to tune my own car.