RB tune

[kidslice]

Anyone have any info on good tunes for the RB25 S1? Heard good things about haltec and micro but bad reviews on apex's PFC.Going for 350-400whp daily. Swapped it into an s13 using WS harness. Also, freddy intake and top mount T3 garret. using FPR for now. Still learning so sorry if more info is needed. Thanx!

[MADE]

What bad reviews did you get on the PFC?

For a daily, Id get a PFC and a tune by a professional shop and call it a day.

I've used PFC's for over a decade, Hal Tech has alot of features that PFC doesnt.

But at the end of the day, do you really need it.

My motto never get caught up in the upsell or hype.

[fliprayzin240sx]

I think the issue is that there are fewer and fewer folks stateside who are willing or can tune a PFC. AEM blows it out of the water since you can do alot more and have better support, for about the same amount of money.

[kidslice]

I read on a thread that PFC was not the best. Did'nt say why and thats why I'm askin u guys that run them. Looked up Hal tec last nite and that shit is speeeeeendy lol.Plus a lot more than I need for a daily driver it seems. I'll look up the name in the last post tonite and see where I get. Why do I need to have it tuned at a shop? Too hard to do it by myself?? I was told to look up PFC by a good friend ( UTI graduate ) and the consult tool seems like it would be easier than having to plug in a comp and make sure all the software runs right in the comp first before u can play with perameters. And from what I saw on the apex site it seems like the PFC for the RB25 is no longer in prodution and will be best found from a second party. What cha thank?

[fliprayzin240sx]

Well, do you know how to tune? Aint exactly a simple plug and play. From my initial impression and basing it all on this post...I'm pretty sure the answer is no.

This is coming from somebody who's had PFC for the last 7 yrs, my knowledge to tune is still fairly limited just cuz I'm worried of blowing up my engines.

My advice to you is find a tuner/shop near you and ask them what they prefer to tune. Based on them is what I would run if you're not going to be tuning it yourself.

[MADE]

Within the past 3-4 they went back into production on Series II and NEO PFC's.
Flipray did mention a good point, you have to find someone who can tune your EMS.
I recommend a shop, tuning is an art, I have paid for tuning in the past that was a waste of time and money. Thinking back on it, I paid someone who had no background just someone who did his own and started collecting money doing others.(My fault) I have also paid a Apexi Power Excel shop and got a shitty deal also. So I highly suggest picking a professional shop with experience using your EMS and talk to them and see what the recommend.

[aga]

the power fc is a perfectly capable ecu for a street car, it's cheap, it's plug n play, and it has the commander which saves you tons of money on gauges, and you can adjust things on the fly without having to have a laptop along.

however, if you re gonna tune it yourself you re gonna have to have an FC datalogit box, which will set you back another 300$

[Kingtal0n]

I've tuned 850RWHP RB26DETT with a power FC

I am sure you can tune your little juice with it too

[supersayianjim]

If you are aiming for low numbers like that. simply get a nistune. I did this with a tune o threw together in 15 mins on the way to the dyno. I could had done way better but was making out at 9afr. I do have some mods here and there(injectors tubo etc).

http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t493/supersayianjim2/project%20s-rb%202/s13dynorun5-14_zps787e95d5.jpg

[skazat]

^^^holy cow why is your run so choppy?

As for what ems to use? I prefer AEM if you're doing it yourself, its very straight forward and easy to use, do yourself a favor and go speed density if you havent already. I tuned my rb25 with a few mods up to 375 at the wheels

Im currently in a sr20 with a PFC and while Im making it work it sure makes things a little more complicated on the commander.

If you're not going to tune it yourself then just talk to who is tuning your car and ask for their preference.

[skazat]

^^^holy cow why is your run so choppy?

As for what ems to use? I prefer AEM if you're doing it yourself, its very straight forward and easy to use, do yourself a favor and go speed density if you havent already. I tuned my rb25 with a few mods up to 375 at the wheels

Im currently in a sr20 with a PFC and while Im making it work it sure makes things a little more complicated on the commander.

If you're not going to tune it yourself then just talk to who is tuning your car and ask for their preference.

[supersayianjim]

choppy because I have an "IDEA" of what iam doing not the full jisp of it. so this what happens when I clob something together. my daily map is much smoother. still have no ideal about the other maps..

[smoked240]

I went aem and have never been happier! Can't wait until it's running again. I trailer it 4 hours to have tuned by someone who is good with aem and E85.

I'll always go aem with my rb's.
Good luck!

[aga]

I went aem and have never been happier! Can't wait until it's running again. I trailer it 4 hours to have tuned by someone who is good with aem and E85.

I'll always go aem with my rb's.
Good luck!

series 1 2 or infinity?

[smoked240]

series 1 2 or infinity?

Sorry I should have stated! Series 2.

[Tom N]

The Pfc is missing 2 simple yet important features IMO. The ability to log with out buying more software and a simple built in 2 step. I would use nistune before a Pfc and I'm not a big fan of nistune either. It's also limiting.

[aga]

The Pfc is missing 2 simple yet important features IMO. The ability to log with out buying more software and a simple built in 2 step. I would use nistune before a Pfc and I'm not a big fan of nistune either. It's also limiting.

The FC is an excellent street tuned and basic trackday ecu, those things you're asking are pure racing stuff, so you should be looking into one of the big guys.

[Tom N]

I don't see the ability to log what your motor is doing as pure racing stuff. If you intend your car to just be a regular everyday car then the factory ecu is good enough.

[aga]

as long as it's done and tuned, you don't need to log anything. logging all the time IS pure racing stuff because those cars run on the edge all the time, so they have to keep an eye on everything, and also tune for different conditions.

[kidslice]

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INFO GUYS!!!!!!!!!! I think I'm gunna look into the PFC and compare with nismo. I read quite a bit on self tuning and it seems like it's a skill best developed over time cautiously. U guys %@$# ROCK!!! I was hope'in I'd get some ideas from u guys! Thanx again. I'll post up here soon when I'm lookin at ordering a tune. Need new trans mount and motor mounts first lol! Kid who had it before mounted a knock off Zero Lift upside down and backwards! Don't ask me! But it's in there and tooootaly wrong lmao! Cheers!

[rastaman]

Bought my 240 it has a rb25 with PFC..I am new to both and leaning slow with it..so far it is very easy to use and navigate thru the menus. I have not mess with any tuning stuff cause I don't have a wide band yet + I'm afraid I screw something up..I called apexi and they walk me thru all the settings great tech support.. I will be calling them again when I get my wide band. My car is a stock street car and daily with basic bolt on mods..PFC does a great job and it runs and pulls very nice..GL

[fliprayzin240sx]

If you have a PFC, its a great idea to invest on a FC Datalogit. What you can do on the commander is limited, datalogit just opens it up with a lot more options that you wont see on the hand controller.

[aga]

the only way to properly tune is through the datalogit. i suggest you go to an EFI university course or read a couple of books before you start tuning. i suggest those two for starters

http://www.amazon.com/Modify-Management-Systems-Motorbooks-Workshop/dp/0760315825/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1410268689&sr=8-7&keywords=ecu+tuning

http://www.amazon.com/Street-TurbochargingHP1488-Installation-High-Performance-Turbocharger/dp/1557884889/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410268675&sr=8-1&keywords=street+turbocharging

[kidslice]

EFI university course?

[aga]

i gotta google it for you?

http://www.efi101.com/

[AWD260R]

i gotta google it for you?

http://www.efi101.com/

I definitely want to take this class.

[Darius]

For your power goals, PFC is very user friendly for an entry-level tuner and more than capable. However, as others have said, you have to spend the extra $300 for Datalogit logging software. It makes things SOOO much easier than trying to do anything on the hand controller.

It is a plug and play system like Nistune, but I have no experience with Nistune so I can't comment much on it. Many RB guys run it, so it has to be well sorted out.

[aga]

nistune is more capable than a power fc. just download the sofware and have a look around the settings, you'll be surprised what a stock ecu can do.

[Kingtal0n]

I think the issue is that there are fewer and fewer folks stateside who are willing or can tune a PFC. AEM blows it out of the water since you can do alot more and have better support, for about the same amount of money.

There was a PFC S14 sr20det on ebay just now for $350 shipped. RB PFC is more rare, but you see them for $500 all the time. Now, you wont find that kind of deal on an AEM, ever.

As to the main reason to go AEM over PFC... there really isn't one if you are on a budget. Both of them can do what stand-alones do best: the car will drive and make power.

The AEM has an advantage when it comes to drivability on big cammed/ported engines. It will start the engine more reliably if you set it up right, it will tip in throttle enrichment properly where the PFC will not, it will control the idle speed better overall, you have WAY more control over the engine when kicking on the A/C compressor for instance, you can really fine-tune everything (you have more control than the PFC will ever give you)

But at the end of the day, both ecu will run an engine just fine. To save $1200~ and deal with the slight annoyances is fine for some. Especially if you can pick a used PFC up for $350!!!

[AJZax]

There may be some nay-sayers, but RS-Enthalpy ECUs are very capable. Most people who bash don't understand how tuning actually works. RS-Enthalpy rom tunes (mail order) are very on point. A couple dyno pulls and they can be perfected. Simplest way to explain, is the RS-Enthalpy ECU is as tunable as a power-fc. Martin, the owner of RS-Enthalpy, flies around the states doing dynotuning sessions. I coordinate NW (WA state) dyno sessions. I have more first hand experience with these ECUs than most people do. My car made 510whp 440tq on 1200cc injectors (SR20) with GT3076r with RS-Enthalpy ECU. Dynotuned. Tuning was done after 2 pulls. His mail order tunes are on point even.

He even had an SR20VET setup making 760whp RS-Enthalpy tuned that was daily driven and track abused. Reliable for over a year now and drove like stock.

Essentially ALL ECUs control fuel maps and ignition timing maps. They all are based off the same physics and chemistry (using ideal gas law) so map or maf based. It's still monitering the amount of air through the engine. The timing and fuel maps are very adjustable.

Martin dynotunes 400-500whp RB25 enthalpy equipped cars a few times a month normally. RB25 500whp is magic. :)

If you're in the northwest I can take care of you and get you on a dyno in WA. It's possible to dynotune in Oregon, we did a small event at PSI. But we normally do dyno sessions in Port Orchard, WA.

$1,200 for standalone, +$300-500 to dynotune
or
$400 for enthalpy ECU and $80 for dyno hook up (shop we use charges this much)
$480 said and done? Same end result.

Now... "not all tunes are created equal" lol
We've fixed tunes from a few "reputable" shops in the NW.
Just because someone has a dyno doesn't mean they know how to tune.
Experience and in depth understanding is what it really takes.
Martin Struk has been tuning with his own company since 2001 and has tuned literally thousands of cars. From stock sr20s, to 1000+whp r35s and 900whp sr20s etc. twin turbo LSx, blabla you name it. If you meet him, he's a walking, talking encyclopedia lol. He is respected across the nation by many experienced individuals. He is often referred to as "one of the very best in the states". I only do basic ass tunes to make standalones run before dynoday, but always let him take care of the real tuning lol.

SOOOO just an idea lol. Save yourself roughly a grand.

[Tom N]

There may be some nay-sayers, but RS-Enthalpy ECUs are very capable. Most people who bash don't understand how tuning actually works. RS-Enthalpy rom tunes (mail order) are very on point. A couple dyno pulls and they can be perfected. Simplest way to explain, is the RS-Enthalpy ECU is as tunable as a power-fc. Martin, the owner of RS-Enthalpy, flies around the states doing dynotuning sessions. I coordinate NW (WA state) dyno sessions. I have more first hand experience with these ECUs than most people do. My car made 510whp 440tq on 1200cc injectors (SR20) with GT3076r with RS-Enthalpy ECU. Dynotuned. Tuning was done after 2 pulls. His mail order tunes are on point even.

He even had an SR20VET setup making 760whp RS-Enthalpy tuned that was daily driven and track abused. Reliable for over a year now and drove like stock.

Essentially ALL ECUs control fuel maps and ignition timing maps. They all are based off the same physics and chemistry (using ideal gas law) so map or maf based. It's still monitering the amount of air through the engine. The timing and fuel maps are very adjustable.

Martin dynotunes 400-500whp RB25 enthalpy equipped cars a few times a month normally. RB25 500whp is magic. :)

If you're in the northwest I can take care of you and get you on a dyno in WA. It's possible to dynotune in Oregon, we did a small event at PSI. But we normally do dyno sessions in Port Orchard, WA.

$1,200 for standalone, +$300-500 to dynotune
or
$400 for enthalpy ECU and $80 for dyno hook up (shop we use charges this much)
$480 said and done? Same end result.

Now... "not all tunes are created equal" lol
We've fixed tunes from a few "reputable" shops in the NW.
Just because someone has a dyno doesn't mean they know how to tune.
Experience and in depth understanding is what it really takes.
Martin Struk has been tuning with his own company since 2001 and has tuned literally thousands of cars. From stock sr20s, to 1000+whp r35s and 900whp sr20s etc. twin turbo LSx, blabla you name it. If you meet him, he's a walking, talking encyclopedia lol. He is respected across the nation by many experienced individuals. He is often referred to as "one of the very best in the states". I only do basic ass tunes to make standalones run before dynoday, but always let him take care of the real tuning lol.

SOOOO just an idea lol. Save yourself roughly a grand.

I agree. He made awesome numbers with my SR20 on a 20g via tuning the factory ecu. And equally important to me is how well the car drives around town under part throttle, even with the a/c running. Only thing I wish the ECU would do is launch control.

[dftsilvia]

im just curious, what are you guys with upgraded turbos n shit running for ignition timing under full boost?