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View Full Version : so whats better? Greddy Ultimate E-Manage or Apexi Power FC?


Sky240PWR
09-29-2005, 05:47 AM
well is there anyone using these two differnt systems and if so which one do you recomend?..I can get the Power FC for $795 shipped and I can get the Greddy Ultimate E-Manage for $582 shipped, which one should I get?.....I have a RB25DET and plan on making 500whp when done(250whp for now it's pretty much stock right now)

SHIFT_control
09-29-2005, 07:35 AM
Ummm, why not step up to $1200 and get an AEM EMS, that way you control everything, not just boost and fuel.

kuruptR
09-29-2005, 08:45 AM
Emanage over the power fc. Tuning is a lot easier with emanage...fc's controller sucks nuts. waste of money.

420sx
09-29-2005, 09:03 AM
i beg to differ. my friend has FC on his rb hatch and it looks very presentable and tunable

however, i do really really dig the e-manage. and its cheaper too. so if money not too tight u can get FC and if its too much - emanage. to me they are both great products.

scottie
09-29-2005, 09:47 AM
Does the Emanage allow you to convert to a MAP? How about the AEM? I am looking into the Hydra EMS as well.

-scott

Brian W.
09-29-2005, 09:48 AM
the Power FC is fully programmable guys. And its worth every penny. I am curious where you would be getting one so cheap though... is it from an authorized Apexi Power Excel Shop? IF not you wont have any warranty. You dont have full tuning capability with the commander but it does allow you to make a good amount of changes. Ideally you would want a Power Excel Shop to tune it for you with the PRO software, but since we are few and far between... you could consider the FC-Datalogit software.

Heres some info on the PFC for those that dont know...

http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=87280

SHIFT_control
09-29-2005, 10:59 AM
The AEM is a full stand-alone that does enable the use of a MAP sensor instead of a MAF. Comes with its own wide-band 02 sensor as well.

Brian W.
09-29-2005, 11:10 AM
The Apexi PFC is also a FULL STANDALONE ECU and if you purchase the D-Jetro version it also uses a MAP sensor, It is plug and play like the AEM. The wideband sensor does not come with the AEM ECU it is seperate. you could buy a wideband and set it up with the PFC like we do.

drift freaq
09-29-2005, 11:56 AM
I run a Power FC on my RB and all I can say, is its worth every penny. The thing just rocks. It learns your engine, to the point that it seeks your mods and adjusts accordingly. It also is pretty much a plug in power upgrade over the stock computer, even with base maps. You will notice a difference, right off the bat. I do not know about the Emanage,but I am sold on the PowerFC.

Yoshi
09-29-2005, 12:05 PM
^ x2

wtf is with the PFC knocking?
it's been around the longest and remains on top for those who are heading towards a full race setup. Seriously tho, if u have so many questions about it, seems to me you may not be ready for such a huge step...
Anyone I've ever know that had afull PFC setup LOVED it, and would never change/change back to whatever management they had before.

On the flip side, the eManage w/harnesses should be more than adequate for 99.9% of people.

drift freaq: I friggin hate you Dave. LOL!

trsilvias13
09-29-2005, 12:08 PM
i would get the pfc if they made it for the KA. The aem ems does not cost 1200 or else i would bought one. they go for around 1700. i checked. i thinking about the emanage too, since i never heard anything bad about that. but i will get it rom tune by scott first then emanage for finer tuning and to run a map instead of the maf

-usmd-180sx
09-29-2005, 12:17 PM
+1 for pfc.. Just cause I love apexi :naughty:

Happy240sx
09-29-2005, 12:31 PM
Another PowerFC user...love it.

...and once confortable with it...the commander is quite user firendly. I can rip around that thing no problem.

RSP13-Sideways
09-29-2005, 01:31 PM
^ x2

wtf is with the PFC knocking?
it's been around the longest and remains on top for those who are heading towards a full race setup. Seriously tho, if u have so many questions about it, seems to me you may not be ready for such a huge step...


How does he have so many questions? He asked, "well is there anyone using these two differnt systems and if so which one do you recomend?.."

Anyway, The GReddy Ultimate E-Manage is less expensive and fixed all the bugs they had in their first unit. I would go with the Ultimate E-Manage but that's just me. Apexi is good as well, no knocks but in the end I think it comes down to a money thing. Both do the job well and will end up with the same results.

slider2828
09-29-2005, 01:40 PM
Well I use the blue emanage, although it is like the newer blues with a boost controller and the thing rocks. I mean one thing I have to tell you though, wiring takes a lotta time with the piggy back emanage, but they DO make a plug and play harness at mohdparts.com.... sorry to sell them, just a good resource for diagrams and stuff. + I didn't by mine from them. They also have something called autotune out, which tunes your car based on a wideband sensor automatically. mmm other than that it controls just more the fuel, it has MAP hook ups, Wideband hook ups, multi mapping, fuel, ignition and boost controller (with the E-01). But the E-01 allows you to tune instantly, so that is soweet as well.... I like emanage, just more graphical, on the PFC, the commander is a little too small, so gotta spring for the s/w. Good luck....

Yoshi
09-29-2005, 03:41 PM
How does he have so many questions? He asked, "well is there anyone using these two differnt systems and if so which one do you recomend?.."

Anyway, The GReddy Ultimate E-Manage is less expensive and fixed all the bugs they had in their first unit. I would go with the Ultimate E-Manage but that's just me. Apexi is good as well, no knocks but in the end I think it comes down to a money thing. Both do the job well and will end up with the same results.

Point taken...
I worded that poorly. What I was trying to get across, is that PFC, eManage, and AEM's computers are all hardcore systems that typically require professional techs to tune (at least if u want minimal trial-and-error methods of tuning)... they take a lot of work, a lot of wiring, and A LOT of time. What I was getting at, is that if he's ready to take such a plunge, he could definitely stand to do more research, cuz unless you can sit down at a car on the dyno and tune away on someone's car you've never touched... guess what? you could stand to learn more. 2 years or so ago, I sat down with my friend's self-translated PFC manual, and even tho it was in english (mostly) I had a newed respect for guys that can dyno tune w/these management systems... it might as well have been friggin hebrew to me.

ZK
09-29-2005, 04:03 PM
It's not about the system. Some are more powerful than others but it does come down to the person who is tuning the car and their familarity with the system. I had Power FC in my car and tuned by someone who was supposed to be a very good tuner but was not familiar with the Power FC nor Nissans. The end result was a expensive tune and a blown motor.

Pick your tuner before you pick a system. These aren't things you want to mess around with yourself if you don't know what you are doing.

BTW, the preprogrammed map on the Power FC are not very good. It's a safe mode to allow you to get the car running so you can get it tuned.

drift freaq
09-29-2005, 04:50 PM
It's not about the system. Some are more powerful than others but it does come down to the person who is tuning the car and their familarity with the system. I had Power FC in my car and tuned by someone who was supposed to be a very good tuner but was not familiar with the Power FC nor Nissans. The end result was a expensive tune and a blown motor.

Pick your tuner before you pick a system. These aren't things you want to mess around with yourself if you don't know what you are doing.

BTW, the preprogrammed map on the Power FC are not very good. It's a safe mode to allow you to get the car running so you can get it tuned.

^^^^^^^^
Some very good points here. If you cannot tune your car with a computer yourself, then you do need to find a person that knows the particular setup.

As far as the poor base maps on the PFC go, I have found that more to be a problem with SR's, than with RB's, I do not know why? Though that is what I have seen. All the RB's I know that run them love them, hence my reason for going that way. Plus its a standlone computer, its not a piggyback. With current PFC pricing its a pretty reasonable deal as well. These things used to go for over 1k with the commander. Now you can get them for $750 all day long.

Sky240PWR
09-30-2005, 02:53 AM
ok so if I went witht the PFC and controller, what else would I need to make it work?(I know tuned)

chlatboy
09-30-2005, 03:18 AM
nothing. It plugs rite up to where your stock ecu should be. just make sure you get hte right ecu for your motor. There are steps you should take when you first install it too. It is so that the ecu can monitor your car and adjusts its settings.

redsuns3838
09-30-2005, 03:26 AM
i plan to get a power FC pretty soon too. im not really confident in working with fuel maps and what not...do you think i should just get a used power FC for 300 and skip the commander? and just leave tuning up to the shop or should i spend 600 and get the whole thing new?.

Brian W.
09-30-2005, 10:35 AM
im just curious as to where you guys are seeing them so cheap?!?!?!


Personally id get the commander, its handy to make small changes o nthe fly, and GREAT for monitoring things like knock, boost, water temp, etc.


And yes the PFC will learn your car when you plug it in, simply follow the directions and youll be good to go. If you buy a Power FC L-Jetro you can just plug it in, the D-Jetro requires 2 wires be added for the Air intake temp sensor.

kuruptR
09-30-2005, 11:38 AM
you can upgrade emanage with a presure sensor unit (map sensor) = no mafsensor ?

slider2828
09-30-2005, 12:32 PM
you can upgrade emanage with a presure sensor unit (map sensor) = no mafsensor ?

That is correct. The map sensor replaces the mafs sensor... In general, MAP sensors are more accurate in tuning because it measures air pressure in the environment and compares it to the intake pressure. MAFS just takes into account the flow into the intake, but air can be thinner or thicker pending on elevation. MAPS don't have that problem really...

scottie
09-30-2005, 03:55 PM
I am a very satisfied Apexi PFC user. I am actually upgrading to the D-Jetro version. I love the features and the fact that you dont have to lug around a laptop like the AEM to view all your engine diagnostics. Furthermore, if you want the Emanage to equal the PFC w/commander, you will end up spending the same amount people because you either have to have a laptop or you have to buy the E-01 Boost Controller to view engine parameters like the PFC commander. Best bang for the buck by far is Apexi. The AEM would be a great choice if you already had a laptop and didnt mind spending an extra $700. This my opinion of course.


-scott

redsuns3838
10-01-2005, 12:54 PM
how can you tell if it is L Jetro or D jetro? I sthere a way to tell by the serial number or appearance?

NZO
10-01-2005, 06:34 PM
PFC no question but if youre willing to pay more and are actually going to use the additional features AEM is nice. I was looking at AEM instead of my PFC but I really didnt need all the stuff it can do. I'm not even going to get into why the PFC is better but I'll just say, its been around for quite a while and is very widely in use.

Also someone mentioned datalogit, wait for FC-Tune to be realeased if you want even more features and control over your car.

EchoOfSilence
10-01-2005, 09:55 PM
what about bikirom?

FRpilot
10-02-2005, 09:04 AM
Also someone mentioned datalogit, wait for FC-Tune to be realeased if you want even more features and control over your car.

what is datalogit and what is FC-Tune?

NZO
10-02-2005, 03:24 PM
FC-Tune - http://home.comcast.net/~nzo/fctune_info.html
Datalogit - http://www.fc-datalogit.co.nz/fc-datalogit.html

Datalogit is on massive backorder and the manufacturers are very unresponsive. There is a yahoo groups message board for all members but tons of people are unable to access it because the datalogit guys never invite them or reply to their requests. FC-Tune on the other hand is being developed by a very knowledgeable guy in Germany who posts updates every few days on rx7club.com and is taking suggestions and input from users. His box will also be updateable (via flashing the firmware) while datalogit's box is not.

Brian W.
10-02-2005, 03:51 PM
Apexi will also be releasing a public software soon. It will have commander like features yet it will be software based and more user friendly for tuning purposes then the Commander is. Though it wont have the same features and access as the FC PRO software given to us Power Excel dealers, it will be better then the commander.

240_sx_guy
10-25-2005, 12:45 AM
Sorry to revive this but it seems like an unfinished topic.

To conclude, emanage ultimate = can switch from mafs to map sensor, has built in data logit capabilities, cheaper.

Power fc = plug and play installation, can program using commander, need to buy new power fc d jetro to switch from mafs to map (additional ~$900) and need to buy datalogit from new zealand ($250?) for datalogging capability, datalogit currently on backorder.

I also understand that the emanage ultimate has a target a/f ratio feature that can be used to create a basemap to facilitate tuning vs power fc's (inferior?) basemap (someone correct me if I am wrong)

both have the same resolution ignition/fuel maps? sounds like emanage ultimate for teh win.

big-byrd
10-25-2005, 10:45 AM
what about bikirom?

any takers?

trsilvias13
11-29-2005, 01:47 PM
bump from the past..

anyone find a good price for the emanage ulitmate? any input from users? When this thread was presented, the emanage was pretty new. Just want to see people experience because I want to buy myself a christmas present. :drool:

owinbush
12-10-2005, 07:13 AM
bump, any emanage ultimate who would say it sucks. I know the power fc is a great product but I really want to hear about how good or bad emanage ultimate is.

trsilvias13
12-10-2005, 11:44 AM
i order my emanage already.. review going to come soon after i install. btw was this is for a ka24de.. can i run 550cc injector na just to play with it? and dont worry i aint that retarded, i going turbo in a month or so

santacruisin
01-13-2006, 01:33 PM
i order my emanage already.. review going to come soon after i install. btw was this is for a ka24de.. can i run 550cc injector na just to play with it? and dont worry i aint that retarded, i going turbo in a month or so

Likewise...I ordered my PowerFC with D-Jetro and it should be here from Japan in a couple of weeks. It's going on my blacktop SR20. My tuner is very knowledgable with the PowerFC and he tuned several SR's with it in the past. Just as a reference my car is making 230whp on the dyno now with a crappy basemap on a JUN ECU (leaning out). The shop said it should be at or around 360whp after tuning is completed. I'll post my experience with it so we can compare to the eManage. :bigok:

kingsol
01-13-2006, 04:04 PM
Likewise...I ordered my PowerFC with D-Jetro and it should be here from Japan in a couple of weeks. It's going on my blacktop SR20. My tuner is very knowledgable with the PowerFC and he tuned several SR's with it in the past. Just as a reference my car is making 230whp on the dyno now with a crappy basemap on a JUN ECU (leaning out). The shop said it should be at or around 360whp after tuning is completed. I'll post my experience with it so we can compare to the eManage. :bigok:

who's tuning it and what turbo are you running?

santacruisin
01-13-2006, 04:33 PM
Runnin a Greddy T517Z I believe. ALso have Greddy intake and exhaust manifolds, wastegate, BOV, Sard FPR, FMIC, 550cc inj., cams, and some mystery internal JDM parts forged in the spirit of the ancestors on the peak of Mt. Akina :naughty:

Tuned by a certain shop in Hayward that only takes select folks from here on out :coolugh: :coolugh:

When I get a new clear coat for the paint and my chargespeed kit I'll post up the full list of shiznit and pics in the member's ride section. Till then I'll let yall know how the PFC worked out, I'm sure its gonna be crazy! :2f2f:

andrewmp6
01-14-2006, 05:03 AM
im gonna run a power fc if not id get a http://www.sdsefi.com/

Brian W.
01-14-2006, 03:10 PM
Likewise...I ordered my PowerFC with D-Jetro and it should be here from Japan in a couple of weeks. It's going on my blacktop SR20. My tuner is very knowledgable with the PowerFC and he tuned several SR's with it in the past. Just as a reference my car is making 230whp on the dyno now with a crappy basemap on a JUN ECU (leaning out). The shop said it should be at or around 360whp after tuning is completed. I'll post my experience with it so we can compare to the eManage. :bigok:

Waiting for PFC from Japan?!?! You should have called us, we have them on the shelf.