fdmonster

I've been doing some research and was wandering if anyone is using the apexi power fc and what the think of it I had micro tech but it was gone when I got my car back it seems to have a lot of good features but need some info from users of it before I decide on what to do my insurance wont cover the stuff that was stolen off the car because I messed up when I got my insurance anyways all advice welcome just want to get my baby up and running again

1Revvin7

PFC > Microtech

Maxt

I use a power fc currently in my FC, Its a very good system for an FD as plug in, its got decent resolution for mild ported, lower boost (2bar) applications, above 2 bar, its lack of tuning resolution starts to show. Add overlap to it, and it becomes more of an issue. The other downside is you can't program outputs to do what you want them to do in the traditional sense. Having to buy the programming interface as well is a another cost, unless you just take it somewhere to get tuned. Most people opt for the datalogit, the monitor mode in it isn't very good, and the injection values arent represented as the apexi interface, which plots the main injection values as the target a/f. The values really dont change the oepration, but it just gives a meaning to the numbers. The monitor update of the apexi software is also much faster.

The power FC has very stable timing control, its dependable, but only as good as the harness its plugged into, and the tune in it. The base map is an engine killer, its not meant to be driven on. I do like having the commander as an in car monitor.

Signal 2

I'm thinking that the majority of owners rarely run much more than 1 bar (14.5 psi), let alone 2 bar (29 psi)....even on a single turbo. So any shortcomings the PFC might have in that area usually isn't a big concern.

And the base map on the latest version of the PFC is set for the basic bolt-ons...exhaust, intake and IC... and is just fine for those with stock twins. Many owners (myself included) have had absolutely no issues getting the car running well and safely with the base map at stock boost levels. I do recall some talk that the base map on the older versions was not as good. But the latest version has been out for some time. To the OP: IIRC the serial number on the newest version should begin with FD3S4.

BTW Maxt, you may already know about it but just in case, Banzai Racing offers what sounds like a slick adaptor to plug & play the FD PFC into an S4 or S5 FC harness. http://www.banzai-racing.com/

jwteknix

i use the banzi adaptor it made **** pretty easy

Maxt

My car is wired as a fd, I used no adapter nor is any needed, since its using an FD rew engine. The power FC base map, is not a basic bolt on map, its a map that is meant to get the car onto the dyno period, even the 98+ versions have the same warnings. Most people are oblivious to the warnings of driving on the base map, because the warnings are written in Japanese. Its a starting point, for the dyno, but its got way to much advance in it for even a stock car, and its got none of the safeties of the stock ecu that will allow a stock ecu adjust to any car, like knock retard The pfc will display knock, but thats all..

You have your bars mixed up, one bar is vaccuum, 2 bar is 14.5(17 on fd map sensor), 3 bar is 29 psi. Its hard to say what the majority of people are doing or trying, people are trying to run more boost with all the AI fad thats going.. Back in the day people use to say that 12 psi was the end of the world on pump gas, then 15 now it seems like everyone is trying to run 18 +..

Apexi tried to make the high boost resolution better by offering a map sensor thats about 25 psi, instead of a full 3 bar, like the GM that will read to about 31 ish, while it helps by chopping off the often unneeded 25psi plus zone, I find the map is overun if boost control is a little slow. I have set mine up as 21 psi as low boost, and my high boost is 25, but with the maps scaled for a bridgport and those boost levels, you rely on alot on unmapped interpolation between stepped values.. In terms of newer computers, even the cheaper ones, the power fc map is pretty course even at low boost. Its just something to consider for future modifications, if you are going to run near stock boost levels, you really don't need a power FC either.

The PFC is really geared to the Japanese "boost up" system, just about evey shop over there offers it. The idea is a car can be returned to a near stock condition with simple hand tools, to pass inspection, they easily be returned to a modded state aftwerwards. If you don't have to live under that kinda of scenario, there are better choices..

Signal 2

The base map is fine for stock boost levels with a few bolt-ons. Japanese literate or not. And I'm happy that you've found a way to run huge boost, I really am.



But AFAIK, the PFC is the most widely used by the FD community, and hence has the most user support out there. Period. Yeah, there's others, Microtech, Haltech Wolf, Megasquirt et al. But IMHO, PFC is user-friendly and a great bang for the buck. And the OP indicated that budget was an issue.

Maxt

No its not fine for stock boost levels, its a startup only map, being ignorant of what the manafacturer is telling you does not make it "fine".. It's that kind of advice on forums that gives the rx7 the reputation it has.

The Pfc is widely used because its easy, its also not the cheapest option either once you factor in the datalogit or the apexi pro software.. Its a good system and it has its place, but its not for everyone's situation. As far as user friendly, its probably the least user friendly actually since apexi never published the english tuning manuals for public consumption, and most people are just taking stabs in the dark at what half the functions do, most of the user support is useless..