Standalone Ecu Opinions/feedback
02-09-2003, 11:19 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 94
I started this post just to get some feedback from the guys running aftermarket stand alone Ecu's, Power FC Guys, post your feedback also please....I think this will help all others that have to make this decision in the future! Hopefully we will get Haltech users, PFC Users, Wolf Users, Microtech Users, etc etc....
Please include the following in your post..
ECU you are running
PROS - Things you like about it..
CONS - Things you don't like about it.
Installation time..
Anything else worth noting...
Thanks
Anthony
Please include the following in your post..
ECU you are running
PROS - Things you like about it..
CONS - Things you don't like about it.
Installation time..
Anything else worth noting...
Thanks
Anthony
02-09-2003, 11:24 PM
#2
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Posts: 17,839
ECU - Haltech E6k
PROS - Very Easy to tune. Lots of support. Car runs great with it. Hard to setup timing initially
CONS - Can't control OMP, Requires rewiring whole car
Installation time - Approx 1-2 weeks (normal person
)
PROS - Very Easy to tune. Lots of support. Car runs great with it. Hard to setup timing initially
CONS - Can't control OMP, Requires rewiring whole car
Installation time - Approx 1-2 weeks (normal person
02-09-2003, 11:30 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 102
haltech e6k
pros - datalogging, easy to tune, easy to install.. lots of correction maps
cons - have to keep original ECU so my air conditioning switch works =]
oil metering pump issue can be addressed mechanically and easily.
pros - datalogging, easy to tune, easy to install.. lots of correction maps
cons - have to keep original ECU so my air conditioning switch works =]
oil metering pump issue can be addressed mechanically and easily.
02-09-2003, 11:48 PM
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 94
Haltech E6K
PROS - A lot of support, Datalogging, Relatively easy to tune, I like the fact you car can idle just like stock, when cold idle higher, when warm idle at 800etc. You have a lot of control now. Simplifies the entire car and all wiring. Under the hood will look much simpler.
CONS - I hear a lot of guys referring to timing issues, not reliable as far as timing is concerned. I have not seen these issues myself but I do hear it a lot. You need a laptop at all times, not like the WOLF or the PFC....Kinda pain in the *** since you have to factor an old laptop into the overall price, don't forget that.
Installation - Does require re-wiring a lot so installation is time consuming for the beginner.
Overall I have been very satisfied with the Haltech but I have been researching the WOLF, Microtech etc...
Seems like they all miss something here and there..
Wolf - Currently does not offer datalogging but an overall great ecu from feedback from forum members
Microtech - Not too much support at the moment, not too many people running it to get first hand opinions etc..
Motec - a lot of money
Tec III - just do not know enought about it to post anything...
Anthony
PROS - A lot of support, Datalogging, Relatively easy to tune, I like the fact you car can idle just like stock, when cold idle higher, when warm idle at 800etc. You have a lot of control now. Simplifies the entire car and all wiring. Under the hood will look much simpler.
CONS - I hear a lot of guys referring to timing issues, not reliable as far as timing is concerned. I have not seen these issues myself but I do hear it a lot. You need a laptop at all times, not like the WOLF or the PFC....Kinda pain in the *** since you have to factor an old laptop into the overall price, don't forget that.
Installation - Does require re-wiring a lot so installation is time consuming for the beginner.
Overall I have been very satisfied with the Haltech but I have been researching the WOLF, Microtech etc...
Seems like they all miss something here and there..
Wolf - Currently does not offer datalogging but an overall great ecu from feedback from forum members
Microtech - Not too much support at the moment, not too many people running it to get first hand opinions etc..
Motec - a lot of money
Tec III - just do not know enought about it to post anything...
Anthony
02-10-2003, 12:01 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 105
ECU - PowerFC w/Datalogit
PROS- Ignition timing accuracy, plug and play, base
starting map, controls OMP pump, can go back to stock
ECU easily, don't have to rewire car, excellent drivability on extreme vacuum situations, don't have to buy any extra sensors, has built in anti-lag built into clutch pedal, datalogging-can datalog whatever sensors you choose within the ECU including add on superwideband oxygen sensors, also shows what switches are on or off(brake switch, clutch switch, neutral switch, etc.), constant upgrading of software for the Datalogit through the internet(addition of new features keep coming).
CONS- Cannot control PRIMARY injectors that are any bigger than 1000cc's due to the minimum ms limit, support isn't as good as some other ECUs yet, unless you've bought the unit and are on the Datalogit group, not just anyone can go on the website ask questions, and get software upgrades unless you're part of the group(which means buying the Datalogit firsthand).
That's all I can think of for now. If I remember anything else I'll post it, I know that the timing accuracy on the PFC is NO JOKE!!!!, and that's a big factor when it comes to the rotary motor, this ECU can do some "tricks" to make more power by using that to it's advantage, without having to worry about timing safety limits.
PROS- Ignition timing accuracy, plug and play, base
starting map, controls OMP pump, can go back to stock
ECU easily, don't have to rewire car, excellent drivability on extreme vacuum situations, don't have to buy any extra sensors, has built in anti-lag built into clutch pedal, datalogging-can datalog whatever sensors you choose within the ECU including add on superwideband oxygen sensors, also shows what switches are on or off(brake switch, clutch switch, neutral switch, etc.), constant upgrading of software for the Datalogit through the internet(addition of new features keep coming).
CONS- Cannot control PRIMARY injectors that are any bigger than 1000cc's due to the minimum ms limit, support isn't as good as some other ECUs yet, unless you've bought the unit and are on the Datalogit group, not just anyone can go on the website ask questions, and get software upgrades unless you're part of the group(which means buying the Datalogit firsthand).
That's all I can think of for now. If I remember anything else I'll post it, I know that the timing accuracy on the PFC is NO JOKE!!!!, and that's a big factor when it comes to the rotary motor, this ECU can do some "tricks" to make more power by using that to it's advantage, without having to worry about timing safety limits.
02-12-2003, 02:12 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 412
Great thread, as I know I'm going to have to upgrade the ecu after I install downpipe this spring.
What about the AEM? Anybody using that one?
I'm thinking about AEM or PFC. I don't want to take weeks to re-wire my car.
So control is good with the PFC? Ease of install I have heard before is a snap. Heard something about having to cut a wire or two because the harness is for J-spec. True or false?
Thanks all, Tom
What about the AEM? Anybody using that one?
I'm thinking about AEM or PFC. I don't want to take weeks to re-wire my car.
So control is good with the PFC? Ease of install I have heard before is a snap. Heard something about having to cut a wire or two because the harness is for J-spec. True or false?
Thanks all, Tom
02-12-2003, 04:27 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: California
Posts: 22,465
power fc:
pros: easy install, makes it run better, the commander display is nice
cons: uses stock harness (we are seeing lots of harness failures), uses stock crappy ignition sensors
haltech:
pro: easy to learn, flexible, you can put it on everything
cons: hard to master, the haltech crimps are poor
mike
pros: easy install, makes it run better, the commander display is nice
cons: uses stock harness (we are seeing lots of harness failures), uses stock crappy ignition sensors
haltech:
pro: easy to learn, flexible, you can put it on everything
cons: hard to master, the haltech crimps are poor
mike
02-12-2003, 07:43 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: LA, USA
Posts: 1,622
E6k
PRO: I can tune for new parts asap. Easy to use easy to tune, lots of support. Gets a new harness and can be easily replace cheapily. Good bye hot start problem with stock ecu. Engine componets readily available at any part store just about. Reuses the stock componets like CAS and coils, so no extra parts for the FC. I can control almost everything I can thing off. Very dependable, hard racing under the sun or snow. Can trade maps easily with people around the globe.
CON: Gotta log around the laptop to change maps. Would like more injector and timing resolution, e11 offers that. Emmissions. A few timing issues, dont think is as accurate as they say, so i run 2 degree form optimun.
Installation: A few hours now that i know how it works. Took a month to install only spending 2 hours a day and cramped garage and underpower little soldering gun. Hardest part was actually deciding how to and route the harness.
PRO: I can tune for new parts asap. Easy to use easy to tune, lots of support. Gets a new harness and can be easily replace cheapily. Good bye hot start problem with stock ecu. Engine componets readily available at any part store just about. Reuses the stock componets like CAS and coils, so no extra parts for the FC. I can control almost everything I can thing off. Very dependable, hard racing under the sun or snow. Can trade maps easily with people around the globe.
CON: Gotta log around the laptop to change maps. Would like more injector and timing resolution, e11 offers that. Emmissions. A few timing issues, dont think is as accurate as they say, so i run 2 degree form optimun.
Installation: A few hours now that i know how it works. Took a month to install only spending 2 hours a day and cramped garage and underpower little soldering gun. Hardest part was actually deciding how to and route the harness.
02-20-2003, 03:22 PM
#10
Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY to the heart, but got love for all...
Posts: 62
Wolf 3D Version 4.0
PRO: Wayne from www.waynespeed.com :bigthumg: From NYC area. Great full-time tuner, great person... patient and courteous. Hand-held controller is easy to navigate and is a good diagnostic tool. Theft deterent (Car won't start without the controller or pin). Memory cartridge slots for the on-the-fly switching of maps, etc... One freezing morning, my engine temp was reading negative something; one phone call (to Wayne) and a few pushes on the hand-held and not a problem anymore.
CON: The ecu is bigger than stock so you gotta find someplace to put it. That's about it, but let's see how well it handles problems that might arise from the upcoming summer months.
I don't know much about the installation process (thanks to T&R and Waynespeed).
PRO: Wayne from www.waynespeed.com :bigthumg: From NYC area. Great full-time tuner, great person... patient and courteous. Hand-held controller is easy to navigate and is a good diagnostic tool. Theft deterent (Car won't start without the controller or pin). Memory cartridge slots for the on-the-fly switching of maps, etc... One freezing morning, my engine temp was reading negative something; one phone call (to Wayne) and a few pushes on the hand-held and not a problem anymore.
CON: The ecu is bigger than stock so you gotta find someplace to put it. That's about it, but let's see how well it handles problems that might arise from the upcoming summer months.
I don't know much about the installation process (thanks to T&R and Waynespeed).