Ok, I've got ic, intake, cb, and soon a dp. I'm using the home depot boost controller to keep my boost to around 10psi. I feel like I should have some type of ECU to keep me rich enough. First, do I even need one if I keep the boost under control? Second, I'm far away from any tuners or anything. If I did get an ECU, I'd need something that was SAFE without me messing with it (I could probably learn how to tune properly, but I don't want to learn on MY car). What should I do?



By the way, sorry for asking this question; I know it's been asked a million times. I just want some interactive advice.

I think you're probably borderline for needing an ECU. If you keep your boost in check you'll probably be OK, but if you'd rather be safe, and have your car run better as a bonus, an ECU wouldn't hurt. Based on your level of mods, I would think you could get a Pettit-style modified stock ECU or a PFC. The PFC gives you (or someone who knows how to do it) the ability to fine tune it later, but could probably be set up with a map designed for your level of mods. The Pettit-style ECU (M2 ECU is the same thing) can be tuned, but I don't think anyone actually does it...usually, they set it up to enrich fuel and modify timing to suit basic modifications...it should work fine for you. Its a bit cheaper than the PFC, although brand new not drastically so.



jds

the power fc is by far your best choice



mike

Ok, but I get confused by all the stuff you can buy for it: commander, datalogit? Do I need all that stuff, or do I need just the main unit?



Is there a preferred place to buy them pre-programmed?



Thanks for the help.

Datalogit is a computer-based interface to the PFC. the Commander is the in-car PFC controller/display. You only need the main unit, the Commander and Datalogit are for tuning and feedback.



SR Motorsports sells "tuned" PFC's, and I understand they do a good job of it.

Cool, thanks.

you should be able to download some maps of your basic mods for a PFC.



if PFC is your choice, check out the group buy section...

Here is my .02, if you dont want to learn to tune and you dont have access to a good tuner get a Pettit unlimited chip. You can buy one used for $500 or less then if you even need to get a PFC you can sell it, get all your money back and buy a PFC.



A power FC can be dangerous in the wrong hands and no matter what if you have it all sitting there you will be tempted to **** with it. Just get the Pettit unlimited chip plug it in and dont ever worry about it again untill you get to the stage that you need larger injectors.



STEPHEN

Thanks for giving me the other side of the story. A "black box" that I can plug in and never worry about is exactly what I want. But just so I understand, I could treat a PFC this way, right? I'd just be paying alot more for it, and I'd have to resist the urge to f* around with it (without the commander there's not much I can do, right?).



I worry about buying a used ECU because unless it is tuned for my exact mods it won't be quite as good, right? Even if I hang around the FS board waiting for someone with exactly my mods (they are pretty common), they might not be honest, and then I'd be screwed. Hmmm...

the pfc makes the car run a lot better, you just have to leave it alone, and also the potential is there if you want to tune the car



mike

Ok, I'm probably going to regret asking this, but how does the PFC make the car run better? Is it because it has higher resolution? Is there any other reason?

its a faster processor



mike

PMC (peter farrels purple box,or Power management controller) has a eight bit processor.

The Apexi PFS is a 16 bit processor.



Honestly unless you know how to tune the car I would leave it be for the time being and get either a Pettit unlimited tuned ECU

Or get the M2 stage III ecu.

Either will put in enough fuel to keep you on the road..

I see people say this all the time, and to be honest it bugs me. There is no logical reason an 8-bit processor running at a slow (for computers) speed cannot run an ECU just as well as anything else, in terms of making the car run properly. I do believe the PFC probably makes the car run better when tuned properly, and there are obvious advantages to having the more powerful processor, but the two shouldn't have anything to do with each other.



jds

Very few, if any, of the Pettit or M2-style ECUs on the market are tuned for the original owner's exact mods. The tuners developed a couple of maps based on a standard list of mods and made sure there was plenty of fuel, etc. This whole exact mod thing is a myth. You CAN tune those ECUs if you know what you're doing and you have the right equipment, but I doubt anyone is doing it any more, given how much easier it is to dyno-tune some of the newer ECUs.



jds