Aftermarket ECU questions

Soldato
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18 Oct 2002
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Sussex
For those with turbo jap cars, I'm thinking about my modding route.

I'm not into silly power, apparently intake, exhaust, boost control will see my way to 300BHP.

Now, at the moment I have a relief valve as my boost control - At some point this will be upgraded.

Now, do I save up and get me a nice aftermarket ECU with boost control (do such things exist?!) - getting this nicely mapped will hopefully give me the most reliable power.

Or, do i spend about a 1/3rd of the price an get an electronic boost controller mapped?

Does anyone with any experience of these things have any ideas? I would love the custom mapped ECU, but only if it contained boost control so I can ditch the RV :)
 
I assume that you've got the 3S GTE engine yeah?

If so, I found that the best value ECU was the Apexi Power FC (from Greenlight, around £430 delivered). You can still use your RV but I'd also advise getting a decent boost controller, something like the Blitz SBC.

Once you've got the EBC just get to a decent rolling road and get them to set up the fuelling/timing/boost etc. The 3S GTE runs *very* rich so a good ECU can gain you a nice BHP increase simply by sorting that out.

Have you got a decat yet? That was one of the best mods I ever did to my MR2, makes a massive difference
 
my plan is to get the aussie downpipe and mate it to a full aussie exhaust.

can you not get a boost controller module for the powerfc ?

yeah. i've got the 250bhp 3SGTE as standard, i know these run rich - many of the ppl on the GT4OC actually get better MPG after a good map
 
ah ha, im a plank - just read a little more into it.

and you can get boost controller modules for the power FC, result :)
 
yeah, you can get the solenoid from the Apexi AVC-R fitted with the Power FC but you're better off with a proper EBC to be honest (don't get the Apexi AVC either, they're a nightmare to set up)

Stick with the Blitz SBC, nice and simple but enough features to keep you amused.
 
tbh, not interested in having a flashy face with lots of buttons, I like it to be set up and put in the glovebox :)
 
Hate said:
tbh, not interested in having a flashy face with lots of buttons, I like it to be set up and put in the glovebox :)

The Greddy profec spec II is very simple and has 2 buttons and a knob although you might want to use the hi/low setting but you can get a remote button for it. Ive got one in my car and its very simple to fit and set up and does what it say on the tin.

Ive heard the boost controller on the PFC isnt that great and a seperate boost controller gives you much more flexability to control the boost to how you want. Cant say from experience as Ive never been in a car with one.
 
I would be tempted just to replace your actuator with an adjustable one and set it at 1bar of boost or just over. The greddy profec b psec 2 is a good boost controller but tbh it's not worth the money (I've got one).

The apexi powerfc is an excellent replacement ecu but I would only go down the power fc route if you plan on doing further mods like bigger turbo, injectors etc.

If not I'd recommend a Greddy Emanage. Thor Racing do a good fitting an mapping package for pretty cheap.

And yes, get the decat asap. Big improvement.
 
Vipernet said:
I would be tempted just to replace your actuator with an adjustable one and set it at 1bar of boost or just over. The greddy profec b psec 2 is a good boost controller but tbh it's not worth the money (I've got one).

The apexi powerfc is an excellent replacement ecu but I would only go down the power fc route if you plan on doing further mods like bigger turbo, injectors etc.

If not I'd recommend a Greddy Emanage. Thor Racing do a good fitting an mapping package for pretty cheap.

And yes, get the decat asap. Big improvement.

I've already got a relief valve running 1BAR - I would rather something thats not a ball and spring do it :)

I am planning to go for more power, but slowly - I thought if I get the ECU as a base, then i've got a decent map to start modding with.
 
Hate said:
I've already got a relief valve running 1BAR - I would rather something thats not a ball and spring do it :).

Does it hold boost well? If so no point changing.

There is no need for a low boost 'economy' setting on a turbo either IMO. If you want to save fuel you don't use any boost anyway
 
The ECU would be a definite improvment as the fuelling on the 3S GTE is all over the place. Even just sorting the fuelling on an otherwise standard engine will gain a decent amount of BHP (and would be better on fuel too).
 
eidolon said:
The ECU would be a definite improvment as the fuelling on the 3S GTE is all over the place. Even just sorting the fuelling on an otherwise standard engine will gain a decent amount of BHP (and would be better on fuel too).

Just make sure you put colder spark plugs if your going to lean out the top end to make more power
 
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