Replacing ECU

[mr299ron]

If I was to replace the ECU with either an aftermarket one (APEXi power fc commander), for example, how simple/tricky is it to replace? What's involved? I've heard of "plug and play" ECU's and I think the APEx is one of them, so I assume it's just to simply unplug one and plug in the other with the cables already in the car?

Would it need to be taken to the dyno to map if brand new? Would there be default maps made for the car?

Would be greatly appreciated if someone could give me an insight into swapping out the ECU.

Cheers
99ron

[Ryan S]

There are base maps available but you couldn't run the car on them full time. To get the most out of one you would need to have it mapped properly.

[craig]

The Apexi PFC is plug and play. Base maps are basically there to allow the car to run.

As Shep says, the car needs to be mapped to car's individual state of tune.

[C35Rob]

What's your budget and your plans for the car? Power fc is the 'go to' ECU for anything but the highest spec big power builds because it's cheap, easy and pretty much any tuner can map it. There are other choices in that price bracket too, you may be able to get hold of a used link etc that's already come off an mr2 for similar money which will be a better choice since they've got knock maps etc

Another option, and in my opinion better than a power fc.. In fact it's not opinion, it's just fact, would be an E-manage ultimate (not blue) they're a piggyback which scares people off but they're actually far more advanced than a PFC, they have more features, will datalog and auto tune out of the box, allow for knock control which the power FC doesn't among other things. And they're cheap.

[mr299ron]

I've heard that the Apexi would be the best option for a plug n play unit, as that is what I would just want.

Rob - why are people not fond of getting these? My guess is they're not plug n play? I'm sure I could look into doing it myself and/or have a known "tuner" garage take a look.

Cheers
99ron

[C35Rob]

You can get plug and play looms for the emanage.

People are blinkered and think because they're a piggyback they must be garbage, greddy dropped the ball by calling it an emanage because people confuse them with the emanage blue which isn't as good as a PFC, there's nothing wrong with a good piggyback, the HKS fcon-v pro is a piggyback, and there's plenty of 800+ bhp skylines and supras running them.

The emanage ultimate will do individual cyl fuel and ign trimming, it can run two additional injectors, the signal from which can be configured to operate as a boost controller or water injection control, it can do two step rev limit (launch control) it retains the Oem knock sensor functionality which the power fc can't (it just counts knock and does nothing about it) and it retains the Oem closed loop 02 sensor feedback which everyone disables in the PFC because it just doesn't work.