Next Upgrade Help Please

[Spirit]

Okay here goes....

1: Have decided I am NOT going to fit NOS
2: Want more power so.....

Do I fit an aftermarket ECU or a boost controller ?

If I go down the boost controller line then which one

Apexi/Blitz/HKS

I see a few HKS EVC's for sale now but only the EVC3 or 4 - not a 5 INSERT INTO post VALUES (second hand). I can pick a EVC4 up for around £200 - will I be disadvantaged at all or is the 5 just more "fancy" in terms of the display/options etc ? Is it worth the extra dosh ?

Any advice you guys - particularly Mo and Dave with your recent exploits

Pete

[BraindG]

go for the boost controller Rhys has

Turbosmart E-Boost roketh!

[zedy1]

the apexi boost control is cool as f11ck and goes well with the aspexi rev/speed meter as you already have one great features too but a pain in the ass to set up correctly

see pic

[enigma]

Mo is right the APEXi is very very cool, it is not the easiest of things to set up......so many settings to play with! With settings comes control though!

Mine was £240 from the US and it rocks.......the turbosmart looks cool though!

[BraindG]

not only does the turbosmart look ok, its sick.. you can set boost levels per gear, for one.. from what ive heard its the dogs bollocks, nothing comes close for the time being... dont take my word.. try google

[SGHOM]

which comes first........ the chicken or the egg ?? onder: boost controller, or ECU upgrade first. onder: or does it not matter ? the reason I'm asking is my car [ when I get the exhaust/induction done ] is going to a specialist tuner. do I buy a boost controller, & then let them upgrade the ecu, or do let them upgrade the ecu ...etc......etc ?? onder: :: onder:

[zedy1]

Originally posted by interlec
which comes first........ the chicken or the egg ?? onder: boost controller, or ECU upgrade first. onder: or does it not matter ? the reason I'm asking is my car [ when I get the exhaust/induction done ] is going to a specialist tuner. do I buy a boost controller, & then let them upgrade the ecu, or do let them upgrade the ecu ...etc......etc ?? onder: :: onder:

dont think u need the boost cobtroler if u upgrade the ecu

[enigma]

I have to concur with Mo, if you get an ECU upgrade they should ask you how much boost you want! With a boost controller you take the chance of running the engine lean. The factory ECU will only be programmed with maps for boost up to say 11 psi, beyond this you rely on the O2 semsor working to increase the amount of fuel that is pumped in to the engine. The O2 sensor will only have a small authority over the fuel, say +/- 5%, once this is saturated engine goes lean and eventually meltdown occurs! Factory ECUs have some protection as they tend to run a little rich anyway, but push it to its limits and there will be tears! Personally I went for the boost controller as I am aware that the turbos only have a certain amount of puff and there is little chance of running of the top of the boost map at high RPM. The only real concern is the injectors not functioning or there not being enough fuel pressure from the pump. It seems from my experience and that of others that 14-15psi is safeish, 13-14psi is safe, and anything lower is for girls!

I see the only reason to get an ECU upgrade if you are after serious, and I mean 450BHP serious, power. Otherwise I think theer are better ways to spend the best part of £3000. INSERT INTO post VALUES (obviously factoring in new turbos, injectors, fuel pump, etc to take advantage of the capability of a new ECU)

My MR2 turbo was modified by and gained about 50BHP using a zener diode and a pen lid with a carefully calibrated hole in it. This cost about 40p and saw me good for 2+ years. A Superchip or similar, or even an ECU would have yielded the same result but left me £700 lighter in the pocket. Knowing that you are a Yorkshireman Derek I am hoping that I am making some sense. Far be if from me though to discourage you if you really want to see the right side of 500BHP, but be warned you will not be driving it often. Its all very well having huge power, but you will not be able to use it every day. Look at the fastest cars at the POD, how many of the 10 and 11 second cars were actually driven there? The SUMO and GT ART Skylines both arrived on trailers.

Thinking about it, I really think I should get in to the car tuning industry. Lots of money to be made from unsuspecting punters! I think my trouble is I like to share things, and I would feel far too guilty tking £500 from someone to install a 40p mod!

OK, that is the end of todays seminar........answers on a postcard.........errr sorry I mean questions!

[zedy1]

Look at the fastest cars at the POD, how many of the 10 and 11 second cars were actually driven there? The SUMO and GT ART Skylines both arrived on trailers.


mine went back home on a recovery truck INSERT INTO post VALUES (saved £50.00 in fuel)

[enigma]

I said the fast ones Mo!

:lolz:

[zedy1]

could you tell us why they arrive on trailors onder:

[BraindG]

Originally posted by zedy1
could you tell us why they arrive on trailors onder:

save the engine for the shopping and the school runs...

[Brind]

Originally posted by zedy1
Look at the fastest cars at the POD, how many of the 10 and 11 second cars were actually driven there? The SUMO and GT ART Skylines both arrived on trailers.


mine went back home on a recovery truck INSERT INTO post VALUES (saved £50.00 in fuel)

LMAO!!!!
Very unfortunate problem though. :INSERT INTO post VALUES (

I would expect fuel would be quite a factor, seeing 18mpg from these cars with only 280bhp and then those cars pushing in the relms of 600bhp??? INSERT INTO post VALUES (don't quote me) I'd very much hate to see their fuel bills.
Plus too much power in general with the gearing suited to acceleration is a complete nightmare to drive normally.

[enigma]

Simple, you just cant drive them on the road, they are too fast and too expensive! Think of an F1 car, its damn quick but needs a rebuild every 200 miles.......take this to the extreme and look at a Top Fuel dragster and it needs an engine rebuild every mile or so!

Also, there are other considerations to think about when trying to build a fast car, no point having 500BHP if the gearbox gives up at 400HP, or the diff can only cope with 450BHP. While it may be perfectly simple and relatively cheap to get 500BHP from our monsters, I think the service intervals would be 45 miles rather than 4500 and that is simply not good!

I am not trying to put anyone off, I just dont want to see disappointed faces when things start going bang! :Cry1:

If you have money to burn then go for it, otherwise being conservative* is the order of the day!

*this statement in no way represents the political bias of the author!

[SGHOM]

Originally posted by bigdaveakers




Thinking about it, I really think I should get in to the car tuning industry. Lots of money to be made from unsuspecting punters! I think my trouble is I like to share things, and I would feel far too guilty tking £500 from someone to install a 40p mod!

OK, that is the end of todays seminar........answers on a postcard.........errr sorry I mean questions!

I bow in the presence of your great knowledge Dave !! from now on, I think I will play "follow my leader ".

[Spirit]

****BREAKING NEWS****

I have just been reliable informed by one of my sources that Apexi have just released the AVC-R2 !

Stocks may be available next week !

No further info as yet but I will post as soon as I know INSERT INTO post VALUES (but may only be £30 more than AVC-R)

[zedy1]

Originally posted by spirit979
****BREAKING NEWS****

I have just been reliable informed by one of my sources that Apexi have just released the AVC-R2 !

Stocks may be available next week !

No further info as yet but I will post as soon as I know INSERT INTO post VALUES (but may only be £30 more than AVC-R)

:Cry1: thats not fair

[Spirit]

Here are some "provisional" prices:

Apexi AVC-R - £310
Apexi AVC-R2 - £340
HKS EVC-5 - £400
Blitz - £300

Prices include P+P

[KiwiTT]

All this talk scares me about modding.

Can't use the car as much ?
... Engine won't last
... Gearbox won't take it
... Rebuild engine every so often.

I bought the VR-4 to use as a daily car.

My planned mods will be ...
... Better Brakes ... Safer
... Better Trans Cooling ... extend its life
... Better rear light cluster ... looks better.

Already have 17" Alloys and Lowered suspension,

The VR-4 is so sweet already. If I wanted a superfast drag car, I would have bought a lightweight car. Acceleration is basically a power to weight equation. So what, if I get beaten occassionally at the lights, at least I can hit and exit corners at speeds it can't reach.

[BraindG]

turbosmart pete seriously!!.. look into it..