Engine Aftermarket ECU (computer) question

Aftermarket ECU (computer) question

question: is there any good aftermarket ECU (computer) out in the market that has a good compatability with corollas??

prices?
realibilty?
is it a DIY project?

thanks!

www.monkeywrenchracing.com

Maybe e-manage or S-AFC2?

those are just piggybacks...... aka bandaid computers

there are a lot out there... most are DIY... depends on how much you want to spend, your knowledge, and how much you're willing to learn

The best obviously is a drop-in, complete ECU replacement (like the PFC). However the e-manage is a pretty good piggyback, there's a lot of options open on it (I know companies making turbos that rely on this product for their tuning). If you wanna go f/i, the e-manage will probably suit you just fine (you should get a lot of the addons for it, but it's still a pretty good price); if you're going n/a, then the PFC will help you more, because you can tune the valve timing.

there is a group buy going on over at matrixowners.com on a new aftermarket ECU, its about $1500 though.

i'm a fan of my $250 stand alone setup

Which is better for tuning an N/A 98 Corolla, the Greddy E-Manage or the Apexi s-afc II?

wow...thats pretty steep...

i'm pretty new to upgraded ECUs...what actually happens to the engine/car? can anyone just tune the ECU/computer? or do you need a pro? where does it plug in?

I dont think i'm going F/I...so i think i may just go with what renfield90 said...I'll end up going with PFC ecu...

thoughts?

thanks!

How much n/a work do you plan on doing? $1000 is a lot to drop on engine management unless you really need it (imho)..

On some ECUs you do need a pro to tune it (because it's written in a special language, and you have to be licensed to tune it, etc.), but the PFC and Emanage both have your own tuning options. If you're really new to this, I'd research a lot more before you know what you're getting into. If you screw up tuning on you're own you can literally kill an engine. A professional tune can cost plenty of money as well (just make sure you find someone who knows VVT-i). There's an ECU tuning forum on newcelica.org where they mainly deal with PFCs, you'll find a ton of info there.

i keep saying it, but nobody listens

http://www.megasquirt.info/

http://www.bgsoflex.com/megasquirt.html

easy to do, you learn a LOT, and easy to tune with... hell, there's even programs that will help you tune it.... you can use WB or NB o2 sensors, low or high impedence injectors, etc etc etc....

Is it a piggyback, or direct drop in? Do you use this yourself or know anyone using this on their Corolla?

IMO, one problem with this is the lack of a base map to start tuning on. Unless your a tuning master, it helps to have a base map to which you can make changes to improve your set up. If you don't know what you're doing, you can blow up your engine. Another problem is the lack of ignition control for Toyotas (by using higher octane fuel and advancing the ignition timing, you can generate a little extra power). Yet another problem is the lack of VVT-i timing available (where most people with PFCs are getting their power).

If it's a piggyback, I highly doubt it will work.

If it's not a piggyback, you're talking not just about removing the old ECU but pretty much all the wiring for it. As this is a universal kit, there's no way to know what wires go where on each car, so you'll have to wire everything up as well. Without the stock ECU to read the tach and tell the VVT-i controller what to do, you may even lose VVT-i. You also will never get a CEL if something goes wrong.

But if there's a way to overcome all those problems...I'm listening.

it's simple to wire up.... i have it on my mr2 with an ae101 4agze..... right now i'm using a turbo 4age map that i found online as a base, and have modified it a bit to work with the s/c a bit better, but runs rich..... the car is fast

http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~milest2/motorswap/mr2/DCP_0080.JPG

old picture and i don't have any pictures of the trunk mounted computer board & ecu/relay setup

this is all great information...i know i still need to do some more research...i'm not plannin on jumpin into something this big without truely thinkin about it...i wanted to get inital thoughts from you guys...

all i plan to do to my rolla is an intake...hedder...exhaust...maybe a pulley system. thats about it...do you guys think it would be worth it to get an upgraded/aftermarket ECU?

thanks!

That would be a good option for a car like yours...but again the trouble is finding a known good base map and, for a 1ZZ, tuning the VVT-i.

Emanage seems a lot like the megasquirt.... A lot of peopel just dont realize everything you can do with an emanage like you can add wideband support and a knock detector/retard timing with knock with simple mods.....

In fact they are releasing a new emanage... the gold version that basically takes all these hacks people came up with and puts it into the actualy program!!!