ECU for a 3SGTE?

[qikgt4]

Has anyone had any difficulties or problems putting in a ecu into a 3sgte GT4 or MR2? Im looking at Microtech LT8 or a Link Engine management. Can anyone suggest anything else that would work for my car?

[CozmoNz]

hmmm, im sure a Motec would *work* .

go motec .

[Malcolm]

I've installed a Mictrotech LT8 (w/ X4 ignition module) into my ST185, reasonably basic, especially since it doesn't need a reluctor interface or new ignitors like Motec, Haltec and Autronics do. Haven't run the car with it yet as there's still some other stuff to do, but as far as the install goes, it's pretty simple

[GT4 20]

Most of the UK GT4 guys seem to use Motec. http://www.gt4oc.net
Gary

[Dell'Orto]

I use a LinkPlus, works pretty well, only niggle with the install was needing to change a resistor or summat so it got enough power when the car was cranking to fire up.

[1598cc]

motec = $$..

microtech or link will be fine.

[Akane]

I have ordered an AP Engineering Power FC + Commander, if you're interested we can work something out once it's landed at the end of this week.

[CozmoNz]

motec = $$..

microtech or link will be fine.

how do you know that? you dont even know what hes planning to do.

what if hes aiming for 650hp (he can aim high cant he?), and running a link / microtech would be a silly option when you can have a motec ^_^. someone should make a large list, all the pros and cons of each ecu. and motec being god .

[Malcolm]

Motec does have several downsides, especially for those who don't have very deep pockets.
If you're aiming for massive HP then they would certainly be the best choice, but having said that there are many cars in the world with big HP that don't run Motec's.

[1598cc]

motec = $$..

microtech or link will be fine.

how do you know that? you dont even know what hes planning to do.

what if hes aiming for 650hp (he can aim high cant he?), and running a link / microtech would be a silly option when you can have a motec ^_^. someone should make a large list, all the pros and cons of each ecu. and motec being god .

um, a micotech or link is fine for high horsepower .. yeh sure, not as good as a motec but motec is big $ and one of these cheapies will do you fine.

[Wildcard]

Its all about efficency. There is really no arguement that a Motec can be tuned more efficiently and precisely than a Link. You may make 700hp with a set car on a Link, add a Motec and you could gain [hypothetically speaking] 100hp and greater reliability due to this increased precision and functionality.
On a car with more modest power the difference may only be say 5hp for an additional $1000-2000.

As with everything in car modifications it comes down to cost vs benefit.

To answer the posters original question, a plug-n-play Apexi PowerFC ECU offers a good balance between cost, features and has minimal installation hassels... and can be landed for ~$1600.

[KiwiMR2]

Unichip is another ok option, $1969.99 all inclusive for fitting & tuning. Some of the Gen III owners seem to get up around the 300-320 hp mark quite reliably with just the Unichip, exhaust, and intake, + a lil bit more boost

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[1598cc]

unichip> hows that work? reprograms ecu or?

[Malcolm]

Its all about efficency. There is really no arguement that a Motec can be tuned more efficiently and precisely than a Link. You may make 700hp with a set car on a Link, add a Motec and you could gain [hypothetically speaking] 100hp and greater reliability due to this increased precision and functionality.

Let's not speculate on figures, I would be suprised if a well tuned Motec produced more than say an additional 5% increase over an equally well tuned Link.

On a car with more modest power the difference may only be say 5hp for an additional $1000-2000.

And the rest! By the time you add all the extra sensors etc it will cost a hell of a lot more than $2000 more than a Link or Microtech

To answer the posters original question, a plug-n-play Apexi PowerFC ECU offers a good balance between cost, features and has minimal installation hassels... and can be landed for ~$1600.

Do they make a model for Gen 2 3sgte's yet? The problem with a PowerFC is that although it's plug & play, it has very few features that most ECU's have, it's almost like a programmable stock computer, you can adjust fuel and ignition, but other than boost control it doesn't do much else. You can buy a dataloggit for it for an extra $650 to make it much more functional, but then you're getting into the price range of an Autronic or Haltec

[Wildcard]

Let's not speculate on figures, I would be suprised if a well tuned Motec produced more than say an additional 5% increase over an equally well tuned Link.

Someone here will have more factual info but I remember hearing well over 100hp gain after Heat Treatments GTR went from Link to Motec... this was third party info so feel free to correct me however.

Do they make a model for Gen 2 3sgte's yet? The problem with a PowerFC is that although it's plug & play, it has very few features that most ECU's have, it's almost like a programmable stock computer, you can adjust fuel and ignition, but other than boost control it doesn't do much else. You can buy a dataloggit for it for an extra $650 to make it much more functional, but then you're getting into the price range of an Autronic or Haltec

AR research makes a modified version, our good friend Akane just ordered one the other day in fact

Regarding features, your right, its doesn’t extend the capabilities of the ECU far beyond ‘factory control’ but for moderate power levels I don’t personally see this as an issue, for this price range anyway. Dataloggit would definitely be preferable while tuning but if you can get by with the hand controller then your still talking about quite a cheap ECU package.

[Malcolm]

I guess it comes down to the abilities of the owner of the car. With a PowerFC pretty much anyone can install it, as it's literally a straight swap for the stocker, but a Microtech is cheaper, more functional (can run different ignition setups like wasted spark, direct fire, has auxillary inputs and outputs etc), but if you're going to pay someone to install it then it could cost more as there is wiring involved in the install, which can quickly become big bucks if you're paying someone else to do it.

[fivebob]

I've installed a Mictrotech LT8 (w/ X4 ignition module) into my ST185, reasonably basic, especially since it doesn't need a reluctor interface or new ignitors like Motec, Haltec and Autronics do.

Where did you come up with that piece of misinformation from?

Motec can use all stock sensors without any modifications, the latest Haltech can use the stock sensors but IIRC it requires the ignition trigger to be modified, Autronic is the only one that requires a reluctor.

Motec does have several downsides, especially for those who don't have very deep pockets.

And just what are those downsides? Haing run a Motec M800 for four years I have yet to discover any downside, I have however found plenty of upsides, like excellent support, easy to use software, continous free upgrades.....

And the rest! By the time you add all the extra sensors etc it will cost a hell of a lot more than $2000 more than a Link or Microtech

What rest??? As I said before the Motec uses all stock the sensors so there is no additional cost once you buy the ECU, Loom and programming cable. I'd be suprised if a M400 cost $2000 more than a Link or Microtech, especially after it's been tuned.

[Malcolm]

Ok, maybe I'm mistaken then. I was under the impression that with a Motec you couldn't run stock crank angle sensor, ignitor, and that you also needed to buy a proper MAP sensor (for gen 1 & 2), and that the unit itself was over $3000. If you can use stock sensors etc and only need to solder new plugs onto the end of the old loom, then it would be much more affordable then I said.

When I was looking for computers the main thing that kept me away from the Haltech and Autronic was that they both required the purchase of additional parts over and beyond the cost of the unit itself, especially if I wanted to run wasted spark or direct fire ignition (have to buy new Bosch ignition modules for the Autronic) Also for the $1,500 + I saved by buying a Microtech I can do modifications that will yield more gain than I would have seen by buying a more expensive ECU.

As for the downsides, one of them, which was apparently wrong, was the extra work involved in install, and other than that it's cost. I'm sure it's great to not have to worry about how much something costs and buy the best of everything, but personally I don't have an unlimited budget, and I can't justify throwing more than $3K at a car for an ECU.

[qikgt4]

There was a link setup at the 4 and rotory champs in chch, they said i could get away with there basic link ecu thy qouted me $850+ then another $800 2 install, also if i wanted thy could make it so i could plug factory ecu back in tht would be another $300, Am i getting ripped off? Has anyone got any contacts in the chch region?

[Malcolm]

if you're gonna spend that much then have a look in the For Sale section, Akane is selling a powerfc that will plug straight in for the same price as what you've been quoted for an ecu+install