Link ECU for EVO8
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From: Gilbert, AZ
Link ECU for EVO8
Are you guys familiar with the Possum Bourne products like the LINK ecu that we use in the WRX's...Well they have one coming for the EVO8 and wanted to gauge some opinions. How do you thing it will work with these engines...
Fuel issues, injector duty cycle, cams, pulleys, downpipes???
Your TUNING opinions are appreciated.
www.vividracing.com
Fuel issues, injector duty cycle, cams, pulleys, downpipes???
Your TUNING opinions are appreciated.
www.vividracing.com
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Motec is a good unit, but VERY HIGH priced...that is why most of us stay away from that ECU in WRX land as well. It is very complex and if tuned right can make your car a beast...but not JoeStupid friendly...professional tuners only.
Link has competitive priced systems and allows for a full stand alone unit so you have total control.
Which Apex unit are you talking about? The SAFC? I have heard that just using that fuel adjuster on certain cars has its limitations since maximum tuning needs to be done with all parameters such as timing, ignition, boost, and more?
Your thoughts?
www.vividracing.com
Link has competitive priced systems and allows for a full stand alone unit so you have total control.
Which Apex unit are you talking about? The SAFC? I have heard that just using that fuel adjuster on certain cars has its limitations since maximum tuning needs to be done with all parameters such as timing, ignition, boost, and more?
Your thoughts?
www.vividracing.com
Apexi Power FC
Link
Autronic
Pectal
Motec
GEMS
I chose the GEMS unit. Both GEMS and the Autronic ECUs fit in the stock Evo ECU case. Wich I prefer. They can use the stock sensors or run a MAP sensor.
The Motec is a race ECU and does not directly support idle control and A/C. The power FC looks like a good option also.
GEMS make the AEM EMS system and runs similar software.
Above all the mapper is more important than the ECU itself.
Erik
Link
Autronic
Pectal
Motec
GEMS
I chose the GEMS unit. Both GEMS and the Autronic ECUs fit in the stock Evo ECU case. Wich I prefer. They can use the stock sensors or run a MAP sensor.
The Motec is a race ECU and does not directly support idle control and A/C. The power FC looks like a good option also.
GEMS make the AEM EMS system and runs similar software.
Above all the mapper is more important than the ECU itself.
Erik
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From: Gilbert, AZ
Very true Erik...knowing how to map and tune properly is a key...you can have 30K in parts and make 100HP if Opie is tuning!
But a ECU that is not proper for your application is important too. You want to stay away from Piggyback systems and focus on stand alones to true release the tuner on your car.
But a ECU that is not proper for your application is important too. You want to stay away from Piggyback systems and focus on stand alones to true release the tuner on your car.
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Originally posted by VividRacing.com
Motec is a good unit, but VERY HIGH priced...that is why most of us stay away from that ECU in WRX land as well. It is very complex and if tuned right can make your car a beast...but not JoeStupid friendly...professional tuners only.
Motec is a good unit, but VERY HIGH priced...that is why most of us stay away from that ECU in WRX land as well. It is very complex and if tuned right can make your car a beast...but not JoeStupid friendly...professional tuners only.
Originally posted by VividRacing.com
Which Apex unit are you talking about? The SAFC? I have heard that just using that fuel adjuster on certain cars has its limitations since maximum tuning needs to be done with all parameters such as timing, ignition, boost, and more
Which Apex unit are you talking about? The SAFC? I have heard that just using that fuel adjuster on certain cars has its limitations since maximum tuning needs to be done with all parameters such as timing, ignition, boost, and more
The S-AFC settings will influence the ignition timing as well, given the very way the map is designed. There is only so much you can do with an S-AFC. We're talking fully programmable ECUs here, right?
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From: NorCal, Cali
There is also one more option that is in the works, reflashing the stock ECU. This won't just be a flash that takes 2 seconds but we can actually retune the maps in the ECU specifically for the setup on the car you have. We did not develop this software but we use it and think this is a great alternative to standalone ECU's.
No matter what type of setup you have, from pure stock to a new turbo, uppipe, downpipe, headers, injectors, fuel pump, exhuast, intake. Everything can be tuned for... The great thing is it is the stock ECU, which was developed over many years, so these stock ECU's are quite powerful if you know how to control them.
This is definitely a great setup. Though the drawback if you want to play around with tuning yourself you won't be able to, unlike all the other units being used.
No matter what type of setup you have, from pure stock to a new turbo, uppipe, downpipe, headers, injectors, fuel pump, exhuast, intake. Everything can be tuned for... The great thing is it is the stock ECU, which was developed over many years, so these stock ECU's are quite powerful if you know how to control them.
This is definitely a great setup. Though the drawback if you want to play around with tuning yourself you won't be able to, unlike all the other units being used.
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From: Gilbert, AZ
If your talking about the ECUTEK I personally think it is OVERATED for people who want to make serious power. It is a great idea for the guys that want 50 extra ponies...but to tune your car efficiently you need to make fine adjustments while road testing and on the dyno.
Simple cannot do this with this piece unless the Reflasher is in your area. Otherwise mailordering these is not feasible. Plus...most boost junkies that want the high HP tend to like to tune themselves...So maybe good for a different target market.
How do you overcome the issue of needing blank ECU to send in for reflash...So hard to get the damn car, how are we going to get the blank ECU cores
Got point though....
Simple cannot do this with this piece unless the Reflasher is in your area. Otherwise mailordering these is not feasible. Plus...most boost junkies that want the high HP tend to like to tune themselves...So maybe good for a different target market.
How do you overcome the issue of needing blank ECU to send in for reflash...So hard to get the damn car, how are we going to get the blank ECU cores
Got point though....
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From: NorCal, Cali
First off, we don't do mail order for the ECUTek, as you have pointed out. Some other company's do but we do not believe in it as you can not get the most out of the car as you ahve pointed out.
The only way to get the best tune is with a tuner actually tuning the car for the road and dyno. You can easily make the same amount of horsepower as any other system and yet have the relaibility of the stock functions, ie, AC, cold starts, hot restarts, etc... Also the ECU can then learn your driving style and adjust it's values to accomadate for your driving behavior. If you daily drive and rarely drive hard it will adjust the values for better fuel economy. Though if you are on the track all day it can adjust for that and get you the most optimal horsepower based on the foot to the floor method.
A lot of poeple don't like this unit, why I don't know but everyone is entitled to thier own opinion.
As for this boost junkies that want to do it thenselves, the Link ECU is really an easy and feasible way to do it yourself. Though most poeple will want help to create maps, I have noticed time and time again for the past 2 years with Subaru's. Poeple usually need a small training course on how to use it before they get it. I would this correct with any aftermarket ECU out there.
Just my $0.02
The only way to get the best tune is with a tuner actually tuning the car for the road and dyno. You can easily make the same amount of horsepower as any other system and yet have the relaibility of the stock functions, ie, AC, cold starts, hot restarts, etc... Also the ECU can then learn your driving style and adjust it's values to accomadate for your driving behavior. If you daily drive and rarely drive hard it will adjust the values for better fuel economy. Though if you are on the track all day it can adjust for that and get you the most optimal horsepower based on the foot to the floor method.
A lot of poeple don't like this unit, why I don't know but everyone is entitled to thier own opinion.
As for this boost junkies that want to do it thenselves, the Link ECU is really an easy and feasible way to do it yourself. Though most poeple will want help to create maps, I have noticed time and time again for the past 2 years with Subaru's. Poeple usually need a small training course on how to use it before they get it. I would this correct with any aftermarket ECU out there.
Just my $0.02
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From: Gilbert, AZ
I-Speed...Slow down...wrong forum to get crazy...
I was saying that a majority of people mail order or phone order there products. We ship 90% of our products out of state! But the Ecutek is a reflash that can only be done by the Licensed Tuner of Ecutek. So the customer cannot do it themselves.
I think we have some ECU tuning to discuss...Give us a call and we can compare methods...Seems you know whats going on!
I was simply using the Ecutek as a example. They do not have a application even available for the EVO yet.
BTW we have been a ECUTEK dealer before they were huge after SEMA. Check there dealer listings at www.ecutek.co.uk
My 2cents and a great conversation! By the way if you add my 2 cents and your 2 cents up it equals 4 cents...we are rich!
www.vividracing.com
I was saying that a majority of people mail order or phone order there products. We ship 90% of our products out of state! But the Ecutek is a reflash that can only be done by the Licensed Tuner of Ecutek. So the customer cannot do it themselves.
I think we have some ECU tuning to discuss...Give us a call and we can compare methods...Seems you know whats going on!
I was simply using the Ecutek as a example. They do not have a application even available for the EVO yet.
BTW we have been a ECUTEK dealer before they were huge after SEMA. Check there dealer listings at www.ecutek.co.uk
My 2cents and a great conversation! By the way if you add my 2 cents and your 2 cents up it equals 4 cents...we are rich!
www.vividracing.com
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From: NorCal, Cali
Sorry if I sounded crazy, that is the bad thing about text, you can never tell how the person is really reacting. Just want to make things clear that's all.
We tune every single car for the best optimal performance. We prefer not to sell ECUTek's by mail order because we actually feel guilty that the customer has not gotten the best tune we can give them.
I will agree with you fully on this, but we are not a mail order company, I guess that is what makes us different from you. Not a bad or good thing just the way we prefer to work with people, one on one.
So what do you think about the other products that are out there? As erikgj and others has described:
Full Replacement ECU:
Apexi Power FC
Link
Autronic
Pectal
Motec
GEMS
AEM
Piggy Backs:
Apex-i S-AFC 2 (Looks pretty decent for a piggy back)
Let's get a good conversation going on about all these units. Anyone else have comments or expereicen with any of these units?
Let's remember there are only going to be about 5-6k of these cars made in the coming year. So there is a small market compared to the WRX.
We tune every single car for the best optimal performance. We prefer not to sell ECUTek's by mail order because we actually feel guilty that the customer has not gotten the best tune we can give them.
I was saying that a majority of people mail order or phone order there products.
So what do you think about the other products that are out there? As erikgj and others has described:
Full Replacement ECU:
Apexi Power FC
Link
Autronic
Pectal
Motec
GEMS
AEM
Piggy Backs:
Apex-i S-AFC 2 (Looks pretty decent for a piggy back)
Let's get a good conversation going on about all these units. Anyone else have comments or expereicen with any of these units?
Let's remember there are only going to be about 5-6k of these cars made in the coming year. So there is a small market compared to the WRX.
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From: Gilbert, AZ
Actually we are not a mailorder business either. Shop, inventory, employees...we just happen to ship out more then we have local business...but besides the point...
We are big fans of the LINK ECU. We have 2 tune cars in the 375 WHP range with them, among other parts. Motec we never got into cause of distribution with Aus and Motec USA...
The Apex one we have not considered as a viable tool (SAFC) as it has extreme limitations.
But honestly talk to Mike here, he is the ECU master...
www.vividracing.com
We are big fans of the LINK ECU. We have 2 tune cars in the 375 WHP range with them, among other parts. Motec we never got into cause of distribution with Aus and Motec USA...
The Apex one we have not considered as a viable tool (SAFC) as it has extreme limitations.
But honestly talk to Mike here, he is the ECU master...
www.vividracing.com
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From: NorCal, Cali
The Link ECU I will agree, I think it is a great unit for the price. The best out there no, but definitely a good solid stand-alone unit.
Not to toot my own horn but we have tuned quite a few cars around the country with 375 Hp. Including one WRX with over 450 wheel horsepower, though it was an STi engine. Damn nice engines that is for sure.
In our inventory we have 2 ECUTek'ed (WRX) conversions (Rs with WRX engine, OBS with WRX engine. And one RS with a Turbo kit and Link ECU making about 250 to the wheels on a stock engine. Been running the Turbo kit on the RS for about 2 years this coming May with no engine problems. Well a leaky head gasket, I guess running 16 PSI on a 9.7:1 compression NA engine doesn't work to well sometimes, things start leaking.
Not to toot my own horn but we have tuned quite a few cars around the country with 375 Hp. Including one WRX with over 450 wheel horsepower, though it was an STi engine. Damn nice engines that is for sure.
In our inventory we have 2 ECUTek'ed (WRX) conversions (Rs with WRX engine, OBS with WRX engine. And one RS with a Turbo kit and Link ECU making about 250 to the wheels on a stock engine. Been running the Turbo kit on the RS for about 2 years this coming May with no engine problems. Well a leaky head gasket, I guess running 16 PSI on a 9.7:1 compression NA engine doesn't work to well sometimes, things start leaking.