Just a quick announcement that we are now accepting orders for the Apex'i Power FC ecu for your Evo. For those that are familar with the PFC, you know its known best for its functionality and general useability. For those not familar, here are the specs:

This is a full standalone plug and play ecu that replaces your factory ecu, with what can best be described as a user reprogrammable motherboard (via the supplied handheld controller). Provides a 20x20 map for fuel and ignition tables (you can also control boost as well via the optional boost control unit). The unit also provides seperate tuning menus for larger injectors.

For datalogging, the PFC Controller allows you to view:

Engine RPM
Ignition Timing
Vehicle Speed
Air Flow Voltage (Pressure Sensor Voltage)
Injector Duty Cycle
Boost
Knocking Level
Battery Voltage
Intake Air Temp
Water Temp

...all in real time.

The unit is being offered in 2 versions - one retains the factory Mass Air Flow Sensor, the other replaces the factory MAF with a more reliable, and much quicker reacting MAP sensor (a very worthwhile mod especially on a car such as the Evo, where the factory MAF is a very restricive piece).

Please allow a 10 day delivery time.

Apex'i Power FC (L Jetro - retains factory MAF) - $1220.00 shipped
Apex'i Power FC (D Jetro - replaces MAF with MAP sensor, includes pressure sensor with harness, air temp sensor with harness and boost control kit) - $1875.00 shipped

Please allow 7-10 days for delivery

All credit cards accepted (call to order), as well as Paypal (z1sales@z1auto.com)

 

Ok, I heard that it is almost impossible to tune the PFC with just the small control unit that comes with it. And do we need a tuner for this unit? More info please. I think I like this unit, despite its price. thx

 

I have personally tuned these before on a few different cars and have not found it difficult to use at all. Obviously it does take a solid knowledge base of tuning, especially tuning for a turbocharged car. If you dont understand such things - no sweat, none of did at one time! In that case, I would highly recommend finding a local tuner comfortable with using the PFC, and preferably one who is willing to spend some time with you to show you the overall ins and outs of the system.

 

Tempting , very tempting ... i hate you Adam ...

 

heheh - we can talk tomorrow Willie - what time will you guys be out at the track? We are going to be ther around 10:30 or so

 

Are these US spec units or JDM grey market? I called Apex USA and they told me release of the US spec PowerFC is more than a month away.

 

Exactly - becuase official release will be at SEMA, but we managed to secure a few a bit early. There are already a handful of evo's in the US running this ecu, so far doing very well.

 

Ok... Feature for feature.. Honest opinion.. Which will be the better investment, the TurboXS Utec, or the PowerFC? Getting itchy for a standalone..

You guys get access to an AWD Dyno yet to do a good tune with this thing?

 

Will these have any base maps in the same way the unit for FD RX-7's had 3 maps to switch between?

 

Jack - its ahrd to say - the UTEC is a wonderful tool for the WRX, and there will be more features with the Evo version. However, it is still a piggyback, so it's a bit more limited in what it can do overall. I am not sure yet if they will make the MAP version an option yet, and to me, this is one of the best features of the Apex'i - the ability to get rid of the MAF.

As for the dyno, we could book time with you up at either Pruven or at B&M Tranny in NJ - we have had customer cars at both places before (I have yet to attend actually), and as far as I know, those are the 2 closest locations.

I will look into the base map question, though I believe there is at least 1 base supplied

 

how come the PowerFC for the Evo is so much more then what I paid for the one in my fd?

 

how so?

 

I am not accusing anyone of price inflation - did they just go up in price? I paid about a grand (I can probably dig up my receipt - but I know it was about $1k shipped) for my PowerFC (with commander) for my fd about 18 months ago.

 

thats an exceptionally good deal you got!

 

Actually according to TurboXS although the UTec for the Evo installs like a piggyback (The PowerFC also does) inline with the stock ECU.. They both only manage EMS related functions, so their basically peers.. The UTEC already has the advantage of being end-user tunable.. From what I've read about the PowerFC, you need the FC Commander to tune parameters, but you need to have their software and interface box to do a full tune, and the software is only available to APEXI Certified tuners. I would already consider that a disadantage, also, to get full boost control, you need to add the Boost addon which is another few hundred, and in order to do basic logging and tuning changes, you need the FC Commander handheld tool which is also fairly expensive.

Although this is a really nice product, I have an aversion to anything that as an end-user and power-tuner I cannot easily manipulate myself (The same reason why I wouldn't use a flash unless I was fine tuning the flashes myself before applying them)

I realize that most people aren't capable of tuning adequately and could damage their cars so Its not really an issue, but what about the few of us who are capable of doing it and are making more power because of it.

Don't get me wrong.. I am really interested in the PowerFC, and I found a product in New Zealand that allows you to configure the product as a tuner would.

I just wanted to point out there is extra expense involved since there are a few addons, and the tuning time (and dyno time) involved..