Power FC VS Hondata (revisited)

[BiGANG]

hey guys,

I did some searching and found the old power fc vs hondata thread from a while back, I thought this is exactly what i am looking for but unfortunately it wasnt. I am looking to buy one of the above two for my dc2r. I am curious to find out which one would be the better option out of the two, i just want a reliable smooth running car with more power. If anyone is to answer which is better can they please give reasons why and not just personal opinion.

I was hoping to find out,

which one has more options,
has finer tunability.
do both idle well.
can they both handle boost (in case i win lotto)
the reason i want to know this is because i dont care which one is prettier or the better known or whatever, i just dont want to spend my money and regret is later on. Also people with power fc and hondata running their cars please speak up.

thanks.

[Limbo]

From my readings they are very similar, but the Hondata has been able to tune to a greater max performance and it has more different ranges and added features.

The Apexi is good cos you don't have to chop and cut so that you can go back to stock without issues.

I'm looking at getting the power fc also.

[BiGANG]

From my readings they are very similar, but the Hondata has been able to tune to a greater max performance and it has more different ranges and added features.

The Apexi is good cos you don't have to chop and cut so that you can go back to stock without issues.

I'm looking at getting the power fc also.

if they are both similar, why can the hondata get the more power out of the same motor as compared to a power fc. If they both have similar options they should be both able to get the same amount of power out of the same car?

[Weq]

tuning hondata is easier. easier means cheaper when it comes to dyno time, and more accurate IMO..

In the end though, get whatever system your tuner is more comfortble with. The tuner is the key! PM DynoDave, he will be happy to help u out with any questions.

[barefootbonzai]

The Apexi is good cos you don't have to chop and cut so that you can go back to stock without issues.



Hondata is straight plug and play as well.

[VT3C]

yeah I agree it doesnt matter what ECU you get, it all depends on if you have access to a reliable and COMPETENT tuner. My vote for Power FC for ease of ability to return to stock ECU and flexibility. plus you get a handset so you can fine-tune or simply monitor/log data without needing to have your laptop on the passenger's seat etc.

[barefootbonzai]

Oh and one more thing, if you win lotto i'm sure you'll be able to afford a new ecu :P

But as for boost, i was told the Power FC would not be a good candiate. Hondata has a boost option at an additional cost. My friends been running my old Turbo B16 on S200B for over a year now and has had no issues.

[DynoDave]

yeah I agree it doesnt matter what ECU you get, it all depends on if you have access to a reliable and COMPETENT tuner. My vote for Power FC for ease of ability to return to stock ECU and flexibility. plus you get a handset so you can fine-tune or simply monitor/log data without needing to have your laptop on the passenger's seat etc.
Sorry to burst your bubble but you cannot datalog thru a hand controller on a PFC it must be done thru software and a laptop but if you want to use a palm pilot you can view all sensor's and datalog to that with S200 Hondata.And Hondata is the same going back to stock just unplug the unit and install another STD ECU.
Regards Dyno Dave

[fly_vti]

dyno dave saves the day!

[BiGANG]

i thought you had to solder a writable chip to a standard obd1 ecu though. how is hondata 'plug and play' if you have to do this and convert to obd1 harness?

ALSO
This question is mainly for dynodave but anyone else with exp tuning both PFC and Hondata please feel free,

Assuming the tuner had the same skill with both systems and were tuning the same car. Would the power fc make the same power as the hondata and would idling and part throttle power be worse on one of the systems? I know this question sounds stupid but i would assume that if both are of decent quality they should end up with a very similar final result. If there is a difference could you explain quickly as well?

Datalogging isnt really of great importance in my scenario so im not really too fussed by that.

[barefootbonzai]

You don't have to do anything to your ecu as such. People only do this to save money. Generally you can buy the whole ECU ready to plug in for your application.

Not unless your car is EXTREMELY crazy, there will not be any problems with idling with either hondata or pfc

[pornstar]

BiGang, both ecus make the same power, its not the ecu that makes the powre its the tuning.

I hear that the hondata has an error that lights up once in a while, the power fc does not.

If ur going to be boosted, the motec and the autronic are far better computers.

[DynoDave]

i thought you had to solder a writable chip to a standard obd1 ecu though. how is hondata 'plug and play' if you have to do this and convert to obd1 harness?

ALSO
This question is mainly for dynodave but anyone else with exp tuning both PFC and Hondata please feel free,

Assuming the tuner had the same skill with both systems and were tuning the same car. Would the power fc make the same power as the hondata and would idling and part throttle power be worse on one of the systems? I know this question sounds stupid but i would assume that if both are of decent quality they should end up with a very similar final result. If there is a difference could you explain quickly as well?

Datalogging isnt really of great importance in my scenario so im not really too fussed by that.
My personal choice would be Hondata as I have found them very easy to tune and found great power in there flexabilty but I'm not saying one is better than the other.As some of the people that have said its really a personal choice between yourself and your tuner/engine builder as to the ECU you run.The only time I have had a Honda with either ECU give me a hard time with idle was when the cam timing was out and with every other car if the combination is working the ecu's will make the car do what you want.And as far as tuning the same car with both ECU's I have not done that yet but you never know one day I might get the chance to do it.
Regards Dyno Dave

[pillow]

I've been running Hondata for a couple of months now, no problems, no error lights either.

[VT3C]

does hondata retain OBD ?

[Weq]

There is no real reason we need to retain odb2 in australia. Hondata is fully EPA complient on any car. It is plug and play also. If you wish to sell ur hondata later, u can either swap ecu's with the purchaser or u can simply cut a wire to de-modify your current ecu. With a odb2 car, u just use a conversion harness which is plug and plug. so it can be removed simply.

pornstar: that error has been fixed now. well it was fixed in october and im sure any hondata user can get a new chip burnt with the new software if they are having the issue.

In the end, i have used many ecu's. Its a tuner choice IMO. Or if u get a killer deal on a given ecu, find a tuner who loves to tune it :)