Pre-Tuned ECU swap over a standard

[nossss]

Hey guys,

just wondering if anyone of you would know the details of a pre-tuned ECU bought from a reputable brand, for J's Racing JDM B18c OBD2 P73 ECU, cause have some idea that the fuel maps and ignition has been changed but what else.. i need information about this ECU... thanks guys

[bennjamin]

here is info on the SPOON replacement ECU.

Sports Computer 1.6/1.8 DOHC Vtec
Spoon collated data relating to, fuel consumption, ignition timing, exhaust emissions, aging. Taking these parameters to develop a highly advanced program to achieve improved power.Extensive track tests were carried out to achieve a specification which would allow for increased output, better performance and greatly improved torque figures.Further parameters were added to have a wider range of conditions, taking into consideration new additions from the Spoon range of parts. Through this programming maximum performance would be achieved with out the need to reprogram the ECU.

basically yes , it runs richer and more ignition timing and a higher redline to benefit for "likely" bolt on parts ( CAI / header etc).
These pre-tuned ECU's are really the ultimate "bolt on" addition.

[XB-16-AX]

just to add,

also the speed limiter would also be removed and sometimes the knock sensors are disabled also.

the usual stuff like ignition and fuel maps are enhanced, and the rev limiter removed and extended as mentioned by bennjamin.

yet still a full programmable ECU is the best way to go!

[bennjamin]

yup - the SPOON or MUGEN or J's racing etc etc standalone ECU's , suit bolt on mods only and will give only a certain "gain".

As above get a proper TUNEABLE ecu ( powerFC , hondata etc) for a simialr price and tuneablilty to YOUR application

[poid]

keeping in mind, a genuine Spoon etc ECU costs rather a lot of money and not all that many people use them. Make sure you arent getting a chipped ECU with an eBay chip inserted instead.

I'd always go for something that is programmable

[VT3C]

all valid points.. but if you have nobody locally that you can trust to tune your honda, there are advantages in a fixed-state ECU.

Personally i'd rather have an ECU that was tuned by Spoon/J's/Feels etc than have any local tuner do some trial-and-error on MY motor.

Consider that spoon for example ONLY tunes N/A Honda motors yet your local tuner is used to doing WRX, Skylines, 180Sx etc.. so does he REALLY know how to look after your honda motor ?

so in essence, a fully tunable ECU is the best approach to take only if you have a cmpetant tuner. and you must reaslise fixed-state ECU's are not meant for ultimate power gains etc. they are a balanced tune of reliability, improved tourque nad the other features listed above - usually designed for track use NOT how-big-is-your-penis max HP gains.

[Jarkz]

Well put VT3C.... Could'nt agree more.

[ginganggooly]

A Plug and Pray ecu would be of little, if any benefit unless you modify your car exactly the way the designer of the map intended. The chances are that you'll run slightly different bolt-ons, have slightly different internals, different atmospheric conditions, and different god knows what else, to what was intended for the particular map.

I don't like the idea of being bound to one particular combination of components one little bit, and this is precisely the situation you will be placed in if you forked out your hard earned on a program designed by any of our fine japanese bretheren.

My advice is to find a tuner that has proven themselves to be a competant tuner, with a good record, and proven street and track results and use them to tune the ecu as per your individual requirements.

[VT3C]

yeah agreed, but I did say that a programmable ECU is the best option IF YOU HAVE A TUNER YOU CAN TRUST LOCALLY but we're over in Perth and nobody can REALLY tune Hondas and I doubt there's that many competant tuners over east either who are dedicated or suitably experienced with Hondas. You got a couple that pop up on here etc but is so hard and expensive to get hold of these guys.

The spoon ECU I am running nw is actually my second chipped ECU. the first was on my SOHC VTEC and was an unknown origin chip. The butt-dyno(TM) told me there was great mid range gains.. when we dyno tested the ECU vs stock ECU the stock ECU actually had 1Kw more peak power, however the Chipped ECU had much more mid-range power and torque. If you're up for a penis-measuremeant contenst then that'd mean that the stock ECU is your best option, but if you off to the track, i think the chipped version would be your friend.

If you DO get a fixed-tune ECU, i would recommend that you got to your local dyno and have the Air-Fuel ratios checked. you mainly dont want to be running lean, and if it's too rich you'll lose power and serves no usefull purpose.

People on here have told me stories of (for example) spoon ECU's on people's cars running super rich etc. well the ECU needs to be matched to your motor code and ou DO need to consider the other modification parameters that the ECU has been tuned for. Most chipped ECU's assume you already have I/H/E and most people wouldnt need an ECU untill these mods have been done anyway. but this whole Ozhonda attitude of "DONT GET A FIXED TUNE ECU" is just parannoia driven by market trends.

make your own decision based on the information available to you. If someone say "Dont do this.." ask them WHY !?!?!?! so much of oz honda's technical posting is done from people's internet-sourced opinions rather than through their own personal experience.

Unfortunately there isnt a whole lot of tuners that specialise in N/A hondas in Australi compared to the united states or asia so sometimes it might be the best option to take advantage of another option.

so in conclusiopn (hahah) a chipped ECU IS very limited and may not adapt to your mods but you need to consider that your tuned ECU is only as good as your tuner.. and by the way HONDATA are basically just chipped ECU's anyway.. you cannot alter the parameters yourself without a full-retune etc. yes i am aware you can upgrade your Hondata to enable some live tunable features but to set that tune you still have to produce another fixed-state chip

also beware of the chips you ARE getting.. a $2 eBay 'spoon chip' aint nescesarilly what it claims.. as with most things in life you get what you pay for and a poorly tuned chip - or a mismatched chip COULD do a lot of damage to your engine - just the same as if an incompetant tuner takes to your car also.

[locote]

What gains did u get out of ur ECU VT3C???

[VT3C]

havnt dyno'd yet.. am waiting to fit cam-gears and maybe cams before i go to dyno. butt-dyno(TM) gains are pretty substantial - noticably faster than previously in relation to benchmark cars and definately improved my 1/4 mile times. but this is on combination with all my other new parts also.

is definately not running rich tho - fuel ecconomy is only slightly worse than stock ECU. much more torque than before etc. am slightly concerned that it may be too lean if anything but i doubt it.

Stock ECU had me dumping a fair whack of fuel out the exhaust pipe under load at high RPM however the Spoon ECU puts out a lot less smoke - almost none... ..

but sorry to get off topic to the thread owner...

[locote]

how much improvement over 1/4 mile u get???