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View Full Version : Are you running standalone?

CHAOS
10-12-2006, 07:10 AM
As of late, the cars here seem to have become background noise for the offtopic forum... in an attempt to change that im posting here...

how many of you are running stand alone and/or some kind of "more than a chip" engine managment? what kind? whats ur engine set up like? how do you feel youve benefited from standalone? etc etc... post up beeshes.
Loserkidwac
10-12-2006, 09:34 AM
I'm using a chipped Ecu on TurboEdit...but i don't see how it would differ than running a stand alone, its not just an ebay chip its tunable just like any other system
Renegade_
10-12-2006, 10:09 AM
talk to hishem (oh dear god I butchered that in every way possible) and sit down with him in the car, he'll make your head spin
S4toSTI
10-12-2006, 10:27 AM
Wgnestric is who you wanna talk to i am sure he may not see this thread but him or a few others on here have hydra. Also matt hwo doesn't post as much. HIshem is not gonna help you since he uses aem and you have dbw and can't use an aem unit.
TROLL
10-12-2006, 10:38 AM
i talked to wgknewstrick and asked him if i should get a hydra expecting him to say yes, but he didnt. he told me that i should probably stick with ecutek. the hydra is quite impressive but at the end of the day for your average person its more than most need. bigger isnt always better. he also made quite an issue about inspection and how thats not possible if you no longer have your factory ecu in the car.
just a couple things to consider...
bryan
CHAOS
10-12-2006, 11:48 AM
im not trying to "talk" to anyone... im trying to get a good thread going. i know enough about standalone for my purposes
CHAOS
10-12-2006, 11:52 AM
talk to hishem (oh dear god I butchered that in every way possible) and sit down with him in the car, he'll make your head spin

i did that before... my head did not spin... i know plenty about standalone :)
05OCsrt-4
10-12-2006, 11:57 AM
i did that before... my head did not spin... i know plenty about standalone :)

i have a sponsorship to get a standalone cheap, but i'm trying to get money together for it
wgknestrick
10-12-2006, 12:45 PM
I'm here. Ask away.

Bill
CHAOS
10-12-2006, 12:56 PM
the point of me posting this was not entirely to gain info myself... but to spread info throughout...hence the questions in the first thread.
Evolved
10-12-2006, 01:03 PM
I have a Utec in my Evo. Never really got to deep into it though. Sadly turbo XS seams to have forgotten about us Evo people as they haven't released an update for in in a loooooooong time. Now a days you'll have a hard time trying to sell it.


ps- I understood the point of this thread.
wgknestrick
10-12-2006, 01:09 PM
I will break some info down into categorized posts

INSPECTION:

OBD2 is a federal program and is ILLEGAL to replicate on any non OEM ECU. This means that you cannot pass inspection by any means that connects to your car thru the OBD2 port under the dash. This is only an issue for car manfactured after 1996 (I think). Prior to that, you fall under your state's (county's) inspection criteria, whatever they might be.

It will return an "unable to connect error" and you will fail inspection. On newer cars (and for PA) the cars' VIN # is obtained from the original ECU as well.

In PA (and probably in other states), there is a 1 TIME exemption (meaning 1 time inspection) you are elligable for if the inspection equipment cannot connect to your ECU. You CAN get a standalone OBD2 car inspected, but only once. After that, you are screwed. It is not a bad idea to save this until you are caught and forced to get an inspection in X days. Fines are normally around $100 for no inspection. I've run my car for over 1 year without ANY inspection sticker. You can get away with it, but it is only a matter of time until a cop notices it either in a DUI check, pulled over, passing you, etc.

The only way I know of to get inspected legitamately with a standalone is to re-install the original (or A original) OEM ECU. This sounds easy, but the reason you got a standalone in the first place is usually because the stock ECU was inaddequit. I know my car won't even idle with my stock ECU in it anymore with my modifications. Inspection laws follow the address the car is registered too, so if you have relatives that live in a non-OBD2 inspection county/state, this is another option.

If this sounds like too much effort for you, then consider other options.
licensedtothrill
10-12-2006, 01:10 PM
Right now I'm running the factory ecu in my 87 Rx7 now, only mod is the air/fuel controller. Looking to go Rteck ecu @ wideband stand alone next so I can get it tuned out.

If anyone knows were i can pick up a stand alone wide-band o2 for less than the average $260.00 PM ME. don't post it on the tread.
antman0408
10-12-2006, 02:29 PM
haltech e6k, waiting for the wideband to come so I can tune it. 1600cc secondary injectors dump a lot of fuel
RayArroyo
10-12-2006, 02:49 PM
ran a standalone for over a year in my last car. i loved it, however if you have no tuning knowedge i will not reccomend it. sure you can have someone tune it for you but its good to have the knowledge as you may have to do some tweaking from time to time.


also wingthegretshkasghwek

what ever his name is is correct
noclutch
10-12-2006, 04:17 PM
DSMLINK in my 91 awd Eclipse. Its sufficient for the 400whp that I make, has alot of really nice features and is simple to install and tune with. The car isnt driven on the street though so I couldnt comment on that aspect.
ej20wrx123
10-12-2006, 04:55 PM
I have a Utec in my Evo. Never really got to deep into it though. Sadly turbo XS seams to have forgotten about us Evo people as they haven't released an update for in in a loooooooong time. Now a days you'll have a hard time trying to sell it.


ps- I understood the point of this thread.

Sell your utec for the delta....you evo guys will finally have speed density w/ it.
peteyturbo
10-12-2006, 04:59 PM
I run a haltech E6K on my RX7, it's great for that car but lacks knock and wideband target a/f..Some of the newer systems use this and can work more accurately while getting better MPG, but the complexity also increases..Although 3d maps are the bomb:)
88TSI_Rob
10-12-2006, 07:54 PM
I'm running a Hawk EC21 by EFI Hardware. I've been told it's similar to the Wolf3D ECU that a lot of the RX-7 guys run.
turboteg
10-17-2006, 07:17 PM
I'm running a AEM ems ,its the second time I'm using it.
I'm really happy with it
Ender81
10-17-2006, 11:46 PM
I'll have my utec on Thurs. and I can't wait to see how the car runs after I install it. For anyone having issues with their stand alone consider a drive out to Allentown for a Tuesday meet and if you buy Wgknestrick a beer maybe he will answer a couple questions lol.
highmilehatch
10-20-2006, 08:02 PM
Apexi Power FC for the Nissan, Neptune on the Honda.
TurboTagTeam
10-22-2006, 08:27 PM
I used an Apexi Power FC on my RX-7. It is most defiantly the best ECU for FD's. I know alot of Nissan Skyline guys like them too.

MY favorite thing about it was that all my engine stat's were right in front of me at all times.

THe bad part was trying to adjust the ignition or fuel maps with the FC commander. It is really small and it's hard to work a map with it being so small.
KGParts
10-23-2006, 06:53 AM
For Haltech I have rune6k, f9 and e6x. Older Haltech's were better IMO. After they went windows based they went down hill. They all sucked on ign pickups...
Also have run Electromotive Tec3r (Best EMS yet if you have the $... its not cheap)
Microtech (very good units. If you dont have money for the Tec3r, you should not look further) and messed with the PFC (simple system with some ups and downs)
Turbo tag - i have the FCdatalogit program and hookup if you ever need to use it rather than the mickymouse apex controller. :)
RyanG
10-23-2006, 07:24 PM
Utec here.. damn happy with it.
vwcorradokid
10-25-2006, 12:06 PM
AEM EMS w/wideband...only problem is that I need to upgrade to a 5-bar MAP sensor...3.5 just isn't cutting it anymore. LOL
grofry
10-27-2006, 05:31 PM
Hydra for the win, i had a utec. Hydra def cleared up alot of those studdering, jumpy issues of the utec switching over from it to the stock ecu. im def sooo happy with the hydra. drives like a new smooth car. hehe so much more tuning allowed with it, which for some people is a bad thing, but also phil is the best tech i have ever delt with. he is a great guy def willing to help as much as possible
Renegade_
10-27-2006, 06:31 PM
Hydra for the win, i had a utec. Hydra def cleared up alot of those studdering, jumpy issues of the utec switching over from it to the stock ecu. im def sooo happy with the hydra. drives like a new smooth car. hehe so much more tuning allowed with it, which for some people is a bad thing, but also phil is the best tech i have ever delt with. he is a great guy def willing to help as much as possible
This was one of the reasons that had me researching the Hydra stand alone over the Utec stand alone as a solution for engine management when I start doing a swap (who knows what that is gonna happen...)

Also, the Hydra will work in conjuction with a JDM ecu correct? or am I wrong in this assumption?
TROLL
10-27-2006, 06:36 PM
The Hydra will work with a JDM ECU and it will also control AVCS.
A Revision 6b UTEC will also work in conjunction with a JDM ecu, so will their newer piggyback system of which i cannot remember the name right now. they are also capable of speed density tuning, a major step up from only MAF based in the past. Its basically a rebirth of the UTEC in my eyes.
I do agree that the Hydra is a superior and more capable system, but it isn't right for everyone as there are pros and cons associated with any engine management. Just gotta find whats best for YOU, and standalone isnt always the answer.
Renegade_
10-27-2006, 06:40 PM
The Hydra will work with a JDM ECU and it will also control AVCS.
I wish I was that rich :cry:

No v7 motor and no AVCS for me haha
TROLL
10-27-2006, 06:46 PM
well you're talking about an $1800 hydra right? thats pretty rich...
Renegade_
10-27-2006, 06:50 PM
well you're talking about an $1800 hydra right? thats pretty rich...
v7 motors are like over 4 grand though, thats what I was talking about. I know hydras are expensive as balls. I have been researching hydra as a solution for engine management for a future purpose: I'm not going to buy such a system for another 2 years easy :roll: College = poooooor I also don't even know if it is necessary but I might as well research what I can before time comes for a decision
BoM
11-13-2006, 09:32 PM
I haveAEM EMS for my second winter on the same cold/startup tune. When standalone is setup right it'll run good. It requires only minor seasonal touch ups.

Logging is fun, if you want to know exactly what the motor is doing. Im running gm map sensor and gm ait. Switching to the aem sensor soon because i think they will be more consistent and accurate than the GM ones.

Only thing i dislike about it is every startup takes a couple cranks. Other than that issue i love the AEM.
a2low240
11-15-2006, 03:06 PM
Haltech E11v2 - runs like a factory ECU after 2 years of tuning. I've had it for 5 years now.
SoStock92
12-02-2006, 01:43 AM
Yes.

MegaSquirt full standalone with:

Knocksense
GM DIS
Launch Control
Boost Control
etc.