6G Celicas Forums

Im toying with the notion of ehich computer I should get. I know each computer offers different possibilities but which would be more benefitial. Very interested in hearing everyones thoughts, opinions, facts, and questions.

So which is better or rather more benefitial for a 3sgte?

Greddy E-Manage(both models), Apexi Power Fc, or any other computer

the PowerFC is a standalone EMS. also is plug and play pretty much on the 3rd gen.

the emanage (both models) are piggybacks.

the powerfc is the better unit, hands down, but not like there isnt better than the 'FC, lots of great EMS units out there, it more comes down to budget and who is going to tune it more than anything IMO.

Thank's Manny, anyone else wanna throw down on this? Name some other piggy backs and EMS's

I feel like someone else already posted a question about this. What are your power goals and how much do you want to spend? A standalone EMS is going to be better than any piggyback set-up but you're going to pay a lot more for the unit. I'm currently running an AEM EMS and really like it, plus there is a local shop that has a certified AEM tuner which is nice I went with a standalone unit because I plan on doing a full build with 400+ hp, so I felt it was more appropriate than buying a piggyback unit.

I wanna stay between the 350-450hp range. Just enough power to back up the looks and be able to preforme well when needed.

I was told AEM EMS or Halltech are both real good standalones for toyota's. The price difference both are about half a grand. It seems that a lot of the aftermarket standalone ecu come from Australia. So like you said aem vs halltech, it just comes down to the tuner who works on your car???

I'm currently using Adaptronic standalone ecu and I'm happy with it. It is much cheaper than other brands I know with the same features. Try to visit their site: www.adaptronic.com.au.

They have several models. I'm using e420c but they have a newer model. I plan to upgrade when my turbo project pushes through.

3waystuna and i have talked about this pretty in depth here lately. so this is what we got, dont go with a piggyback you will no regret going full standalone. many options out there especially if you are willing to put in the time to mate the harness. ok so here we go.

megasquirt- cheap, easy to tune, not plug and play, very common in the 3s world so many maps are available. MS3 website DIY auto tune

Power FC- plug and play, kinda cheap compared to other top of the line, FC datalogit is confusing and hard to use IMHO

Hydra Nemesis- plug and play, not so cheap but cheaper then the next couple, dont have experience with the tuning software, its can pretty much do anything you want it to including VVTi KO racing nemesis

AEM- plug and play, one of the most expensive, have always heard good things about it but dont know for sure

Haltech- not plug and play but a guy on ebay sells a harness adaptor for it, tuning software is supposed to be easy to use, ECU controls everything including the kitchen sink

motec- most popular in the UK so maps are available, but by far the most expensive of any of these listed.

remember this is only some that are out there and i dont know everything about them so do your research and as always find a tuner and ask him what he prefers to tune. i hope some of this at least helps.

Joe, the best thing to do in your situation, is to really sit down plan out your goals, figure out what parts you want to use to get to your goal, then figure out who is going to tune it.
Your best bet is to discuss the diffrent features of the ems units your tuner is most familiar with, select the one that incorperates the features you will get the most use of, and have your tuner tune it.
just to expand on the great post by st205wrc above me,

he covered pretty much all the basic bases as far as some of the most popular EMS units used on the 3s these days.

the key, like everyone here is saying, is using a unit that whoever is tuning the car is familar with, that way your not paying someone to learn how to get the most out of the software available to them.
being in texas, i would shoot a call over to aaron and the guys at ATS racing.
they are without a doubt one of the more experienced 3sgte tuners in the country, with lots of options as far as powergoals, and what not.
there are a large handfull of guys over on mr2oc that are running ATS kits, making 350-450WHP without a problem using a handfull of diffrent turbos, from the td06 to the gt3071, precision 5857, ect. alot of them use the power fc, its reletivly cheap, the guys @ ATS are very experienced with it, so tuning it for them is a breeze, and it just works.
here are a few threads i pulled up on mr2oc where guys show the results of theyre builds, most of them are tuned by ATS, using the powerfc.

this guy is running a stroker build, and gt3071:
http://www.mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=4268...;highlight=3071

heres one with a TD06 kit and AEM ems:
initial tune:
http://mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=426788
dynojet retune:
http://www.mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=4275...;highlight=3071

another 3071 + powerfc, tuned by ats
http://www.mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=3377...;highlight=3071

and a precision 5857 (same turbo jim is using on the 5sgte build i am doing for him, check out my "building a big bore stroker" thread in the FI section for more info)
http://www.mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=4074...;highlight=5857

there are tons of build threads like this on mr2oc to refrence from and get an idea of what diffrent turbos do as far as powerband ect with diffrent setting and mods.
the one constant in all these threads are they are all tuned professionally, by someone who is familiar with the software and the engine.
good luck dude!

Ive got both. (power FC Pro on the 205 and Emanage Ultimate on the JZX100)

Both the laptop programs are easy to use after familiarising yourself with it all. (truth be told most programs are similar)
As has been said the PFC is getting old now, but is plug and play and in my opinons thats worth its weight in gold. As for it lacking in features, well the Pro has launch control as well as hard and soft limiters, thats about all you want really. Other ECU's (especially talking about wiring in ones here) use the extra outputs they have (and people rave on about) for things like thermo fans and idle valves which the PnP ones are programmed to do.

Some plug in adapter looms are available for the EMU (like i have in the Chaser), not sure if you can get them for Celicas.

Remember that a high end ecu isnt going to allow you to make any more power then a cheap one (arguably help driveability, but ive been in cars with power fc's and EMU's and they are as smooth as stock), they just come with some features that you may or may not use.

Another important thing to remember is get something your chosen tuner is familiar with. Your better off with a cheaper ecu that your tuner knows inside and out and will get the best from, then buying something top end that he will be using for the first time.

When chosing an ECU remember to include costs of installation if its not PnP and tuning together, expect around $300-$500 or more for someone to wire it in.

Other (not mentioned) good brands of ECU are:
Autronic
Link
Microtech (are known around the world as the ECU for rotaries but they work just fine on piston engines, and they have maps for the 3s)
Wolf

This post has been edited by Cuts_the_Pilot: Sep 5, 2011 - 6:21 PM

when I talked to a tuner referred to by toysport, he said that the Apexi PowerFC is outdated technology and wasn't that great. He mentioned that the AEM EMS was a newer/ better unit.

the tuner specifically said the power fc is technology of the late 90's

This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: Sep 6, 2011 - 1:15 AM