TEC3 is a decent system, it is ok for people that want a semi-complete package.

It is not too flexable though.

You have to use their 60-2 trigger.
- So you have to mount the wheel and sensor.
You have to use their coils, or other inductive coils.
- So you cant trigger a CDI, or adjust the dwell time if needed.
No injector dead time adjustment
Issues with firmware upgrades
Issues with on the fly tuning (other systems have been doing this for 7+ years)
Issues with idle control valve
Pretty limited datalogging
No limited ability to expand options/tables

It's pretty easy to set up the fuel curve once you know the system. And the cars run pretty good on them. But pretty good is all you get.

 

I love my Tec 3 and the Tec 2 I had before it, never had a issue with it. I never have had a issues with idle on my car, or onfly tuning, ect. Starts up and runs like a champ every time.

15:1 near 500 lift cam D16, idles with almost zero vacuum mid 90's kpa .First bump fires right up, with no IAC, its all the in the tune and the tuner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WLfTXNAG9o

 

Joe. I have spoken you you before and know that you use to run the TEC on your race car and later switch. I guess whats curious about it is that its not a $4000 sustem nor a $1000 one either. However there seems to be more people on other middle cost system than It. I know the end result is only as good as the tuner using it.

I agree on that fact that it lack a few bells and whistles like the others. And talking to them can be like convincing your granparents to get with the new times.

I have it on a stock sleve gsr s372 and made 540 @ 21 trying not too hard on the new TEC GT. I dont have a problem with idle using the honda IAC nor the 1600 i was on or the 8 1000cc now. I preffered the older datalogs over the new. the updates come out regular enough for me. they have speed by mph now and psi conversion. It just seems to be a system that get skipped in favor of fast ans haltec so I was curious to learn what I may not know. I too want to make 800+ and need more info. I already solve the break up you ten to get at high boost and RPM that only seemed to happen on the honda with it.

 

the tecII or tecIII will run the engine, its all the other stuff that it lacks. if you want it to run the engine, and are content using the sensors and trigger set up they make you use, then it should work fine for you. get ready to spend more money on an external logger if you want good logging.

there are people that swear by electromotive and thats all the use. there are people that swear by VAFC hack and thats all they use. whatever works for you, use it.

there are a lot of ecu option that are much more flexible in the price range of the electromotive stuff. and a good portion of people are not able to or comfortable making their own engine harness either which is mandatory with the tec systems.

the simplicity of electromotive is nice when working with an oddball set up car, where nobody makes anything for it and you would have to spend time figuring out your trigger set up etc. throw in a 60-2 and a tec ecu and your done. we put one in a mercury tracer a few years back lol

 

tracer LTS? BP engine? how did it do?

 

Anyone that knows me knows I am horrible at wiring and I had no issues making my own harness. Really in this day and age how can you build a car and complain about making a wiring harness with less than 30 wires total? Take your time, match the ecu PIN to whatever it needs to be connected with. I find it humerus people want to wheel a 800hp car but are turned off by the fact you gotta take a few hours and make your own harness.


I know there are better systems out there but for it cost, the ability to put it on any model or make of motor, it is quite a good system. You buy and your done, unlike most system in that price range, you gotta add on CDI/MSD boxes, COP, T1 Cam triggers ect, and that stuff adds up real fast.

 

I would have to agree. My dad has a TEC3R on his SRT-4, and he's also a beta tester for there software. Its an overall good system for the price and alot of the issues Lugnuts listed have been fixed and no longer apply. Every EMS has its ups and downs, you just have to choose which is right for your application/pocket.

Every tuner has there preference of to which system they like to tune. Debating engine managements is like debating politics, EVERYONE has there own opinion, whether it be first hand or what there tuner told them. The only real way to know which is best for you is first hand experience.

On another note, Im curious to know if anyone is using ViPEC EMS? I used in the EFI advanced class and I was really impressed with the simplicity and overall function.

 

I sell and tune the Vi-PEC system. The functionality and hardware is great. The software is a work in progress. Vi-PEC has been pretty good at getting updates out there quickly.

There are so many differences between something like a Vi-PEC or an Autronic SM4, to something like a TEC3, that it would take a while to list them.

I feel differently that the post above, the other systems are generally *easier to install on different types of engines. Because of features like:

Digital or analog triggers (TEC uses analog only)
User adjustable trigger tooth pattern (TEC its their way or the highway)
Dwell or pulse type ignition outputs, up to 8 of them for full sequential on a V8.
User adjustable temp sensors
And in the case of the SM4, a 440 kpa MAP is included in the ecu.


I deal with another system that is $1200 bucks. And it has:
8x Injectors
8x Ignition
On-board Wide band
On-board EGT
On-board 4 Bar MAP sensor
3 Analog Inputs
Great data logging and graphing
Idle control
Boost control
constant firmware revisions/new features
etc, etc


They all work. Some are cheaper, then you pay more for the install or tune.
Some are more expensive, but more reliable and easier to tune.
blah blah

 

I found lots of humor in this thread about 1/2 way through.

110+ Traps in the quarter. Damn that's fast. I hope to get there someday.

 

using a vipec ecu on a car next week for the first time. looks very promising

 

I've been using Electromotive for well over 10 years now with great success. I agree the logging isnt the best but with a PCS dashlogger it was an awesome unit. It was a very consistent ECU and did everything that I needed it to do for the speeds I was going.
I would say that I made around 800whp on Tec3 last year, but I cant say for sure because it was never dynoed (track tuned only). The car went 157mph at 2500lbs on 35lbs of boost with the 66mm. I knew what the car would run every pass down the track. At x amount of boost it will run x amount of MPH.

I have swithed EMS this year due to the fact that I couldnt run a different ignition system with it...... Going hi to mid 9's its a great EMS but trying to faster you will be limited.

 

I also run a TEC3 and love it. I used to run a Haltech before this and swapped over to the TEC unit. I run it on a rotary where timing is very important. I liked the fact that the trigger wheel and mag sensor, coil package and ECU are all made by one company. I have seen issues in the past with timing on other ECUs where you are using mazda pickup, msd coils and an ecu made in Australia.

In the end as someone noted it comes down to the tuner and their choice. For the price I love the TEC unit. It does everything i need at the moment. The new TEC GT has more channels available to datalog so no need for an external datalogging device.

There are few cars that run low 7s in the modified class that run TEC units with the same coils they sell the unit with, and this is the same ECU setup that I have in my car.

I like the TEC unit a lot, I recently saw the Autronic software in action and was also impressed. If a tuner takes the time to go over each ECU with you for about 10 minutes you will find features you like on x unit that are maybe not available in your unit and vice versa.

 

that is why i went with electromotive back in the day, everything was contained in one unit and everything worked together.

ironically, thats part of the reason i dont care for it so much anymore. there is no flexibility.

if you have it, you like it, and your happy with it.... use it


ricky wanted to do some ignition/limiter comp. type stuff, and had to swap to an entirely different ecu and then purchase an ignition box to get the car to do what he wanted to do. other ecu's offer all of that contained with in the ecu. again it just shows there are numerous ways to do things....and also shows how some ecu's are more limited than others and in some cases there is no way to over come those limitations with out changing ecu's all together.

at the end of the day i think the selections people make are primarily based on how much money they have/want to spend lol

 

I was invited to PRI last year by the electromotive guys, and while we were talking. THey mentioned that they were looking to expand by developing a unit strickly for the sport compact market. WHen I go back this year, Im going to bring it up and see where its at and if its still in the works.

One thing electromotive defiently lacks is there customer/vendor support. Before my dad got involved with beta testing for them, its was damn near imposssible to get any type of support. AND when he inquired about possible training like AEM does, they basically told him the training they offer is for vendors with X amount of unit purchases. SO that limits the customer knowledge to some extent. SInce then certain things have changed pertaining to customer support and training, but in the past it was definetly one of there biggest downfalls. ANd another thing I might add, they seem to market there EMS more toward kit/hybrid/complete custom applications more than marketing for motorsports as a whole.

 

Let us know how it turns out. Most people look at me funny when I ask them if the've heard of it. I only got to play around with it for a short time, but from what I saw it is very promising, and from what Ive heard, very affordable as well.

 

If I could of used a different ignition box with my Tec3 I would of kept it.
I think it always comes down to how much money you want to spend.

 

What EMS did you end up switching too, if you dont mind me asking?

 

Carburetors/Mechanical Injection and magnetos are the way to go. One wire, and your done. I kid of course

 

i have 2 dtafast systems. 1 is the newer s60 pro and its pretty loaded with features.. one that i am running on my car is an older e48 ecu that is pretty simple and works fine for my all motor engine..

have any of you looked into dtafast? it comes from england and you have to pay the exchange rate..

 

I used to work at a shop with one of the main DTA tuners down here in South FLorida. From what I saw looked pretty solid, and he has quite a few cars running some big numbers. ALot of the full out road race guys down here seem to use DTA alot. My buddy also ran the DTA on his turbo p5 wagon, and at the time it held the record for quickest and fastest p5 in the world.

 

Okay Okay Okay... Lets just answer the question. Yes some aftermarket ECU or flash ECU are better than this and better than that. What it comes down to is the features. Look at all the things people have mentioned here and look for yourself. Do you need this function, do you need that function.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS GET WHATEVER YOU TUNER IS THE MOST FAMILIAR WITH. The ECU is only as good as the tuner. Get what your tuner is good at tuning. Plain and simple.

 

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