I need to make a decision very soon as my car should be ready next weekend.
What do you guys think..what should I go with? Right now Im leaning toward the VAFC setup...

Prices:

P28 ECU: $50
Reprogram ECU: $170
V-AFC: $300 (new - can get used for $250)

P29 ECU: $50
Hondata Stage 2: $355

So the VAFC setup would cost $65 - $115 more then the Hondata.
Now, if I get a Hondata, they have tuned base maps for alot of applications, it has an adjustable VTEC controller and an adjustable rev limiter...but I have no fuel control.
The VAFC I could control the fuel and VTEC, but no rev limiter.

I tend to do alot of changes to my car..and thats the problem. With a Hondata I could have it retuned..but it would get pricey. The nice thing is that ignition timing can be altered which might be valuable when running 12:1 compression.

So, what would you guys do?

 

If you have a Hondata dealer or someone with the stage 4 near you, I would say go with the Hondata since you are planning to make a lot of changes in the future.

The VAFC is only good for fine tune. If you just go with the P28 and reprogram it, you may need to reprogram the P28 down the road anyways. So it would cost the same as re-chip the Hondata stage 2 I guess.

So go with Hondata unless you don't have any support anywhere near you live!!

 

Well Locash racing is local, and I know Joe personally, but it would still cost me $50 each time I need it tuned + cost of buring new chip + dyno time cost. I dont know anyone who actually has a stage 4 other then him.

Also I like the fact that the VAFC has a digital tach, the stock tach is way off and I used the digital tach on my old SAFC alot.

Damn hard decisions

 

any more opinions?

 

id honestly go with the hondata. but if u decide to go with the hondata, seriously consider the fuel control option. Tuning is very vital to sustain the life of a high compression motor running on pump gas, and with the hondata, tuning, from what I hear, is much more precise and there r many more perameters for tuning.

However, if u r short on a budget, and cannot afford the fuel control option on the hondata, go for the VAFC, because there are many ppl running piggy backs with high compression, with no signs of detonation

 

Even if you just get the VAFC, you will still need to tune it on the dyno anyways. And if you make some major mods changes, your old program in the P28 won't work well anyways, and you will need to reprogram the OBD1 chip, which will cost you money too!!

Since you have a local guy with the Stage 4, I would go take advantage of it and go with Hondata.

 

This may help:
http://www.c-speedracing.com/onlinestore/hondata.html

 

Rev limiters are for ****** all you need is a launch limiter now those are tight!!!! ..... VAFC baby! get it tunned just right at the dyno and ur cool.

 

V-AFC is fuel only! Hondata is every damn thing plus a lil' more!

 

this is my first post, but the vafc can also change the vtec engagement and fuel, i know cos i have one.

 

not knocking on anybody with a VAFC here...

but so what if you got fuel control and VTEC Xover control?
The Hondata doesn't?

What's great about the Hondata is the fact you can mess with the timing....something you'd probably have add another piggyback like an ITC before you can go about messing...that's what? about another 60USD if you can find it used?

I'm a believer in the Hondata after G3-TEG and I played with it on my car about a week ago....

Datalogging is dooooope....

 

% agree, that if you are even thinking about getting a hondata, you should get it. there asre so many other things that you can do with hondata over the vafc. the vafc looks cool and works really really well, but i just think that hondata is better in terms of what you can do in the future.

 

Like I said.. The HONDATA does everything! Just talk to Joe and he'll set you on the correct path!

 

Hondata much more versitile.

BTW, how the F are u getting the Hondata and those ECU's for so cheap?? Im in the market for ECU/Hondata/PowerFC right now as well and if you could hook me up, please pm me.


[Modified by 12secTypeR, 7:33 AM 12/24/2001]

 

Only the stage 4b with emulator and burner is expensive. The lower stages are actually pretty cheap.

Wait until Apex releases the newer software before plunking down that much loot. A couple of the RX-7 guys are trying to make a linkup so the Power FC can datalog with the help of a serial cable and laptop.

Hondata, Haltech, Speedpro, DFI are the way to go! Sub computers are OK until you find a better computer. Power FC's also do not make changea at the base map but instead use a correction map which is almost similar to using a sub computer. The best thing about the P-FC is it can control the boost control functions of the AVC-R. It is also plug N play if you can get the correct harness.

 

Greddy is also coming out with a piggy back system that appears like it will do everything. Should be out very soon. Computer programmable. It also does fuel and ignition.

John

 

it doesn't matter what you do to a piggyback it will always be a piggy back. The Greddy computer has been on the market for 3 months and nobody buys it over here because there are a lot of hidden cost. The software is an extra $120 and there are other cables and harnesses that need to be purchased. Why use a main and sub computer when you can just run one??


[Modified by drealgsr, 7:12 AM 12/24/2001]

 

With the Hondata, do you lose any features that come with the stock ecu, such as CEL, auto immobilizer or SRS?


[Modified by 2k1TypeR0610, 9:53 AM 12/24/2001]

 

it still shows CEL codes but the when connected to the laptop you will get a descriptive code instead of just a blinking CEL. SRS has it's own computer! All your questions can be answered correctly by visiting Hondata's site or by sending doug@hondata.com an email.

 

Greddy E-tune has been released in the US, I have one sitting at the shop but they don't have the English Software available for another month or two so the thing isn't worth a **** just turning dials.

Hondata is great but it doesn't allow on the fly tunning, you have to have someone with stage4 there and you have to reburn chips.

Aem should be out soon and this looks to be a real winner, basically a stock replacement computer with all the tunning power of Hondata and even some Motec($$$$) based applications within it as well, should be out in 2 weeks to a month.

 

Wow quite a few replies

I see most everyone voting for the Hondata, but Im still not really convinced. Like I said, I dont know anyone (other then Locash who is a dealer) who has a Stage 4 and chip burner.Once I get my car running, I wanna dyno tune the stock SI cams, then Ill probably dyno some ITR cams...then some aftermarket ones...etc etc. So I would need to go to the dyno quite a few times...and I HATE having to wait on other peoples schedules for when they have time or want to go.
Datalogging is cool, but I dont have a laptop so thats pretty much out of the question.

Definately leaning toward the VAFC

 

i believe it doesn't take much to data log. See if you can pick up an older win95-98 or so laptop off ebay for like 200 or something...

 

Thats still $200 and Datalogging is another $200 over the $355 Stage 2 price...so now were talking $755


[Modified by HX_Guy, 9:20 AM 12/24/2001]

 

The emulator allows for on the fly tuning! If you live close to Joe just go over to his place and watch him tune a computer or have him show you his setup. I got the 4b because I am the only person in Japan who has a Hondata. If Joe is going to be doing your tuning you don't need a laptop. If you plan to do any major buildups such as big cams, p&p, NOS, or Boost you might as well just get the Hondata now. I enjoyed my V-AFC when I had it but it is very limited.

You can get PII 350 laptops for $500 anywhere...

 

In case anyone is interested, I have a used Stage 3 with datalogging for sale for $500. E-mail me if interested.