Since I have no ECU for my car, and am in the process of rebuilding it, Im trying to figure out what ECU to go with.

I am putting the car back to almost completely stock engine-wise (header, intake, slight head porting, cam gears, valve springs). I dont plan to mod the motor much more (if at all), but I DO want to be able to tune the car as it is once its back on the road. My goal is to maximize power on the stock cams/internals, hopefully up to around 185whp, with the least amount of extra cost other than tuning time.

Initially I was thinking of going with a stock USDM ECU and running a VAFC with that. But Im not so sure about those VAFCs, and Im not sure if it will give enough tuning flexability since Im not too familiar with them. On the other hand, I could run Hondata, but Ill need an OBD2-OBD1 harness (or OBD1 ECU) plus the Hondata. Or should I maybe run a JDM, OBD1, or Kenji ECU with Hondata or a VAFC?

What do you guys think?

 

I had no complaints with the Kenji ECU/VAFC combo.

But if I had to do it all over again, I'd get an AEM or Hondata/programmable. Costs more in the beginning but just being able to reprogram/retune if you do decide to upgrade something is nice.

 

i'll sell you my OEM ECU..

I'm running Hondata in my car..

 

mark, your ecu will not work with ryan's car without a obd2b-obd2a harness

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BlueR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">mark, your ecu will not work with ryan's car without a obd2b-obd2a harness</TD></TR></TABLE>

doh! I forgot he had a newer one..

 

Phairy Yellow.

 

running a Type R JDM ECU will simply be buying yourself a speed limiter. roughly 100-120?

 

If you are set on staying OBD2, you're choices become a little more limited if you're on a budget. V-AFC will be the cheapest.

If you do not mind converting to OBD1, there are a few very good tuning softwares out there that are FREE that offer full control over spark and fuel such as Uberdata. Hondata is also OBD1 only (with the exception of Kpro).

 

For sure get the Hondata S200 OBD-I ECU. Comes chipped with the built in back date harness and bolt on base map. I love mine and I have essentially on my GSR a type R motor with bolt on's and some more (AEM CAI, Skunk2 IM, CTR cams, Hondata, Comptech header, cat, 2.5" cat-back, and other small stuff). I couldnt be happier and the partial throttle is amazing.... as well as WOT

 

.....what do you have to trade for an obd2b (p73) 01 itr ecu?

I've got a vafc that can go with it.....

 

i have a kenji OBDI ecu and a stock JDM ITR ecu for sale, let me know

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thk &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had no complaints with the Kenji ECU/VAFC combo.

But if I had to do it all over again, I'd get an AEM or Hondata/programmable. Costs more in the beginning but just being able to reprogram/retune if you do decide to upgrade something is nice. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Kyle, I had the AEM on my previous set up. IMO its just overkill and unless you (or your tuner) know the system like the back of your hand, chances are the car is going to run like **** (drivability-wise anyway, such as throttle response, warm/cold starts, idle, etc). Unfortunately my tuner wasnt willing to spend the time on it like I would have wanted and street driving my car sucked ***. That is one reason I really want to do something that involves a stock ECU to keep the driveability close to stock, as well as I wont have a crazy set up this time that needs all those tuning options.

mstewar, what OEM ECU do you have and Marc, why wont it work on my car?

Im sorta leaning towards a Hondata-ready ECU from Hondata. But I dont know if those are all OBD1 or not though. If so then obviously I need a harness. Ill have to do some more research on those set ups to see what exactly is needed.

Id rather avoid a JDM ECU and that revlimiter

Thanks for the replies so far fellas

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mstewar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'll sell you my OEM ECU..

I'm running Hondata in my car..</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have a '98 USDM.

Edit, nevermind won't sell it, need it for emissions in 1.5 years.

Hondata might be the best one, but you could get an OEM one and a header for the price

 

hmmmm...you guys didnt sway me to either side yet.

JDM is out of the question as I dont want a rev/speed limiter.

USDM is good if I wanna just run a VAFC. Are tuning capabilies with VAFC good enough to actually DIAL IN the fuel map? Can you make slight fuel adjustments or limited to certain amounts?

Hondata ECU with Hondata would be optimal but I dont think I want to spend that much, atleast not right away.

Kenji ECU with VAFC would be nice, but arent those OBD1 and I would have to get a harness anyway? If thats the case, might as well opt for the Hondata set up.

 

mstewar has a 1998 usdm ITR ecu whch is obd2A
you have a car that requires an obd2B ecu

to make it work, you need an obd2B to obd2A conversion harness which costs $150...

its up to you

 

hmmm I wasnt aware of that. Is that because of the immobilizer? If so then I think there are ways around that. I dont care if I have an immobilizer anyway.

 

1998 ITR ecu didn't have the immobilizer...the plugs are simply different between the 1997/98 ITRs and 2000/01 ITRs

you can buy a 00/01 ITR ecu and remove the immobilizer chip

 

gotcha...so a 97/98 wont even plug directly into my 00 harness.

so if I wanna run a USDM ECU I need 00/01 for direct plug and play. otherwise will need a harness.

what setup would you suggest marc?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW DC2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
what setup would you suggest marc? </TD></TR></TABLE>

buy my 01 itr ecu!

 

ken I cant afford your prices lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW DC2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">gotcha...so a 97/98 wont even plug directly into my 00 harness.

so if I wanna run a USDM ECU I need 00/01 for direct plug and play. otherwise will need a harness.</TD></TR></TABLE>

bingo!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW DC2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what setup would you suggest marc? </TD></TR></TABLE>

answer:

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Black R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

buy my 01 itr ecu! </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW DC2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ken I cant afford your prices lol</TD></TR></TABLE>


whaaat?

I'll sell my p73 for the cost of an obd1 p72..... CHEAP!

 

PM me a price and Ill let u know if I can afford it or not

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BlueR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">mstewar has a 1998 usdm ITR ecu whch is obd2A
you have a car that requires an obd2B ecu </TD></TR></TABLE>

thanks for clearing that up for him, marc.. i hadn't been on at all last night to follow up on this..

you could use mine, but you'd have to convert the plugs.. in which case you might as well go OBD-I anyhow..

 

go with hondata or 01 ecu with vafc

if you go with hondata try to get one through sakai, that way he can program it to something close to your settings, it would allow you some driving time before tuning