Hey guys,
i have done a search and read many threads but havent been able to find the info i crave.

Basically i have the opportunity to purchase a Hondata Stage 2 for OBD0.
I plan to use this on an OBD0 B16a1 in an EF8.


Now how do these work, i hear that a hondata is a stock ecu but the ROM chip for the fuel and ignition maps has been changed and there is a box attached to the ECU.. Is the new ROM in the ecu reflashable?

What is the purpose of the box attached to the ECU?

I heard hondata is just like a piggy back (like an emanage).. is this true, i would think not if the ROM in the ecu can be changed????

Any issues i should worry about... if i get the software can a good tuner just tune it? or do i have to get now chips?


anyone got pics of a stage 2 as well!

thanks heaps in advance

 

if someone in the know could quickly respond.. that would be great

 

Stage 2 is like an old s200 It is just like you say, a socketed and chipped ecu and a connector attached to the circuit board running to the piggyback box, Which houses the brain of the unit. Depending on whether or not it has datalogging it will have a serial port as well, You will use romeditor to burn the file onto your chip. The ecu will not function unless there is a hondata rom file on the chip and the box is attached. Yes the rom can be changed just pull the chip and re-burn it. I used to have a Hondata Stage 4 system, basically the same, just more options, hope this helps

 

thanks, does help..

so if i want a retune.. you need to pull out the chip and burn a new one and put it in..

you just cant connect a computer to it and remap it.. you have to reburn chips just like chrome and such?

 

you got it.

 

thanks for the info

how about comparison to the s200
do u have to physically burn and put new chips in?

 

I would suggest converting to OBD1, then getting the s300. With the s300 you no longer need to burn chips or even open the ecu. You just connect a USB cable to the laptop and you can make real-time changes while the car is running. This is much easier to tune and you have mush less hassle with all the cables and extra equipment that you need for the staged and s200 systems.

 

exactly what I did...dumped the Stage 2 and upgraded to obd1/hondata s300

 

how much is it for the obd1 s300? is it worth it?

 

http://www.hondata.com/s300upgradeform.html


Very worth it in my opinion

 

If you don't want to burn chips, NeptuneRTP is great. I have it running both of my cars.

 

s300 is baller!!