So, I have a bit of a dilemma. My 2000 R was tuned for California, and seems to have run really well there. But on coming home to Tucson, AZ, the car didn't drive quite as well. It's currently got an Apex i Power FC ECU, which seems to have done very well in the car since it was put in. However, now that I have it in Tucson, the car needs a new tune. She runs rich, has bad gas mileage, lots of brown smoke on heavy throttle, and the exhaust smells like gas. Plus the ECU flashes if I floor it, which means that the injectors are at their peak.

So, the biggest problem is that the Power FC ECU cannot be tuned without the Apex i Commander, which didn't come with the car ($*@!). To make things worse, there's no trust-worthy shops in town to tune, and the one I have been referred to in Phoenix doesn't currently tune with the Power FC.

The shop in Phoenix has quoted me on tuning an OBD I ECU with Neptune software, which everyone has told me would give me a bit more power and efficiency. But that leaves me with either a large tuning fee ($450+OBD I ECU), or else a crappy trade-in on the Power FC.

You guys think I should go with the OBD I Neptune tune, or should I buy a Commander? I don't really know much about tuning, so that's an additional problem with going with the commander.

Here's a list of most of the R's mods. Sorry it's just a cut and paste so the list is a tad longer than it needs to be for this post.

TODA Racing Spec B Camshafts
TODA Racing Generation 2 Campulleys
TODA Racing High Power Dual Valve Springs
TODA Raicng 0.6mm High Power Headgasket
TODA Racing High Power Exhaust Manifold (4-2-1)
TODA Racing 80mm Oil Pump Gear
Cunningham Connecting Rods
Portflow design Cylinder head (Deshrouded to provide 11.5:1 Compression)
Portflow design Titanium Retainer
RC Engineering Throttle Body
Comptech USA ICEBOX Air Intake System
Earl's Oil Cooler

Transmission:
TODA Racing Lightweight Chrome-Moly Flywheel
TODA Racing High Power Cluthc Kit (Non-Asbestos)
ATS Co. Ltd. 4.929 Final Drive
ATS Co. Ltd. 1.5 Way Limited Slip Differential
Acura Integra 4th and 5th gear

Suspension:
TODA Racing/FIGHTEX ST Type Coil-Over System With External Oil Resevoirs
Mugen Sway Bar Kit
Mugen Strut Tower Bar
Mugen Bushing Kit


So...? Keep the Apex i or go with the Neptune tune?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DejaVu88 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Plus the ECU flashes if I floor it, which means that the injectors are at their peak.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you're referring to the check engine light flashing VIA output from the PFC... that is actually a knock indicator, not in any way related to injector duty cycle. With the commander you can adjust the knock limit for the CEL indication, and you would also be able to see your inj. duty cycle.

 

According to the PFC manual, http://www.apexi-usa.com/pdf/p...7.pdf the flashing that I am receiving is because the injectors are at max capacity. Which runs congruent with my "running rich" problem.

 

If i remember correctly, it will flash for both. At lower RPM's, I know its for knock, since mine has rather sensitive ears lol. I think I remember it flashing near redline when I had stock injectors that were maxing out.

I have no opinion on which is better/easier to use. Might want to pm Jack, user name B18CXR. I am sure he can give you an opinion on both.

 

since your in arizona, i would ditch the power fc and hit up joe sawyer @ locashracing and get that beast tuned on neptune.

joe will take care of ya.

 

Heheh, ya, Joe at locash is who I've been referred to by my shop of choice down here. Nice re-assurance to get recommended there without having mentioned it.


Modified by DejaVu88 at 11:42 AM 10/8/2007

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DejaVu88 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Heheh, ya, Joe at locash is who I've been referred to by my shop of choice down here. Nice re-assurance to get recommended there without having mentioned it.


Modified by DejaVu88 at 11:42 AM 10/8/2007</TD></TR></TABLE>


yep and he is neptune authorized. you could probably have the creator of neptune tune your car for you, but more than likely he may refer you to joe @ locash since it will be cheaper on you.

if u had the creator of neptune tune your car, he'd probably have to rent a dyno and then charge you for that plus the tuning, so joe would be more cost effective i guess.

either way, good luck.

 

Either unit will be fine for you setup, choose what your tuner can tune.


Don't let a bad tune curb your judgement of the unit.

P.S. ditch the TI retainers. you WILL drop a valve around 10-15K miles with the Spec B's.


cheers

 

I appreciate your advice, but all of these mods where done when the car was brand new! Now she's sitting at just under 54,000 miles, and still running like a champ. I'll take that into consideration though, as I am sure you have a reason for making that recommendation.

Thanks for all the responses fellas. I will be going with the Neptune at locash, especially after hearing all your input.

Can't wait to see what she's actually putting down. According to Toda's website, and the magazine articles on my R, she puts down 203hp to the wheels at ~240hp to the crank. Who knows where that will be after the tune.

Plus I gotta figure out just how far into the redline I should actually go... With a 9,300rpm redline I curb to the side of hazard going above even 8,500rpm. Never heard the roar at 9k...

 

I have seen this more than once. Make sure you keep an eye on yours.

cheers,


P.S.
Tell Joe "Sup!!"

 

oh yeah you bought this car from some shop in cali right? i remember this, py right?
dude for sure just get neptuned

 

I love Neptune.

 

It came from Cali but not from a shop. It is PY though. It was maintained by some known shop, though I don't remember the name.

 

Did u get neptune? im in tucson too with a R in an eg!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18CXr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have seen this more than once. Make sure you keep an eye on yours.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

What brand ti retainers are those ?
What ti retainers have you seen hold up ?
I have yet to see anyone have issues w/ ti retainers locally.

 

if you decide to ditch the powerfc, my friend may buy it off from u if you don't mind ship to canada

 

Ah well I tuned a while back and I don't have the Power FC anymore.