ECU modifications/piggyback/chip help understanding once and for all
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ECU modifications/piggyback/chip help understanding once and for all
For the past month I have been reading about ECU tuning and more I dig the more confused I get.
I understand the difference between piggyback, standalone aftermarket ECU and Hondata (which as far as I see it it’s something in-between). I’m not lazy, I did loads of searchs, wasted so much time at work I just cat get clear answers..
As a background: I’ve recently decided to do tranny swap in my civic. It’s a 1999 (4door) EK with JDM B165 engine. These engines came with AT tranny only. Since I like having my stick and I saved up some money I decided to do it.
I don’t have resources or enough mechanical knowledge to do it myself and therefore swap will be done by a garage.
I’ve ordered all the parts and should be with me soon. Gearbox I’m putting in is a S80 LSD with 4.4 final drive.
Now my main concern is the ECU. My current ECU is a P2T (auto) one. I found out that for car to run properly I’ll need to get manual one. I read that P30 is for B16a engines and therefore my understanding is that this choice would be best for me. I was looking at P28, and I know I’d also have to get OBDII to OBDI conversion, but P28 does not support knock sensor. P30 apparently does. My car is daily driver and I’d like the knock sensor to work in case something goes wrong.
Now, since I’ll be changing ECU I thought to maybe go a bit further and be able to tune the car a little bit. Since my garage has a dyno (they build racing cars for living) they can tune it for me.
I might sound stupid, but can they change settings on a standard P30 ECU that I will buy? Or does it have to be chipped? And by chipped I mean I’d have to buy chip right? Or can they change settings in my currect P2t ECU so it has got the same once as the manual car? Mechanic said I’m best to get Power FC but for that money (almost $1.000) I’d better of going for Hondata I think.
I don’t have any advanced mods at the moment, apart from intake with filter and exhaust. I’ll be going boost around December time once I saved up some money.
I’d really appreciate your help so I have clear understanding how ECU tuning works and what’s the best way to go in case. My goal is to run the car safe, with proper fueling, timing etc.
I’ll spend about GBP2.000 in total for this swap and I’d like my car to run properly.
Thanks in advance for your comments
I understand the difference between piggyback, standalone aftermarket ECU and Hondata (which as far as I see it it’s something in-between). I’m not lazy, I did loads of searchs, wasted so much time at work I just cat get clear answers..
As a background: I’ve recently decided to do tranny swap in my civic. It’s a 1999 (4door) EK with JDM B165 engine. These engines came with AT tranny only. Since I like having my stick and I saved up some money I decided to do it.
I don’t have resources or enough mechanical knowledge to do it myself and therefore swap will be done by a garage.
I’ve ordered all the parts and should be with me soon. Gearbox I’m putting in is a S80 LSD with 4.4 final drive.
Now my main concern is the ECU. My current ECU is a P2T (auto) one. I found out that for car to run properly I’ll need to get manual one. I read that P30 is for B16a engines and therefore my understanding is that this choice would be best for me. I was looking at P28, and I know I’d also have to get OBDII to OBDI conversion, but P28 does not support knock sensor. P30 apparently does. My car is daily driver and I’d like the knock sensor to work in case something goes wrong.
Now, since I’ll be changing ECU I thought to maybe go a bit further and be able to tune the car a little bit. Since my garage has a dyno (they build racing cars for living) they can tune it for me.
I might sound stupid, but can they change settings on a standard P30 ECU that I will buy? Or does it have to be chipped? And by chipped I mean I’d have to buy chip right? Or can they change settings in my currect P2t ECU so it has got the same once as the manual car? Mechanic said I’m best to get Power FC but for that money (almost $1.000) I’d better of going for Hondata I think.
I don’t have any advanced mods at the moment, apart from intake with filter and exhaust. I’ll be going boost around December time once I saved up some money.
I’d really appreciate your help so I have clear understanding how ECU tuning works and what’s the best way to go in case. My goal is to run the car safe, with proper fueling, timing etc.
I’ll spend about GBP2.000 in total for this swap and I’d like my car to run properly.
Thanks in advance for your comments
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