HI;

New here, and would like to jump into things by throwing would some questions about my 98 4DR EX. I'd like to get some input on ecu upgrades and rom chips for the bugger to help with fueling and general performance tuning. For mods, I'm running pretty conservitive. DC Header and cat-back exhaust, AEM cold air intake, AEM underdrive pulleys, all coupled to a ClutchMasters street clutch. Future mods would most likely be: cams, some PnP work, a lightened flywheel, and then concentrate on a solid suspension ('cause I'd like to track the car). My goals are pretty much like anyone else's... to squeeze as much CA legal HPs as I can out of this 1.6L, and maybe bring the powerband up alittle as well. I tend to get RPM crazy at times. I have no desire to turbocharge or supercharge the car, so please keep all mindsets strictly N/A.

So with that said... what options or advice would you give someone in my case? How does the stock ECU handle modification? Does it freak out when slight changes are made, and retard timing and cut back fuel? Or does it gladly accept the fact that more air is coming in, and starts dumping fuel in to help out? If I were to stay with my current mods, would a JET chip suffice? I've seen the ads and visited the sites, but there is no good write up on the PROs and CONs, of their product. Are there any other manufacturers that offer ROM chips? What about piggy back or standalone ECUs? Would a HONDATA system be too much for me? I would think that I would only go that route if I was force feeding the engine, and needed to drasticly compensate for the amount or fuel required, or lack there of.

What about a VTEC controler? I've always wanted to ask about this. Firstly, would it even help out on my Econo-VTEC engine? Are there more advantages to one besides changing the RPM range that the cam kicks over? I would think that having it set TOO low would choke the engine, right? How about mixing the VTEC controller with an upgraded ECU? In D16 language, would that = ++++++HPs?

I'm sure someone is going to throw in the fact that I can swap the engine out for a nice B16 or better for a good $2000+, but I'd rather not go that route if I don't have to... and besides... that's quite a bit of cash to shell out at one time, ehh?

Thanks in advace. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

 

all that i am going to say is in my opinion so take it for what its worth.
i am not a fan of "chips" if you can get a custom chip that will accomidate to the brand and modle of everything on your vehicle then yes i would get a chip. if i had the money a hondata is the perfered choice, it can be tuned to your exact setup, that is the benefit of a hondata. and i would also like to add that you do not have the "econo-vtec". your engine is quite capable. lots of vtec controlers also have the added benifit of changing the a/f ratio. i would never change over to a b16, yours is everybit as good and can be just as fast with the proper cash. if i were you i would build the head then get a hondata then later on, maybe build the block and run higher compression. now the first step is to set a goal. how fast do you want to be? what kind of racing, if any? and what rout, n/a,turbo, or n2o? i would not worry anbout your ecu right now because you have nothing but minor bolt-ons, i would not even get a chip. wait till you do something bigger then worry about tunning.

-luis-

 

Yeah... That totally makes sence about the one chip wonders. There is no way that a ROM chip is going to be able to be exact for any one application. Unless you would be running a completely stock car, with just that as an upgrade. I was reading up on the HONDATA systems and they do seem to be more of an answer for me. I'll also take a look as some of the carious VTEC controllers on the market. Anyone recommend anything in particular?

Thanks for the input

Ken

 

ppssst...i aint readin all that