ECU flash vs piggy back ECU

M

matchtheclown

Time p33nt
Location
nsw
First Name
hugh
Drive
99 VR-4 Type S Man
Maybe if I had read the ECU flash thread mroe closely I would already have this answered.

I think this could be a seperate conversation however.

Is it worth having apiggy back now that our UCE can be re-flashed?

The older EVO's have been being re-flashed for ages. Do people bother with piggy back ECU's for them anymore due to this?

Maybe a piggy back is useful because some of them (haltech) have an electronic boost controller built in as well.

I'm just wondering what you guys think. Pros / Cons. I have a haltech sitting around which I will happily drop onto ebay and just book in my car for a re-flash once someone starts doing it properly.

Cheers.
 
I swear this is all Japanese to me!

I just want to fix my fuel economy problem and get a tune up!!

Meek cant do it. Can I take Merlins Reflash how to guide to them and then get a tune??


AAAAAARGH? Me sprekin ze deutchen nine!
 
VR4sum said:
I swear this is all Japanese to me!

I just want to fix my fuel economy problem and get a tune up!!

Meek cant do it. Can I take Merlins Reflash how to guide to them and then get a tune??


AAAAAARGH? Me sprekin ze deutchen nine!
Click to expand...

I think Merlin works for Meek....

A reflash will allow you to lean the fuel mixture out to the minimum safest level, but you could always buy an SAFCII or similar fuel computer and get that tuned. Have you tried all other avenues in the quest to solve your "fuel economy problem"


I think the reflash should/would be far more cost effective if nothing else, after all you do not have to have the PB ECU wired up. From what i read if you can have your ECU reflashed it almost has as much tuning parameter's as what a PB unit would have. If i find out that mine is the 7202 i will be looking at finding someone here on the Gold Coast or Brisbane to have mine done.
 
godzilla said:
I think Merlin works for Meek....

A reflash will allow you to lean the fuel mixture out to the minimum safest level, but you could always buy an SAFCII or similar fuel computer and get that tuned. Have you tried all other avenues in the quest to solve your "fuel economy problem"
Click to expand...

Merlin works for Meek!!?? See now Im REALLY confused.

and I have tried most things, new 02 sensor, new fuel filter, complete fluid change.
Was thinking of the SAFC option but to tell the truth I thought that a tune up would alleviate the need for one. Isthis an incorrect assumption on my behalf?

I currently average 18l/100k. should I just get an SAFCII anyway? Will this helpin the interim or is this actually a work around fix that means I negate the need for an ECU Reflash (is this same as a tune?)

Thanks for your assistance.
 
VR4sum said:
Merlin works for Meek!!?? See now Im REALLY confused.

and I have tried most things, new 02 sensor, new fuel filter, complete fluid change.
Was thinking of the SAFC option but to tell the truth I thought that a tune up would alleviate the need for one. Isthis an incorrect assumption on my behalf?

I currently average 18l/100k. should I just get an SAFCII anyway? Will this helpin the interim or is this actually a work around fix that means I negate the need for an ECU Reflash (is this same as a tune?)

Thanks for your assistance.
Click to expand...

Firstly you cannot just "tune" a car with an ECU. If i were you i would look at not only what you have already done but plugs & leads as well. Having a SAFC only controls AFR, so it doesn't negate the reflash as that can alter timing as well. When you do all other things possible to try and increase fuel effeciency then you could try the SAFC and that "should" have a positive effect. Oh, try a reset of your ECU, it has worked for me and many other's;)
 
aaaah, that last bit would explain why my last two attempts at a reset have resulted in ....no result.

Thanks again Trev. Rep points are well deserved here mate!
I'll give it a go with the reset and think I'll book the car in with Merlin (meek) and see what they suggest would be my best option (in regards to ECU tune or SAFC or both... or neither)

But seriously Trev, you're a champion. If you were REALLY bored you could look at my post history and notice that at least 25% of it is based around my damn fuel economy issues! (I loooooooove my car, just not it's fuel consumption)

will let you know how it goes next week with Meek.
 
oh yeah, I remembered when I get the full service 5500K's ago the guy put in HKS Iridium plugs. I remember this cause at the time i was like 'HKS make spark plugs too?"

Oil I am using is ...shit, I don't know what the guy put in it.
He put a repsol sticker on my car telling me when the oil change is due but only wrote 'OIL' under type....good on ya!
About to do an oil change on saturday with Qball. Can you suggest or recommend an oil to use (doing a full flush) Yes, I know there is a post on this somewhere but Im lazy
 
Also guys, in regards to this fuel economy issue -the reason why this thread has been stolen by me in the first place - I am noticing that my exhaust pipe gets really really really black within about an hour of driving. I assume this means I am running too rich? Am I correct in this assunmption?
 
Oil= 40w Tops and FULLY SYNTHETIC
Black soot in your exhaust= Having a turbo'd car. Unfortunately this will always be a prob. No matter how good your economy will be you will always have it. And yes it will build up quick.
Plugs= At 5500k they should be fine
 
Damn it Alex!

My fuel economy increased a lot when I installed a new 02 sensor in my exhaust.

Should I change the topic to "Alex's fuel economy problem?

I would really like some more opinions from the regulars regarding the ECU flash vs piggy back thing though.
 
matchtheclown said:
Damn it Alex!

My fuel economy increased a lot when I installed a new 02 sensor in my exhaust.

Should I change the topic to "Alex's fuel economy problem?

I would really like some more opinions from the regulars regarding the ECU flash vs piggy back thing though.
Click to expand...

Have you had a price Hugh on your interceptor install?
 
When i spoke to meek about the flash originally they said don't bother with the piggy back as the flash does the same thing. Leans out the mixture and runs more boost etc and is only $300 rather than the $500ish for the piggy back and then tuning costs. They did suggest doing all breathing mods before the reflash(intercooler +piping and 3inch turbo back exhaust)
 
i was thinking going interceptor purely because i could pull it out and put it in my next car when i eventually sell the legnum...my step dad just bought a grange and only plans on keeping it for 3 years so theres a chance i might be going that option

but then again i think its about $1400 for interceptor and tune and rpw quoted $600 for flash if my ecu was writable. considering im pretty broke i may end up just going flash and spend more money when i get it. the other reason i was looking at a flash is that it'd prevent me from spending more money on mods. i'm planning a couple of trips away and with with the cost of reflash on top of any mods i put on i think it'd dissuade me from spending more in the future.

my exhaust doesn't blow black smoke but when i turned my mbc up for the cruise on sunday it was billowing it. do you have boost turned up alex?
 
The cheaper places charge $500 installed and tuned. Which isn't bad... but if I don't need a piggy back why would I want one?

I can sell it for $500 again pretty easy.
 
I think if you are talking about a piggyback then a stock ECU flash will win. There is no need to modify parts, no wiring and fitting.

If you are talking about a standalone ECU then there would be benefits but seeing from what people have gained from a piggyback, i believe our ECUs will be better.
 
Definitely the way to go, reflash i mean, i am sure for $500 that would get the most out of your car that could possibly be had, imo.
 
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