http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NISSA...QQcmdZViewItem

This claims to be an EPROM FLASH upgrade for the VG ECU. I was just wondering, besides the fact that it's a chip and JWT is a reprogram, the differences between a JWT upgrade and this chip. Should I expect gains from this modification, or just poor gas mileage? I think it raises the rev limit to 7000, and it says it changes timing as well. BUT, it says it won't pass smog.....What do you all think?

 

Try it on a maxima you dont like first is all i say. My bet is that you will need a dyno to tell it's installed or not. I doubt the old butt-dyno will register much.

 

Lol how am I going to try it on a max I don't like? The only Max I have is my own and I love it!

 

From what I've heard, not noticable and not worth while...get yourself a UDP instead!

 

that being said, would a JWT ecu not be worthwhile either? I do know that this is a chip that you have to solder into your existing ECU. Once that is done, the chip can be taken in and out as needed. From the looks of it the gains look for real, pretty much the same things happen that do with a JWT ECU, correct? The only thing is that with a jwt ecu, the programming is permanent, and with the chip the program runs only when it's in.

Oh, and I'll buy a UDP as soon as I see one for sale at the right price!

 

I'm curious as to the program used. I've heard some taking JWT's program chips and copying them using a chip burner.

Another option is to get an emulator and laptop/Live Edit then program your car however you want to. There are programs available that work in the N/A VG. An option unless you don't want to mess with tuning and such.

 

Well I def wanna mess with tuning. I just don't wanna invest too much money into a car's ECU that I know I'll eventually turbo and 5spd swap. I just haven't ever done anything with ECU's or anything. I have done programming with platforms like visual basic, C++, things like that....but wouldn't really even know where to begin with reprogramming a car. I'm sure I'd need all sorts of connectors and things, and then there's the issue of not having a laptop.... The main thing that caught my eye was the comparison to a JWT....and the $40 price tag.

 

if you are on a budget like i was!! i would recommend going with simple bolt-ons such as cai, y-pipe and exhaust with either vg or ve engines. You can get some huge gains with these fairly inexspensive mods. Power lies beneth the wolfs clothing. All a maxima is, Is a heavier 300zx in a suit and tie. the jwt ecu is good if you are trying to exceed 130mph with vg or 137mph in ve or if your going with modded aspirations such as turbo or supercharger. me personally i think maximas are good for 140 ish mph because the car can't handle anything over that not stable enough my opinion.

 

Yes i do agree the most agressive gains come from the bolt ons....I already have the CAI, Y-Pipe and am looking for a UDP. I'm also beginning to look into porting the manifolds, but again thats when the turbo goes in, which will not be for awhile. I'd like weather to get better and finish bodywork first. Besides major engine work....i'm running out of HP mods it seems. Thats why the ECU is what I'm looking at, it the next best thing to a bolt on mod IMHO.

 

im also working on my turbo swap im 60% done just waiting for fabrication on my mandrel ic piping, z32 maf and tranny rebuild . but back to the topic try jwt cams and (cat-back exhaust if not owned) then ecu. because it is a very exspenive mod and quite honstly i haven't heard of too many people running jwt ecu most people stick to the stock ecu with a z emulator from z31 300z's and apexi safc to better control the air fuel ratio.

 

the best thing to go is chip your ecu, get/borrow a laptop and get a wideband 02 sensor.

That way you can tune your VG in any state. Maxmaxima91 is running a chipped ecu and can help you out if you need it.

And if you chip the ecu doesnt limit it from running FI or naturally asperated. Quite the oppisite actually, the stock ecu shouldnt be run with turbos or super chargers with just baind aids like a SAFC and FPR

~Alex

 

Well, I just purchased a turbo VG ecu from 93turbogxe, but wanted something to last me for the year untill I install the turbo setup. Also, what exactly do you mean? Are you saying that my ECU with this chip shouldn't run a turbo? Or Super-Air Flow Converters and Fuel pressure regulators aren't enough alone to run FI? That is assumed, because FI should have larger injectors IMO, and the stock ECU isn't set for that. Could you rephrase that sentence???

 

ok well a power outage just erased my last post so here goes...

With the ebay chip, its tuned for NA. I doubt its all that great and isnt worth the money. But you can get a chip burner, socket, (or emulator and skip the burning and tune while you have the car on) laptop and WBo2 sensor and tune your own setup, using the same ECU for NA and turbo but with diffrent chips or tunes.

Maxmaxima91 (and some one else I think) runs a chiped Na maxima ecu and makes something like 300-350WHP and he still daily drives it I believe. Ask him if you need help seting up a chipped ecu.

What exactly did you buy from 93gxeturbo? a turbo Z31 ecu or the ecu he used in his turbo 3rd gen?

~Alex

 

Good clarification Alex. Though still the issue with cost is that running an emulator and getting set up is relatively inexpensive to what a good JWT chip/install costs. Is it more than $40? Yes, but for good reason. Emulator and having a socket installed will run about $200. Laptop cost is up to you (could borrow), but you don't need anything fancy and the LiveEdit program is free as are several ready ecu programs for FI and NA. You will need to buy a USB adaptor for the Emulator plug, but that is inexpensive as well. Now you have a very versitile set up and will be able to make great use of whatever additional bolt on's you might add. I would say though, that IMO, an ecu upgrade would be one of the last things to do regardless of route you plan taking....remaining NA or FI down road. A JWT program is about $500 and is highly recommended. But, what are your goals for this car? Plan around that idea.

FYI: I started out with a JWT program and never installed it into my car. I began making changes to my engine and set up before even swapping in the turbo engine so I had to reprogram the ecu with JWT. So after $600 and figuring I would need to reprogram again if I upgraded injectors again or did anything else, I took a huge loss on this never installed ecu and went with an emulator.

 

i got some lame *** chip that doesnt do a damnthing

 

Sounds like you got sucked into that "resistor mod" thingie...