Guys with performance ECUs (Jim Wolf and UPRD,etc):
How does it affect your gas mileage when driving normally and on the highway? am curious. thanks in advance!

 

I have not noticed any big difference since I put in my ECU but theoratacly since the air/fuel mixture is raised it should use up a little more gas due to more gas being used up which in turn increases HP,but keep in mind that if you are driving normall say below 3000 RPM there will be no difference in MPG because the ECU does not activate it's self untill the engine is reved over 3K RPM's.

 

Shouldn't be a difference. The ECU only makes a difference at WOT. All other factors remain basically the same. You may experience lower mpg's because you'll be using the loud pedal more. More than worth it, IMO

 

I have noticed a very slight drop in gas mileage with my JWT ECU. I think that is more due to me enjoying the feeling of being thrown back in the seat when the tach needle crosses 3800 rpms, than the ECU itself though. When I do drive it sedately, the mileage seems to be about the same.

I just checked my gas mileage log...I did drop down to 17.1 mpg on one trip with the JWT ECU, but if I remember correctly an Audi TT and myself were on the autobahn at 5 in the morning playing around (at 130-145 mph) for a long time. Other than that, I manage about 22 mpg, mainly city type driving. That's about the same mileage I was getting in town before I put the ECU in.

I'd recommend the ECU regardless of an insignificant mileage loss...as it really makes the engine come alive. Normal when not driven hard, but very lovely when pushed hard. I like to describe my Maxima as sort of Jeckyl and Hyde automobile with the ECU.

 

like Jim mentioned, gas mileage is not affected with a JWT ECU. The fuel & timing maps are altered when the ECU goes into open loop mode. During normal daily driving (closed loop), the stock fuel & timing maps are used. I don't know the exact specs when the ECU switches to open loop, but it's generally around 70% full throttle.

 

not to buy the ecu if you REALLY want it.

 

How much faster is your max with the chip? Also what kinds of things do you notice that are different while driving?

 

The difference with the ECU is pretty dramatic in my opinion, but then again I spent a lot of money on it so I may be biased. My wife, who is unbiased about any kind of car stuff, stated the car is now a monster (after I installed the JWT ECU). The main reason I put the ECU in was to get rid of the speed limiter my GXE had, which it did.

The areas you feel the power increase in is the 3000-5500 rpm range, although the power starts to come on stronger from about 2600-2800 rpm, and absolutely kicks in (hard) at around 3750 rpm. About a month ago, I took the JWT ECU out and stuck the stock ECU back in to see if there was much a difference between the two, and the car actually felt somewhat lethargic with the Nissan ECU in it. Needless to say, the JWT ECU was quicly stuck back in.

The car drives normally in all circumstances, starts and idles nicely, etc., and in normal driving you won't even know an "enhanced" ECU is there.

Well worth the money in my opinion.

 

Like Autobahn mentioned, the throttle response is much quicker and more responsive, especially around 3500-4000 RPM. The car should pull much stronger in the last 1000 rpms.

WIth my NA Z32, I knocked off .2 seconds and gained 2 mph in the quarter mile with the JWT ECU (basically same programming as the Maxima ECU)

 

isn't there another ecu available? by uprd or something? how does the jwt compare with that one?

 

I don't know much on how/what is exactly done on the UPRD EPROM chip but most likely it advances the spark/timing maps along with slightly richer fuel maps when the vehicle goes in open loop mode.

If I had to choose between the two, I'd go with JWT since they have been cracking Nissan codes for a much longer time and have much more experience with EPROM tuning

 

I have the JWT ECU, and that thing is awesome. Easily one of the best mods, in my opinion. It doesn't really affect the mileage, as others here have stated, it just makes you want to drive hard, which obviously uses more fuel. It is well worth the money, and without a doubt, makes significant horsepower. I cannot tell a difference in normal driving over my stock ECU, only when on the throttle pretty hard. Definitely a must have, in my opinion.

 

what did the chip run you guys. $$$$

 

Yah, how much? Last time I talked to the people at JW they said they eren't even going to consider making a new ECU for 4th gen maxes till later next year.

 

come on guys.. how much did it run you?

 

The JWT ECU retails for $595. I believe Cattman sells it for $545. The UPRD ECU is around $450 IIRC.

 

have the tests been done on the new ecu. gains are like what?