5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

ECU are they really worth it?

Old Feb 19, 2007 | 07:03 AM
  #1  
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ECU are they really worth it?

Hey just wondering if i were to purchase an apex v-afc2
would i benefit from it or would i just be pissin away money??

http://www.racingworks.com/apexi_vtec.htm
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 08:12 AM
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1st thing to do it donate to the org so u can search.
If u don't wana donate u can try google.com

Here some links
Quoted from NmexMax post

VAFC wire color codes: s0ber

http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...68&postcount=2

How to splice a wire: Jime

http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...1&postcount=11


Good advice: SR20DEN
http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...33&postcount=3

Where all this wonderful information came from:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=446558
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by mdemonte
1st thing to do it donate to the org so u can search.
If u don't wana donate u can try google.com

Here some links
Quoted from NmexMax post

VAFC wire color codes: s0ber

http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...68&postcount=2

How to splice a wire: Jime

http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...1&postcount=11


Good advice: SR20DEN
http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...33&postcount=3

Where all this wonderful information came from:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=446558
Good info and all, but it doesn't answer his question. He just wants to know if it's worth it or not.

babyboyws6,
You should try to search around the org. I'm sure there are plenty of thread that will help you out. I would honesly help, but no time right this sec to seach a few threads for ya.
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 10:24 AM
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It depends on you think 'worth it' is.
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 10:36 AM
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I think tuning is worth it. On a VQ35 maxima, the story is different.

Dang I should do more research on raising the rev limit with the technosquare ecu.
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 06:52 PM
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Well it's not like i want to create a monster or nothing and totally change everything in the engine that i can... i just want to determine if the ECU would be worth buying. My goals are to try to gain as close to 290hp as possible. I/H/E are all that i had in mind im just searching the horizon.
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 07:02 PM
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what do you mean by worth it?? your gonna need more than i/h/e and an air fuel controller to put down 290hp.
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 07:11 PM
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subscribing...im in the proccess of installing my afc, looks alot like the one u posted there however i believe its a sfac not vfac. so far ive only been able to get the dial to light up not the screen. i thought i wired it all the right way according to jimes directions for his 2002. i was under the impression that the 02 and 03 were the same. so im kinda in a quandry and its anoying.
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Stalldaworld
subscribing...im in the proccess of installing my afc, looks alot like the one u posted there however i believe its a sfac not vfac. so far ive only been able to get the dial to light up not the screen. i thought i wired it all the right way according to jimes directions for his 2002. i was under the impression that the 02 and 03 were the same. so im kinda in a quandry and its anoying.
i suck at wiring anything except for a ps2 to my tv and stuff like that... but once you get everything wired up and running let me know if you feel any noticeable gains. thats what i mean by worth it... I dont wanna buy summ'n and you dont feel jack.
well im guessin.. I/h/e = about 15 hp gain each.. not basing actual gains just rounding off to make life easier. this is why im looking into this ECU... if the i/h/e gains dont add up to like 30-40hp all together. i want something that will fill in that gap thats worth the money... not much for our cars as there is for hondas.

damn.... only iff the skyline dropp was possible... why god?
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 08:45 PM
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It's an AFC, not an ECU. Also referred to as a piggyback.

You will need to dyno tune or street tune. Either way, you need to spend for either dyno time or a wb o2 sensor.
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 08:58 PM
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^^^well said...
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX
It's an AFC, not an ECU. Also referred to as a piggyback.

You will need to dyno tune or street tune. Either way, you need to spend for either dyno time or a wb o2 sensor.
sorry i was staring at your avatar for a good while before i noticed what you said.
So im guessing your opinion is it's a waste of money for whats it's worth ?
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by babyboyws6
sorry i was staring at your avatar for a good while before i noticed what you said






Nope. I have one and would recommend it actually. It depends on how much 'off' your AFR is (AFR = air/fuel ratio)

It compliments other mods as well. Also, I have Z33 injectors and a different MAF housing, so I need it.
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX






Nope. I have one and would recommend it actually. It depends on how much 'off' your AFR is (AFR = air/fuel ratio)

It compliments other mods as well. Also, I have Z33 injectors and a different MAF housing, so I need it.
ooo i see i see. so it would be worth it... but how much of a gain in performance are we looking at.. also this wont cause anything else to fail?
"i try to ask as many questions as i can to get the full picture... money dont grow on trees"
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 09:49 PM
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Check the headers sticky. Puppetmaster has a lot of good info there. Also, check my consolidated threads sticky in the AM forum, lots of good reading in there also.
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 04:01 AM
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yes an ECU is worth it...your car needs one to work.
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 04:26 AM
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I think its a waste on a car with i/h/e. When you start getting into forced induction (super/turbo charging or nitrous) I think it becomes necesarry. Just my 2 cents.
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 04:47 AM
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You'll want one after you start adding the bolt on mods. It may be a waste right now but definately worth it once you're modded. I picked up 15 HP and 14 TQ with just intake, Y-pipe and B-pipe. To me that's pretty worth it. I had to tune again when I stepped up to the headers.

BTW you don't just install it and see if you notice a gain. It does nothing until you use it to tune the car. Then you have dyno charts to show the exact gains.
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 05:25 AM
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Originally Posted by MAXclipse
I think its a waste on a car with i/h/e. When you start getting into forced induction (super/turbo charging or nitrous) I think it becomes necesarry. Just my 2 cents.
Its not a waste. These cars typically run rich with headers and you will need a piggyback to lean it out to what it should be (approx 13:1) and gain more power to boot. Even stock Maximas stand to gain from proper AF tuning depending on the state of the existing AF maps. We've seen some almost stock Maximas gain something like 10-14 whp from AF tuning alone.
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 05:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Stalldaworld
i was under the impression that the 02 and 03 were the same. so im kinda in a quandry and its anoying.
02-03s are the same, you're doing something wrong or your SAFC is faulty.
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 06:45 AM
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Must've been a ground issue





You can always add some timing indirectly w/the right set-up as well
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 07:11 AM
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The vafc has more adjustment points then the safc correct? $260 shipped a good price or should i shop around? Clearance sale by automax in gd forum...
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 07:12 AM
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Seems like a good deal. There's always a better deal, but I would go for that one.
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 08:37 AM
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so it would be a good investment once im modding my car to keep things running good and prevent things from going out of order?
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 10:17 AM
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Whats the difference between VAFC (Vtec air fuel controller) & a SAFC (super air fuel controller) and can either be used on the Maxima....

A honda friend of mine says the VAFC is for honda/acura's only....and the SAFC is for all other cars....


Is this true?
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by maxima0001
Whats the difference between VAFC (Vtec air fuel controller) & a SAFC (super air fuel controller) and can either be used on the Maxima....

A honda friend of mine says the VAFC is for honda/acura's only....and the SAFC is for all other cars....


Is this true?
No. See post #2, esp the last link.

See also:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=492413
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 11:49 AM
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cant blame him for thinking that way, the only area u hear of v-tech is honda and acura.. but in this instance no... I dont think i would post something thats for honda/acura in a maxima forum anyway
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by babyboyws6
so it would be a good investment once im modding my car to keep things running good and prevent things from going out of order?
Exactly, having the car dyno tuned will run around $120 each time. It makes no sence to have it tuned then do a mod and have to pay for the tuning again. Instaling the AFC and not tuning won't change anything.

The piggyback computer should come after the intake, headers and exhaust you want to do.
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Derrick2k2SE
Exactly, having the car dyno tuned will run around $120 each time. It makes no sence to have it tuned then do a mod and have to pay for the tuning again. Instaling the AFC and not tuning won't change anything.

The piggyback computer should come after the intake, headers and exhaust you want to do.

Thank you for the advicE. will do!!
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