Apexi ECU

gbedwardsd

New Member
Hello Im looking for an Apexi Programable ECU.

Ive just bought my new toy and taken it to check the mix on a rolling road and its running lean and it looks like theres been some recent activity in the ECU area, I assume that somebody has swapped out an Apexi back for a standard.
So im back to standard boost until I can solve this problem. Or possibly a piggyback unit but I'd prefer a fully fledged ECU.

Any offers or idea would be welcomed.
 

campbellju

Moderators
Staff member
What's the sepcification of the car? If it's running a standard turbo then an AFC or adjustable fuel pressure regulator might be sufficient.

Jim
 

gbedwardsd

New Member
Can you get me some more info on that one? Ive only ever really seen the Apexi used and Id have to make sure the tuning guy up here can set it up..?

These Apexi Power FCs used to be far easier to get hold off doesnt anyone know of a stockest etc?

I did phone around a few 'specialists' yesterday who seemed to advise the piggyback fuel controllers on the standard ecu which Im still hoping to avoid. Looking through the write ups on here these things just con the ecu how much air is being used correct?

Is there anyone whos tried these different configurations and is switched on with the setups and tuning etc anywhere near Chester/North Wales?
 

johnsy

Active Member
Im sure there are couple for sale, have you checked the breaker and for sale section?

pulsarbobby might have one!
 
M

markwashington

Guest
You can't go wrong with Nistune. It's the best current ecu you can get (for reasonable money) the pfc isn't worth the money to be honest.
 

gtir_pimp

New Member
was going to say nistune too, very good price, dont know how much pfcs go for at the moment but with the controllers i think theyre about £800.
 

gbedwardsd

New Member
Ive just read through some websites with info on this Nistune Daughter Board. This may sound like a daft question but how do I know if I actually have one, for all I know the current one in the car could be programable? Do I need to strip the current ecu?

If I was running the standard ecu in standard form would I reach 300BHP with it only just running lean or would it be way out?

Things have apparently changed abit in the last few years, Ive just found pictures of my last Pulsar and it was 6 years ago...
 

geoff pine

Well-Known Member
If its fitted with a nisstune then it probably been done by Edd (there does not look like anybody in the north west deals with them)it will have a sticker on the top saying what's been done to it .
 

gbedwardsd

New Member
I am yes but I've talked to ed at fusion and I can get the standard one modded and mapped all in for 500 so I couldn't pay over 300 for it... I'm also now after a set of bigger injectors just doing some research on what's best? Looking at evo ones anyone got any experiences to guide me the right way?
 

campbellju

Moderators
Staff member
If I was running the standard ecu in standard form would I reach 300BHP with it only just running lean or would it be way out?
A standard ECU should run 300hp without leaning out. They normally go rich. You might be able to map around the problem but most owners have no problems with "mapping" at this level of tune so I'd guess that you're barking up the wrong tree. It could be fuel pressure (Pump, pump voltage, filters, regulators).

So before you worry about any mapping answer these questions:

Confirm you're running a standard turbo at 1bar
What is your target HP?

Is your fuel pump uprated? If so what?
Is your fuel pump seeing 14V when the engine is running
When was the last time the fuel filter was changed

HP is more than sticking on a big turbo and some injectors. Mapping is more than sticking on an ECU and throwing the car at a tuner.

Check all your basics first before giving the car to any tuner or they may waste their time sorting out electrical faults that would have been better done by a local auto electrician.

Jim
 

gbedwardsd

New Member
Yes I understand all this...

The car is pretty well sorted and running 300bhp on the rolling road but at the top end of the revs it runs lean. Trouble is it seems to do the same no matter what boost pressure is set. It has the walbro fuel pump and I am giving her a full service this week end so that'll rule out the fuel filter, it just seems strange how its the top end of the map no matter what boost? And that the all the carpets and trims are loose with oily fingerprints all over the ecu...

Ive already decided on the solution which is to take her to ed at fusion and let him have a good look because the car had very little history anyway shes booked in on the 25th...
 

gbedwardsd

New Member
Also you are right in a way its apparently an uprated T28 with external waste gate, uprated in what way I have no idea maybe just the external waste gate? Do you think that alone would cause the problem?

Anyway Im gonna get some injectors and take it to fusion and see if I can get around 340 out of her running nicely and ill be happy.
 

PobodY

Moderators
Staff member
Uprated because someone has put a 360 degree thrust bearing in it?
Uprated because someone has put a ball bearing core in it?
Saying things are "uprated" is very subjective; what might be "uprated" to you may be an unacceptable compromise to me (thus from my perspecive it's downgraded). - I suppose it's valid when talking about things like fuel pumps where you have upped the flow rate by putting a bigger/faster unit in.

If the FPR isn't working correctly, then perhaps it's not raising the pressure with boost (thus you're going lean at the top end). - My standard(ish) setup is definitely rich at the top end.
It may even be an "uprated" FPR causing your problems.
 

gbedwardsd

New Member
I completely agree I have no idea what upgraded meant when I bought the car neither could the lad selling the car... I must admit an external waste gate seems pretty ott on such a little turbo I might look at the pipe work tomorrow see if I can remove it...

This is the biggest problem with her I have no history so without pulling her apart I have no idea. It's best in my opinion to take her to somebody who can tell easily which is what I'm doing...
 

campbellju

Moderators
Staff member
If it's leaning out a similar amount for each boost pressure and you're running a standard ECU then it might be the FPR or a leak/split in the pipe to the FPR.

Who did the rolling road? If they tried multiple boost settings were they tuning the car or just dyno running it?

Nothing wrong with driving 200 miles down south to get the car mapped by Ed but it seems a long way to go to fix what might be a mechanical fault. Dyno Dynamics on the Wirral are much closer and have good experience with GtiR and the NW members. I'm not trying to do Ed out of business and if your car were in perfect order then a Nistune from Ed might be the way to go. Alternatively, at the NW rolling road we've found properly modified standard cars will make 320 to 330hp without touching the ECU.

An external wastegate won't affect the fueling. The modified turbo might just mean they welded up the internal wg.

Good luck whatever you decide.
 

campbellju

Moderators
Staff member
This is the biggest problem with her I have no history so without pulling her apart I have no idea. It's best in my opinion to take her to somebody who can tell easily which is what I'm doing...
Just take the car to the NW meet on Sunday. I can't make it but many of the usual suspects who turn up could help.
 
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