ECU modifications/piggyback/chip help understanding once and for all


H

hadra

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Joined
Jan 24, 2014
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For the past month I have been reading about ECU tuning and more I dig the more confused I get.
I understand the difference between piggyback, standalone aftermarket ECU and Hondata (which as far as I see it it’s something in-between). I’m not lazy, I did loads of searchs, wasted so much time at work I just cat get clear answers..
As a background: I’ve recently decided to do tranny swap in my civic. It’s a 1999 (4door) EK with JDM B165 engine. These engines came with AT tranny only. Since I like having my stick and I saved up some money I decided to do it.
I don’t have resources or enough mechanical knowledge to do it myself and therefore swap will be done by a garage.
I’ve ordered all the parts and should be with me soon. Gearbox I’m putting in is a S80 LSD with 4.4 final drive.
Now my main concern is the ECU. My current ECU is a P2T (auto) one. I found out that for car to run properly I’ll need to get manual one. I read that P30 is for B16a engines and therefore my understanding is that this choice would be best for me. I was looking at P28, and I know I’d also have to get OBDII to OBDI conversion, but P28 does not support knock sensor. P30 apparently does. My car is daily driver and I’d like the knock sensor to work in case something goes wrong.
Now, since I’ll be changing ECU I thought to maybe go a bit further and be able to tune the car a little bit. Since my garage has a dyno (they build racing cars for living) they can tune it for me.
I might sound stupid, but can they change settings on a standard P30 ECU that I will buy? Or does it have to be chipped? And by chipped I mean I’d have to buy chip right? Or can they change settings in my currect P2t ECU so it has got the same once as the manual car? Mechanic said I’m best to get Power FC but for that money (almost $1.000) I’d better of going for Hondata I think.
I don’t have any advanced mods at the moment, apart from intake with filter and exhaust. I’ll be going boost around December time once I saved up some money.
I’d really appreciate your help so I have clear understanding how ECU tuning works and what’s the best way to go in case. My goal is to run the car safe, with proper fueling, timing etc.
I’ll spend about GBP2.000 in total for this swap and I’d like my car to run properly.
Thanks in advance for your comments.
 
OBD1 ecu, so P28 or P30 (don't get hung up on the knock sensor, its a poor design). if your garage doesn't do neptune/chrome etc then you will probably need your own programmable 'demon'. IMHO look at neptune with the moates Demon, or the hondata S300, personally I'd probably go hondata now the V3 is out.

If your planning to run boost in the future, just get the hondata or moates demon/ neptune now IMHO, then you can add to it in the future when you good boosted.

that when fitted to your P28/30 will essentially give you a fully programmable ECU for the honda.
 
thanks Puggie for reply. But if i only got standard P30 ECU for now, would that run on my car OK? would the mechanic be able to make any changes on it i.e. Vtec engagement, rev limiter etc? or does it have to be chipped for that? thanks
 
yes it has to be chipped and to be able to make changes on the fly while on the dyno you need either the Hondata S300 or Moates Demon and Neptune etc. If you tuner was a Neptune dealer he would have the demon to map your car, then be able to burn your settings to a chip and fit that to the ECU. if he isn't a neptune dealer then he won't have the Demon and you may as well buy your own and leave that in the ECU (so you can just connect your computer and change settings whenever you want).
 
Ok, so I'm probably best of getting ecu+hondata or ecu+neptune package that are offered on I.e. Hamotorsport website.
 
Yep.

I'd probably go Hondata, the interface is a bit slicker and it runs much better on my basic laptop, that is just my preference though. Neptune is probably better supported and a very helpful forum.
 
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