I'm looking into the benifits of fitting some aftermarket engine managment into my CA18 & seem to be getting a lot of confilicting views.
The general argument seems to be between chipping up the stock computer v's spending $$$ for what is supposedly a more refined system.
What do you guys think?..... Is the money spent on Motec or similar worth it in terms of horsepower gain?

not more refined, more tunable. what have you done to the motor or is it just standard? the factory ecu is quite tunable and will enable all things like cold start and idle and knock sensing still to be used. i would only advise an aftermarket computer if you have changed a lot of things on the motor and think it will be too hard to tune it for what its worth.

i run a chipped standard computer with bigger injectors a t28bb turbo bigger AFM (Z32) and the usual pod intercooler and exhaust. on a safe tune at 13psi it made 168kw at the wheels.

a motec is the most expensive aftermarket ecu you can buy! but they are a good thing if you have money you want to throw into the wind.

the thing is you need to find someone who has the ability to tune the factory ECU in your area.

and i PROMISE you that all dealers of an aftermarket brand of ECU will tell you the standard one is #### and can't be tuned. thats how they make money. they don't know how to so they say it can't be done.

Motec engine managment will cost you heaps. Haltek is also a very good one but will also cost a packet. Have a good look around i you area for some one that can set up your origanal computor for you. If you deside to go for after market computor look into autronics or wolf 3D there also other computors for for a reasonable amount of money. I think motec will be overkill.

Yeah it comes down to what you want to do with your car. I choose to go After market because i have big plains down the track for this motor.
Im already running M&W ignition and will soon be adding a CDI the reason i choose these things tho is i plain to run a big turbo with massive boost later on down the track so im preparing for that now.

So if you plan to keep modifing your engine i think its best to start with a After market ECU, MOTEC is the best of the best but so expensive shop around and find what your after, I have had experinces with wolf and Autronic and cant fault either.
Cheers Luke

okay.

from my experience with ECUs, i can say the MoTeC is a wonderful thing.

datalogging cross referencing (ie checking braking points versus throttle positions trackside to see where you were quicker/slower into corners), lamba probe setups, ability to run CDi as mentioned by NIS15L, more mapping points than you can poke a stick at and electronic boost control option coming soon all make for a wonderful package....

...for a race car.

it's overkill on the street. seriously overkill. you don;t need half that stuff that you're paying for.

an autronic/haltech will give you roughly the same mapping points without all those wonderful datalogging systems.

as will a delco. actually, a delco has MORE mapping points than MoTeC, with the ability to run thermos/elec water pumps, fuel pumps etc etc like any other computer. MILLIONS of dollars (US taxpayers dollars too ) have been spent by GM to perfect this system to be a true "plug and play" system for all GM dealers with Kalmaker software.

the CA18DE/DET computer IS reprogrammable, same as the RB20DET computer.

I would advise you call C-Red Tuning in Welshpool, WA and ask for Glen (Lumpy) Campbell. If this guy can't make your CA get up and boogie, no-one can.

you'd be surprised what you DONT have to buy to make it a very powerful package.

I'll second that C-red tuning mob. They still run a factory management on their 10sec 400hp+ 180sx! With an extra special chip I'm sure!

Thanks to all for the valuable feedback.
Lag....... Sounds like we are running similar setup's - CA18, T28 etc.
You mentioned bigger injectors..... Do they make much difference? What brand?

they are R32 GTR 444cc's, as opposed to the 370cc standard. they just give you scope to go further, should be good for 20 kw at the wheels no worries which is where i'm going to stop development if i ever get there.

i have another set for sale if you are interested $220 cleaned flowed and tested with new pental caps and filter baskets. straight fit into the CA18 fuel rail no mods.

hay coops pending on your budget i got my deal for 2,500$ haltech ex6 installed wired dynoed ect

try ringing steve at redcliff dyno.