Autronic Ecu, 500r Cdi Unit

[350stato]

Hi all, I have a R33 with a Autronic 500R cdi, I was told when I got it it also had a Autronic ECU, however it needed retuning as the limiter was set lower, never really questioned it before (stupid me i know) but it looks to have a stock ECU, (didnt know much about it at time and thought they maybe were piggy back unit) it has a switch for 10 & 20 psi, On 10 psi it drives fine all the way through the rev range but on 20 it feels like it hits boost cut, cuts out at 5500rpm but will sometimes pull through in 2nd gear to past 7000rpm I do have a dyno sheet for 420rwhp a few years ago so maybe it used to have one, not sure,

Anywho, being as it obviously does not have an ECU aswell, Should I pulll the 500r and go just with power FC or will it be compatable with the 500r, should I just buy a Autronic ecu, does anyone know where and how much to buy the SM4, even second hand, and somebody who can tune it proberly in Brisbane area

Any help or advise would be great,

Regards,

Chris.

[R31Nismoid]

So it made 300rwkw when you had it?

There is no way that power would have occured on a factory ECU - it would shut down long before that happens as you've found out

There is nothing particularly wrong with the factory ignition setup, it's fine for 350rwkw without much of a drama.

So if you do go back to a PFC, you could sell off the CDI as well to recoup some costs and just put a factory loom on ($150), and then splitfire coil packs or something ($500 or so).

Not sure what a CDI is worth 2nd hand though... so depending on that would be wether it's worthwhile or not to go that route.

Or as you said, get the Autronic and combine that, although the Autronic is double the cost of a PFC (almost) and costs more to tune as well (unless they are now coming with base maps for RB's?)

[N1GTR]

Autronics can be installed into a factory ecu case, like on my car, so if anyone has a look it looks identical to the stock ecu until you open the case.

My advice? Open the case and see what's inside before spending any money

[r33_racer]

+1

[N I B]

Autronic CDI is a Waste spark system with many problems, 2 Capacitors to fire 6 coils.

Go for a PFC or Z32 Nistune and Splitfire coils, Proven efficient setups.

[350stato]

Ok, yeah I was also told about them being installed inside the stock ECU, I did open it but looks pretty ordinary, not really sure what to look for though but was nothing that said autronic in there, just looked like 1 board, figured it was stock, still has the little red light bulb that can be seen from outside (for fault code?)

As it does not have an airflow meter, I would like to keep it that way, kinda another reason I thought it had the Autronic ECU in it, No it did not make that power with me, never dynoed it, but when it drives through in second gear on 20 psi, it has no issues turning 255/17 tyres to 100+ kph,

It has T70 on it etc, I was given a dyno sheet from few years ago that shows 420.8 rwhp,

since I dont want to spend thousands on another ECU, I am really leaning towards the PFC, Do I need to run an AFM with it or can I use the setup it already has, whatever it is

Can anybody recommend a good place I can take it to so it can be looked at to see what it does and does not have,

I am absolutly lost on this and really need some help,

Not sure what else you need to know

[350stato]

Oh, also runs very very rich, can see blooms of black at idol

[N I B]

No AFM means there is some aftermarket ECU. A few brands fit in stock housings but there should be a MAP sensor hose into the stock housing if its Autronic.

[Cartman]

No AFM means there is some aftermarket ECU. A few brands fit in stock housings but there should be a MAP sensor hose into the stock housing if its Autronic.

unless it has the external 3 or 4 bar map sensor... i thought the autronic board was only a 2bar internal mapsensor.. 

[Guilt-Toy]

take a picture of the board inside the ecu and post it up. it will end all bullshit

[Simonster]

Autronic CDI is a Waste spark system with many problems, 2 Capacitors to fire 6 coils.

Go for a PFC or Z32 Nistune and Splitfire coils, Proven efficient setups.

Nothing wrong with wastespark. It has 3 capacitors not 2.

Going to a PFC or other will be a step back, keep the Autronic and take it to someone to check out your issue.

[350stato]

OK, Having issues uploading pics, will load them up soon, Anywho, ECU looks very standard to me

Edited April 5, 2010 by 350stato

[T04GTR]

its an autronic, i have one. (smc clunker) 500r is a good unit. try running 1.2mm plug gaps and 30psi with no spark issues with a pfc....

only drawback is they need a external crank rpm pickup once you lean on the motor.

grab a laptop with a serial port, download the software, buy the cable, (sm4) and raise the limiter yourself, but i wouls have it done at a dyno just to be safe..

the software is uber easy to use if you just want to do basic adjustments.

ps. the rpm limit map has coolant temp correction in it. ie can set it so it doesnt rev past 4k if not up to temp etc etc. and hitting overboost will make it cut. all will be revealed once you get into the ecu with the laptop.

[MercuryMotorsport]

Autronic CDI is a Waste spark system with many problems, 2 Capacitors to fire 6 coils.

Go for a PFC or Z32 Nistune and Splitfire coils, Proven efficient setups.

I make 940hp at the wheels on 37psi with an Autronic SM4, autronic CDI and splitfire coilpacks. How much more proven do you need?

[MercuryMotorsport]

Another thing, make sure there isn't an autronic ecu or similar fitting up under the dash and wired in over the top of the standard ecu. Just because there is a standard ecu in the car, doesn't mean it is controlling the fuel and ignition side of things.

I hate buying modified cars with unknown history. It makes issues like these much harder to deal with.

[N1GTR]

Trent are you using an external crank trigger aswel?

[350stato]

Another thing, make sure there isn't an autronic ecu or similar fitting up under the dash and wired in over the top of the standard ecu. Just because there is a standard ecu in the car, doesn't mean it is controlling the fuel and ignition side of things.

I hate buying modified cars with unknown history. It makes issues like these much harder to deal with.

Aarhhh Trent, You just got the job!!! Keep ya eye out for shit looking maroon 33 lol

[MercuryMotorsport]

Trent are you using an external crank trigger aswel?

Actually we are running a standard R32 GTR CAS with the autronic configured for the output signal for it (this has been made possible thanks to a recent autronic firmware upgrade). Before this (on the drift car) we used the autronic stepper wheel in the standard CAS body which was extra cost and effort).

I would LOVE a external crank trigger set up as I am worried about ignition scatter with the larger cams/springs and at higher rpm, but we haven't had a good chance to get a package sorted for it (been too busy on customer cars). I have spoken to Autronic about it and the requirements aren't too crazy, just some development time on the first one.

[350stato]

Ok, Thanks to all that helped with this, went to a place today and they told me it definatly did not have an aftermarket ECU, Rang the bloke I got car off and he swears it does, pulled out the glove box and backing and did find it,

Thanks more so to you Trent, as your post made me pull it all apart to find it, It has the SMC unit and the 500r CDi,

More questions, What advantages does the SM4 have over the SMC, obviously newer and more functions but for just a street car, is it worth me going to the SM4?, Will I possibly see any more power with a good tune?