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Sure ill get a flaming for starting another "which ecu " thread but f**k it ere goes...

Far as i can tell for a r33 these are the main 3 options for an ecu in 1000$ range

PFC..second hand under a 1000 plus new z32 afm, =can be had under 1000$ but is S/H..

Adaprtronic is new needs no afm just under 1000$

Nistune=part new part S/H, by time u get chip, fitting,afm and Z32 ecu getting close to 1000$

If nistune did a bloody chip for 33 it would be an easy choice but they dont, pfc is definately tried and tested, Adaptronic seems to be getting mixed reviews...

So which would you use and why..??

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powerfc is bulletproof and only Z32 is needed if you want to go past 200rwkw

powerfc documentation is a plenty as is tuner support and local knowledge

http://www.paulr33.com/powerfc-faq/powerfc-faq.htm

im no expert but for under the 1k mark i think it leaves you with nistune as the best option.

a pfc will cost you about the 1k+ mark before you have even tuned it.

nistune will cost about that tuned.

adaptronic i have not heard much about so i cant really comment

but if you are talking about just ecu only (no tune) the pfc would be the best option.

tried and tested sooooo many times before.

TBH spend a bit more on a E1280s ADAPTRONIC it is on a par with all the vipec / Link gear and plugs in with no wiring..

Or else PFC as a nistuned Z32 ecu and Z32 AFM all set up properly will cost only a few 100 less.

really depends on mods and setup you want to get tuned

nistune is best bang for buck but if you want to run a map sensor with a top mount setup id go adaptronic over power fc dj as its cheaper but i wouldnt sell my already tuned power fc dj and buy an adaptronic if that was the scenario

Thing that has me keen at the adaptronic is if i change plans/cars down the line it can wire into anycar unlike the other pfc or nistune...

But would only be the e420

Would love E1280, but at nearly 2k its way over budget and truthfully its probably overkill..

Tempting but... :D

Thing that has me keen at the adaptronic is if i change plans/cars down the line it can wire into anycar unlike the other pfc or nistune...

But would only be the e420

Would love E1280, but at nearly 2k its way over budget and truthfully its probably overkill..

Tempting but... :D

they do a plug in loom adapter for the e420 which makes install 5mins too :(

TBH spend a bit more on a E1280s ADAPTRONIC it is on a par with all the vipec / Link gear and plugs in with no wiring..

Or else PFC as a nistuned Z32 ecu and Z32 AFM all set up properly will cost only a few 100 less.

i would have thought going the pfc over nistune would be quite a fair bit more expensive,

pfc- average price $1200

z32- approx $300

tune- $500-$800???

all up around the $2000++ mark

nistune chip and z32 ecu- approx $400

z32- approx $300

tune-?? (im under the impression it would be less dyno time so less $$ than pfc)

all up around the $1000-$1300 mark ($1300 being worse case)

im not questioning what you have said, im just curious as to if it would be less of a difference than this?

^^have seen pfcs without controller sell (here and ebay) for 7-800$$ what condtion they are in dunno ???

And i forgot, Also may want ability to change tween e85 and pulp...Sooooooo :D

Can nistune do that??

Will that need a licence as well

Edited by Arthur T3

to get the best result from a z32 ecu swap into a r33 there are a few tricks which take time (especially if you want proper diagnosis incl power balance etc) so if done correctly you will pay more for the install.

we have had to redo (done else where) numerous r33's with Z32 ecu's not running correctly (about 6 now) and it seems to be getting more frequent.

PFC's are out there and can be got for sub 1000, i have a few im sitting on i paid about 800 for.

PFC's are out there and can be got for sub 1000, i have a few im sitting on i paid about 800 for.

Ill swap you for a chair :D

That still poses Q of adptronic or pfc s/h?

Edited by Arthur T3
to get the best result from a z32 ecu swap into a r33 there are a few tricks which take time (especially if you want proper diagnosis incl power balance etc) so if done correctly you will pay more for the install.

we have had to redo (done else where) numerous r33's with Z32 ecu's not running correctly (about 6 now) and it seems to be getting more frequent.

PFC's are out there and can be got for sub 1000, i have a few im sitting on i paid about 800 for.

that makes sense. i didn't realise they were abit more fiddly/time consuming to tune.

find out how many places near you tune adaptronic

then

find out how many places near you tune powerfc

More to the point, Find out if your chosen tuner is happy with adaptronic. it doesnt matter a tinkers toss how many tuners use a pfc, Its what the guy tuning your car is more comfortable with.

And agree with status, the latest adaptronic range is some pretty good shizz for the bucks, as are most of the latest generation ecu's.

In melbourne so pretty spoilt for tuner choice actually :ermm:

Not really a concern unless it blows up ..And i have no clue ,so learning one will be as easy as learning the other

Real concern is which is the better ECU, or are they both capable units..If they are both as good as each other would probably rather get the new one as Scott said so im not relying on s/h parts..

(which is kind of hypocritical as everything in my car is s/h :D )

Is the e420 a lemon compared to PFC and the new e1280 or is it simply not as good. or does nobody really know cause nobody wants to try it...I mean its only got handle a bigger turbo and injectors, not alot really

Go the Z32 and nistune if your tuner has done it before. You can get it tuned for the same cost as just buying the other ecu's

Im running an rb20 ecu nistune and msd rpm windows switch and it works well you could try this setup aswell

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