Link G4 Plug-In Vs Vipec V44 Plug-In

[Hanaldo]

Hey all,

I've done a search and have found plenty of information on the V44, though not much on the G4. I suspect there's a fair bit buried in threads, but that could take awhile... If there is already a thread containing the information I'm after, please point me in the right direction and shut this one down.

So basically, due to issues with my stock computer pulling fuel/timing/giving DTC's etc, I'm considering the option of going to one of these full stand-alone ECU's. At this stage, I know my tuner can tune the VIPEC, have not spoken to him about the Link yet. From looking at the features, these two ECU's are very similar, which is why I'm making this thread. Could anyone with experience tuning or simply running these ECU's let me know how easy they are to tune, etc?

Secondly, there are a few main features that I am interested in:

1. I want to go forward facing plenum in the future, so individual cylinder correction is important. I know the Link can do it and I imagine the VIPEC can too, correct?

2. I also want to setup tables for IAT adjustment. Is there any advantage with one ECU over the other here, or is it much of a muchness?

3. The only motorsport feature I MAY consider using is traction control, though probably won't bother with that either. I have currently got a Greddy Profec controlling boost, so may not bother with boost control through the ECU unless it is really worth it?

4. Wideband input will also be important, though I believe they can both do this?

5. Flex fuel. I want to have the possibility of setting up flex fuel in the future, I think this is where the Link may come out on top. Does the VIPEC support an ethanol content sensor too?

And finally, QuickTune. I believe both ECU's have this, but exactly how good is it? It sounds great when described by the manufacturers, but is it really as easy as setting your desired AFR, plugging in a wideband and letting the ECU do it's thing or is it a bit more confusing than that?

Ease of use is probably one of the more important factors, which is why I'm interested in QuickTune so much. But any other advantages/disadvantages between the two that aren't so well explained could help me out too. I will speak to my tuner this week about them, so this may become a moot point, but any help in the mean time would be much appreciated

Cheers,

Martin.

[Crans]

Pretty sure the Vipec is just a rebadged Ling G4

Do you have a Hypergear turbo? If so you can get the Adaptronic Plug in for around $1200 comes with internal 4 bar map sensor.

$44 for the air temp sensor which you can wire into the ecu loom so its quite neat(I have some spare pins if you need one)

Has a great auto tune function.

Also can have traction controll(You need to hook into the front wheel ABS sensors), launch control and Andy(The creator) has just demoed how anti lag works on the ECU.

Only down side i can see is it is wastespark and semi sequential injection, this didnt bother me too much.

[Hanaldo]

Yeh I did briefly consider the Adaptronic, but they don't make a plug in version for the 25DET Neo and when it's only another $300ish to get the Link or Vipec then I'd rather just pay that bit extra.

[KiwiRS4T]

They are the same unit. Unless you are going to buy from the factory

http://www.linkecu.com/

just get the Vipec from your tuner which will give him his dealer margin and make him feel better disposed towards you!

[Piggaz]

Same shit, but either.

[Hanaldo]

So they are literally exactly the same? I thought I read that the Link came with a 7 bar map sensor while the VIPEC only has a 2.5. Must have read that wrong cos I can't find it now. Bit annoying because I want to run 23 psi

Another thing, where does the map sensor usually get installed? Is there much point going to the map based ecu if the sensor gets installed in the plenum given that I'm planning on changing to forward facing?

[robbo_rb180]

as above both are the same.

both have internal map sensors, should be able order either with upgraded map sensor.

auto tune function is ok. just input afr you want at what load point and will adjust fuel map, this requires a wideband to be hard wired to ecu.

go the vipec from your tuner

[TiTAN]

So they are literally exactly the same? I thought I read that the Link came with a 7 bar map sensor while the VIPEC only has a 2.5. Must have read that wrong cos I can't find it now. Bit annoying because I want to run 23 psi

Another thing, where does the map sensor usually get installed? Is there much point going to the map based ecu if the sensor gets installed in the plenum given that I'm planning on changing to forward facing?

you have to spec the G4 up to get the 7 bar sensor its not standard, standard vipec skyline plugin comes with 3bar anything post july 2011 from what i was told recently (2.5bar pre july 2011)

the map sensor is soldered to the ECU board, it requires a vac line be run from the inlet plenum into the cabin and to the ECU. it doesnt matter what inlet plenum you have unless you change it post ecu install and tune. MAP is sensitive to engine modifications if they improve engine efficiency they throw the tune out.

[Hanaldo]

you have to spec the G4 up to get the 7 bar sensor its not standard, standard vipec skyline plugin comes with 3bar anything post july 2011 from what i was told recently (2.5bar pre july 2011)

the map sensor is soldered to the ECU board, it requires a vac line be run from the inlet plenum into the cabin and to the ECU. it doesnt matter what inlet plenum you have unless you change it post ecu install and tune. MAP is sensitive to engine modifications if they improve engine efficiency they throw the tune out.

Ah, well if it comes with a 3 bar sensor then I'm all good.

So the vac line gets plumbed into the plenum? The plan was to change the ecu now to sort out the current problems and then change to a forward facing later down the track. I could still do that, though I guess I would have to get my tuner to install the plenum, could have done it myself.

[KiwiRS4T]

There is a small built in map sensor but for serious boost you just get a higher value map sensor (doesn't have to be the Link one - I have a GM) which is bolted in the engine bay. It is wired to the ecu and the vacuum line goes to the plenum. It is not a big deal - most plenums will have multiple take-offs or you can put one on - its not a major and is easily transferred.

[stocker]

im going a link g4................same as a vipec but different package...........the vipec pnp harness's will even plug into the link

[SS8_Gohan]

yes, the end result after the 11ty billion page Vipec thread (and what we all know) Vipec is a rebadged Link.

I think it's on the Link website somewhere saying that they (Link) "launched the Vipec brand" etc etc

So don't worry about which one can do what... they're the same thing.

[Hanaldo]

Fair enough. I have through that thread but did skip a few pages, guess that was a bad choice

[Mick_o]

I went to a link G4 from a nistune and it ironed out all my lil bugs id say go the G4 purely for the fact it goes into the stock ecu box so isnt really detectable. Ive seen pics of the vipec is it a bulky unit that will need to be mounted somewhere?

[Hanaldo]

The plug in V44 is exactly the same, it is a board that gets put in the stock enclosure.

[Mick_o]

Oh ok i stand corrected then lol dunno what vipec i was looking at then haha

The plug in V44 is exactly the same, it is a board that gets put in the stock enclosure.

[Hanaldo]

Probably the wire in model

Yeh, if I do end up getting one then it will be the plug in model not the wire in.

[dori34]

good pricing on the link, now i wished i went with this instead of the haltech

[Hanaldo]

Yeh, can get the link for around $1500. Will see what price my tuner will do on the VIPEC, but if they are the same then it's no biggy either way.

[gotRICE?]

Id recommend getting the extension harness while your at it

A little cable that plugs into the board to give you a few extra's. Another 5v source, another ground and a couple inputs etc.

If you were planning on running alot of boost, then getting a bigger MAP sensor will take up another input. And if the car is a street car, there aint many left for other stuff.

Once you use the Boost solenoid input for boost control, the AFM input for IAT, and the narrowband input for Wideband..

You get the idea

Great ECU. Been running the GTS/GTR Link G4 for a year or so now.