Blackbox Ecu (M3)

[CLNSKY]

Hey guys,

Been doing some research onto ECU upgrades for when i go big turbo and hopefully run e-flex.

Just curious if anyone on here has one in their car and can give some feedback on how it runs and some information on the ECU. The blackbox website has not been updated since the M1 model!

Unigroup highly recommends the ECU and says works a lot better than the G4, which was their previous favorite ECU.

Price is about 1800 which comes with all sensors unlike the Haltech as far as i know.

NOTE - Apologies if i'm wrong with any of the above information and feel free to correct me!

[34GeeTeeTee]

Never heard if it tbh..... I chose to stick with the tried and tested Haltech, that and JEM twisted my arm

[CLNSKY]

Spoke to Bobby today and he recommended I stick with the nistune I already have.

Actually surprised me he didn't try push the haltech onto me. + points to Jem in my books =D

[34GeeTeeTee]

Spoke to Bobby today and he recommended I stick with the nistune I already have.

Actually surprised me he didn't try push the haltech onto me. + points to Jem in my books =D

Bobby and the boys at JEM will generally point you in the right direction... You can still run E-flex with it but you cant run full flex fuel (If that makes sense?)

[CLNSKY]

Bobby and the boys at JEM will generally point you in the right direction... You can still run E-flex with it but you cant run full flex fuel (If that makes sense?)

I understand what your getting at

Now for the blackbox, to see if its a good option or not.

I have only heard Unigroup pushing them / tuning them after consulting google. Maybe the ECU is too new.

[Watchamacallit]

I'm currently running one but haven't had it for long so I can't say too much about. Fits standard 34 case with minor mods and the only thing I've noticed (so far) coming from an Apexi PowerFC is it does take a few more cranks to start. Otherwise the driveability feels better due to the better sized maps and customisation for idle, cruise, etc - but I guess that's with most newer ECUs with larger maps.

The ECUs are getting some traction now but are still a bit of a WIP, as you would expect - Yavuz and Mark are already on it relaying feedback back so I'll be expecting firmware updates.

Reason I went with a Black Box was I'm planning to go fuel flex (not eFlex) in the future, so it made sense to do it at the time. Yavuz never pushed me to ditch the Apexi while he was doing other work on the car, the discussion came about when I mentioned my plans for fuel flex and previous cars he's worked on which were running G4s.

[Piggaz]

Rightio.

I have the first GTR version in my car at the moment (more may have been put in since). I went from a PFC to the Link G4 and the driveability difference was amazing. Now having the Blackbox in there i reckon it's that again. The snapiness and just how crisp it is is really leaps and bounds infront of the two above mentioned ECU's. I always had a few little issues starting on E85, with the blackbox it's first go every go.

I changed from the G4 simply because I ran out of input / outputs. Between the Ethanol Content sensor, Wideband, staging fuel pumps, oil pressure and fuel pressure safe guards, crank trigger, I simply had no more room.

Now, as far as I know, Yavuz is the only one that has this software (I could be wrong though), so if that's an issue for you, then this ECU may not tick all your boxes.

You're obviously in Sydney so if you're interested, by all means come round and take my car for a drive.

[Watchamacallit]

^^^

I was waiting for Paul to chirp in on this one

[Piggaz]

^^^

I was waiting for Paul to chirp in on this one

Haha. I saw it on the way home while driving... Couldnt be arsed typing on my phone

[CLNSKY]

Excellent info there thanks #@Watchamacallit and #Piggaz

Just curious since it is new. What happens with the firmware upgrades, do you take it back to Unigroup and they just load it up / any extra costs?

Sounds like a good option and i'm very interested in it, I'm a bit different and don't really like to run what everyone else has and this sounds like a good way to jump onto new technology

Also i worded my first post wrong. I don't want to run just e-flex, i wanted to go fuel flex, which requires the sensor. Just to clear that up

[Watchamacallit]

I can't imagine there being a significant cost for firmware updates, if any - but don't quote me on that

Also good to get Paul's input on that, since he's done the multi-hop and helps ease my own minor concerns I had about going the Black Box. Full speed ahead! (and saving money to go fuel flex...).

[Piggaz]

I've spoken to Yavuz about that too. There will be updates and its just a simple download. Not sure if you have to go out there to have it some or through Daniels website. Ill ask when I'm out there next.

One thing I forgot to mention is how "revvy" it is in neutral. It's alike a farken motorbike! I've had to learn not to push the pedal down so far when heel-toeing.

[Joshbigt62r]

So piggaz your saying this black box is that far advanced to the link g4 in drivability. Like going from a PFC to a g4 terms faaaaark it must be a awesome ecu. I look forward to some more feedback.

Cheers Josh.

[Piggaz]

So piggaz your saying this black box is that far advanced to the link g4 in drivability. Like going from a PFC to a g4 terms faaaaark it must be a awesome ecu. I look forward to some more feedback.

Cheers Josh.

I was surprised too. There are no cough's, splutters, 'funny idle' moments.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have the "name" or "marketing machine" as some of the better known ECU's out there, so some might turn their nose up at it.

[Aggroman]

ill be getting one when i stop being a tight arse. this PFC stuff is just junk now

[34GeeTeeTee]

I was surprised too. There are no cough's, splutters, 'funny idle' moments.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have the "name" or "marketing machine" as some of the better known ECU's out there, so some might turn their nose up at it.

Who is responsible for it? Like manufacturing and design? Certainly sounds the goods...

[Piggaz]

Who is responsible for it? Like manufacturing and design? Certainly sounds the goods...

The blokes name is Daniel.... Can't think of his last name. "Morris Tech" is his company. From what I can gather, it's just him designing all funky stuff like this. Yavuz asked a few of us what we would like in it, anything we could think of, it already had it! Haha

I also have one of his "ignitor replacements" on my car. Had misfire issues a few years ago, ditched the OEM ignitor box, ran this and problem solved. GTR_JOEY had the same issue, same part fixed it.

[34GeeTeeTee]

Awesome! Good to know there are more options available

[portaz]

Adaptronic 1280 is pretty impressive too

[donut_kng]

I have just put one if these into my 25/30 which is still only on run in, going from an EMS (yes I know) to this was a huge difference in drivability - which used to do all sorts of funky stuff.

I will second the point on no funny idle moments also, you can go from flat stick and suddenly pull up with out rev hunting and the car feeling like its going to stall.

It's also good to be able to start the car and not have black smoke bellowing out the ass while its warming up or having to wash my rear bar every 5 seconds.

I have mine setup with 2 stage fuel pumps and eflex setup so I will be able to fill up whatever fuel I want. A bit more stuffing around if you want it to look neat, but happy with the flexibility it will have. Haven't had it tuned on full power as yet as I'm still doing my 1000kms on 98 for run in, but looks promising so far.

I was a bit edgy about going something new also but sometimes it pays to innovate and have a bit of faith