Apex power fc

[Aphonechanh]

I know it is outdated and there are plenty better options but more expensive. I recently was offered a deal on one for 500$ US dollars. My question is is it still worth to buy or hold off and save for a Haltech etc... I have an RB25det r33. If I hold off and save for a more expensive one, it'll be about 6 months give or take. Opinions?

[Jay.]

Depends on your build goals - if you're not making huge power with complicated options, then the Power FC is absolutely fine.

It's also worth talking to your tuner as he might have a big preference

[Murray_Calavera]

Do you have any intentions of taking your car to the track? 

If so, having proper engine protection is worth the price of the modern ECU - everything else then is a bonus. 

[Duncan]

I think the PowerFC is fine for 90% of use cases, they have been running these engines properly for decades. As Josh said, you need to consider whether you can find a tuner familiar with it as that makes a big difference to the cost of tuning.

BTW if budget it an issue, keep in mind you will need a tune as well, cost 500-1000USD I guess

[BK]

Absolutely agree with the above and should be fit for your purpose. The Power FC does give you a closer base to start with and less things need to be changed with the entire settings. I made over 500rwkw with one on the 32, but have since moved to the Elite 2500 and 2000 for the 2 single turbo 32 GTRs because of of things being used like wideband long term fuel trim, flex fuel, crank triggers, lots of extra engine sensors, engine protection strategies, can bus, etc.

For my 33 GTR, it's 330rwkw with a Power FC on low mounts on BP 98. No intention of more power or anything extra as mentioned above, so I will be staying on the Power FC for that car unless it fails.

So it's completely dependent on where you are aiming for modification wise really. If you intend to change lots of things down the track, an Elite would be worth waiting to get.

[Aphonechanh]

Thanks for the input all. I don't plan to track her or anything. Just a daily drive. I'm shooting towards 400hp or so. My tuner can work with an apex but he recommended the Haltech platinum pro as the power fc is outdated he said. If apex is fine then I'll shoot for it then. 

[BK]

I don't really see where the Haltech Platinum pro fits in these days with the elite series being out for about 5 years now. They are still a +/- $2k ECU new. Why would you when an Elite 2500 is $3k and a 2000 is about $2.5k ?  Both are far superior units to the Platinum Pro, so l don't see why a Platinum Pro would even be a consideration these days for the cost.

You get an Apexi for $500 - $1000, well it's hard to argue with it for the pure result of how they run the car isn't it ? 

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

If you were to pay $500USD for a PowerFC, I would rather direct that money towards a Nistune, a MAC valve and a flex sensor. You might even have money left over for a slab of beer.

[joz]

500 USD is a fair price. I'm not sure 500 USD can get you the full Nistune suite..... (Boards, cables, software license)

[Ben C34]

Yeah it can.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

2 hours ago, joz said:

500 USD is a fair price. I'm not sure 500 USD can get you the full Nistune suite..... (Boards, cables, software license)

97% of car owners don't tune their own cars, so they wouldn't need to purchase the cable nor would they need to purchase the software.

Their preferred tuning shop would have the required cable and software. The shop license has no limits to the amount of Nistune it can tune.