View Poll Results: Which ECU do you choose??
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Voters: 32. You may not vote on this poll
Which aftermarket ECU do you prefer?
01-06-2006 | 11:33 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Rotary Lover
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 467
Likes: 2
From: Brunei: Where Ricers show off their fugly rides
Which aftermarket ECU do you prefer?
Whether the ECU is piggyback or standalone. More details/reasons of choosing the ECU will give knowledge, ideas & option to the others.
Last edited by RX8 Brunei; 01-06-2006 at 11:42 PM.
01-07-2006 | 08:34 AM
#2
RX8 ADDICTED!!!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
As of right now I have seen a Motec, Emanage, and Inteceptor-X (microtec) working on the 8.
The Emanage is inadequate for this car's ECU, the car relearns the MAP's.
The Motec is a true standalone and it is not cheap, but look at some of the Hymee gets supercharged thread.
The Inteceptor had gotten good reviews so far from the turbo'd 8's and they are just finishing up on the NA versions.
For now I plan on keeping the Stock ECU and seeing what comes onto the market.
The Emanage is inadequate for this car's ECU, the car relearns the MAP's.
The Motec is a true standalone and it is not cheap, but look at some of the Hymee gets supercharged thread.
The Inteceptor had gotten good reviews so far from the turbo'd 8's and they are just finishing up on the NA versions.
For now I plan on keeping the Stock ECU and seeing what comes onto the market.
01-09-2006 | 12:11 AM
#3
Thread Starter
Rotary Lover
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 467
Likes: 2
From: Brunei: Where Ricers show off their fugly rides
Originally Posted by Tigster
As of right now I have seen a Motec, Emanage, and Inteceptor-X (microtec) working on the 8.
The Emanage is inadequate for this car's ECU, the car relearns the MAP's.
The Motec is a true standalone and it is not cheap, but look at some of the Hymee gets supercharged thread.
The Inteceptor had gotten good reviews so far from the turbo'd 8's and they are just finishing up on the NA versions.
For now I plan on keeping the Stock ECU and seeing what comes onto the market.
The Emanage is inadequate for this car's ECU, the car relearns the MAP's.
The Motec is a true standalone and it is not cheap, but look at some of the Hymee gets supercharged thread.
The Inteceptor had gotten good reviews so far from the turbo'd 8's and they are just finishing up on the NA versions.
For now I plan on keeping the Stock ECU and seeing what comes onto the market.
01-09-2006 | 01:05 PM
#7
e-manage... because its...
- cheap
- has worked pretty much flawlessly for over a year
- for N/A does everything i realistically need while keep everything i want (knock sensor, correct cold start maps, limp mode, ect...)
- cheap
- has worked pretty much flawlessly for over a year
- for N/A does everything i realistically need while keep everything i want (knock sensor, correct cold start maps, limp mode, ect...)
01-09-2006 | 01:43 PM
#8
Consiglieri
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 0
From: yourI'mgirl
^ I second that. You can buy the blue emanage for under $300 (I think). People are so fond of criticizing it but ususally have no first hand experience to back-up what they are saying. I think if you're willing to monitor your AFR and tune it yourself, the emanage is a fine solution.
01-09-2006 | 01:54 PM
#9
Mazsport.net
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
From: In the shop
I would have to say the one that: gives complete fuel injector control including how to arm and fire them based on manifold pressure,RPM and degrees of eccentric shaft rotation. While were at it allow the entire mixture curve to be trimmed from rotor 1 to 2. Full ignition timing control based on RPM then allowing the timing to be advanced or retarded depending on the amount of Manifold vac or boost pressure present. It will need to allow the amount of leading/trailing timing split to be adjusted and allow the amount of coil dwell to be easily adjusted in case aftermarket coils were installed. Allow user definable intake event changes based on RPM or Boost. Fuel pump speed control based on manifold vac./pressure. Fuel and ignition map adjustment based on air/water temps. Give it a built in data logger and an optional WBo2 plug in so the tuning could be done on a closed highway/racetrack. Lets add launch control/pit lane speed control which by simply adding a generic momentary switch will allow additional fuel and ignition adjustments. (or a really simple hidden valet switch 
>4000 rpm) How about a couple of 1/8 in auxillary outputs on the faceplate to control shiftlights, over boost warnings roll up the windows whatever and make them RPM/Pressure definable. We are really going to need a RPM cut and a Boost cut that is easily adjustable. Go ahead and give it a built in pass code that if is not entered is a engine kill security system. HMMMM Make it plug and play so the factory harness does not have to be altered. Dont make it flash the factory ECU because the dealer will know when the last flash was done and wonder who did it. For that matter since the factory ECU can modify the Maps to aim for a target AFR lets not allow the Factory ECU to have any control of them at all. That way once it is tuned, it's tuned and I dont have to worry about it changing anything. I also would like one I could actually buy 
Might be helpful if the ECU were built by a Rotary specialist who has a good understanding of the unique Rotary engine.
These are just some of the features I would like in an ECU, I built it and called it the Interceptor-X. I also included quite abit more, but with a shop full of Mazda's I should cut it short. Could somone please add the Interceptor-X to the poll. thanks,Scott
>4000 rpm) How about a couple of 1/8 in auxillary outputs on the faceplate to control shiftlights, over boost warnings roll up the windows whatever and make them RPM/Pressure definable. We are really going to need a RPM cut and a Boost cut that is easily adjustable. Go ahead and give it a built in pass code that if is not entered is a engine kill security system. HMMMM Make it plug and play so the factory harness does not have to be altered. Dont make it flash the factory ECU because the dealer will know when the last flash was done and wonder who did it. For that matter since the factory ECU can modify the Maps to aim for a target AFR lets not allow the Factory ECU to have any control of them at all. That way once it is tuned, it's tuned and I dont have to worry about it changing anything. I also would like one I could actually buy Might be helpful if the ECU were built by a Rotary specialist who has a good understanding of the unique Rotary engine.
These are just some of the features I would like in an ECU, I built it and called it the Interceptor-X. I also included quite abit more, but with a shop full of Mazda's I should cut it short. Could somone please add the Interceptor-X to the poll. thanks,Scott
Last edited by MazsportScott; 01-09-2006 at 02:18 PM.
01-09-2006 | 07:29 PM
#13
Thread Starter
Rotary Lover
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 467
Likes: 2
From: Brunei: Where Ricers show off their fugly rides
Originally Posted by Japan8
Replacements are for... the less knowledgable. Stock ECU with an ECU flasher. That's the only way to go.
01-09-2006 | 07:30 PM
#14
Thread Starter
Rotary Lover
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 467
Likes: 2
From: Brunei: Where Ricers show off their fugly rides
Originally Posted by MazsportScott
I would have to say the one that: gives complete fuel injector control including how to arm and fire them based on manifold pressure,RPM and degrees of eccentric shaft rotation. While were at it allow the entire mixture curve to be trimmed from rotor 1 to 2. Full ignition timing control based on RPM then allowing the timing to be advanced or retarded depending on the amount of Manifold vac or boost pressure present. It will need to allow the amount of leading/trailing timing split to be adjusted and allow the amount of coil dwell to be easily adjusted in case aftermarket coils were installed. Allow user definable intake event changes based on RPM or Boost. Fuel pump speed control based on manifold vac./pressure. Fuel and ignition map adjustment based on air/water temps. Give it a built in data logger and an optional WBo2 plug in so the tuning could be done on a closed highway/racetrack. Lets add launch control/pit lane speed control which by simply adding a generic momentary switch will allow additional fuel and ignition adjustments. (or a really simple hidden valet switch >4000 rpm) How about a couple of 1/8 in auxillary outputs on the faceplate to control shiftlights, over boost warnings roll up the windows whatever and make them RPM/Pressure definable. We are really going to need a RPM cut and a Boost cut that is easily adjustable. Go ahead and give it a built in pass code that if is not entered is a engine kill security system. HMMMM Make it plug and play so the factory harness does not have to be altered. Dont make it flash the factory ECU because the dealer will know when the last flash was done and wonder who did it. For that matter since the factory ECU can modify the Maps to aim for a target AFR lets not allow the Factory ECU to have any control of them at all. That way once it is tuned, it's tuned and I dont have to worry about it changing anything. I also would like one I could actually buy
Might be helpful if the ECU were built by a Rotary specialist who has a good understanding of the unique Rotary engine.
These are just some of the features I would like in an ECU, I built it and called it the Interceptor-X. I also included quite abit more, but with a shop full of Mazda's I should cut it short. Could somone please add the Interceptor-X to the poll. thanks,Scott
>4000 rpm) How about a couple of 1/8 in auxillary outputs on the faceplate to control shiftlights, over boost warnings roll up the windows whatever and make them RPM/Pressure definable. We are really going to need a RPM cut and a Boost cut that is easily adjustable. Go ahead and give it a built in pass code that if is not entered is a engine kill security system. HMMMM Make it plug and play so the factory harness does not have to be altered. Dont make it flash the factory ECU because the dealer will know when the last flash was done and wonder who did it. For that matter since the factory ECU can modify the Maps to aim for a target AFR lets not allow the Factory ECU to have any control of them at all. That way once it is tuned, it's tuned and I dont have to worry about it changing anything. I also would like one I could actually buy Might be helpful if the ECU were built by a Rotary specialist who has a good understanding of the unique Rotary engine.
These are just some of the features I would like in an ECU, I built it and called it the Interceptor-X. I also included quite abit more, but with a shop full of Mazda's I should cut it short. Could somone please add the Interceptor-X to the poll. thanks,Scott
Agree 
Your Interceptor-X is already listed in the poll
Last edited by RX8 Brunei; 01-09-2006 at 07:36 PM.
01-09-2006 | 08:10 PM
#15
Air + Fuel + Spark = Boom
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Brunei. Do u know where tht is?
Originally Posted by RX8 Brunei
FYI, our damn dealer in Brunei don't have any ECU flasher, they even don't know what is ECU flash. I need to flash or retune my stock ECU. All the Brunei Rx8ers don't know what is the current flash in their ECU. Where i can get the ECU flasher?? (if you can help me with that)
Currently, only a few people have experience modifying the maps on a stock ECU (I think in Italy?)....
01-10-2006 | 12:41 AM
#17
Int'l Man of Mystery
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
Originally Posted by MazsportScott
I would have to say the one that: gives complete fuel injector control including how to arm and fire them based on manifold pressure,RPM and degrees of eccentric shaft rotation. While were at it allow the entire mixture curve to be trimmed from rotor 1 to 2. Full ignition timing control based on RPM then allowing the timing to be advanced or retarded depending on the amount of Manifold vac or boost pressure present. It will need to allow the amount of leading/trailing timing split to be adjusted and allow the amount of coil dwell to be easily adjusted in case aftermarket coils were installed. Allow user definable intake event changes based on RPM or Boost. Fuel pump speed control based on manifold vac./pressure. Fuel and ignition map adjustment based on air/water temps. Give it a built in data logger and an optional WBo2 plug in so the tuning could be done on a closed highway/racetrack. Lets add launch control/pit lane speed control which by simply adding a generic momentary switch will allow additional fuel and ignition adjustments. (or a really simple hidden valet switch >4000 rpm) How about a couple of 1/8 in auxillary outputs on the faceplate to control shiftlights, over boost warnings roll up the windows whatever and make them RPM/Pressure definable. We are really going to need a RPM cut and a Boost cut that is easily adjustable. Go ahead and give it a built in pass code that if is not entered is a engine kill security system. HMMMM Make it plug and play so the factory harness does not have to be altered. Dont make it flash the factory ECU because the dealer will know when the last flash was done and wonder who did it. For that matter since the factory ECU can modify the Maps to aim for a target AFR lets not allow the Factory ECU to have any control of them at all. That way once it is tuned, it's tuned and I dont have to worry about it changing anything. I also would like one I could actually buy
Might be helpful if the ECU were built by a Rotary specialist who has a good understanding of the unique Rotary engine.
These are just some of the features I would like in an ECU, I built it and called it the Interceptor-X. I also included quite abit more, but with a shop full of Mazda's I should cut it short. Could somone please add the Interceptor-X to the poll. thanks,Scott
>4000 rpm) How about a couple of 1/8 in auxillary outputs on the faceplate to control shiftlights, over boost warnings roll up the windows whatever and make them RPM/Pressure definable. We are really going to need a RPM cut and a Boost cut that is easily adjustable. Go ahead and give it a built in pass code that if is not entered is a engine kill security system. HMMMM Make it plug and play so the factory harness does not have to be altered. Dont make it flash the factory ECU because the dealer will know when the last flash was done and wonder who did it. For that matter since the factory ECU can modify the Maps to aim for a target AFR lets not allow the Factory ECU to have any control of them at all. That way once it is tuned, it's tuned and I dont have to worry about it changing anything. I also would like one I could actually buy Might be helpful if the ECU were built by a Rotary specialist who has a good understanding of the unique Rotary engine.
These are just some of the features I would like in an ECU, I built it and called it the Interceptor-X. I also included quite abit more, but with a shop full of Mazda's I should cut it short. Could somone please add the Interceptor-X to the poll. thanks,Scott
But what happens when you don't need all of those features? What if would want a car that looks and drives like it came from the factory? No AFR gauge, no boost gauge, no extra boxes to try and find somewhere to hide/mount... no switches... no nadda. Looks OEM and is OEM... "keep it simple stupid" to use, and maintain. Plug and play, dumb easy FI... like Saleen or Kenne Bell. Bolt-on, flash and you're done. No dyno tuning, no track tuning, no worrying about AFR's... nada. I think even you would agree that the Interceptor-X is overkill for this kind of setup.
01-10-2006 | 01:00 AM
#18
and piggybacks/stand-alones aren't legal in a few racing classes, but internal hardware/software mods are
you can get around any potential dealer issue by modding a second box
you can get around any potential dealer issue by modding a second box
Last edited by TeamRX8; 01-10-2006 at 01:32 AM.
01-10-2006 | 05:43 PM
#19
Mazsport.net
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
From: In the shop
An excellent product with a great feature set.
Thank you very much. I have used alot of stanalone management systems over the years and have on more than a handful of occasions said I wish we could___ or if I just had another output I could___. I have tried to build somthing that gives the end user room to grow as their needs change and not make it a throwaway item.
But what happens when you don't need all of those features?
In the long run, the majority of serious performance guys will.
What if would want a car that looks and drives like it came from the factory?
The ECU cover is raised about 3/4 of an inch, and it drives like the factory car but with more power.
No AFR gauge, no boost gauge, no extra boxes to try and find somewhere to hide/mount... no switches... no nadda.
So a stock car, ok I respect that
Looks OEM and is OEM... "keep it simple stupid" to use, and maintain. Plug and play, dumb easy FI... like Saleen or Kenne Bell. Bolt-on, flash and you're done.
No dyno tuning, no track tuning, no worrying about AFR's... nada
Personally I just cannot go along with the "dumb,easy" approach when making a noticable increase in power. Perhaps because this is what I do for a living and over the years have heard about so many failures. Usually "this guy on the net said use this pump and I can run 16psi on my FD RX-7". It is like a game of Russian Roulet, it will happen just to whom and when? I could not agree more with you about "K.I.S.S.", that is why it's plug and play.
I think even you would agree that the Interceptor-X is overkill for this kind of setup.
No actually I cannot agree, It's not my nature. I have seen too many parts become obsolete because they were not built to accommadate the changes to the vehicle around them. Unfortunatly it often means buying thing's over and over again. Hope this helps with your questions, thanks MazsportScott
Thank you very much. I have used alot of stanalone management systems over the years and have on more than a handful of occasions said I wish we could___ or if I just had another output I could___. I have tried to build somthing that gives the end user room to grow as their needs change and not make it a throwaway item.
But what happens when you don't need all of those features?
In the long run, the majority of serious performance guys will.
What if would want a car that looks and drives like it came from the factory?
The ECU cover is raised about 3/4 of an inch, and it drives like the factory car but with more power.
No AFR gauge, no boost gauge, no extra boxes to try and find somewhere to hide/mount... no switches... no nadda.
So a stock car, ok I respect that
Looks OEM and is OEM... "keep it simple stupid" to use, and maintain. Plug and play, dumb easy FI... like Saleen or Kenne Bell. Bolt-on, flash and you're done.
No dyno tuning, no track tuning, no worrying about AFR's... nada
Personally I just cannot go along with the "dumb,easy" approach when making a noticable increase in power. Perhaps because this is what I do for a living and over the years have heard about so many failures. Usually "this guy on the net said use this pump and I can run 16psi on my FD RX-7". It is like a game of Russian Roulet, it will happen just to whom and when? I could not agree more with you about "K.I.S.S.", that is why it's plug and play.
I think even you would agree that the Interceptor-X is overkill for this kind of setup.
No actually I cannot agree, It's not my nature. I have seen too many parts become obsolete because they were not built to accommadate the changes to the vehicle around them. Unfortunatly it often means buying thing's over and over again. Hope this helps with your questions, thanks MazsportScott
Last edited by MazsportScott; 01-10-2006 at 11:37 PM.
01-10-2006 | 05:50 PM
#20
Mazsport.net
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
From: In the shop
Originally Posted by TeamRX8
and piggybacks/stand-alones aren't legal in a few racing classes, but internal hardware/software mods are
you can get around any potential dealer issue by modding a second box
you can get around any potential dealer issue by modding a second box
Now of course the rules say as long as the modifications fit inside the factory case? I can do that for a race car application, if you can give up some creature comforts while your racing Interested? MazsportScott
01-10-2006 | 11:27 PM
#22
Int'l Man of Mystery
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
^^ if a reflasher never becomes available... then I would whole heartedly agree... the Interceptor is the best solution on the market.
To Scott.
I am a serious enthusiast. I'm also not rich and my car is my daily driver. The limit of what I care of about doing on my car that I MUST have up and running daily is basically OEM. Check your tires, oil, and fluids. Put in gas. I am not able to race and I wouldn't race my daily driver anyway. Something I use only on weekends... that's another story, but in that case I'm sorry... as much as I love cars... there is just something to bikes... not to mention that they are MUCH MUCH faster and MUCH cheaper. So my second would be a bike... not a MX-5 or a RX-8.
So no. I'm not talking about a bone stock car. I want a car that drives and requires little more maintenance than [b]a car equipped like so from the factory[\b]. Didn't you read what I wrote? It looked pretty clear to me. I want setups like Saleen and Kenne Bell. Bolt-on, flash the ECU and you're done. No screwing with tuning. No worrying about AFR's. No nothing. The car runs like it came from the factory like that. THAT is what is acceptable in my book for a daily driver. Nothing less. There IS NO blowing your motor up unless you are stupid enough to change the tuning... which then voids the warranty from Saleen or Kenne Bell... and in Saleen's case your factory warranty as well. THOSE are clean end-user friendly FI kits. 100% bolt-on. Anything that requires tuning and monitoring is best left to the pros and particularly weekend-only or race-only applications. Not everyone can do it... so use a shop? Gotta have a good one near you and even then... YOU have the money to keep going to these guys to keep your DAILY DRIVER running? Come on.
Sorry for just about flaming you. You seem to be a good guy and have a great product for the community, but we seem to be on two different levels. Honestly... I really could care less about HIGH performance (read race use) products. I care about performance products for the average person that are easy to use, install and maintain on a daily driver. K.I.S.S. is definitely the key... being able to switch maps on the fly, converting from MAF to MAP, datalogging (while useful) isn't K.I.S.S. The majority of people buying cat-backs and K&N's are looking for the same thing. When it isn't K.I.S.S. is when they blow things up... trying to tune it themselves or by incompetent shops.
K.I.S.S. is key.
To Scott.
I am a serious enthusiast. I'm also not rich and my car is my daily driver. The limit of what I care of about doing on my car that I MUST have up and running daily is basically OEM. Check your tires, oil, and fluids. Put in gas. I am not able to race and I wouldn't race my daily driver anyway. Something I use only on weekends... that's another story, but in that case I'm sorry... as much as I love cars... there is just something to bikes... not to mention that they are MUCH MUCH faster and MUCH cheaper. So my second would be a bike... not a MX-5 or a RX-8.
So no. I'm not talking about a bone stock car. I want a car that drives and requires little more maintenance than [b]a car equipped like so from the factory[\b]. Didn't you read what I wrote? It looked pretty clear to me. I want setups like Saleen and Kenne Bell. Bolt-on, flash the ECU and you're done. No screwing with tuning. No worrying about AFR's. No nothing. The car runs like it came from the factory like that. THAT is what is acceptable in my book for a daily driver. Nothing less. There IS NO blowing your motor up unless you are stupid enough to change the tuning... which then voids the warranty from Saleen or Kenne Bell... and in Saleen's case your factory warranty as well. THOSE are clean end-user friendly FI kits. 100% bolt-on. Anything that requires tuning and monitoring is best left to the pros and particularly weekend-only or race-only applications. Not everyone can do it... so use a shop? Gotta have a good one near you and even then... YOU have the money to keep going to these guys to keep your DAILY DRIVER running? Come on.
Sorry for just about flaming you. You seem to be a good guy and have a great product for the community, but we seem to be on two different levels. Honestly... I really could care less about HIGH performance (read race use) products. I care about performance products for the average person that are easy to use, install and maintain on a daily driver. K.I.S.S. is definitely the key... being able to switch maps on the fly, converting from MAF to MAP, datalogging (while useful) isn't K.I.S.S. The majority of people buying cat-backs and K&N's are looking for the same thing. When it isn't K.I.S.S. is when they blow things up... trying to tune it themselves or by incompetent shops.
K.I.S.S. is key.
01-11-2006 | 12:00 AM
#23
Originally Posted by MazsportScott
I know what you mean. We campainged an SCCA ITS RX7 which at that time allowed no modifications to the ECU or wiring harness. Now of course the rules say as long as the modifications fit inside the factory case? I can do that for a race car application, if you can give up some creature comforts while your racing Interested? MazsportScott
Now of course the rules say as long as the modifications fit inside the factory case? I can do that for a race car application, if you can give up some creature comforts while your racing Interested? MazsportScottHi Scott,
Interesting, today I was just given the name of rotary guy in Florida that supposedly can do the same.
Yes, I'm interested, we should probably go to PM
Mark
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