Spyder_doo

I'm wanting to make this car run like a charm and stop having all of these problems I'm having with the Emanage. I'm looking at spending around $5000 at the end of the year and just want to know what would be my best options for making the most out of this car. I have the greddy turbo kit and I'm tired of CEL, ruff idle, boosting problems, and the factory ecu messing with the tuning.

I've heard that the HKS f-con pro works well but I haven't found anyone to tell me the details of how it makes it better. The other options seem to be the x-interceptor and the Emanage Ultimate but I'm not sure how these are going to perform. What are the pros and cons to each of these setups. I'm more interested in reliability now than raw performance but a few more horses would be nice also.

Tuning is another issue I've been hearing about. Can just anyone tune this HKS unit or is it harder to do than that. I've finally decided that if I'm going to do this...I'm going to do it right.

Are there any ways of tuning and tweaking the current system to make it better and more reliable? Sorry if all of this is already on the forum, but I'm tired of searching numberous threads and not having a solid answer.

Spyder_doo

I've came across another option if it even works :http://www.hydraems.com/home/

They told me that it'll handle the boost without the ecu changing the map values."hopefully"

rkostolni

HKS Fcon can only be tuned by an HKS trained tuner. The interceptor is relatively straigtforward from my understanding and can be tuned by any competant tuner. The emanage ultimate is still a piggyback and so I suspect it will only be a step up from the emanage blue. I think the interceptor will be a great option, it is easily tuned and is a full stand alone.

Fanman

The PF Con V Pro is a 32x32 parameter mapping unit which would allow for a more fine tuning. The Interceptor & EManage units are 16x16. Previously, Mazsport has stated that their map is good for a car with different mods, now they have pulled back from that statement, so you will need to tune it as well if you get it. The HKS unit does need to be tuned by an HKS authorized installer, but given the finicky nature of this engine I have no problems with that.

Spyder_doo

So which is better the hks or the interceptor for just making the car run it's best?

Fanman

The HKS unit is being used in the PTP turbo kit, and is being tested with the Greddy unit right now. Mazsport has played with a few RX8's as well. The top of the line for me has always been HKS. They are THE tuner for parts for japanese cars. Time proven that they make quality stuff. Not a hack at Mazsport & the Interceptor at all. For me it's that if I'm going to drop $1500+ I might as well go for the proven commodity. If I was going to do the tuning myself then there is no choice, but if I was going to take it to a shop to get the car tuned, I would just go into an HKS authorized technician center. Just a personal opinion. I don't think you can go wrong with either unit.

Also, info I found in regards to the HKS unit :

The V-Pro also has individual injector drivers, is compatible with drive-by-wire systems and can replace the factory MAF (with a seperate 3 bar pressure sensor) if needed. You can also switch between different maps by using a mixture controller. We also sell a vehicle specific harness for the RX8.

Not sure how this plays out for the Mazsport unit, but these are the advantages it has over the EManage unit.

Spyder_doo

What's the price difference? I know the intercepter is around $1400+tuning. How much more or less is the HKS? How can I locate a qualified shop to dyno the hks? I'm going to have everything planned out this time before I even buy the new ems.

Moostafa29

New interceptor is more like $1650 without the sofltware. I'm not sure how much the hks is, but I wanna say its a little more than that.

Sapphonica

There's another engine management option that will be available soon.

I'm going to be the 'crash test dummy' for a product made here in the east Bay area that is being adapted to the RX8. Unlike the cabrons at ProStreet, these guys really know what they're doing.

It will be installed & dyno-tuned hopefully by the end of next week, after which I will give a report.

Spyder_doo

Awesome, Please keep me updated with any info you can. I'm going to commit to one of these systems as soon as some issues are addressed and solved with one of the new ems's.

Spyder_doo

Another question...I have the profec E-01 now. Do I have to get another boost controller if I get a new ems? I'm kinda thinking that I will but im not sure.

Fanman

No, you can still use the E-01 as the boost controller (albeit a very expensive one). You need a seperate boost controller with these units, but the E-01 can act strictly as a boost controller.

Moostafa29

Sounds like Vishnu is finally taking some more interest in the 8. Unless there is someone else that I don't know about.

cretinx

is the HKS unit a standalone?
can the stock ECU still fight it like with e-manage?

Moostafa29

HKS unit should be fine. I believe it takes full controll of the signals, and doesn't alter them like the emanage. You just have to find a certified tuner.