ecu

what types of things wouldnt/ would i need with a tuned ecu?
would i need a fmu if i had larger injectors?
would i need something for timing, like msd's btm?
... trying to think of some more things that i might/might not need..

Okay, the whole idea behind a tuned ECU is plug and play. For say, the JWT ECU can be tuned for various injectors and MAFS's. You tell them what MAFS you will be running and send them the injectors you'll be using and they custom design you an ECU(well use one of the existing programs. You're not the first one!!!). It will only max out when your injectors or MAFS max out. The big plus is a tuned timing map. So a BTM is not required. On a JWT, it is actually pretty far on the safe side so some advance can be made. FMU is not required unless you want to go past what the injectors you selected can handle. You can even use a SAFC in combination for the poor man's stand-alone. Its the next best thing to going stand-alone. I'm considering...

awesome. i think im going to go with enthalapy though.
so how does the company know the timing maps?
doesnt it depend on your turbo, and what psi you're running? what if you want to turn up the boost?

Its basically giant maps of MAFS voltage vs RPM vs throttle position. That plus trial and error.

MAFS voltage shows what size turbo you're runinng. IF you have a giant turbo that makes 250whp at 6psi and the other guy has a T25 that makes that at 14psi, thier MAFS voltage is the same. But most people that go with an Enthalpy tune aren't going to run a T25 if you know what I mean.

so what you're saying is if i run a.. lets say t3/t04e and run 6psi for a period of time to where i can rebuild my engine, and then want to turn up the boost via a boost controller, i wouldnt have to do anything else but turn up the boost. no sending it back to get it retuned?
and another question is, why dont more people go for the ecu? lol seems so much easier.

Exactly. As long as the other equipment(MAFS, Injectors, turbo, intercooler, ect) can support it.

A lot of people do go ECU route. But SAFC and injectors is cheaper.

cheaper.. maybe, but if you go that way you still have to worry about timing/fuel. i always thought timing and fuel were the 2 most important things when it came to tuning.
mark me down for getting an ecu...

You can knock base timing back from the distributor. You need a readout from the ECU on what your timing is though via scan tool. Just recently there have been reports of the stock ECU pulling timing by itself. This is not set in stone, but a pattern is being developed. I'm definately gonna see whats happening in my car.

What do you mean Pulling? I dont know much about ECUs...maybe ill learn.

Pulling timing-taking advance away from initial advance *or* retarding timing.

EXAMPLE 20* advanced timing is what 240s run stock with a KA24DE. Pull 2* and you should be at 18*BTDC.

Its a slang term so depending on the user, it can mean various things depending on context.