Plug-in chip upgrades would most likely be put into a stock ECU, but any A/Market ECU's or similar items(even Boost Controllers, Air Cleaners, Fuel Injectors etc) the engine should still be re-tuned to make sure everything is working as expected.
That is an advantage of an aftermarket engine managment system, they don't use EPROM's, they use an EEPROM which can be flashed and reprogramed with a laptop. When I tune with a stock ECU, I plug in a device that replicates the chip called an emulator. It is basically an EEPROM where variables can be adjusted and changed on the fly rather than doing it the old fashioned way of writing a bunch of chips and trying each one on the dyno. For those that are not savy with the abreviation, an EPROM stands for Eraseable Programable Read Only Memory . An EEPROM is Electronically Erasable where an EPROM can only be erased by an ultra violet light before it can be reprogramed. The chip used in the ECU from factory is called a PROM which is not able to be erased and used again.
Well put Lloyd. That's what HiTec offers... a low cost alternative to DIY potential disasters or high cost after market computers & expensive workshop tuning?
Info unfolds I was not aware of THZX had bigger turbos and injectors, and no it obviously would not work with stock ecu with bigger injectors, especially with twin AFM's. What power did this car make anyway? Bob good to see you are here and can explain to clear some things up. Are you saying you are tuning cars on the dyno?? I thought it was a dangerous lucky dip and tuned by the seat of your pants, only from what I hear from zed owners, who may be making this up? Lets not get side tracked with introducing further stories and confusion. I will try and be to the point to sorry Chili and others. People need to know what they are getting, or not getting or what may happen to their car here.
Anyone got a bic rom in there's have been trying for mths to get my ecu rechiped and tuned since my rebuild have got a kakimoto chipped ecu bloody thing is driving me nuts!!! going along it will just lost power or taking of from the traffic lights then pick up again
Conversations Dear John, This must be a new record, two posts from me in as many days! It was good to be able to talk with you on the phone after so many years, and to confirm that you do in fact have an issue with Hitec. For the benefit of forum members, I'm posting a summary, which I believe is generally accurate. In our conversation, we discussed tuning, and I believe clarified some points: You asked whether a dyno was used. I advised that early testing was dyno based, and that we will use a dyno for custom tunes. Where we supply locally, we measure air fuel ratios on installation of "off the shelf" tunes to confirm target afrs are met, and where supplied by mail (rare) we recommend that afrs be checked (which is often easiest via dyno) before use. In most recent times, Hitec deliveries have been for ecu's requiring larger fuel injectors, different mass air flow meters and the like. These are not catered for using a stock calibration ecu. We calculate fuel to a target 12:1 afr. You stated that you believe this to be way too lean, targeting 11.5:1 afr. We also reduce upper load timing to allow for safer operation at increased boost. You believe this is unnecessary. We do not. I pointed out that MANY cars have poor or adjustable boost control, bypassed knock sensors, and may use fuel of differing quality which I believe would be unsafe using the standard timing map. I believe that you stated that no two cars you have tested have been in identical condition in terms of fuel pressure. I stated that this is more a fault with the individual car, not a tuning parameter. I stated that base timing and fuel pressure were key requirements and were considered as "constants" in MAF injection. We discussed some history, how we first met, Hitec's history and my passion as a Z enthusiast, Amway, promotion, pricing, etc (which I won't post unless anyone really wants to hear about it). I also stated that the "off the shelf" tune we offer is intended to provide improved performance through increased boost with some accommodation of variables. Increased boost, not standard boost. You commented that this could be achieved with the standard ecu. I stated that many owners will increase boost beyond that recommended, and adjust timing, and use that these were constraints in the "off the shelf" Hitec offering, which isn't peak tuned for that very reason. I agreed that many of the Japanese tunes use what I believe to be manifestly excessive timing, and advised that Hitec do not fall into that category. We discussed your allegation in relation to Shifter's car, and I advised that my opinion was to the contrary, and that at 12 degrees base timing, the timing map at all points would have been LESS that the stock timing map at 24 degrees base timing, raising a question of fuel pressure and vacuum leaks. I advised that to best of my knowledge, Hitec purchasers are happy with what they have received, and you commented how would they know? (If any Hitec purchaser isn't happy, here's your chance) I stated that our website claims (our sole advertising by the way, excluding direct referral from customers) must be accurate in view of the Trade Practices Act. You said you haven't seen our website. You expressed issues with the try before you buy, citing it as risky. The intention behind that was to provide a no-obligation free trial, through a dealer, to enable a zed owner to determine whether it would offer them an improvement or not. My thought was that if it were me, I would want to trial the product first. The accompanying instructions are fairly detailed in regards to trial parameters, however some folk won't follow them. In the main, trial ecu's are now fitted by dealers with an afr check and boost leak check during setup. (the last sentence is an extension of our discussion) You said you can't see a need for my product. So in summary, 1. We have and do use dynos (I qualified on Dyno Dynamics 4WD Dynamometers in 1997) but more so for custom tunes 2. We do employ afr testing using several high quality measurement instruments (horiba, autronic, microtech) 3. Our "off the shelf" tune is intended to accommodate increased boost within a wide range of relational parameters. It is not an "absolute peak" tune. 4. We will do custom tuning as required, on a dyno, as required. 5. Our off the shelf product is NOT intended for use at standard boost setting. 6. The seat of my pants have yet to develop a tuning technique of their own , and as to a dangerous lucky dip , please keep your distance (I've always wanted to use those smiley things!) I believe that I've answered all of your questions, in my phone call to you, and this recant. Let me know whether I missed anything. Kindest regards Bob (Hitec)
biki rom I believe you mean biki rom (or biki usb multiboard) which is well worth a look for self tuners. http://www.bikirom.com Last I heard he (Lucas) was getting married and would be away until early April. Cheers Bob in Oz
Amen to that Bob. It's funny how no matter how many times people say the same thing for some it doesn't quite sink in, especially when I early said this; And this showing the benefits of an off the shelf tune to safely run more boost, not to get more power with stock boost; I guess at the end of the day it is difficult for someone to endorse a product or service they don't or can't provide .
Just a quick heads up regarding Bob and his service/HiTech. I installed the 550 Nismo injectors last night along with the custom ECU Bob sent over for me to TRIAL I say trial because I have not so far paid Bob a cent. I have been on to the phone to him regarding a few points I have needed clarification on but after plugging in the Nismos and the new ECU the Zed fired up first time like if I'd just shut her down 5 minutes before hand. Found a broken wire to Injector 1 and fixed that and went for a play in the cool night air. No problems other than running a little rich. Confirmed with a dyno run this morning, Running a little rich (better than the stupidly lean mixture I've been running for years!). Got on the phone to Bob and faxed him over the dyno sheets and he is sending me over another complete ECU PLUS another alternative chip just in case I have issues with the replacement one. Knockers can say all they want regarding other aftermarket chips etc, but I find criticism of Bob or HiTech very harsh given the amount of effort Bob has put in to try to give me a decent tune (with safety) before I set off to Melbourne on Sunday. He has called me to clarify points and always been available whenever I have needed him. I cannot fault that kind of service. Thankyou Bob! One thing to remember is Nissan didn't dyno tune each individual Zed that came off the production line. They all got the same tune (with updates over the years) so I find it funny that someone can say a mail-order tune is not a viable option. Bob is going to tweak the maps when we get to Melbourne to optimise to a more finite level for my mods. Once again, excellent service worth paying for.
Interesting First to clarify a few things Bob I said 12 to 1 AFR is a little lean for what we tune to between 11.5 to 12 to 1 higher in the revs. The fact that you state 12.1 is ridiculous anyway unless custom tuned. Why you dig up past about me is also unprofessional and off subject. I find it amazing that what you are doing is not challenged or not ok to challenge it or something. There are many critics on this forum and when there are clear question marks that I have identified and raising so that others know what they are getting or doing to their cars engine. I am critical of anything that I know does not work or if I see customers being mislead. Many times I have said if it works great and if custom tuned then great. You more than implied that you do on a dyno on request. What happens to the other poor guys who fork out $995 as in a THOUSAND dollars. I said you send it out in the mail to test on their car or was it trial. Wow and that is not dangerous especially as you agreed with me they all run rich and you tune them to 12.1 AFR how do you this, via phone line some how? You also say you don?t touch the AFR so which one is it?? You clarified with me yesterday that these chips that cost a few dollars you sell for $995 and you said people want it. I couldn't believe it, I thought it was $750. I can understand this could be charged for custom tune, although even this is expensive, but as a blanket cover all chip and to state it is tuned for 12.1 is a lucky dip to be polite, as EVERY CAR runs different air fuel ratio although they should be similar. If you had ten zedtts and put your chip in them then run on the dyno you would be lucky to have them all within .5 of a AFR. Different items and in varying condition, such as fuel pumps, fuel filters, exhaust, air intake, condition of injectors and wiring etc. Yes even checking fuel pressure they still vary. DUB I am surprised you are risking your car and driving it all the way form Perth with a Chip sent in the mail which sounds like it is detuned to be safe? You would be better off finding a good workshop in Perth to put a programmable computer in it as your car certainly is worth it and do it properly. Save a fair bit on fuel I suspect and not risk motor as long drive. Nissan set their tune as very docile and rich so safe for cars so they can be boosted and can be boosted as I have mentioned previously, and can get bad fuel etc. Yes this includes Japanese cars. So if you want to believe the story that you need a chip to boost your car which now is said to be detuned chip then go for it, in my opinion it is a waste of money. To get less performance unless you boost your car to very high levels. If in Melbourne and get a custom tune then go for it. Re SHIFTERS car it was the chip and only the chip as it was fine with stock ECU and there were no other issues with the vehicle. Curious what power did THZX make and assume this one at least must have been done on dyno?? Bottom line Bob you can send me another threatening letter from your solicitor to try and gag me and protect your enterprise but I am simply stating my experienced opinion and vast knowledge on zeds, having tested more zeds on dyno by far than any workshop in Australia. I am also and enthusiast and feel I should at least inform those on the forum also enthusiasts of some facts.
Good to hear it is all running well Brad. I'm really looking forward to checking your car and all your updates out in person when you are over here. I spent a bit of time with Bob on Saturday and I'm confident that you will be very happy with your car on the track once he has fine tuned it in Melbourne. I agree with you, Bob goes to great lengths to make sure that his customers are happy with his product, and receive the kind of service and support that only someone who truely loves what they do can provide.
Can somebody clarify if Hitec is just a new rom with new fuel+timing maps, or if there is more too it? Do you still use the standard 'code' ie.. O2's, AFM still required
Yes, you still use all the standard features of the Zed, like MAF, O2s, safety boost, adaptive learning...... It is a re-write of the factory code.
ENOUGH ALREADY !!!! For god's sake John...........let it go. I don't often get involved with your posts or threads, instead, just sit back and enjoy the read and see the hole you seem to dig so easily for yourself, but I feel I must respond to this one. I am inexperienced to say the least in the topic at hand so I can't comment on any tech issues but it seems to me that your posts may start off with all good intentions (although perhaps worded differently) in certain threads but it always seems to end in a shitfight because someone takes it the wrong way or it is worded in a way that someone takes it the wrong way. You are sitting in a glass house John so your comments regarding Hitec prices and margins really seem uncalled for - especially when it is well documented that your prices obviously have a good margin(why else would you do it). If there is a demand for his chips at a certain price, then it is no-ones business what the product costs. It would appear to me that people are more than happy to pay a price and the service that is given well makes up for, and deservedly so, any margins. You go on about Bob bringing up the past and but you are forthcoming in raising any point of interest from your past that you like if you feel you have been badly done by. You and I have spoken on the phone regarding a certain issue - and if truth be known, my only issue with you. I may not like the way you do business and you may not like the way I do mine, but to publicly attack another business' pricing structure, in my opinion, is just not right. You ARE a valued member of this forum and appear to be very knowledgable but I would urge you to proof read your posts before submitting to make sure that it can't be distorted or misconstrued and have an end result like this one again. It just seems to be happening all too often and a majority of it should be done via pm. my 2 cents John
Fair go I mean Fair Enough and you thought it was going to be round 4. No probs and yes I need a proof reader where can I hire one??
has anyone got a link to the hitec web site i would like to have a good read. i think this may be a good option for me
