spider

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tenblade2001

Hyper-x,
I gained 14rwhp with my VAFC, prior to exchange. I believe the older ECUs gain more, b/c they are tuned less aggressively than 02 and up. All in all, the gains I have with the 02 ECU are comperable to those with the VAFC and without the hassel of re-tune, dealer, etc.

DJSang

I pm'd ultimate lurker a while back about gettin the '02 ecu, and he told me there was no conclusive evidence to suggest that getting an '02 ecu for an '00-'01 car would prove power gains.

I don't think I'd spend $500 on speculation and what a member feels on their butt dyno. I'm waitin to see conclusive dyno results that go beyond error and deviation. Just my .02.

For now, VAFCII and a good tune IMO will be good enough, considering it'll be as much as an ECU itself. I'm just wondering how it accounts for temperature variation, since the tuning is done at a certain temp/humitidy.

Hyper-X

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tenblade2001
Hyper-x,

Hyper-X

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DJSang
I pm'd ultimate lurker a while back about gettin the '02 ecu, and he told me there was no conclusive evidence to suggest that getting an '02 ecu for an '00-'01 car would prove power gains.

Hyper-X

Here's a recent PM I had with UL.

Re: Sup UL, got a few questions

I have a stock '01 S2000 (snorkel and straight-thru muffler, not catback though) and considered going with a Mugen ECU but since I'm on stock intake and exhaust, I wondered if going with a new ECU off a '02-'03 S2000 would do better since my other parts are not Mugen?

My question is if I wanted to do a swap to a newer model ECU, what will I or the mechanic need to do in order for it to work? I do have a very experienced 25 year Honda mechanic friend, but I don't know if he ever did anything like this. (I'm guessing he hasn't)

I do have a VAFC-2 unit + harness (not installed yet), and plan on going with a CAI like an AEM unit, and a possible cat-back exhaust of which I haven't decided.

I'm not concerned with ultimate power on top, but I am looking for improved performance at the lower mid to upper midrange rpms. I figure I can use that range of power more effectively in autocross and daily driving.

P.S. If you think anything I've written is foolish, stupid, a waste... don't hold back and just let me have it.

Aloha,
Jimmy

Here's the response.

If you plan on keeping the VAFC, then a Mugen ECU is probably overkill for you. I wouldn't worry about having non-Mugen mods, as the ECU still does good things. I'd recommend just getting the 02+ ECU and saving some $$$$. You will need a Honda dealership with a PGM-FI scan tool to reprogram the ECU to use your keys though. With the Mugen that isn't necessary as it has no immobilizer.

UL

Porsche951

My 2001 has a 03 engine replaced under warranty. I've been told that more than likely I still have the 01 ECU. Would an 02 or 03 ECU net noticible power gains?

tenblade2001

You probably still have the sameECU (I would guess). If so, no change in HP.

Hyper-X

While I'm not absolutely sure if the mechanical parts are exactly the same between the MY01 and the MY03 engines, I'd say this.

On the premise that the engines can be assumed (for this example) to be identical, and that you are using the ECU that originally came with the car, then I'd theorize that you'd gain the same benefits that we've experienced.

If you've got the time and means of taking a look at the ECU, try to find the label for the part number. If you are looking directly at the large flat surface with the harness towards the bottom, it can be found on the right side edge.

If the part number ends with A01, that is the MY00-01 ECU. If it ends with A02, then it's the MY02 ECU.

tenblade2001

Hyper,
He only had the engine exchanged, not the ECU? If that is the case, he wouldn't see any gains b/c the 01 ECU can run an 03 engine and will use the same fuel maps/timing as it did for the 01...ya think? I don't see why they would change out the ECU and engine.