Noob PowerFC question

[01 Spectra GT-S]

I just a few question noob questions would like to ask.... Here is some background info......First of all, I got blitz intake, TRD exhaust and just got a DC header installed, I also took out the resonator off the mid pipe (just after the cat). My next mod would be powerFC for sure (Later on this year, like around summer or maybe early 2006, I will turbo my car so I will need a standalone ecu)

My friend own a performance shop with their own dyno, where they built race car and custom turbo app. He will be building the turbo for my car for those who cares...

1.) If I get the apexi powerFC, do I need to get the commander or datalogit?? if not, how would I tune the powerFC?

2.) Will I see some gain with the performance mod I got now? or should I get the powerfc when i get the turbo?

3.) what exactly do I need other than the powerfc? I will be doing all the tuning at my friend's shop, so is the commander and datalogit really needed?

4.) will the OBD port still work with the powerFC?

thanks in advance.

[cool2miketlu]

Originally posted by 01 Spectra GT-S
Edited because inconsequential to matter at hand

1.) If I get the apexi powerFC, do I need to get the commander or datalogit?? if not, how would I tune the powerFC?

2.) Will I see some gain with the performance mod I got now? or should I get the powerfc when i get the turbo?

3.) what exactly do I need other than the powerfc? I will be doing all the tuning at my friend's shop, so is the commander and datalogit really needed?

4.) will the OBD port still work with the powerFC?

thanks in advance.

1. Datalogit is a more powerful tuning hardware that hooks up to PowerFC and a laptop.

2. Yes you will see some gains but not huge, but that depends on if your tuner is good or not.

3. You need PowerFC and Datalogit and a computer to do tuning preferably any cheap old laptop.

4. No

[01 Spectra GT-S]

Thanks mike for helping me out here.... but just a few more questions to cleear things up abit.

So the apexi powerFC, laptop and datalogit is all I need to do all the tuning. So then the commander is useless or should I still get it and have it hook up in the car and use it as a display gauge so I know whats happening at all time. Like the check the knock level...etc

Also if the OBD port no longer work. Everytime I need to go for emission test (yearly thing in Canada) I would need to put the stock ECU back in? That is fine since it is easy enough to do. But here is where I see a problem. For example, my turbo is in and everything is fully tune. I have to take the car in for emission test, and swap the stock ecu back in. Now wouldn't that screw up the turbo? How do you guys solve this problem?

[cool2miketlu]

hmmmmm.... turbo is a problem, do you guys have visual inspection or just do emission test if you pass and the OBD-II checks out then you pass? There is a solution for you but you probably would not like to do because it cost money.
If you do not have visual inspection and you only have to pass the two test I mentioned above:
1. Get a piggyback and tune it with turbo to pass emissions, then reset the piggyback to 0 corrections and keep your stock ECU.
2. Get PowerFC and tune it for power.
3. When you have to go pass emissions drop stock ECU in 2 weeks before and reload the emission map drive slow with low boost for the next 2 weeks.
4. Pass emission go back to step 1.

[01 Spectra GT-S]

We don't have to do visual inspection. We only really have to pass emission. I heard from a friend that the OBD reading only needed if you fail emission or have high readings. But I will confirm that later... but thank you for all the help.

Also back to my other questions: "So the apexi powerFC, laptop and datalogit is all I need to do all the tuning. So then the commander is useless or should I still get it and have it hook up in the car and use it as a display gauge so I know whats happening at all time. Like the check the knock level...etc" I'm just not sure if I should the commader or not, since the datalogit will be able to do all the tuning.... Any suggestions?

once again, thank you for all the help.....

[cool2miketlu]

Datalogit would do ya, but if you do not like too much gauges then the commander can take place some of your gauge, like water temp knock which are the 2 major gauges for boosted vehicle. You then get oil pressure, oil temp, and wideband O2 gauge for your pillar. Your boost gauge can be your boost controller if it has that function.

[01 Spectra GT-S]

Awesome, thanks for the help..... I know exactly how to run the setup now. I already have a mini car computer (512ram, 20gig HD) that is powering the navigation system in my car right now and everything is hook up to the screen on the center console. The computer have a serial port that is not being use, so once I get the powerFC, I will have it connected with the datalogit and use the computer and screen to display/tune the car. This way I get all the info/readings at all time....Do you think this will work?

[cool2miketlu]

Carputer? Yes it would work but the numbers are so small on the display that its going to be very difficult to see let alone trying to use those number to tune your car. When you tune you need something bigger than 7" screen, I suggest you use a laptop first. When you are doing everyday driving you can use carputer to display things you want to monitor.