2ZZ + PowerFC help

[BajanZ]

Hi folks,

I'm new to the forum.

I'm out in Barbados, just got a PowerFC to stick in my 03 Runx Z (2zz-ge motor). I have an issue and was wondering if anyone has heard of it....

When I install the PFC, it appears as though there is no lift. Switch back to OEM ECU, lift is there.

I've been reading posts in this forum about people not "feeling" the lift. The car revs clean through the rev range. No noticable blip (drop) when the cam changes, and no noticeable oomph at the RPM where the lift should be. The car however does feel peppier down bottom.

We have no working dyno here, so tuning is pretty much installing a wideband and driving on the emptiest road we can find.

I have tried the PFC at our local drag events and I get marginally better times on the OEM ECU, so I'm convinced that it is not going into lift.

I have contacted the seller of the PFC. They haven't heard of the problem, but are happy to "diagnose" the PFC if I send it back. Note that it would have to be sent to USA... by the time I pay to have it sent up and returned, I may as well buy another one

I know someone already asked this, but is there any way I can prove if the hi-cam is being engaged or not?

At wit's end here folks.....

[SuperDave]

Have you looked at the map to determine where the lift point is set?

What speeds are you getting down the strip? That will give you a good sign if lift is engaging because if it isn't it'll be pretty slow.

[BajanZ]

Hi Dave,

I think the lift in the PFC is set to 5400 (lo) and 5600 (hi).

I was given some advice by another guy in the forum to change my lift bolts. Will go and get some today. It looks like a pretty easy job.

Lift bolts were changed by previous owner around 60k km. I'm now at 94k km.

Driving home yesterday I did some pulls. It doesn't feel like the lift is kicking in, but it does pull nicely through the revs. Maybe it's just that I'm used to the aggressive cut-in and it's not happening now. With the absence of a working dyno, it's not easy to tell... is it?

Jason

[SuperDave]

With the absence of a working dyno, it's not easy to tell... is it?

Jason

A drag stip can help.

You mention you have tried the PFC at some events, what time/speed did you get? If you are sitting around 15-15.5 s and 90 mph, then lift is working. Or on the 1/8 mile around 10 s and 70 mph.

[BajanZ]

With the absence of a working dyno, it's not easy to tell... is it?

Jason

A drag stip can help.

You mention you have tried the PFC at some events, what time/speed did you get? If you are sitting around 15-15.5 s and 90 mph, then lift is working. Or on the 1/8 mile around 10 s and 70 mph.

1/8 mile times are 10 sec. PFC I am slower by .2 or .3. I stripped out the interior and am now down to 9.6 sec. Speed is around 70mph.

Changed the lift bolts last night, no apprecialble wear. New one left, old middle and right.

However, the strangest thing happened...

Put everything back together, started the car and let it idle for about 5 mins while I checked for any oil leaks etc., was flipping through the handheld controller, making sure everything was ok... car cut out. I didn't make any changes! Started the car, it would idle for a few secs, then cut out. It got to the point where it would not start back. (I'm thinking fuel issue). Hooked back up OEM ECU, perfect. I'm frustrated!!!

[SuperDave]

Sounded like lift was working, possibly a very smooth transition. Being down by 0.2-0.3s is probably a sign that it wasn't tuned to your car (as mentioned), so might have improved if tuned.

Sucks to hear it won't idle now. If you have access to a datalogit or the Apexi software you can save a copy of the map and reinitialize it, reload the map, and relearn the idle to see if that improves things; usually does. Will it idle with a high idle, like around 1500 rpm?

[BajanZ]

Update...

Went for a tune again last night, on a different road. Much improved! This time I was listening for the cut-over as you suggested. It was there, just not as neck-snapping as I expected. The car really gets up to speed in 3rd gear

Still have the idling problem where after about 2 mins of idle, it would start "hunting" (similar to a turbo car) and eventually cut out. Tuner suggested I clean the idle control valve, so will do that today.

The difference between this tune and last was that with the last tune I was not able to hold WOT for a significantly long time, and the new road was smoother (and dead straight). Also I was shifting early, and the old road was not long enough for me to get lift in 1,2,3,4.

I guess I was assuming that the lift would lick in aggressively, so I was feeling like it wasn't there. Our drag club has a practice session on Saturday, so will give you some more feedback then. With the 1/8 mile drag I barely manage to change to 3rd though. If we get out 1000ft track then the car would be quicker!

[BajanZ]

another quick update...

The car refuses to idle once the water temp rises above 81c. I have to sit in traffic with my foot on the gas, keeping the rpm's around 2k. But below 80c everything is fine. Any suggestions?

I disconnected the battery, reconnected and let the PFC go through its 20 min idle thing. Everything went well until around 80c, then it kept cutting out.

I notice there is a water temp correction table on the PFC. Do I need to change stuff in there?

Outside temps in Barbados range from 25c on the coldest nights to 35c on the hottest days.

Drag event on Saturday... can't wait!

[SuperDave]

The work around is to dial in a high idle on the PFC. But it sounds like a O2 sensor feedback issue to me. Problem is if you turn the feedback off it will idle funny while cold, but be fine when hot, and vise-versa. I'm not sure if it is a sign of a dying sensor as the Stock ECU doesn't have a problem with it.

[BajanZ]

Drag event...

So had our last drag event for the year (1/8 mile).

Previous best on standard ECU, race gas, stripped out interior and no LSD was 9.597, with 60' time of 1.963.

Today with PFC, pump gas, front seats in and LSD (and outside was soooo hot!) was 9.261 with 60' time of 1.866.

However, I couldn't maintain this pace. After 3 back-to-back runs, I returned to the pits and my cluch was smelling sooo bad. I'm still running a standard clutch, but TRD cover. Looks like I will need to upgrade the clutch.

I'm happy-ish now. I know more can be done with the tuning side of it, and I have to get used to launching with the LSD. I feel confident that with race gas and another tune for the race gas I will be in the 8.9 to 8.5 bracket.

The car actually felt even quicker driving home tonight than at the track during the day... nice and cool outside.