High Performance ECU?
08-13-2003 | 06:32 AM
#2
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 126
From: Plaistow, New Hampshire
ECU REPLACEMENT
I replaced the stock ECU in 1983 280ZXTurbo with a Jim Wolfe performance unit through Motorsport Auto. Yes...it does make a difference...more so on a Turbo model.
I also upgraded with an intercooler, aux boost control and adjustable spring pressure intake manifold pop off (relief valve).
I also upgraded with an intercooler, aux boost control and adjustable spring pressure intake manifold pop off (relief valve).
08-13-2003 | 02:59 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Baseballl248...where did you get the adjustable pop-of valve? The only one I know of is HKS and I hear they don't make them anymore. About your ECU...you got that from MSA? Is it that good? I wanted to get one, but was unsure of it capablities. Thanks...
Chris
Chris
08-14-2003 | 06:06 AM
#4
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 126
From: Plaistow, New Hampshire
HP ECU + POP OFF
Hi Chris,
I purchased the Pop off unit from Motorsport Auto. You buy the pop off assy and then there is an internal spring that can be purchased specifically (4 types; different colors for relief variable) that allows max boost psi 18, 16, 14 or 12 prior to boost relief activation. You also will require an adjustable boost controller to override factory restrictions. With these mods, it will require an intercooler to prevent detonation with the extra compressed hot air. The pop off valve does not appear in the MSA website but it's in the catalog.
in regards to the performance computer ECU, when I purchased it, I plugged it in without any of the other mods and quickly realized a definite upgrade in performance.
Steve
I purchased the Pop off unit from Motorsport Auto. You buy the pop off assy and then there is an internal spring that can be purchased specifically (4 types; different colors for relief variable) that allows max boost psi 18, 16, 14 or 12 prior to boost relief activation. You also will require an adjustable boost controller to override factory restrictions. With these mods, it will require an intercooler to prevent detonation with the extra compressed hot air. The pop off valve does not appear in the MSA website but it's in the catalog.
in regards to the performance computer ECU, when I purchased it, I plugged it in without any of the other mods and quickly realized a definite upgrade in performance.
Steve
08-14-2003 | 01:54 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks Steve...I thought about plugging the pop off valve. I didn't want to do that, but I didn't have a choice. If I up the boost I have a feeling the pop-off valve will vent. The factory pop-off is set at 7psi. I'll look into MSA for that adjustable unit. Thanks.
Chris
Chris
08-14-2003 | 02:15 PM
#7
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 126
From: Plaistow, New Hampshire
Chris,
You definitely do not want to block off the relief valve opening. You risk excessive intake manifold pressure, which could result in blowing your head gasket, or worse, the engine.
Scuttlebutt says that the Z Turbo engine (81-83) can take up to 3-4 psi of additional factory boost, before detonation occurs. After that, additional boost psi requires the intercooler.
Factory boost is "supposedly" set at 7 psi by the waste gate controller but usually is set artificially lower. The Auxilary boost controller overrides the waste gate by vacuum pressure (you can buy the manual controller for $100 from MSA) and gives you the extra BOOST control. This is where the Rated spring psi set on the pop off valve comes into play.
You should safely be able to go to 10-11 psi on your boost without adding the intercooler. (note:Each spring has a range of psi. The rating of the spring is the highest it will allow. You can regulate the psi within the spring range by loosening or tightening the Pop Off valve adjusting bolt).
I run my spring @ 18psi with the intercooler.
Steve
You definitely do not want to block off the relief valve opening. You risk excessive intake manifold pressure, which could result in blowing your head gasket, or worse, the engine.
Scuttlebutt says that the Z Turbo engine (81-83) can take up to 3-4 psi of additional factory boost, before detonation occurs. After that, additional boost psi requires the intercooler.
Factory boost is "supposedly" set at 7 psi by the waste gate controller but usually is set artificially lower. The Auxilary boost controller overrides the waste gate by vacuum pressure (you can buy the manual controller for $100 from MSA) and gives you the extra BOOST control. This is where the Rated spring psi set on the pop off valve comes into play.
You should safely be able to go to 10-11 psi on your boost without adding the intercooler. (note:Each spring has a range of psi. The rating of the spring is the highest it will allow. You can regulate the psi within the spring range by loosening or tightening the Pop Off valve adjusting bolt).
I run my spring @ 18psi with the intercooler.
Steve
03-03-2006 | 11:19 PM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
I had that POV welded shut... I felt a big difference in the performance of the car after that. I have an HKS manual boost controller set to force that pup up to 11 psi and it would take forever for that to happen with that POV opening. After welding it shut it would boost nice and fast. Really the only thing that you have to worry about is the surge aka the blow back. This is where having an ECU helps cause you can take that sissy recirculating BOV out of the picture without the car running rich as hell and put a nice sounding BOV in there. Some say there is no performance improvement by putting one of these in but you will want it when the surge comes into your intake lines and wants to blow that AFM flap to the shut position while your trying to launch on someone causing a bog or slight stall and f@cking you out your wins. Also make sure to keep an eye on your TPS connectors, mine got loose and made me lose alot of power, now I have to re-adjust my AFM, AGAIN, to get the thing back in the zone and out of the "dear god let this adjustment just help me get it home..." mode. I do agree with baseball in the factory boost setting though, i believe that it is set for 5 psi.
03-03-2006 | 11:24 PM
#9
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,485
From: Temecula, CA
For a dollar or two though you can modify the Pop off valve to open at higher boost. For about $5.00 you can modify it to handle really high boost. That way you still have the extra security of the pop off valve and you're able to boost high AND smooth.
Holy crap though, this thread is like 2 1/2 years old
I think we've had more recent discusions on this topic though 
Welcome to ZDriver.
Holy crap though, this thread is like 2 1/2 years old
I think we've had more recent discusions on this topic though Welcome to ZDriver.
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