|
PFC is ideal. there is nothing archaic about it nor does that word have any reference to anything here. The units are still being manufacturered as NEW and offer more ease of operation than any other stand-alone in the world for the sr20 engine. The things that matter for a stand-alone are:
1. how the computer communicates with the trigger system, and how well it is able to decipher that signal from noise. Many stand-alones (AEM and Megasquirt come to mind) have great difficulty with this not so simple task. Even the AEM engineers can't seem figure out how to do it using the OEM disc.
2. how the computer deals with the ignition system i.e. dwell, noise, spark/signal saturation, etc... is a common trouble spot for Japanese engines using stand-alone computers.
3. how easy it is to correct and tune the engine given the complexity of modern SEQEFI systems, as the PFC uses both a MAF and hand-held it is among the easiest, or is the easiest, in the world.
The pfc does these things better than any computer in the world IMO. It is superior to Haltech, Megasquirt, AEM, etc... with respect to trigger stability and ease of tuning capability. There is nothing out there that even comes close for 500hp sr20det engines.
PFC allows instant/real time tuning while you drive, just like a typical stand-alone, except that it offers a hand-held device which also doubled as a series of 'gauges' , it reads coolant temp/iat/KPA/tps/etc, which no other stand alone offers, along with the easy tuning of a voltage based MAF sensor system, with both a fuel map and pressure based correction
In other words, someone can tune a PFC in under an hour for any 500~hp sr20det, while it also supplies the necessary signals to run the OEM CAS and coils, and all using a hand-held device which negates the need for a laptop in the car. Ever.
There is nothing superior for this power range on this engine. Even Haltech, which offers far more features and OEM-like stability, offers nothing new in terms of trigger, compatibility, and takes longer to tune with a broader learning curve, as there are far more settings and options to be aware of and one may wish to use a MAP sensor at that point (might as well). Thus the PFC is still 'faster' and more 'user friendly' and still has the benefit of the hand-held device which speaks for itself.
While a Haltech is superior in terms of power/potential (as many stand-alone units are) you have to be making over 550hp with the sr20 to warrant this as a feature, and while below that power level it doesn't offer anything over the PFC unless you specifically need it for some critical functions, such as E85 compatibility or map switching for racing/ different fuels/etc... And since the pfc does incredibly well until around 500hp , the breaking point for most MAF based street driven cars, it is preferable to use in those situations on gasoline.
I would skip the nismotronic and most others. Either use the PFC or jump to the Haltech and go E85 550hp+. Those are my two recommendations.
Finally one more reason for PFC vote, you can find them on ebay for $350~ ranges sometimes. The S15 engine can use the S14 harness, valve cover, coils, and computer, so keep that in mind if you find a "NA" or "WC" style pfc (95-98 model sr20det S14) Switch the harness/coils/valvecover and use the cheaper PFC for the S14 on the S15 engine if necessary. This is also great for re-sale value, say you decide later to get a haltech and switch to flex-fuel, you can easily sell the s14 pfc whereas the s15 pfc is a difficult sell, its more rare.
|