Apexi Power Fc Commander

[Noel]

Just seen this on E-bay..... wondering who already has one and what should you expect for your money...?

Apexi power commander

It is a repacement ECU.... yes? thay claim that you can remap your engine.....In what way?

I live in Ireland and the highest octane petrol is 95... would this "yoke" help me to get the most out of my N/A engine? as i don't plan on buying "booster cans" for the rest of the year.....

How does it compare to the CAMCON (spelling?) device and i suppose you will need test equipment to verify what you adjust... yes?

thanks.......

BTW ... there is Apexi Turbo commanders on eBay as well..... same company!

[jasestu]

The ECU is the Apexi Power FC, the commander is the handheld interface. It is a full replacement ECU, but I believe you can switch it on and off to let the factory ECU do it's stuff.

You can do a lot more tweaking with the Power FC than with the Camcon. Camcon only does the timing on one cam, but with the Power FC you can adjust both cams as well as air:fuel ratios etc

Anyway, I'm sure someone with a better understanding than I will be along soon.

Mr Singh, weren't you going to be installing one sometime soon (if you haven't already)?

There's some good discussion starting about what you can potentially do to the VVT-i on a forum that I can't link to from here. So here's some excerpts anyway:

Can the VVTi cam timing be adjusted??  I'm sure the stationary cam timing can be adjusted as usual, but can you alter when the VVTi comes in??

our vvt-i cams are continually varying according to rpm and load.... am running apex'i power fc which has the capability of adjusting the dual vvt-i... just checked that our cam phasing can adjusted up to 50 degrees for the intake cams and 30 degrees for the exhaust cams... and because of this, we have the capability of running the engine with a dynamic cam duration of more than 300 degrees, less the cam lift like the hondas...

Will be interested to hear if anyone can elaborate on the vvt-i tweaking and what sort of benefits you might be able to achieve... Is 400 GBP a worthwhile investment to get more power if few other engine mods have been done?

And here's Apexi's spiel on it:

The Power FC proudly stands as APEXi's answer to the constraints and limitations associated with most piggy-back style fuel controllers. The Power FC is a complete, stand alone, total engine management system capable of handling virtually anything thrown in its path. From multiple point fuel and ignition control to VTEC engagement (Honda applications) and boost settings, the Power FC is capable of accommodating even the most demanding performance enthusiasts.

The Power FC replaces the factory ECU and controls all engine parameters. Installation is as easy as replacing the factory ECU. (Some minor rewiring is required on select vehicles.) The factory engine harness does not need to be replaced and all critical accessories such as air conditioning continue to function. By using the optional FC COMMANDER, the user can adjust and modify a wide range of settings. By changing various parameters and data, the Power FC will adapt to any of your performance needs. Since there is no need to upgrade ROM chips or trade in ECU's, the factory ECU can be kept by the original user.

The Power FC operates off of three Main Menus. These menus are: Monitor, Setting, and ETC.

In Monitor Mode, the Commander can display up to 10 parameters of data in real time. Monitor Mode can display:

Engine RPM

Ignition Timing

Vehicle Speed

Air Flow Voltage (Pressure Sensor Voltage)

Injector Duty Cycle

Boost

Knocking Level

Battery Voltage

Intake Air Temp

Water Temp

In addition, there are 4 display patterns allowing 1-8 parameters to be shown on screen at once. The data displays in numerical real time values with the option of a real time 10 second graph display. Peak Hold values and Display Hold functions only require the touch of a button. The Map Trace Mode allows Ghost Map Tracing of the Fuel Correction and Ignition Timing maps. This allows the user to visually see what point of the map is being used in real time. The Ghost Map Trace function leaves markers on the used portions of the map for easy reference.

Setting Mode allows full access to the 20x20 ignition timing and fuel correction maps. The user can adjust any portion of this map in 5x5 sections. Air flow correction values can be entered for vehicles upgrading air flow meters. Injector pulse correction menu is used when upgrading injectors on the engine. The Acceleration Enrichment Correction function improves response under hard and sudden acceleration. The Cranking Fuel Injection menu corrects the amount of fuel when the engine is being cranked, or when the water temperature is cold. A separate Water Temp menu allows fuel correction according to water temperature. The RPM menu allows rev limiter settings and idle RPM levels. Access menus also vary according to specialty engines. Rotary engine Power FC's accommodate leading and trailing ignition maps. Honda engines Power FC's allow for VTEC control.

Complete boost control is possible by using the optional Boost Control Kit (Not necessary for vehicles that come factory turbocharged.). Changing data is easy: just access the desired point on the map or data, and push the FC COMMANDER keys in the appropriate direction. The ETC Menu contains utility parameters such as : version information, LCD screen Brightness, and Initialization of all Data. In addition, the ETC Mode allows the user to monitor all factory sensors through one screen. This screen can tell the user if any sensor is in use or malfunctioning.

The Power FC also comes preprogrammed with several base maps. (Currently with Japan Domestic Market Vehicle Maps. Minor initial tuning may be required.) This makes the initial tuning process much quicker. As with all other fuel controllers, the POWER FC should be tuned on a dynomometer by a trained professional. A high grade air/ fuel ratio monitor is also recommended during tuning to ensure best results.

HAND CONTROLLER

The FC COMMANDER is a hand held controller designed to allow access to the vital parameters within the Power FC. The unit allows a wide range of data modification through its large back lit LCD display. The unit has been designed so that one finger can control a wide array of data. Once connected, the Apexi logo will appear in the screen taking the user to the Main Menu. From here, the user can access the three Main Menus (Monitor, Setting, Etc.)

The FC COMMANDER "communicates" with the Power FC control unit thereby creating one of the first interactive user friendly fuel management systems.

Available for 1st gen Type R Integra and Civic, Series 6 onwards RX7, Lancer Evo 4 onwards, S13 Silvia, S14 Silvia, S15 Silvia, R32 GT-R Skyline, R33 GTST and GT-R Skyline, R34 GT-T and GTR Skyline, Subaru WRX (All models), SXE-10 Altezza, SW20 MR2 (Gen 3+).

[MacRS200]

The Apexi is a replacement ECU so you can't switch it off, but you can switch off the Camcon.

As I understand it the Apexi can indeed control both cams, the Camcon is only the exhaust as jasestu said. Both can control mixture (AFC)

Noel the problem is that the ECU also controls your auto box so the Apexi won't do you mate.

[Robin H]

interesting post Noel

as I'm looking at after market ecu's myself but not really sure what would be best

have been talking to peeps about the camcon and it seems a good basic ecu but you can't control as much of the car as you can with other like the E'manage, Apexi :duh:

ecu's are all new to me

how easy are these things to programme yourself or should you leave it to the pro's

[MacRS200]

interesting post Noel

as I'm looking at after market ecu's myself but not really sure what would be best

have been talking to peeps about the camcon and it seems a good basic ecu but you can't control as much of the car as you can with other like the E'manage, Apexi :duh:

ecu's are all new to me

how easy are these things to programme yourself or should you leave it to the pro's

Yes the Emanage, Apexi Power etc can do more than the Camcon but the main parameters that you want to adjust on a N/A car are VVTi and Air/Fuel ratio which the Camcon does. AFAIK the ignition timing looks after it's self by running as much advance as the engine will take without knocking.

Bear in mind that the Apexi is nearly 3 times the price of the Camcon.

And yes to get the best out of whatever you buy it needs to be set up on a Dyno

[Adie]

So the Camcon actually does more than alter the VVT-i timing etc? Looking at the posts about the camcon unit a seperate fuel management system is also needed.

[Robin H]

"Just installing the Camcon will work as it allows cam timing adjustment and a limited amount of fuel control. The amount of fuel control may or may not be sufficient for the modifications that you have done."

this is why I'm thinking that the E-manage or Apexi will be better for long term tuning as you will be able to cater for any future mods like turbos, superchargers, plus it controls all the systems in the car no need for extra ecu for fueling ect etc

would you be able to use the camcon on a FI set up

[Noel]

The Apexi is a replacement ECU so you can't switch it off, but you can switch off the Camcon.

As I understand it the Apexi can indeed control both cams, the Camcon is only the exhaust as jasestu said. Both can control mixture (AFC)

Noel the problem is that the ECU also controls your auto box so the Apexi won't do you mate.

Ahh.... didn't think of that, thanks Neil

so how much of an improvement is your Camcon unit ?, would it be the best thing for what i want...

Problem is if i get one who will - firstly know what it is - and secondly have the right equipment to set it up properly.... you guys over there are lucky to have TDI among others....... I'm sure there are individuals over here who would be able to set these units up..... but i wouldn't want to be the first guinea pig ......

[Mr Singh]

Yeh i have one.

not installed, will be veeeeeeeeeeeery soon :D

If your looking at an ECU the Top 2 in your list should be the Power FC and HKS F-Con Pro V.

Power FC is cheaper than the HKS, but you won't notice anything between the two... only the tuner will be able to comment on that one...

I don't think the E-manage has the same sort of adj. as a Power FC or F-Con Pro.... your comparing piggy back ECU to a Standalone....

Obviously it boils down to the application...

[Dizz]

Yeh i have one.

not installed, will be veeeeeeeeeeeery soon :D

If your looking at an ECU the Top 2 in your list should be the Power FC and HKS F-Con Pro V.

Power FC is cheaper than the HKS, but you won't notice anything between the two... only the tuner will be able to comment on that one...

I don't think the E-manage has the same sort of adj. as a Power FC or F-Con Pro.... your comparing piggy back ECU to a Standalone....

Obviously it boils down to the application...

Power FC & Commander is the dog's danglies! A few of my mates run them in various cars & absolutley love them!

The cheapest (reliable) place to buy them is Nengun who have them on special at the moment...

There 2 versions, 1's for if your running the Apexi Turbo kit :duh: lol

[Mr Singh]

Indeed.

Nice thing with the Power FC is you can see pretty much everything on the hand held commander. The HKS will require you to buy the commander display thingy

I'm itching to get mine back in.... Will be getting mapping done (again) soon :winky: :D