2G Do I need new ECU for tuning?

[nwbDSM]

Hi, I'm planning on purchasing 99 eclipse GSX. I was told that it needs tune due to the recent upgrade. my question is do I need to know if the car has aftermarket ecu or i can just take the car to get it tuned. I saw somewhere saying that when tuning a car you need a chipped or aftermarket ecu. I just need to know so I can ask the owner the right questions. My purpose is to just buy a car and take it to the tuning shop and pay for the fee and be done with it.

sorry, i'm so new to turbo and tuning and also ecu.

here is the current setup for the car (as far as what I was told)

99 GSX
255 walbro fuel pump
stage 3 clutch
HKS BOV
K&N intake
FMIC
3inch full exhaust
650cc injectors
evoIII 16g turbo


any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.


newbie

 

[GsXdSmKingGsX]

Eprom ECU+DSMlink=Win

 

[nwbDSM]

forgive me for asking, isn't 99 ecu EPROM? if not, can I just get it from other model year and what year?

for DSMLink, is that a software or hardware? do I have to buy it if I tune it by myself or when I take it to the shop they can provide it?

just to give you an idea that I'm soooo new.

thanks man.

 

[snowborder714]

Any idea how the injectors are controlled without any tuning? It must be running pretty bad if they were just thrown in there.

EPROM information:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/frequently-answered-dsm-questions/337343-how-identify-eprom-ecu.html

Search this site or Google for "DSMlink" or "ECMlink" and start reading.

 

[nwbDSM]

thanks. and the car is currently parked and he didn't drive anywhere. so, you say when I buy this, I should tow it to the shop, right, even though an eprom ecu.

thanks

 

[Tanro]

Your need aftermarket products to tune with.

Otherwise tell him to through in the OEM injectors so it wont run like ass. That is the only mod there that would require a tune. If he wont let you swap the injectros, car is likely ####ed up. Lots of shit bag sellers say "just needs a tune" when selling there ####ed up half ass modded dsms.

 

[arturorz]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/tuning-engine-management/334945-how-identify-eprom-ecu-merged-5-9-a.html

Check post #19
Lots of good information.

Yes, DSMlink is the absolute best
But if you have a 98/99 Black ECU, you can reflash it using ECUFlash and tune your car that way.
You can control your injectors as well.
Maybe the Tune place you are going to take your car, already has the software.
That is, if you have the ECU for it.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

In short, No. Just to be blunt, no one needs an aftermarket ECU to tune. There are several aftermarket products out there that can be used to tune. These, off the top of my head, include but are not limited to : Apexi SAFC, GM MAF + MAFT, Flashing, and piggy back systems.

One product that I recently encountered was something called ECU+. It functioned a LOT like ECMlink does, however, it simply doesn't have the 'UMPH' that Link does. For the low budget guy who wants to be able to do ALL of the same things as Link (Tune, Real-time log, emulate 02, MAFT, 2 step, anti-lag, etc) this would be the route to go... if you can find one. They no longer manufacture them but the guy who created the project STILL provides software updates. You do NOT need an EPROM ECU for this, nor do you need to hack your harness.

Anywho, back on point : No, you do not need an 'aftermarket' ECU to tune... but it's recommended from everyone here to go with an EPROM ECU + Link.

 

[Tyeler18]

Assuming the car actually checks out good get yourself a tactrix 2.0 tuning cable and use ecuflash/ceddy mods to tune.

 

[kthackst]

If you have an early 99 ecu you can tune with Ceddy mods.

 

[mike96]

if you are planning on going to a tuning shop and having them tune for you, then you need to call around and find one that can tune EVOX's and the newer (2009 and newer i think) Subaru’s. they should have the open port 2.0 cable needed to tune the 99 GSX ECU that is already in your car. if you can’t find a shop that already has the proper hardware then you can probably find an EVO8-9 tuner that may be willing to tune for you if you buy the proper hardware for him to use, just try not to let him keep your hardware unless that is worked into the price of his tuning. worse case scenario is you have to buy the open port 2.0 adapter and you can at least get it drivable yourself, it isn’t that hard you just have to not dive to deep into messing with things. Bottom line is you don’t need ECM link especially if you have a 98 or 99 and plan on having someone else tune for you, you just need to find the right shop.

 

[arturorz]

Exactly !

Here is more information for you.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/tuning-engine-management/338754-first-flashed-dsm-ecu-98-99-flashing-faq.html

 

[enzo5190]

If your planning on upgrading it some more then I would go AEM. Some might say that DSMlink is better but I have no problems with my AEM. It runs beautifully. =)

 

[Absit]

Use your stock ECU, it's got enough power to do anything you'll likely ever want.

 

[CONSIGLIERI]

I'd go with ECU + DSM Link