Received my AFX ECU! My Review WITH Pics! *Not What I was Thinking*

[bo0st]

Alright so I received my AFX ECU today.

Let's go ahead and give it a review I thought for all the members here.

Ordered on 6/6/2013 and received on 7/2/2013 and installed 30 minutes later.

Now... the pics

First I wanted to show off how well he packaged the ECU, because, these things are knocked around left and right on FedEX trucks we all know that:

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And opening...

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So I found this note on it and read it...

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Turns out it arrived somewhat 'broken' but rest assured they said in nice cursive writing it would work.

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So time to try it for myself

Granted it's a 120F degrees in Phoenix, I have no power tools, I felt like hitting up my neighborhood Loopers performance center. They did the install in 3 minutes flat.

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3 minutes and a half hour charge later heh I don't mind every business needs to make their money.

I was just happy to have the ECU and see what gains I would get from my butt dyno.

So here was the Rev limitor BEFORE the AFX install:

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And sadly this was it AFTER:

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Yes, it was the same. I know the website says "he's no longer able to change the rev limitor" but I was hoping that was just some technicality he had to list for this 'bad ass highway ECU' that I spent $563.68 on.

It looks, acts, and feels like a 'regular ecu.'

All in all I'm a little disappointed, not sure what I paid for here.

Nothing feels different so far. Maybe later? Anyone else with a AFX ecu please chime in.

Just wanted to post this for everyone hear to see how long it takes and the whole process from opening the package to install for the money IMO.

Shipping: 1/5 (took forever, even with Fedex)

Price: 1/5 (Not sure what I paid for here, arrived some-what broken and no gains from my butt-dyno yet. I've read other posts and they said they "NOTICED IT INSTANTLY."

Overall: I wouldn't have bought this mod. My nitrous kit was cheaper and it gives me 75 horse. I don't feel anything with this ECU.

 

[eDeclpse92]

I know you're looking for replies about how it feels but I don't want to just sit and read while another DSMer gets ripped off. This sounds like it may be a scam. When you go to tune a car, the A/F ratio for fuel (89, 91, 93) octance is 14.7:1 which is what the ECU should be set to stock for optimum performance. For E85, its around 12. But if you want to add more fuel to get more power, you would need more air to keep that ratio. So, I can't see where he would do anything with the tune without the added air since you are N/A. I've seen these plug and play ecu's before but no one can seem to answer exactly WHAT they do to the ecu to give you more power. I know they reprogram it but what program are the using? How are they chaning the VE Maps? Timing tables? Thats the questions I would be asking who you sent it to.

Please if any of my information is incorrect, let me know so I can learn. I'm not trying to bash on your car or your decisions, I just don't like to see people get ripped off. Good luck to finding out your answers!

 

[rydereclipse]

How would one go about adjusting this ECU?

I never mentioned actually adjusting the ECU itself...if you have a "piggyback" fuel controller and some way to adjust timing (I had cam gears) you may be able to extract a little more out of the supposed "aggressive" maps.

In all honestly, it could have been the tweaking I did with the AFC and the cam gears rather the computer that gave me the notion of HP gains

Looking back, knowing what I know now, I probably would have spent my money on other modifcations/upgrades..live and learn I guess

BTW..to hit on what another poster said..I would NEVER accept a broken part that I spent $500+ on from any kind of vendor, irregardless if I got a handwritten note attesting to its functionality. I know you didn't realize it was broken until you unboxed it, so had no opportunity to refuse delivery, but I would be on the phone IMMEDIATELY requesting a refund/replacement.

 

[jayson427]

The op doesn't even have a fully built motor for one just a bottom end and stock head. The afx ecu has clean sheet software which means it learns as you drive and upgrade more. So if you added cams it would learn itself and adjust the tune accordingly. Yes you need more air and fuel to make more power but if the op added a race head to his set up Then he would feel the power difference. The ecu is not a scam mark bullet has write ups about comparing the afx to megasquirt. Marks results were from a dyno which turned out really good. The op just lacks knowledge about the 420a I mean shit he paid someone to install his plug and play ecu? Come on now guys.

Also like I said above this afx is not meant for automatic cars it says it right on the website. Don't ask me why but That is on there for a reason so who's to blame really?

 

[bo0st]

Mine didn't last more Then 6000 miles. The afx ecu is not meant to be on an automatic car you know that right?

Actually you're wrong there. It says right on the website that the ECU I bought is for a 1998 420a automatic, so I'd assumed it's 'meant to be on it' otherwise Howell is about to get a nasty $600 charge back from my Visa company.

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I would be pissed paying that much money for an ECU and receiving a broken part. I would have sent it back immediately. The only real way to tell if it gave you any gains would be to put the car on a dyno

Yeah I was a little disappointed to say the least. If that part is broken what else isn't right? That's what was going through my head.

I would get a refund. Over 500 dollars and broken parts, sounds like a BS scam to me.

I'm going to call my credit card company today.

Did you buy it on a credit card? Threaten a charge-back if they won't help you with that stock ECU you were sent...

Yes my VISA, doing that now.

Reading how other 'people' said it was 'the best bolt on ever' I'm laughing my ass off now. Howell and his buddies must surely have a few accounts here. I should've known.

I know you didn't realize it was broken until you unboxed it, so had no opportunity to refuse delivery, but I would be on the phone IMMEDIATELY requesting a refund/replacement.

Also so everyone knows, I tried calling this guy Gary like six times. Morning, afternoon, night. I never get a person that picks up.

Stay away from this company at all costs unless you appreciate a stock broken ecu for a rip off rate.

 

[jayson427]

Ok Maybe They make them for the automatic now but your motor doesn't have enough upgrades to get the full potential of the afx. All you have is forged pistons and a bottle of nitrous That's Nothing for a 420a. Call this number 301-707-3069 i get a hold of Gary every time i Call him.

 

[bo0st]

Ok Maybe They make them for the automatic now but your motor doesn't have enough upgrades to get the full potential of the afx. All you have is forged pistons and a bottle of nitrous That's Nothing for a 420a. Call this number 301-707-3069 i get a hold of Gary every time i Call him.

It's called a 'work in progress.' Stop hating on me man. You're really funny. You must be his buddy because every time I call I get nothing, I can make a video of it and post it on Youtube. In fact I should do that now.

 

[jakelandry]

Not trying to be a jerk, honestly, but who would pay 600 dollars for 9 hp?

 

[jayson427]

I'm not hating you don't even know they guy I've talked to him many times. Like I said you don't have the mods to get the full potential of that ecu bottom line. You bought something you thought you needed but don't yet. I'm not happy with my afx either I've made alot of threads about it to so your not the only one. But I've had zero problems with Gary and HowellAuto. They reprogram old stock ecu's shit happens were lucky someone even Cares to make a product for us good or bad the effort is there and Gary will make it right.

 

[bo0st]

Not trying to be a jerk, honestly, but who would pay 600 dollars for 9 hp?

I deserve that one. Me and a few other idiots obviously.

Anyways she's exactly like a STOCK ECU as I suspected, it's throwing up the CEL light for my cat converter being off:

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As I suspected...

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Charge back initiated with my bank through VISA. I'll get my money back soon. Lesson learned, like my father always said, "you spend money on bullshit."

Time for real actual performance parts cams and etc

Got more of a gain from a unorthodox pulley than this 'AFX ecu' & even my MSD ignition/wires made a noticable difference in the top end. This on the other hand, no, nothing.

Gary won't answer the phone, nor my e-mails.

Be warned, if you do business with them you may receive a somewhat broken/misleading part and a note in cursive writing assuring you it's okay,

 

[Sebba]

You paid someone to install an ECU on a 420a? . That's like paying someone to put air in your tires hahahaha.
Buy a Honda.

 

[bo0st]

You paid someone to install an ECU on a 420a? . That's like paying someone to put air in your tires hahahaha.
Buy a Honda.

So now we're making fun of people that pay other people to do installs? Great post here, really helps raise your tech posts in a useful way

I have medical problems and I can't do work on my car as much as I would like to in the 119F heat. right? Oh man I'm such a bad guy, I should at you for not running a 10 second car.

Would you make fun of a guy in a wheelchair too? Have a heart.

Come on man.

 

[Sebba]

I have been on this boards probably since before you had pubes, I'm definitely not looking to up my post count.

Unless you have two missing hands, you can install an ECU.

I also find it hilarious that you expect the marked redline on the tach to suddenly and magically transform. Shocker, it didn't move.

Thanks so much for sending me your post in a PM too just in case, I would have been lost without it. (that's how sarcasm is done btw).

 

[bo0st]

I have been on this boards probably since before you had pubes, I'm definitely not looking to up my post count.

Someone loves talking about pubes You're most likely younger than I am.

Okay don't worry we won't ask ya for a birth certificate, would you like a reward for being a member first though? you should be a comedian, I didn't know it was a competition me vs you.

I also find it hilarious that you expect the marked redline on the tach to suddenly and magically transform.

I expected the rev limiter to change and more performance, also I didn't expect a broken piece. Funny how you ignore all of the obvious, like it throwing up a CEL for a cat-delete which it shouldn't.

Listen up..

I posted this thread for the other DSMers here so they would know what I went through. I did a nice detailed review from opening to install.

If other people realize it may be a bad buy, that's what I'm hoping for. If you still want to buy one, be my guest.

If I can save some one else the money that would be great.

I don't mind paying money for an install and the ECU I'll be the guinea pig.

You live and you learn.

I would get a refund. Over 500 dollars and broken parts, sounds like a BS scam to me.

Already started the chargeback

To the Original poster, There have been cases where neon owners who have ordered a AFX ECM, got a stock ECM back with a AFX sticker slapped on it. Check the neon forums under Tuning, there is a member with the screen name Kevin@sykedecu he can retune those ECM. You should of posted this in the 420a section, 4G63 guys don't keep up with 420a stuff.

I'm not the only guy to get a stock ECU and feel like it's a scam. I'm going to look for that Kevin tuner guy. Thanks for the useful post Snail_GS

 

[jayson427]

And why would you not expect it to throw a cel code? It's designed to pick that up or any other sensor issue, just because it's programmed it still functions like a stock ecu or your car wouldn't even run. How can you know if you get a misfire or all the other obd2 codes? Obviously you plugged it in and the ecu responded with a code for no cat which it would do since yours is gone. As soon as I plugged mine in it picked up my egr delete. You keep saying your getting scammed which is bs Sorry to say but I don't think your knowledge is up to date with what you think is right. Like I said twice already your mods are not enough to get the full potential of this ecu. Your stock head will hold you back alot until you upgrade. Yes it's still a work in progress for you which is what we all do, it took me a while too. But 10.5 compression pistons are only a 4% increase in power over stock and you don't have much else internally. Keep driving with the ecu it takes at least 100 miles and a bunch of 3rd gear pulls to get it dailed in. Also any time you disconnect the battery you have to do it all over again. I know from personally experience this ecu is more effective Then the stock one all day long. Mark bullet has a write up on this you should find it. Anyway I'm done here good luck.

 

[bo0st]

And why would you not expect it to throw a cel code? It's designed to pick that up or any other sensor issue, just because it's programmed it still functions like a stock ecu or your car wouldn't even run. How can you know if you get a misfire or all the other obd2 codes? Obviously you plugged it in and the ecu responded with a code for no cat which it would do since yours is gone. As soon as I plugged mine in it picked up my egr delete. You keep saying your getting scammed which is bs Sorry to say but I don't think your knowledge is up to date with what you think is right. Like I said twice already your mods are not enough to get the full potential of this ecu. Your stock head will hold you back alot until you upgrade. Yes it's still a work in progress for you which is what we all do, it took me a while too. But 10.5 compression pistons are only a 4% increase in power over stock and you don't have much else internally. Keep driving with the ecu it takes at least 100 miles and a bunch of 3rd gear pulls to get it dailed in. Also any time you disconnect the battery you have to do it all over again. I know from personally experience this ecu is more effective Then the stock one all day long. Mark bullet has a write up on this you should find it. Anyway I'm done here good luck.

First of all, please try making the effort and writing your paragraphs into shorter sentences.

Makes it easier for all the members to read.

Secondly, what mods 'are required in your humble opinion' for this AFX ECU to 'work good.'

Please tell me, I'm asking for your wise input o great master.

I have almost every bolt on you can have, I/H/E/pulley/MSD/nitrous/forged pistons 10.5 comp

What am I forgetting, oh maybe cams? oo 1 mod I forgot.. Damn, I knew I should've saved for the cams first!

Also the stock head is pretty strong FYI

The DOHC head was developed by Chrysler with input from the Chrysler-Lamborghini team that developed the Chrysler/Lamborghini Formula 1 V12 engine in the early 1990s

Source: Chrysler 1.8, 2.0 & 2.4 engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stock head handles my 75 spray all day long brother. Now I'm sure you want to say you got an 'upgraded head' and that's cool I like it!

But when your car doesn't have more than 300WHP the stock one is just fine Anyone trying to tell you otherwise is trying to sell you a head you don't need.

Keep driving with the ecu it takes at least 100 miles and a bunch of 3rd gear pulls to get it dailed in.

100 miles & 3rd gear pulls, okay I got to laugh hard there, while the other people say they plugged it in and dynoed 9whp. It doesn't take 100 miles for the legit AFX ecu to work. What I got sadly wasn't a legit AFX ecu, it was just a stocker with a sticker on it.

It's a scam man.

Be warned if you do business with this company, you'll receive no replies to your 1) phone calls 2) e-mails 3) and perhaps a half-broken ECU that is the same as the stock one.

 

[jayson427]

You have a stock non ported head and I never said it was weak. You have an ecu that has more aggressive maps and fuel trims. To benefit more from that you could port your head valves and throttle body and go up a size in injectors with big cams. Then if you had all that and compared stock to afx ecu you would know the difference. Like I said say what you want mark bullet has proven this product to work successfully. If you don't know who that is look him up along with his write ups on this "scam"

 

[bo0st]

You have a stock non ported head and I never said it was weak. You have an ecu that has more aggressive maps and fuel trims. To benefit more from that you could port your head valves and throttle body and go up a size in injectors with big cams. Then if you had all that and compared stock to afx ecu you would know the difference. Like I said say what you want mark bullet has proven this product to work successfully. If you don't know who that is look him up along with his write ups on this "scam"

Everyone here knows Mark Bullet is the fastest guy for n/a 420a but he's doing that using MS not the AFX ecu.

I saw the post where he did say that they were 'close' in the dyno comparison. I'm not going to debate that.

I'm assuming he got a real version of the AFX. That's the 'scam' I'm calling out.

I hope you understand what I'm trying to say, if not let me quote another user:

To the Original poster, There have been cases where neon owners who have ordered a AFX ECM, got a stock ECM back with a AFX sticker slapped on it.

 

[grothe3297venge]

So I am sure you are frustrated and want to know if you got scammed or not. But one thing it says on their site is you need to drive a few dozen miles ( 12 times x amount of miles ), which can be 36 to 60 or more miles to learn the engines characteristics. I say run it for 100 miles and then start giving your results.

 

[bo0st]

So I am sure you are frustrated and want to know if you got scammed or not. But one thing it says on their site is you need to drive a few dozen miles ( 12 times x amount of miles ), which can be 36 to 60 or more miles to learn the engines characteristics. I say run it for 100 miles and then start giving your results.

Will do

 

[StarFawkes]

bo0st, I think you need to use more "quotation marks," bold words, italics, underlines, and different colors to get your point across.

But real talk, it sounds like you got ripped off. Whether you feel it right away, or it takes 100 miles to work, 9whp is still not a huge gain for $500+.

 

[jayson427]

Boost I totally understand what your saying but my point was it's to early to know if it's better or not. I thought the same thing for 2 weeks until I hooked up a real stock ecu. Big difference through out my whole power curve. Smoother and a stronger pull to red line. Keep calling that number I posted it's Gary's cell phone number. He usually answers between 9am-2pm or so. And I wasn't trying to put you down but I have had my afx for 2 years. Which I've done tons of testing with and talked with professional mechanic/tuner shops about.

 

[spoonman]

I can assure you that all this AFX company did was increase the ignition timing a few degrees. And maybe leaned out fuel a little.

Does it sound like a bs scam? Yes

Those HP kits on eBay are little resistors that tell the MAF or aits it is slightly colder to increase the ignition timing. I assume this company uses a similar ploy.

Sorry your expectations were not met, and keep it updated for other.




I really enjoyed this thread, I literally did a spit take while reading.

 

[bo0st]

I'll keep ya guys updated

 

[eDeclpse92]

Thank you for the clarification. I used to have a N/T but I never looked too much into upgrades for the ecu. I was just using what I know about tuning from turbo vehicles. What kind of HP gains do you see from this learning ECU?

The op doesn't even have a fully built motor for one just a bottom end and stock head. The afx ecu has clean sheet software which means it learns as you drive and upgrade more. So if you added cams it would learn itself and adjust the tune accordingly. Yes you need more air and fuel to make more power but if the op added a race head to his set up Then he would feel the power difference. The ecu is not a scam mark bullet has write ups about comparing the afx to megasquirt. Marks results were from a dyno which turned out really good. The op just lacks knowledge about the 420a I mean shit he paid someone to install his plug and play ecu? Come on now guys.

Also like I said above this afx is not meant for automatic cars it says it right on the website. Don't ask me why but That is on there for a reason so who's to blame really?

 

[gsxeclipse97]

I don't know much about that ecu, but I know when I flash mine it's an instant change. I would figure putting a new one with new maps should be as well an not having to wait 100 miles of driving.