Newbie needing some advice

[Peaky83]

Hi there,

I was after an alarm system with remote start or just a remote start system does any one have any experience of these or any recommendations/advice?

I've been reading about big improvements in performance by ECU remaps or performance chips, some saying as much as 40-50 bhp increase, I'm sceptical and wondered does anyone have any experience of this or know whether its worth it?

Dan

 

[Stevearcade]

Hi Dan, welcome to the forum. Don't know about the alarm stuff, but regards engine/chip tuning, there are a few things to consider.

Engine re-mapping can alter various aspects of engine operation from ignition timing, air/fuel ratios and other complicated things I don't really understand. But it's hard to get large increases from naturally aspirated engines like ours.

Turbos have much more scope for manipulation and you can often, with a turbo car drive out of the tuning garage where they've added 50BHP to your car using just a laptop. On a naturally aspirated car however you'll be lucky to see 10-15BHP increases from a tuning as there's less to work with.

VTEC engines are designed for both economy and performance. Before VTEC is meant to be economic, after VTEC is performance. What a re-map can achieve is making the economy mode slightly more performance orientated and bring the VTEC engagement in at lower revs than factory setting, and maybe also raise the red line so you can VTEC for longer. This won't really increase your BHP, but make the car much for fun to drive and if done right, keep it within safe operation (not break anything in the engine).

What I'd say is speak to a tuning company who are experienced with Hondas. Don't just go to any tuner who boasts about gains. With Hondas it's not all about gains, but about a more progressive, sporty characteristic/dynamic. I'd personally avoid piggyback ECU products and VTEC controllers. Speak to people who can create you a sensible tune that will keep the car working within a safe window of operation and not put unnecessary strain on the engine under normal driving conditions.

 

[exec]

Can't imagine chipping a 1.8 is going to be worth, you won't gain much from it.

 

[Stevearcade]

Indeed. I think you really need to be at least 2.0 or more and DOHC to get anything meaningful.

Spend your money on suspension. It's far more worth it. Totally enhances the driving experience it will feel much fast as you won't suffer body roll or lurching.

 

[BlueVTEC]

It's also worth noting that in fact, you cannot alter the factory ECU that is used in the SOHC EU 6th gens. Your only option would be to fit an afternarket ECU (££££) or to grab a P38 ECU from certain Integras/Civics. It would still be a lot of work for 2bhp at the most.

Accept the 1.8i for what it is (a slow but great handling cruiser) and mod something more suitable, like a Type-R Accord or even a B16 Civic!

 

[adrenalinas]

OBD2 ecu is chipable, but it is very expensive, because of one time flashable(not erasable memory/ecu chip) which is quite expensive and it is not possible to convert it to chip emulator so for every try of getting correct AFR you need new chip.
As for turbo.... F18 is very weak and can not be turbo'ed. You need at least 2.0L engine of F series.

So... it not worth of money to put in this engine.


p.s. BlueVTEC... I believe you had in mind P28 (or P30,P72) ecu with OBD1 ?

 

[BlueVTEC]

Yes P28. They are common to buy because they are cheap, fully mappable and are able to have ready made maps ported onto them, unlike the standard ECU. You then simply buy an OBD1-OBD2 converter and that's it.

Personally, I went for aftermarket management (Hondata) as it would be easier. My H22A7 had a lot of internal upgrades before going in, so I needed something that could handle the extreme AFR ratios. It also has handy features like launch control (which I love!), anti-lag which will be great when I go turbo powered, and a host of other things like switchable maps on the move etc. It wasn't cheap, but it was worth it in my eyes.

 

[shab_the_man]

not worth chipping mate, you won't get a big power gain, save the money and get a type r.

In terms of alarms there are loads of chinese kits on ebay but big name like Clifford, Toad do this type of features. As with chinese kits it may not actually last long. I would probably go down the route of Clifford alarm system tbh with full closure system which shuts the windows too