My new car!

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 9:14

Yeah, ETS is Extreme Turbo Systems. They make really nice turbo kits mainly for Evo's and STi's.

They also fab their own in-house FMIC kits, take a look:

http://www.extremeturbosystems.com/Mazda-RX7-Intercooler-Kits/c6453_6494_6642/p18221/ETS-93-95-Mazda-RX7-Intercooler-Kit-ETS_RX7_ICKI/product_info.html

speedjunkie · Postby **speedjunkie** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 9:14

Damn, that's a pretty nice IC, other than being FM. I like how it bolts to stock bolt holes though, that's kickass.

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:14

Yeah I think I'm going to go with the ETS FMIC over any replica FMIC.

Also, my PFC shipped today, should have it by the end of the week!

speedjunkie · Postby **speedjunkie** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:14

Sweet!! By the end of the week you can see if it works! LOL I'm just teasing.

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:14

Thanks a lot, Eric!! As if I'm not worried enough!!

speedjunkie · Postby **speedjunkie** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:14

Weird, you got EXACTLY what I was going for. LOL

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Not many people have problems with these. Not that I'VE seen anyway.

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:14

I got the PFC from FedEx yesterday.

Box was crushed a little, and very poorly packed with just crumpled newspaper. Also, in the picture the seller sent me of the item, it looked mint, and included the original box. The actual product was not mint, and there was no box. I'm pretty sure he just yanked a picture off the internet that could pass for his.

I downloaded the instruction manual and followed my own advice in the "Tuning Docs" thread via Dale Clark's FAQ.

I clipped the required 4 wires in the harness, plugged in the PFC and Commander, reconnected the battery, and attempted to start. Engine caught, sputtered, then died, all within a 1/2 second window. A second attempt to start ended with the same results.

Using the Commander, I went to the Sensor Check screen under the ETC menu, and 4 sensor were highlighted as in not receiving signal- the Pressure sensor, both narrow and wide range throttle sensors, and the metering oil pump. Also, the exhaust overheat lamp was illuminated (the PFC's version of a check engine light).

I checked all fuses, all are intact. I double checked the 4 wires I cut (required for the PFC install, they remove US-equipped emissions devices not present in JDM cars). They are all the correct wires.

So, I reconnect the cut wires, reinstalled the oem ecu, and then attempted to start on the stock ECU. The car started right up, idled fine, and drove fine.

As of now, this would indicate that perhaps the PFC is indeed bad. If indeed the MAP sensor, both throttle sensors, and the OMP were in fact not functioning correctly, the car wouldn't run at all on the factory ECU. To boot, I have no check engine lights.

So, the seller is being cool right now. We are texting back and fourth in an attempt to resolve the issue.

speedjunkie · Postby **speedjunkie** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:14

WTF man, I can't believe I jinxed you. Who is the seller and on what forum? I fully expected it to be a good ECU.

Are the TPS settings correct?

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:14

Well I called my friend Brian Cain of BDC and he offered some advice- mainly he thought the unit was junk. He did give me the number to the PFC Guru Chuck Westbrook who, according to Brian, knows a lot more than him.

So I called Mr. Westbrook, after describing the situation he says I have a junk PFC, no doubt about it. There is no other explanation. He did say I should try swapping a known good PFC into my car to see if it works...any takers? LOL

So right now I'm attempting to get a refund. Thus far the seller has been cooperative but we'll see how he is when I ask for a straight refund.

Thanks a lot, Eric! You totally jinxed me!!!

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:14

Oh yeah Eric, the seller is "boostedtk" and it was on 7club.

He's a new member with >50 posts, but when I asked him for references he quickly gave me his ebay listing ID which is 100% positive feedback on over 200 transactions, and his PayPal address had over 120 positive feedback and no negative transactions.

speedjunkie · Postby **speedjunkie** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:14

W-T-F man. Was he using this in his car before he sold it to you? If he doesn't give you a full refund I'd completely out him to the forum, I'll do it myself if you want. It still pisses me off regardless. Stuff like this SHOULD NOT HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY between enthusiasts.

As far as getting a good one to try...you could ask Mike, and if it works you could put a map on his ECU while you're at it. Just a thought. Zico might let you borrow his since his car is still down but I think he is working on it right now to try to get it running again, and I'm not too sure many people will let someone borrow their ECU without knowing the person first LOL. I'd let you borrow mine, but alas, I'm not home. If Zico or someone wants to take it out of my car for the time being, you can borrow it. Did he get the fender roller from you yet? Maybe he can leave the ECU with you when he gets the fender roller.

Voodoo · Postby **Voodoo** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:14

Ive heard some real negative things about BDC, and if you want the true PFC guru talk to Barry Bordes.

Talk to Gorilla RE (Jonathon) im sure he can source you a good working PFC for a good price.

Hope you get your cash back.

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:14

speedjunkie wrote:W-T-F man. Was he using this in his car before he sold it to you? If he doesn't give you a full refund I'd completely out him to the forum, I'll do it myself if you want. It still pisses me off regardless. Stuff like this SHOULD NOT HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY between enthusiasts.

As far as getting a good one to try...you could ask Mike, and if it works you could put a map on his ECU while you're at it. Just a thought. Zico might let you borrow his since his car is still down but I think he is working on it right now to try to get it running again, and I'm not too sure many people will let someone borrow their ECU without knowing the person first LOL. I'd let you borrow mine, but alas, I'm not home. If Zico or someone wants to take it out of my car for the time being, you can borrow it. Did he get the fender roller from you yet? Maybe he can leave the ECU with you when he gets the fender roller.

Thanks man, my thoughts exactly. In a last ditch attempt I was going to see if putting this junk PFC I have in someone else's car would work at all or exhibit the same symptoms. If it works in someone else's car I wouldn't know what to do at all LOL.

According to the PFC sensor check menu, I have a bad TPS sensor both wide and narrow range, and a bad MAP sensor. No way, the car wouldn't run without those (which is why it doesn't run on the PFC, it's clearly not receiving signal from them).

I've been texting the guy today, I don't know...at first he said he would call me when he got off work. I asked him what time that would be. No reply. I texted again asking when he would get in touch with me to resolve this issue. He said he would be off work at 8pm (he lives in Chicago so 7pm out time). 7:40 (1940hrs) I text him and say it's past 8, we need to talk.

He then texts me back and says he was a car accident (WTF?), and his DAD would be calling me. I'm not buying it. I tell him "I'm sorry you were in a car accident but we need to resolve this issue tonight or I'm filing a PayPal dispute and smearing you on the 7Club forum". He replied with, "OK man, I'm sorry, I will get back to you tonight I promise." So we'll see...

But seriously, who ships an ECU in a crushed box with just crumpled newspaper as packing material? Stupid kids....

Voodoo wrote:Ive heard some real negative things about BDC, and if you want the true PFC guru talk to Barry Bordes.

Talk to Gorilla RE (Jonathon) im sure he can source you a good working PFC for a good price.

Hope you get your cash back.

Thanks for the support...

What "real negative thing" have you heard about Brian? I know you have a trusted engine builder in Jonathon, and I don't doubt his skills, but I don't feel the need to smear him. Brian is a personal friend and I've heard nothing but great testimonials to his fantastic work.

Have you seen the ports he cuts and polishes by hand? They look like a 5-axis CNC machine did them, no joke. Not to mention all the parts that leave his garage look like brand-new. For reference:

Find me some sexier ports to jack-off to and we'll talk :cool:

When I was in a jam with a blown RX-8 motor, Brian offered to help me at a seriously discounted rebuild, not only because we are friends, but also because I was going to embark on one of the FIRST bridgeported Renesis motors. Whenever I call, he answers, and is honest.

Chuck Westbrook also literally wrote the tuning how-to book on the PFC. Like I mean he actually did it. When I called him, not only was he eager to help a complete stranger, but he was also telling me sensor voltages, tuning menus, and variable input values off the top of his head like it was nothing.

Mr. Westbrook was the man who started, hosted, and ran the FC Datalogit Yahoo! group for years. He has published countless tuning papers everywhere on the subject and is very highly regarded within the FD community.

Nonetheless, not sure if I have the patience to test another used PFC unless I can verify in person it's working, so ideally that means I need a local to sell me one. Otherwise I will have to purchase new, if I can find someone that has them in stock.

speedjunkie · Postby **speedjunkie** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:14

Damn that is a super clean port. I gave mine a little smoother exit (not exit as in exhaust, exit into the engine), but I'm not sure if it makes a difference LOL. Mine is only a streetport but lopes like a bridge, but maybe that's due to something else lol.

You don't know what you'd do if it worked in someone else's car?! You LEAVE it in their car and take their PFC. LOL That's what Zico and I did lol.

As far as people saying bad things about BDC, I know Phil Sohn doesn't seem to care for him, but I have no idea why and to be honest with you, I don't have the patience to read the story, AND I could care less lol. I've had problems with Phil before but we've gotten past that and I'm cool with him again, but I won't go bashing someone within the community unless they've done me wrong personally.

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:14

Still haven't heard back from the asshole who sold me the bum PFC.

I filed a PayPal dispute and started a thread on 7Club.

My new car!

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