ECU Chipping and Tuning FAQ** READ BEFORE POSTING**

[d112crzy]

I can email you one if you'd like, what's your email?

[Shay91Racer]

sandn07(at)gmail.com

[MikeW]

Alright Joser...I looked into this whole tuning thing. Looks like something i could get into, but not right now. Money is tight so picking up hardware and software is gonna be difficult.

Ive got alot of questions, but hate to look like a noob. Im interested not only in learning how to chip later on down the road, but im in need of a new ECU. Since i cant chip it myself, right now, im interested in knowing how much itll cost, how long itll take and how easy it will be for someone to chip an ECU for me.

[deevergote]

ECU = $20-$50 at most junkyards... easy to find a P06 because they come in the low-end Civics (which are getting pretty old now). They aren't really in demand like the P28 is.

Chipping kit = $20. I've seen them go for more, but all the ones I've ever seen used have been about $20.

Soldering iron = $10+... you don't need a GREAT one.

De-soldering tape = $7? Not sure. MRX used this stuff on my ECU, and it made the process quick, easy, and clean.


So in all, it's about $100 MAX for the stuff necessary to chip an ECU, including the ECU.

You can tune with a free version of Uberdata or Crome, though the paid versions of Crome or ECTune have more functionality. (resisting the urge to try to pirate one of those, as I really want to contribute to the scene by supporting the companies!)

A chip burner is about $75, I believe. The more you spend, generally the easier they are to use, I'm told.

Datalogging is easy, and the component do that is about $40. (if you don't have a laptop, then your price went up a couple hundred bucks! )

A wideband o2 sensor runs about $70 on ebay. I believe you can wire them up to a chipped ECU (Joser, am I right on this?)


That's really about all you need for a basic setup... unless I left something out!

[MikeW]

Well, i appreciate the numbers, but im in the worst of all situations..i dont have a job, and now my car needs work done. I'll be lucky enough if my dad is willing to foot the bill for my car, otherwise, it aint going anywhere for awhile.

So even if i insisted on chipping the ECU myself, i cant afford it.

I didnt wanna come here and simply ask how much it would cost for a chipped ECU, but thats what im gonna have to do.

Whether i get the ECU myself or the "chip-er" gets one, chips it and sends to it to me..I just need an estimate. I imagine i could find a p06 around here.

Why p06 though? Why not just use the p14?

Like i said, i dont wanna sound like a noob, but i just wanna find out how much itll cost to get a chipped p06/p14 or if i get the ECU, how much itll cost to have it chipped..

[d112crzy]

Why p06 though? Why not just use the p14?

Like i said, i dont wanna sound like a noob, but i just wanna find out how much itll cost to get a chipped p06/p14 or if i get the ECU, how much itll cost to have it chipped..

You can use a p14. Man up and wire up a knock sensor. The knock sensor should already come on the h23 you're planning to get. It's 1 wire.

If you're talking about chipping it, then go back to the first post and re read it.

I can chip an ecu for you for $130 shipped to you. This doesn't include the price of the ecu. That always depends on how much the ecu is. I usually have the customer buy the ecu where they please and send it to me get chipped.

[MikeW]

You can use a p14. Man up and wire up a knock sensor. The knock sensor should already come on the h23 you're planning to get. It's 1 wire.

I would if i had a diagram or knew how to wire up a knock sensor for an H23 swap. Sure its 1 wire, but i dont have a clue what to do with that wire or anything.

Yes, i lack THAT much knowledge...

[d112crzy]

Then learn by searching. I'll give you a tip, seach "knock sensor" in the swap's forum.

It's on the 1st page. If you can't find it, give up. It's actually the first thread you should have read before you posted about swapping.

[prNonVtec4u]

If you can't find it, give up.

simply lovely...

[d112crzy]

can a moderator please delete any of the non ecu related posts.

[MikeW]

I searched and there was a thread on that but cp[mike] sidetracked him with an oil pressure sensor, not a knock sensor. He never posted up saying whether or not he got it wired up.

Something about a black/yellow red/blue wire...

Assuming i get myself a wire and "wire up the knock sensor" i dont know what to do with that wire. I stick one end in the D3 socket of the ECU, then what? Run it into the knock sensor plug on the H23...?

[d112crzy]

How much more confusing can it get than that? It's that simple. Stop over complicating things.

[MikeW]

Alright. I didnt think it would be that simple.

Id imagine youd be suggesting i go chipped to make some business but...

Thanks for putting up with my crap. For real. I know...I suck

[quickangel93]

any pros and cons about Neptune? im thinking about getting it tuned using Neptune Software.

[trickedaccord92]

ok.. i have got the chip burner package which includes the burn1, datalogging stuff, and a couple of zif sockets and chips. also purchased the nc1 wideband gauge kit. with that in hand i should be able to tune .. correct?? but my real confusion is that what the hell am i looking for or how should i adjust the bin file according to what the wideband is reading ?? this is hard to explain in writing.... umm so with a basemap installed in the chip i can start the car and then while it is running can I adjust the map and save it to the chip without having to burn it again ?? i mean ... do i have to take the chip out each time to burn it with the data saved from the readings ?? and is datalogging where you can tune on the run .. like tune the ecu while driving down the road ??

ok.. one last question.. is there a place where i can read up on all this ... like is there a chip buring post or book for DUMMIES ?? LOL

I am asking all this because there are very little to no good tuners close to where i live.... or at least none that i know of... so i would be very cost effective for me to just learn this.