What are some of the best programs that are out there that everyone is using and also what is the cheapest and best program for the money???

 

I am running Accel's DFI gen VII. I love it! It was the best thing I did to the car since the blower! tuning is simple and fun! I got it from TJwong, he has great prices. i didn't do the installation myself but my mechanic had a pretty difficult time doing it for the first time.

He ripped out the entire old ECM and harness to make the installation a lot cleaner.

 

Are there any programs that work in conjuction with the stock ECM as a piggyback set-up???

 

You can piggy back the DFI Gen 7 system to the stock ECM. It is more money to do so but its the best solution the any issues. This can be done with virtually any aftermarket system.

 

TJ whats the price on that gen 7 system i run a F.A.S.T. setup now.

 

I have the FAST system piggy backed to the stock ECM using the FastTrack controller (as suggested by tj) and love the setup.

Ron

 

I'm at the point where I will be making a decision as to what controller I will be running and I find this thread very interesting.
I have an '85 in which we installed an LT1 with a vortech supercharger. I had intended on using an '89 computer with the LT1 and a crank trigger on the front of the engine. Optispark is gutted except for the rotor. I'm real curious about piggy-backing a system much like the Gen VII system. What is the cost difference? Would it benefit from using the '89 'puter? Would that setup just use the original ECM to control the dash functions and would the fuel, mileage and other controls still work in the dash? Would the Gen VII system be set up as a speed density system and would a two-bar MAP sensor work with it? Trying to figure my way as I go and right now, I know enough to be dangerous! Any input is appreciated.

Andy

 

I have a FAST system, but I know the answers to most of your questions here. If I misspeak, tjwong will correct me.

I can't comment as to whether or not you would have been able to get the 89 computer to work with the LT1, but lets say for the sake of arguement that you can - cuz if not, then there's no need to piggyback anything.

Your aftermarket system (whichever you choose) will control your fuel, spark, and major sensors leaving your stock computer to control the guages, TCC soleniod if your system doesn't do it natively, and other functions of the car outside of engine management.

On my car using the FastTrack harness with FAST B2B, I have 100% full guage functionality. My system is hidden, so unless I told you it was there, the car looks completely stock.

You can use speed density on the new setup unless you're running something so radical to force you into Alpha-N, but I doubt you're building anything that radical. You can use a 2 bar MAP sensor for any of the popular aftermarket EFI solutions.

The advantages of the aftermarket ECUs have been debated in this forum over and over. You might want to check the search functions. Some of the big pros for aftermarket systems is closed-loop WOT, target air/fuel ratios vs RPM, better idle for larger cams, ability to monitor air fuel ratios while under N20, single or dual wideband O2 sensors, indivdual cylinder control for fuel and spark if desired, onboard data logging, easy on the fly tuning and many others. Look at it this way, you're replacing 15+ year old technology with newer (less than 5 year old) technology in the case of the latest systems.

None of the aftermarket ECUs are cheap. You're looking at roughly $700 for the Fasttrack harness (admittedly, one of the pricier options in the harness space), and approx $2K for a FAST with wideband O2 sensor. The Accel Gen 7 is more than the FAST (based on retail pricing). Your other viable options are the Bigstuff3. In addition, FAST just released their newer system (FAST XFS I think it's called) which appears to be pretty nice from early reports. Figure roughly 4K to buy it, install it and some dyno time for the initial tune. If you do the work yourself, knock some money off that price for labor.

Ron

 

I have two FAST systems. I am starting to help another with the BS3. I think this is the wave of the future.

I burnt chips/flashed PCMs for many years, and the best change was when I went away from that and started messing with DFI and FAST. I do not expect to ever return to the old way.

Aaron

 

Aaron, I would love to hear your experiences with the BS3 thus far.

Take care,

Ron

 

The 7749 ecm (syc/typhoon) could be a lower cost alternative depending on what your engine requirements are. If you have the cash, the aftermarket systems definately have advantages.
Good luck.

 

I will keep this group posted as I work through the new system. It seems to be everything that DFI and FAST offer, just to the next level.

Aaron

 

BS3 stuff is KILLER! But expensive. I've talked to John a couple of times about using it on both my SB2 motor going in my Vette and a trick-azz 488" "W" motor with an EFI converted Hilborn (that's right baby, a 409 based motor). It's going in a street rod... It's trick as hell, I played around with it a little on a turbo Mustang.

Both the FAST and the new DFI Gen7 are excellent systems. I've probably installed 30 FAST systems over the last 4 years and tuned half-again as many. It's an easy system to use and works very well. I've only had the opportunity to play with the Gen 7 stuff on a couple of occasions but can tell you I like it very much. It's very (almost suspiciously) similar to the FAST system but it has more options. I used Accel DFI for YEARS; in fact I'm selling two older 6.32 systems right now. Good stuff and the newer ones are trick as hell.

Another option is the Electromotive stuff; they have without a doubt the best ignition system of all of the stand-alones. That's because they invented the coil on plug system and are paid a royalty on it from every mfg... Good system as well; I've played with them on everything from 700+hp turbo Ichipussi's (Mitsu's) to GN's, to a Pantera. Easy to program and works very well.
-Jeb