ECU Options: Title Changed to suite thread better

I have been doing a little research on this for a little while now and want to start collecting my thoughts, finds, and results. I thought of no better place than to start a thread here to share what i have and will learn.

I want to discuss the pros, cons, and alternatives here along with supporting data. I will start filling in the sections below as i gather information. Please share any info you have or links to info. I will collect all relevant data and compile it in an easy to read outline.

1. Nistune
- Realtime
- Limited capabilities
- OBDI or OBDII

2. AEM EMS
- Stand alone plug and play
- Not Cheap
- Tons of feature
- Tuning not limited (Little to know restrictions)

3. Calum
- No longer available new
- Great plug and play options for Chipped or Realtime
- OBDI or OBDII

4. Honda ECU
- Many programs to choose from including Hondata and Neptune.
- 92-98 distributor
- 92-95 Civic P05, P06, P28 ECU's (List)
- Custom Harness
- OBDI only

5. Others
- Bikirom - Austrailia as well
- Capabilities very similar to Nistune and Calum V1
- About the same as Nistune at the end of the day
- Good info on the site and forums
- OBDI or OBDII

- Squirlz ECU's (Coming Soon)
- Chipped B13/S13/P10 ECU's
- Use any bin you can find
- OBDI for now

Nistune Info
Cost - $440-460 AUD (Australia) - includes software

Have to install your self, requires a bit of soldering.

Features

NIStune is a real-time tuning suite designed especially for Nissans which provides the ability to:

Retune factory Nissan Engine Control Units (ECU)

Monitor gauges and map tracing on your ECU

Data log from your ECU using consult, wideband and auxiliary inputs

Perform playback using graphs, gauges and map tracing

It provides:

Connectivity for up to two emulators simultaneously (Pocket Romulator and Moates Ostrich)
Loads and Saves files in regular and odd/even formats for chip burning (EPROM/FLASH)
Support for up to two simultaneous wideband units (various commercial units supported)
Communication to our specially developed NIStune Real-time boards to perform real-time tuning
Features:

Real time tuning, map tracing, logging and playback
Consult display capabilities with real time diagnostic information in a separate window
Full Log Recording and playback is available for all consult variants.
Dual channel Wide Band support
Wideband can also be recorded inline with consult data and played back.
Edit five ROM images simulatenously, with comparison capabilities
Map and table copy feature
Intelligent display tables decoded for easy modification
Completely editable multi window grid, map/table views
Knock cells highlightable, pinpoint map trace configurable for follow and trail functionality, cell marking available
Resize injectors and change AFM capabilities
Real time RAM monitoring system
AFR and auxillary input trace against RPM and load
Hardware and software installation guides and manuals provided

Saved.

Saved.

Honda ECU's

Any of the below can be installed in any P05, P06, P28 ECUs which are out of 92-95 Civics, models CX, DX, EX, Si, M/T Only.
Prices are for chips only, Install extra! To save a little money you can socket your ECU yourself and just install the chip. Soldering experience required!

1. Hondata S300 Info
Cost - $495 includes software

Features:

Main features:

Fits inside the ECU
Made in USA
Built on the proven s100/s200 code base
USB connection for speed and compatibility
SManager Windows based software for parameter & table editing, calibration uploading and datalogging.
Real-time updating of ECU
Built in calibrations for common engine combinations
Built in datalogging to a laptop
On board datalogging memory (2 MB memory, 20-60 minutes datalogging)
Adjustment for different sized injectors, with overall fuel trim.
Configurable for any MAP sensor (to at 5 Bar and above)
TPS based table lookup for ITBs
Engine protection from over boost.
Expanded fuel and ignition tables, both in rpm and load, to 60 lbs boost and 11,000 rpm (these are not the upper limits)
Launch control with anti-lag
Full throttle shift
Three multi purpose outputs for nitrous control or similar
Supports lambda tracing from a wideband o2 (PLX wideband recommended)
PWM output for boost control
Dual tables for high/low octane calibrations etc.
Two analog inputs for wideband, EGTs etc.
SManager editing software features:

High and low speed 24 x 20 ignition and fuel tables for correct VTEC tuning
Injector size fuel trim
Fuel trim for starting, throttle tip in and individual cylinder trim
Rev limiter with fuel cut or fuel and ignition cut
Launch control with anti-lag
Full throttle shift
Adjustable VTEC window with load and throttle control
Secondary intake runner control
Adjustable idle speed
MAP sensor type and calibration
Adjustable boost cut with hot and cold settings
Shift light
Closed loop control
Air temperature compensation
Water temperature compensation
Fuel and ignition correction based on gear
A/C shutoff conditions
Closed loop
Three general purpose outputs for nitrous control, quad boost control or similar
On board datalogging trigger conditions
The s300 uses different connecting pins in the ECU from the s100/s200, and also has a slot cut in the side for the USB connector, so the ECU must be modified for use with the s300. The s300 is made to fit in a full frame ECU case (US and most markets), so will not fit in a JDM ECU case.

USB Connection

The s300 uses a high speed USB connection for both programming calibrations and datalogging. No more USB/serial connectors!

Real-time Update

The s300 can be updated in real-time with the engine running without affecting the operation of the vehicle. This means that calibrations and changes can be uploaded to the ECU very quickly (2 seconds for a new calibration, a fraction of a second for anything else), without interrupting the operation of the engine. Changes made in the SManager software are uploaded to the ECU instantly and you can see the effect immediately. The s300 does not use an EEPROM or equivalent, so you never need to open the ECU to change chips nor 'burn' ROMs. No EPROM programmer is necessary - you just need a laptop with USB port.

Note that this the only true real-time update available for Honda ECUs. Any portion of the ECU (including the whole ROM) may be quickly updated with the engine running, without the engine stalling or going into limp mode.

Datalogging

The s300 has datalogging to the SManager software built in via the USB port. Using a laptop the various ECU sensors can be datalogged, viewed, graphed and saved for later analysis.

Additionally the s300 has on board flash memory which allows a datalog recordings to be made without a laptop, for later access and download to a laptop. Multiple recordings can be made and stored in the s300 for a total of around 40 minutes of total datalogging time. An external switch can be used to start and stop recordings, or engine conditions can trigger recording. For instance in a drag race, the s300 can be set to start recording once the rpm is bought up to near launch rpm and automatically stop once past the traps and the rpm drops below a certain level.

MAP Sensor Compatibility

Any linear MAP sensor can be used, using a scalar and offset to translate the MAP sensor characteristics into pressure. Popular MAP sensor settings are built in for ease of setup. To do this you will need the map sensor calibration numbers from the manufacturer of the sensor.

ECU Preparation

Details on preparing the ECU can be found here. It is strongly recommended that you have this professionally installed as this is more difficult to install than an s200 and if the ECU has been previously socketed you run an even higher risk of damaging the ECU (lifting tracks and or burning them).

2. Neptune RTP Info Manufactures site
Cost - $399 including software

Features:

The NepTune Real-Time Programmable Engine Management System. This compact package fits in a standard socketed ECU and can be used in JDM small box ECUs as well as P30s and P72s with a knock board. Included in the package is one Demon unit and a software license for the NepTune tuning software.

Enjoy these great features of the NepTune software:

Beautiful 3D Beveled interface.

User Friendly Toolbars with the options you need most.

Real-Time Datalogging Of Sensor Data, Inputs, Outputs, and ECU Data.

On Board Logging With Lossless Compression To Allow 3 To 5 Times The Regular Amount Of Data To Be Recorded. Offers Up To 3 Hours Of Datalogging Time With Compression Enabled.

Datalog Playback, Save, and Export to CSV.

Datalog Trimming.

Datalog Commenting For Later Review or Sharing With A Tuner.

Graphing Of Sensor Information With Real-Time Values and Live Scrub (Dragging with mouse).

Live Graphing Of Real-Time Sensor Trends.

Direct Serial Logging From LC-1, LM-1, and LM-2 Products (LM-2 currently requires connecting hardware to allow legacy serial connectivity).

Map Trace and Lambda Trace.

24x24 Ignition and Fuel Maps For Precise Tuning.

Dual Tables For Low/High Boost, Different Fuels, or Alpha-N (ITB) Tuning.

Easy Injector Sizing.

Fuel Trims for Cranking, TPS Tip-In, Post Start, and Individual Cylinders.

Rev Limiter with Fuel Cut, Ignition Cut, or Both.

Rev Limits Per Gear.

Launch Control (2-step) With Anti-Lag.

Full-Throttle Shift.

Use The Check Engine Light As A Shiftlight With Different RPM Settings Per Gear.

Idle Adjustments for Idle Speed, Idle Speed vs ECT, and Idle Ignition Corrections.

Air Temp Corrections.

Water Temp Corrections.

Gear Based Fuel and Ignition Corrections.

Access To Many Other Stock Fuel and Ignition Adjustments.

PWM Boost Control With Simple, Boost By Gear, and Gear vs RPM Modes.

Quad Stage Boost Control.

Adjustable Prime Duration At Key On.

Overheat Protection.

Closed Loop Control With Selectable O2 Input, Conditions, and Wideband Support.

Anti-Theft feature requires inputs or a code to be entered with TPS and Brake pedal. Also has a valet/fallback mode with adjustable rev limit.

2 Multi-purpose Outputs With Fuel and Ignition Adjustments.

1 Multi-purpose Output With Multiple Output Settings Based On MPH.

4 Programmable Analog Inputs For Extra Sensors.

And A Lot More!

Bikirom Info
Cost - $450 AUD (Australia)

Have to install yourself

Availabilities:
B13/S13/P10 B14/S14

Features

Real-Time intelligent BikiRom Megaboard contains up to 15 programmable and switchable maps. Complex logic can be specified to switch maps for advanced features such as launch control and flatshifting. All maps can be uplaoded to in real-time without a car restart or without disrupting the ECU.

The latest in SD memory technology allows the BikiRom Megaboard 3.3 to datalog for up to 46 hours (with a 2GB miniSD memory card)

Eight 0-5V inputs for datalogging of o2 sensors, detonation sensor modules, telementry or suspension geormetry inputs.

Four programmable 16-bit PWM controlled outputs up to 20W continuous per input.

Opticaly Isolated USB communications allowing flawless communications in even the noisest enviroment.

Real-Time Map tracing via hardware and via consult give you accurate feedback on map tuning.

One board for all models, S13-S15, N13-N15, U12-U13, ER34 and more..

holy crap yo.. you been doin' some homework.

Updated info.