OverviewAfter achieving good handling characteristics for my hybrid, the next logical step for me was to start on some engine modifications. Instead of going to a modified ECU, I opted for a more flexible solution and decided on the Field SFC VTEC.The SFC VTEC is a fuel map modifier as well as a VTEC controller specifically designed with Honda's VTEC and Mitsubishi's MIVEC mechanisms in mind. What this unit does is that by modifying the MAP (Manifold absolute pressure) sensor signal, it fools the ECU to richen or lean out the air/fuel mixture at various rpm points. On top of the fuel management funcitions it also serves as a VTEC controller allowing the VTEC points to be changed to suit changing driving conditions. In addition the device also doubled up as a shift indicator by emitting a beep at a user presettable rpm point and also as a speedometer (km/h) and a speed limiter bypass (for those of you who are running on the 180km/h limited Japanese ECU's). Look here for
more inormation/specifications on the Field SFC-VTEC controller.
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InstallationInstallation of the Field SFC-VTEC is simple and straightforward. There are 2 lines that need to be tapped into, and 4 lines that need to spliced and connected to go through the device. Instructions supplied are in Japanese but an English translation is provided with each unit sold. Installation can be done well within an hour, but as usual my advice is not to rush and increase the chances of messing things up.Give the location of the unit some thought. Put it somewhere so that
you can access the controls easily (like close to where the stereo is)
as you want to make full use of the dynamic capabilities of the unit.
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ExperiencesI was happy with the install job I did and the unit worked nicely from the moment I powered it up. Several days after the install I took a road trip to San Francisco to visit some friends there and it was then I learned how to fulkly utilize the SFC VTEC.The SFC-VTEC is a dynamic device and allows you to change fuel curves and VTEC points on the fly. This was most useful feature. Depending on the road conditions, I was able to adjust the fuel management characteristics to suit the changing conditions. On long striaghts, I was able to lean the mixture out and move the VTEC activation point to beyond the cruising speed. This gave me an estimated 40mpgfuel consumption. As the roads became more and more curved as I got nearer and nearer to San Francisco,I needed more power. Taking down the VTEC point to like 4000rpm, and richening out the fuel mix to compensate for the extra power requirements, the car performed a lot better over stock as it stayed within the VTEC range. Finally, a week ago when I took my car in for emissions tests, the SFC-VTEC again proved itself useful. Leaning out my car to 5% lean, and taking up the VTEC point to 7000 rpm so that VTEC will not avtivate. Verdict - The car's emissions was even cleaner than that of the stock 1.5L, 8 valve engine. If course, I passed. The ultimate test is to take the car into a dyno and see how the curves affect the performance of the engine.... but that's left for another day. |
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