hdcuellar

Hello,

I have seen this question before and I’m sure someone will blast me for asking this, but there are a few differences between what I am asking and what the answers were on the old posts. I guess the biggest one being that eCtune wasn’t an option back then. I am assuming that we will be able to purchase before long. I can live with my S-FAC or what ever it is called until then; if I go with eCtune that is. In addition, I will post some **** as payment for your knowledge once I get home. I am at work and I don’t think it is worth loosing a $4X, XXX a year job just to get the **** on here a few hours early.

I am currently considering what ECM software I want to use on my 1994 Del Sol SI with a T3 turbo on it. I don’t plan on running more than 12 PSI on the stock Z6 motor. I have been told by the guy at Xenocron that my best options are either Neptune or eCtune. Does anyone have experience with both that can tell me anything that would help me decide which one to go with? Obviously this will be my first experience with aftermarket tuning software for this car but I have been in the testing and development world for OEM stuff for a while. When it comes to actually tuning the vehicle, I think I will be able to make it run well without too much help. It is just the hardware and software that needed to tune and record data that I don’t know crap about. I have been using software to record off the CAN and J1850 on new vehicles for a while but have never had to build a system to do it. Some engineer writes that software long before I get involved in the project.
I want my set-up to be capable of boost control and be able to hit a target AFR using a wide range O2 sensor. I don’t know if this is pretty much standard or not. I also want to be able to tune the low throttle maps in order to get the best MPG I can when I’m not “into” the throttle. I want to be able to progressively control the fuel ratio and ignition timing based on boost level and high cam/low cam. Again, I don’t know if these are basic features that all of the fuel management systems have or if this is going to cost me big bucks. I am planning on using a JAW with the Bosch preheated sensor, I don’t know if that makes a difference or not.

Please let me know what your opinions are of these products if you have used them or if there is something better out there that I haven’t considered. Thank you for your time, knowledge, and consideration.

Guy-Fast

I dont give a crap about people posting **** just add information to the site its been missing lately. xenocron will be the best guy to bug has he sells both. I will be running neptune in my drag car once I finish the rest of it

Adam Hopkins

I am currently using eCtune to tune all my customers cars, I really like the software and the feature list grows every week. There are some bugs but Calvin does a pretty good job of fixing them as long as he has some one testing for him. you should go to the eCtune forum forum and just read a little about it. Educate your self and make your own decision.(not being a smart ***). But IMO you are looking at the two best options on the market.

Chris Harris

My simple take...at the current moment.

Neptune:
- Stable (huge plus), great features, single USB cable or Bluetooth connection (simple) and well supported.

eCtune:
- pretty interface (most of the time), overkill on the amount of features...too many for the novice user, still need to use both Ostrich and Dataloggging (this will change soon). Support is great...unless Calvin doesnt have internet for some reason. And there really is no stable, saleable PRO version out yet...looks to be soon, but its been a long anticipated wait for both us sellers and users looking to grab the software.

Costs are nearly IDENTICAL at the moment...

$399 for Neptune RTP Board

$404 for eCtune PRO license, Ostrich and Data Cable...

If you already have the Ostrich and Data cable...eCtune is the way to go once released.

hdcuellar

Hey chris,
Thanks for answering my questions again. This is pretty much what I asked you in my Email last week. I was just trying to get opinions from some of the guys on the board before I drop $500 bucks. What else is needed other than a cable in order to datalog? I have seen the pretty graphs from the screen shots on eCtune, but I have not found any screen shots of the neptune software. Does neptune have graphs and stuff or is it all ------sheets and the likes? Can you use other software with the Neptune board or is that pretty much locked in? Thanks guys

Inquisition

Go with Neptune. It's the best solution out right now. I'd buy it if I were in the market for a solid ECU tuning solution.

JonDouglas

Honestly, if I were to start over again, I would go with Neptune. The GUI isn't as pretty as the others, but the feature are just right for the kinds of things that I wan to do.

I really really want to try out ectuen once Calvin fully releases it.

I kind of get tired o dealing with comm issues on the freeware. It is really inconvenient when you are on the clock.

Chris Harris

Try downloading and looking at Neptune RTP software here:
http://www.hrtuning.com/software/ind...le=NepTuneRTP/

Look at the Help Directory too...its well organized.

foumer

I wish neptune had onboard data logging. I know not alot of people use that feature, but for drag racing is great to go back and see what the car was doing and what you were doing wrong :1. Thats the only feature that drew me into hond*t*.

Chris Harris

And it will with the Tuner View Screen (future versions)

Also, if you have any money to build a drag setup that needs datalogging at the track, you should be able to afford $100 laptop to strap down in the passenger seat for logs. it is a handy feature on the s300 though...i agree