DIY ECU tuning

[scchen]

Does anyone on this forum have the expertise on DIY ECU tuning like the Import cars? I do see a lot of information exchange on Plug & Play modules (Sprint Booster), and ECU flash by vendors. I had a WRX and it was very easy to monitor the vehicle and adjsut the ECU settings via a laptop, and I am looking for a similar way to tune my 99 C230 K. Any input is greatly appreciated.

[Nelson Lago]

if your benz is boosted maby a super AFC can do somthing its a piggy back system

[ricerokets4life]

I know they have Enginuity open-source tuning for WRX's via a Tactrix cable. As far as Mercedes, I'm not sure.

[omeyhomey]

SAFC2 will be the only real way to do it, the SAFC2 is not that hard to use, in fact its very user friendly. The only real hard part of SAFC2 piggy back setup is that you need to dyno tune it (roughly 1 hour on dyno should do the trick) and also the install. Price is only about $220-250 for a new SAFC2. I plan on doing it on my C36 once I get it.

[Nelson Lago]

ya but SAFC is olny good for boosted appclations

[omeyhomey]

Originally posted by Nelson Lago
ya but SAFC is olny good for boosted appclations

not true at all. LOTS of NA guys used it especially for Jap cars. The only limitation of SAFC2 though really is ignition timing, but you can manipulate the A/F ratios however you want to your liking (which is the most important feature for NA tuning anyways). If you want to upgrade spark you will have to do it the old fashioned way (plugs, wires & etc) but again you won't be able to change the timing. The good thing about SAFC 2 though is you can do part throttle & full throttle maps seperately and there are 12 tuning points throughout the power band.

heres a picture of it...

http://images.cardomain.net/products/apx/APX401A911.jpg

[omeyhomey]

Heres a good link showing the tuning potential from a SAFC2...

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=110185

[scchen]

I appreciate all of your inputs. I will read up on the SAFC 2, and plan for that add on. Does any one on this forum have install it for their W202?

[omeyhomey]

Originally posted by scchen
I appreciate all of your inputs. I will read up on the SAFC 2, and plan for that add on. Does any one on this forum have install it for their W202?

no MB owner has added SAFC2 to my knowledge. Its not an easy install by any means which is the biggest deterrent for most but I plan on doing it soon and doing a writeup for it.

[DRM]

I could be wrong but I thought paul 23k has apexi safc

[omeyhomey]

Originally posted by DRM
I could be wrong but I thought paul 23k has apexi safc

does he? I thought he went stand alone ECU, maybe i was mistaken, if he has I'd love to hear how he likes his setup.

[pisit]

I think that he is running Motec M400 parallel with factory ECU, since some sensor and system like the climate controller still depends on the factory ECU.