Why are you spensding 4.4k now when all your basically adding is an intake, and an exhaust? with that kind of money you could get a used turbonetics, or greddy, turbo kit. no offense but I think the shop should have told you to wait till you go FI for the v-con. If it's not too late get your money back and check out the marketplace here, and my350z.com

 

^ b/c He is doing things in the "Correct" order ............. he Is getting a TT kit later....

 

I haven't read a single post that details the additional functionality that the HKS V-Pro unit provides over the UTEC. Both units have knock detection systems.

I would love to hear more about the advantages to the V-pro...


Also I admit I haven't read the manual for the V-pro - anyone with a link to this?

 

Rcdash:

The UTEC is a good system, especially if you like to self tune. However, V-Pro is light years better than the UTEC, which is way better than the Emanage Ultimate. Its knock detection is unparalled (the dash mounted knock amp alone is $890). Absolutely zero detonation problems w/ the V-pro which is the main cause of engine failure in FI motors.

Drivability and safety of v-Pro are unmatched, unless maybe if you drop 12K on the MOTEC.

Kel: If I were staying w/ the mods I have now UTEC or F-Con IS would be plenty. But I am building motor and going TT in about 7-8 months. Eventual goal is a 500hp daily driver that lasts 100K. That is why I am getting the best engine management.

 

he's a DR..he don't go "USED"

 

Well, unfortuneately, in the G35 world this may be true. I have had FI before, and it doesn't have to cost that much. Nissan/Infinity have made it very hard to make their cars fast by virtue of the fact that they don't actively support the aftermarket. Sure, Nismo has a few gadgets, but compare Mopar.......

I had an SRT-4 with factory upgrades (they have various "stages" of upgrades, including complete turbo swaps). I only had Stage One computer, manual boost controller, wasegate, and exhaust. That car ran 11's, and quite frankly faster than any FI G I've seen on this board. All for less than 3K in mods (23K total with new car). Now, I'm not a big FWD fan, so I moved to the G, and got very frustrated at how much money you can throw at the car and "hope" to break into the 13's. Not very impressive to me. On "the other side" of a G, I've owned a Volvo S60R, and while aftermarket vendors were much fewer, they offered quality upgrades at a reasonable price, including complete PCM swaps with tuning for under 1K.

So back to Mopar for me. My SRT8, with intake and exhaust costs about the same as a new G, has 450 hp (guys run high 12's out of the box), is bigger, handles better, and has nicer ammenities (stereo, nav, bluetooth, sat radio). And I haven't even started with the Mopar upgrades. Oh, and after six months, not a single rattle or squeak that plagued my G.

This post isn't about the SRT8 vs the G, but what I do want to impress on you is that yes, 4K is outrageous just for tuning, and that much faster and much less expensive choices are out there. IMO, if you want FI, the G is a very tough starting point. The G is a great car for what it was built for. But to take it to the next level involves upgrades that are not only expensive, but that truly compromise what the car does best (runs smooth and reliably). Not saying it can't be done, but you get my point.

 

I am not interested in how much I could save getting an SRT-4 because I wouldn't be caught dead driving a Neon. You do realize how ridiculous one looks w/ that car wrapped around them, yes? My students (I teach College) especially the better looking women snicker at the sight.

The Charger, on the other hand, is a good looking vehicle. Nonetheless, I think the Mustang is much more attractive, and that is why I own one.

In either case, neither American car can compare w/ the luxury and handling of the G (mine is a loaded 06....the interior is on par w/ the BMW 330's I looked at).

When I am done w/ my car it will give more of a supercar experience than any American car, and yes that includes the z06 (which while it has a better interior than other Corvettes still is subpar, IMO).

I agree, however, that it does take considerable money to get true high performance from the G.

 

I had an 05 with the wood. Yes, I liked the wood look a lot. The G was average as interiors go. The Volvo was much nicer, as is the Lexus in this class (350). I found the G to be very comfortable, but very lacking with spirited driving (no lateral support at all). If they've got the bugs out with the 06's, great. But I saw more fit/finish complaints with the 03-05 G than just about any other car I've owned. Heck, my 03 Alti in the same family didn't have the issues......

My whole point is that for ME, if I was going to make another car fast, I'd start with either a strong motored V8 like the one I bought, or with a turbo motor from the factory (STi and Evo would probably be my first choice).

I have extensive track experience since my 00 10 sec Camaro days, and I have to say, that the G is simply not seen with the fast cars. I hope you can prove me wrong . Good luck with your project.

 

DP,

I agree that for pure power one should start out w/ the American V-8. For the money I am spending on my G I could create a 9 second Mustang. I checked out an online add for the SRT-8....I liked it.

By the way, the performance package on the 06's offers leather seats w/ a new lateral support insert that will hold you tight in spirited driving.

Finally, you are correct that the Lexus 350 has a better interior. I looked at them though and overall preferred the G since it has an edge in performance.

The bottom line is that the G gave me the best balance between luxury and performance.

 

You seem committed,and I'm sure you will achieve your goals. Nothing more than I'd like to see is your car beating an LS1, Mustang, or STi down the 1/4.....

Keep us posted.

 

DP,

My friend spent half an hour today trying to talk me into selling my G and investing 65K into a used Viper.....it never ends...lol

 

I didn't know the correct order was spending 4.4k on engine management and then waiting 6-8 months for the turbo kit and it's alright to not get used but there is no reason on getting raped for almost 15k+ for going FI, not that it's his fault, I just noticed how much shops overcharge their customers.

 

Kel,

I installed an MREV2 w/ 5/16th space, dual exhaust plust test pipes.

Therefore I needed an engine management system to adjust my A/F ratio's and timing.

According to your logic I could just go w/ a cheap system like the EU.

However, in 6 months, when I went TT I would have to replace a sub-par Eng. management system.

So, why not just go qualitry from the start and cry only once?

The V-Pro system includes a Knock amp w A/F Guage, wideband 02 sensor, 3 Bar MAP sensor and all the stuff install (500) plus tune (500...a very time consuming tune for the V-Pro). Add all that stuff to the UTEC (probably the next best, although inferior to the V-Pro)...and you are at about 3k.

Ask any of the TOP tuners in the US and Japan: The V-Pro is by far the best.

I admit, shopd do overcharge, especially the good ones. But since I am dumping 65K into this car eventually, I expect to get 80K trouble free miles of at least 430whp.

So the extra 1200 for quality engine management is worth it.

 

Ummm, still not getting to the "why" of it... Why is it "light years" better than the UTEC? If you say the knock management is that much better, then I'll take your word for it, but my understanding is that all knock management relies on interpretation of an audio signal (suboptimal at best).

How is driveability improved by the FCON?

Saying that the UTEC is better than the E-ultimate is also somewhat subjective. The E-ultimate does some things very nicely which the UTEC cannot do (such as adjust timing based on shifting and auto targeting an A/F ratio to name the big ones that come to mind). I still favor the UTEC do to better control over timing.

Each ECU has its strengths and weaknesses - what I was looking for was the detailed functionality that gives the F-CON the edge over the UTEC (esp. for the extra money).

 

The UTEC is a piggy back, the V-Pro is a full stand alone with much more sophisticated tuning capabilities.

"The HKS F-CON V Pro is a fully featured standalone engine management system that connects as easily as a "piggy-back" fuel and timing controller. As modifications to a vehicle are made, the need for fuel and timing adjustments becomes critical for performance and safety. The F-CON V Pro with its 32x32 resolution for both fuel and timing maps is the optimal solution. The F-CON V Pro can control up to eight injectors and D Jetro or L Jetro setups. --- Injectors can be set to fire as batch, sequentially or staged. The F-CON V Pro can also read drive by wire vehicles. Programming is done via the HKS Power Writer software; which only Certified HKS Pro Dealers have access to. The HKS Power Writer software for the F-CON V Pro has some very unique abilities to simplify setup and tuning. Via the vehicle start up menus, most Japanese import cars can be easily started by selecting the vehicle’s parameters (Make, Model, Engine, etc). Tuning is simplified due to the A/F Feedback control; where a target A/F value can be input and the F-CON V Pro will adjust fuel automatically. Also full data logging capabilities are built into the F-Con V Pro Power Writer software. All major vehicle conditions including; speed, rpm, water temperature, intake temperature, timing, boost, injector duty cycle, etc can be logged to an HKS Pro Dealer’s computer.

HKS Has plug and play harnesses for almost every Japanese Import. You have to purchase the O2 sensor, MAP sensor, IAT sensor and harness for your application seperately. Call us with any questions you may have for your application or for more information on the VPRO itself. This system will run anything you need but can ONLY be tuned by HKS PRO Dealers....

This is simply the BEST system we have ever worked with. With a resolution that rivals that of a $ 12,000.00 full standalone unit, the VPRO system has the drivability and power potential of any system out there. Just look into any JDM drift car or magazine and all you will see is the VPRO system."