PC Pro in NA

[bogey]

I just received the PC Pro and installed it in my 96 with FFS Coldside.

Installation is a piece of cake compared to the crimp on connectors of the old Powercard. It took more time to remove the old unit and adjust the crimp on connectors for the SS than it did to install the new unit with the plug and play harness.

I was only about to run it a few miles tonight, so it has not had a comprehensive test. But initial impressions are very good. AF ratio has far better control than the Powercard. The AF used to swing feverishly back and forth under cruise and peg the rich under hard acceleration. Now the needle moves in a nice controlled motion between lean and rich. Under acceleration, it goes rich, but does not seem to peg the meter like before.

Power transition is much smoother. The biggest complaint I had about my setup was the abrupt power transition of off throttle to on throttle. It was very difficult to drive smoothy. Now it seems to transition much more gently.

I have not noticed any difference in top end power. It accelerates smoothly to redline without any knock.

I am hoping the better fuel control will help with mileage. Mu mileage has dropped from about 27 to 21-22, but some of this is a heavy right foot. I have had people tell me it sprays gas out the tailpipe when I step on it, and I hope this cures that problem.

Thank you Tom for all the hard work and keeping promises to deliver the PC Pro.

[ThomS]

Ken I understand you say it was not hard at all to install the PC-PRO
But how tough was it for the taking out of the old system? Any possible damage to the old wires that needed to be repaired. Touching the wires by the ECU, well Tom will tell you that is not my strong point? I have to admit it scares me.

[chuckerants]

Ken I understand you say it was not hard at all to install the PC-PRO
But how tough was it for the taking out of the old system? Any possible dameage to the old wires that needed to be repaired. Touch ing the wires by the ECU, well Tom will tell you that is not my strong point? I have to admit it scares me.

If you take the fuse cover off, you should have a far easier time with it. Then you disconnect the bottom plug first and then the middle one and the one highest up last. Installing, just reverse.

There really is no way you can screw anything up as everything is already pre-wired and soldered. The plugs are different sizes, so if it doesn't fit, you've got the wrong one. The plugs just need to "click" in place is all.

[bogey]

ThomS - removal of the old unit was a simple as unplugging the 6 connectors from the side tap connectors. You do not have to remove the side taps from the harness. I left mine on in case I needed to reinstall the old unit.

I had originally tapped the Powercard wires for the SS connection on ground and power, and needed to move these back to the harness.

In my 96, the ECU is behind the passenger seat, perhaps easier access than under the dash.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

There really is no way you can screw anything up as everything is already pre-wired and soldered.

Are you talking to Thom or Joe? :yinyang:

[ThomS]

Are you talking to Thom or Joe? :yinyang:

Good point Tom. I wish Joe would get lost..

I can't test drive the car now anyway. But you are right about the power curve from no boost to boost or just starting out is harder to be smooth. I really have no good place to put an A/F gauge or any of the temp gauges that I wan't in this car. So I don't have any yet and so I don't know if I am rich or lean at any point.

[bogey]

I placed 3 gauges under the radio in place of the storage pocket. I don't know if you have a pocket, but in NB's, the best place is probably the A pillar. Goodwin racing sells a nice a pillar replacement that holds two gauges.

Other than than, you could fabricate something that mounts verticaly on the passenger side of the center stack. I have seen a three gauge setup doen this way that looks pretty nice.

[Serpico]

I think I finally have enough gauges......

I only use the heater/AC for my feet , so the dash vent sockets make a great place for a guage.......or two....

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

You wouldn't do that if you lived out here. Heaters, who cares but AC vents are for AC. :)

I think I finally have enough gauges......

I only use the heater/AC for my feet , so the dash vent sockets make a great place for a guage.......or two....

[Kyp J]

I was just gonna say.... Well I will anyway. I would have to get mirrors and lie on the floor upside down while driving so I could cool my big brain...or whatever is in my big head. I thought about using the dash vents after I saw those gauges somewhere else. Probably the same ones, but I can't bring myself to give up cool air. Looks really good though.

[Silverstreak02]

I'm finishing an insert for my glove box that will hold two gauges and my J&S. I made it out of 1/4 inch birch. The best part is it cost about $5 to make. I should be done with it tomorrow.

[bogey]

I originally bought a single DIN 3 gauge bracket, but it was a cheap piece of junk. I ended up makking panel from 3/8" acrylic, covered in black leather, and it simply fits where the storage pocket fit. It fits flush like a factory panel, yet can be popped out to access wires behind.

[Kyp J]

I also got one of the cheap 3 gauge panels. No way to hold it in was provided so I hooked a little bungie cord to the outer gauge hold down screws and around the brace behind the radio. I thought it would be temporary, but it works so good I decided it is permanent.