DIY: Vipec Rb20/25/26 Install

[Zacho]

Here is my guide to installing your pnp ECU in a RB25 ecu case. Note, the rb25/26 cases have their differences so the install on a 26 may differ.

What you'll need:

Soldering Iron
Solder wick
Phillips screwdriver
A drill bit larger than your vacuum line
Patients

Anyways,

Start out by removing the 4 screws on each side of the ECU. One is each corner.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00687.png

Open!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00690.jpg

Now there are 4 screws holding parts of the circuit board up. Remove them.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00691.png

Once those are out, flip your ECU over and you will find these little shits. They are filled with solder so you can't get your screwdriver in them.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00693-1.jpg

There are six of these.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00695.png

To remove them, use some solder wick (cheap, simple and effective) to suck the solder out. Careful not to hold the iron on for too long, you can potentially lift circuits off the board if you heat them up too much. If your stock ECU is pooched, then it won't matter. I plan to keep mine just in case.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00694.jpg

Now you need to drill one hole for the hose for the MAP sensor. It is the farthest right that I drilled. You will be able to slide the USB cable into the slot already there for the LED to shine through.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00697.jpg

Here is where I slid the USB cable through, like I said. Before you assemble the ECU, put on a very long vacuum line and ziptie it on the MAP sensor. Don't overtighten it, doesn't need much to hold it on.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00698.jpg

Bolt the covers back on.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00699.jpg




I will note to anyone looking to purchase this, Cam at lightspeed was very pleasant to deal with. I called him about a year ago regarding this ECU, and ended up spending my cash on other things. I called him a year later and within 15 seconds of the call he knew who I was.

I will continue this once I am back with my car, and start it with the vipec.

[mcfly]

well that appears pretty easy.
whats the internal map sensor good for

[Zacho]

It is. I figured I'd show just how easy it is instead of someone paying 100+/hr shop labor.

2.5 bar absolute, more than I will need.

[Zacho]

Some updates for this thread.

For RB20/25 users ----
Because these never came with any sort of intake air temperature sensor, you will have to install the provided sensor before the throttle body, but after the IC (preferably). The thread is a 1/8 NPT on the sensor, if you want to drill/tap the hole yourself start with a 11/32 hole. Then use your 1/8 npt tap to make a few threads for the sensor. My IC piping is on the thicker side so getting 3 threads on it wasn't an issue. Sealed it with a very minimal amount of teflon tape.

Once you have the sensor in, now you must wire your IAT to communicate to the ECU. You have the option of running new wires from the ECU to the sensor, or use existing wires off the MAF sensor to eliminate running new wires/re pin ECU. Whatever way you choose, you will need a ECU pin to use on the output "AN Temp 2" (pin 36 on ECU). I took this pin from the stock boost solenoid as I am not using it any longer. One wire must go to this "AN Temp 2" pin, and the other must be an ECU ground. No polarity on the sensor.

Looks like this when completed.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00717.jpg

RB26 users ----
You should be able to remove your OEM sensor, thread in the ViPEC sensor and swap plugs on your existing harness. Since the OE pin on the ECU for the RB26 IAT sensor is "AN Temp 2", this will work perfect. Once again, sensor does not have a polarity.

[Rapier46]

how much was the vipec itself? i need something to tune my GTR.

[Allan74]

2.5 bar absolute, more than I will need.
I am a little unclear about the Vipec's built-in MAP.....

Is it an actuall 2.5 BAR MAP sensor ? or will it measure 2.5 BAR of boost (meaning it's actually a 3.5 BAR Sensor ?).

[BNR32]

Don't quote me on this but I'm pretty sure its 2.5 bar total (so 1.5 for boost :()

[Zacho]

2.5 bar absolute, so thats over 1 atm. So about 21.7 psi. More than I will need.

Vipec does offer 3,4 and 5 bar sensors. Or run a different one, whatever works.
http://www.vi-pec.com/page_files/sensors.htm

The ECU's from what I understand recently went up a bit, but they now include everything. I got a deal on mine that I don't think I can post, but they now are 1750 I believe with everything you need.

[Allan74]

How many 0-5v inputs do you have available, that are 're-assignable' ?

[Rapier46]

my question? cost? and what about getting it tuned also?

[Allan74]

my question? cost? and what about getting it tuned also?

$1700+ CAD, Exclusive tuning @ Lightspeed in Red Deer.

[Zacho]

I'll double check the inputs tomorrow. Some are digital, some are analog etc so I'll make sure.

Yes, the 1700-1750 range for everything you need. Here is my gripe about getting this ECU tuned. With its autotune feature, I just have a feeling Cam would spend an hour using autotune to get a reasonable map, then just spend 30mins/hour fine tuning it and be done. But I never purchased this ECU intending to have someone else tune it.

Even just experimenting with the autotune now for my rpm<1500 it is retarded easy. Set target AFR, hold on cell...done.

[Paradis]

That stuff is just the tip of the iceberg for the ViPEC. So many features and fun to be had with using that ECU