Changing the computer chip for better performance.
Moderator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,809
Likes: 15
From: Sydney
ZIF stands for 'Zero Insertion Force' and refers to the chip mounts that have a little lever that allows you to unclamp all the pins and remove and insert the chip easily. Of course there are also ECU's that use a simple chip mount that requires you to carefully pry up the chip at each end or use a special tool.
The Honda ECU uses neither of these. The chips are soldered to the board with surface mount technology. They are hard, but not impossible to remove. Companies like Mugen probably either buy them blank or send them off to a company that runs them through a big microwave oven and pulls the stock chips and reinsert the replacement whilst hot. What I'm saying is it's not a home, or even small business operation.
The Honda ECU uses neither of these. The chips are soldered to the board with surface mount technology. They are hard, but not impossible to remove. Companies like Mugen probably either buy them blank or send them off to a company that runs them through a big microwave oven and pulls the stock chips and reinsert the replacement whilst hot. What I'm saying is it's not a home, or even small business operation.
Former Moderator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 13,831
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From: Paradise Valley, AZ miss NYC
Ok but you don't get knock if you use the correct octane as they recommend. They also tell you to use the mugen thermostat, thermoswitch, and radiator cap to prevent overheating. I've also thrown various CELs over the 2 years so I know some of the sensors are definetly there.
As for Air Pump cut and Air Conditioner Cut. What the hell does that mean? I still have an Air Conditioner and Air pump on my car.
As for Air Pump cut and Air Conditioner Cut. What the hell does that mean? I still have an Air Conditioner and Air pump on my car.
Moderator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,809
Likes: 15
From: Sydney
The AC cut is a feature on the stock ECU that cuts the AC when at WOT to stop it loading the engine. I guess the Mugen cuts it because they don't expect you to have AC at all.
The Air Pump is the whiney thing at the front left of the car that pumps air into the CAT at start up. It helps the CAT heat up and aids in the converting of certain emissions. Why it's cut on the Mugen is beyond me except maybe once again they expect you to have removed it for weight loss.
But I do stand by my original statement. To clarify, I guess what I'm saying is that one of the priorities of the stock ECU is longevity at the cost of some power (under certain conditions). The Mugen philosophy is that max power is the ultimate aim. Nothing else matters.
The Air Pump is the whiney thing at the front left of the car that pumps air into the CAT at start up. It helps the CAT heat up and aids in the converting of certain emissions. Why it's cut on the Mugen is beyond me except maybe once again they expect you to have removed it for weight loss.
But I do stand by my original statement. To clarify, I guess what I'm saying is that one of the priorities of the stock ECU is longevity at the cost of some power (under certain conditions). The Mugen philosophy is that max power is the ultimate aim. Nothing else matters.
Former Moderator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 13,831
Likes: 2
From: Paradise Valley, AZ miss NYC
I get what you guys are saying then. I guess some of the safety features are gone. But I think properly used you don't really notice it. 2 years no problems whatsoever. I've never heard of anyone blaming a blown engine on a Mugen ECU.
