Does this have to be in the cabin, or can I just keep it in the engine bay?

I have the apexi vafc ii on order, not much for extra dials....

 

Why would you want it in the engine bay? if you don't want it on your dash just keep it under your seat. I'm just worried if its in the engine by some wires/misc stuff might melt.

 

Because I don't want to run it through the firewall and all that. If I can just zip tie it out of the way so it can be programmed and occasionally checked then I don't need it in the cabin. I just didn't know if that unit would handle engine bay living.

 

Umm.. you connect it to your ECU on the drivers side near your leg. You would have to run it through the firewall to get it into the engine bay. You can hide it somewhere under your dash, but would be a PITA when you need to get to it.

From the sound of it, it seems like you are new to the S2K. If I am wrong, please correct me. I wouldnt recommend installing it yourself if you have to splice wires. Take it to a shop. I also recommend buying the boomslang harness. It will be MUCH easier. Keeping it in the engine bay is only asking for problems, either it will melt and catch fire, or will get wet and short circuit, both which can possibly blow your ECU and/or engine.

 

You are correct, relatively new. My mistake, I thought the ECU connection was in the engine bay and yes, I am getting a harness. Tucking it in the cabin somewhere will not be an issue. Once it is tuned, I won't need to touch it for any reason will I?

 

You shouldnt need to touch it unless you add/take away parts. You would want to tune it for every part you add. If your car is stock, you can get a small benefit from a VAFC2. The problem with the VAFC is that the ECU relearns itself after some time, and the VAFC would only work when at WOT. For a better upgrade and if you plan on doing more mods in the future, I would recommend at least the Greddy Emanage Ultimate. Its a piggy back computer and the ECU doesnt relearn itself. The emanage can also better tune your s2k and you can get more power out of it.

If you plan on getting an exhaust and intake later on, get the vafc but make sure its set on all zeros. Then once you have installed all your parts, go and get it tuned. You shouldnt waste money on tuning if your going to change parts later. Just FYI, if you decide to go FI, you will need to upgrade to a emanage at the least, or AEM/Kpro for best results.

 

Thanks for the suggestion.

I bought the car with CAI, and exhaust header already on it, I am adding a test pipe & the VAFC II, and don't plan to add anything else at this point. I just want to lower VTEC slightly and get better performance at WOT. It is my weekend/nice day driver.

 

Aight, well slap on the TP first and let a good tuner set it for you. A lot of people lower their vtec to about 5400 or so.