I only know of one other person with this(steve0677), so im posting what i think of it to help you 2gnt guys who are considering buying it...

I was scared at first to get this thing, because i wasnt sure if i believed all the hype, and i only knew of one person who owned it. But because of his rave reviews, i decided to give it a shot, and IM GLAD I DID

It took me about 30 minutes to install it at night with this crappy key chain flash light. Once everything was installed, i got in my car and crossed my fingers that it wouldnt blow up my engine ha ha. I turned the key and it started and immediately cut off! I gave it a second shot, and BAM! Started up just fine! I let it idle for a few minutes, and then i took it for a spin!

I came to a stop, and slowing engaged into first gear. while rolling at like 5mph, i floored it, and DAMN! the thing threw me back more than ever and i had to grip onto the steering wheel to keep it from loosing control. Threw it into second and peeled out(not chirped)Second felt much nicer, and i got threw it much faster. Finally got it into third and definetly felt a difference it third gear, it pulled much stronger than before. Felt really nice.

I drove it around for about 25 mintues and let me tell you, it was like a different car!! First gear is AWESOME! My buddy was in the car and said he couldnt really tell a difference, but he was smiling so i thought maybe he just wanted to drive it. He drove it before, so i let him take it out to see if he felt a difference, and HE ALMOST WRECKED into a curb in first gear right after he pulled outta the spot. Although i was pissed, i couldnt help but smile. He drove it around for about 10 mintues, and said there was a huge difference.

At the end of the night i was driving home, and did long third gear pulls, and 1st and third are my favorite gears now. First just seems to have SOOO MUCH TQ! and third has alot more power to it now. The car got stonger as the night progressed. The weird thing is, today i didnt feel like it had as much power as last night?? Maybe its just in my head though.

Im not sure why, but the ECU did make my exhaust louder at WOT, quite a bit actually. So i want something to help quiet down the exhaust, anyone have any suggestions??(the silencer it(exhaust) came with makes it sound horrible)

Also, the ECU made the engine sound different between 5000rpm and redline. It sounds kinda cool, like a jet sorta...ha ha, but i dont know if thats normal...maybe i have a leak? but it definetly didnt make that noise till i put the ECU in.

To sum it all up, if you have a 97 manual, BUY IT!!! And if you dont, BEG HOWELL TO PRODUCE ONE for your year! Dont get me wrong, this isnt turbo, and is no means a substitute for it, but if you dont want turbo, you MUST get this! It will blow away all your other mods!

______________________________________________________
2003.5 M3
99 M3
99 GST

sick. i kind of want to get one. i'm a little scared of what it'll do to my ignition timing and fuel curves (especially with a turbo), but i would be very happy to have the after cat oxygen sensor and the EGR checking disabled.

if you REALLY want to get thrown back in your seat, get a stage 2 kit. it'll be like you really got a different car. i ran 10 psi on my stock internals (yeah, kinda pushing it but whatever) on a cold dry new england day and it was so good. it pulled almost as nicely as my friend's mostly stock 1995 300ZXtt. i miss my car. heh, screw that, i miss my friend's Z! (he took it to georgia tech for college)

by the way, your car looks really "tyte". i wish i had nice rims. silver looks amazing on 2g's. maybe i should just get bumper painted. i'm really short on cash due to the howell shortblock that's suppose to be at my house in like 2 week or something. anyways, i'm done now.

2016 WRX STi Limited (current)
2001 A4 1.8tqms (donated)
1991 GVR4 #1933 (sold)
old.dsmregistry.com/detail.php?carid=218 (dismantled)

>by the way, your car looks really "tyte". i wish i had nice rims. silver looks amazing on 2g's.

Thanks for the compliment man, i appreciate it. As for going with stage 2, im getting a really good deal on stage one, and im too scared to push anything more than 5psi with the AFX ECU.

______________________________________________________
2003.5 M3
99 M3
99 GST

Shit, I have a 97 but I dont know about that with my turbo....


Nick
97RS
Custom IHI Stage2
Obx exhaust, Limo Tint,
Custom interior, Upper Strut Bar, Kenwood/pioneer stereo.

Nick
97RS

Don't be scared to get and ECU that advances the timing, just get an ignition system and pull the amount that you need to pull. The extra timimg down low will most likely help the spool up and off boost power and then have the MSD or Crane retard the amount you need for safe boost levels/timing. If you ever go to the track and run race gas or if you make your own race gas for higher boost levels on the street you'll like the extra timing you'll have, not to metion the higher rev limit when you build the top end to handle 8000+ rpms.


________________________________________________________________________________________
Car Sold


http://hometown.aol.com/ohshootuhh/
www.Fast420A.com

Flame Red SRT-4 GT40,8.5:1 Built Shortblock, Brian Crower Stage 2 Cams, etc etc etc...

Hey fast420a, question for ya about your post. I have heard that the ECU advnaces timing hella lot, thus negating the use of NOS or turbo. If you use an after market ignition with timing retard, arent you canceling out the gains from the ECU by retarding the timing, essentialy making it a stock or close to stock ECU with a higher rev limit?

USED TO HAVE...Everything you wish you had, and then some...

You are somebody special Tim, you matter! - from the admins (but nobody likes you, because your username is just like that other guy's, and you whine a lot)

>Hey fast420a, question for ya about your post. I have heard
>that the ECU advnaces timing hella lot, thus negating the
>use of NOS or turbo. If you use an after market ignition
>with timing retard, arent you canceling out the gains from
>the ECU by retarding the timing, essentialy making it a
>stock or close to stock ECU with a higher rev limit?

I had this conversation with Mur1x a month or so back, so maybe I can help clarify why it's may be a good investment:

The advanced timing would make NOS or turbo dangerous, but you have to remember that turbo's don't spool until 3000 rpm, and NOS isn't activated until around then either.

So the timing advanced would help from 1000-3000 which would help you build boost quicker, help you get off the line faster, and let you hit the n2o a fraction earlier.

Then, something like a MSD-2 can be used to retard timing back to normal levels at the higher RPMs to prevent detonation (like Fast420a already said). You would have the best of both worlds!

Plus, revving to 8k is kool.

16.1 @ 87.11
http://www.virtuallyinfamous.com

ARD 57mm tb and p&p manifold, Neuspeed STB, Pro-kits, Illuminas, Injen CAI with K&N, 2.5" pacesetter catback,
AF/X UDP, Rear STB, Powerslot rotors, RRE SS Brakelines.

Sounds like a worthwhile mod. I would get one but I have a 96 manual. Any word on afx coming out with one for a 96 mtx?

Howell is waiting to see what kind of sales they get with the 97s. I am also waiting to get one but I have a 99...

One main question from me, what Octane gas are you running, and could i run it on 91/92.

TIA

Ryan

any word if there gonna make one for a 99 auto because i would really be interested. how much do they cost?

Mods:
CAI, OBX exhaust, Grillcraft grills, altezzas, ard ryver g6 17's wrapped w/ falken's, VIS racing c.f hood, 2 12" kicker comp's w/pioneer h.u, streetglow blue undercars, red dash kit, indiglo guages, n other shit

I totaly agree with the review.

03 rally red evo viii - stock
cardomain page
http://www.cardomain.com/id/steve0677

>One main question from me, what Octane gas are you running, and could i run it on 91/92.

Im running 93 octane gas. Im not really sure if 91/92 octane is ok or not, but i think i read in the earlier posts that you need at least 93.

______________________________________________________
2003.5 M3
99 M3
99 GST

As far as pulling the timing with boost/nitrous use. It's going to take careful tuning but you may end up not having to pull as much timing as the ECU adds with higher boost/nitrous in the higher rpms. It's not going to be the same with every setup either. Some guys maybe able to run the ECU with Stage 2 boost levels and pull no timing at all, other may have to pull the full advance from the ECU back to stock levels to prevent detonation. Like I said before, if you are running race gas or homemade race gas than you will have even more fun with the ECU since there is less chance of detonation with the higher octane fuel.

Being able to rev to 8200 rpm is just another added bonus!





________________________________________________________________________________________
Car Sold


http://hometown.aol.com/ohshootuhh/
www.Fast420A.com

Flame Red SRT-4 GT40,8.5:1 Built Shortblock, Brian Crower Stage 2 Cams, etc etc etc...

But doesn't the ignition still cut out at 7800?

I edited to the wiki!

I had mine installed since christmas just like the post said you will feel a change in your car...I run 94 octane with octane booster...No problems yet...My plan is to go turbo probably with new star kit if it comes out and looking at the new srt neon or protege5speed in 6 months..

I want this ECU too, but I have a 96 manual. And I dont think Howell is gonna make one of the 96 cars, but I do have the cash now and a spare ECU sitting around.

god, Gary please make the 98 mtx ecu you already have todd's ecu right or am i mistaken there. i have the money sitting on my desk infront of me. i would buy it in a split second. pleeease.
-Josh
15.882@86.27

AEM Cai
greddy headers,
apex-i n1 catback
afx udp
energy suspension
motor mounts
cf altezza tail lights
bored t/b
magnecore wires
hotter plugs
random tech hi-flow cat
symborski shift-kit
c/f hood
illuminas/ h&r sports

15.882@86.27

how bout us 99 autos!!!!!

turbo8u: "jiggle jiggle then vroom vroom pshhhh"
-Mike Pruett
2gnt member# 976
MOPAR Stage 2
SRTForums.com member #37 (Yeah, I signed up when it first came out, and ended up getting one, cool huh?)
"The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his."
- General George Patton (1885-1945)

99 auto for me too, we are the ones that really need the extra power just to keep up with u manuel guys.

dfresh

will post more pics when front is painted

Rick, u better gimme a call so I can feel the NA power. Dont get to cocky or I might have to race u and blow up and loose. haha jk. Whats up w/ all the auto 99's on here. My gf has a silver 99 auto (slow). OZ package is nice though.
-Dave

2009 Corolla S - waiting until 2012 for my next toy!
*SOLD* 1992 3000GT VR4 - pearl white and 45,6xx miles!
*SOLD* 2007 Subaru Legacy GT sedan
*SOLD* 95 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 - BPU
*SOLD* 97 Eclipse GS Star Stage 2

Dave, yeah ill have to give you a ride...but what you should really do is drive someone's NA, and then ill let you drive mine, then youll really feel the difference. My buddy didnt feel it till he drove it. Later man.

______________________________________________________
2003.5 M3
99 M3
99 GST

I have a '97 GS and this sounds like a worthy mod, except the only thing that worries me is the hi octane requirement. I would be worried about always having to find 93 or above octane. If i was on a road trip and had to stop for gas and they didnt have the right octane gas, i guess you would be kinda screwed huh... And Im not sure how high the octane goes here in Denver, CO...
I will have to check on that.
-Chris b.

.........................................................................................................................

Built. That's All...
.........................................................................................................................
www.monkeybuttpirate.com
.........................................................................................................................
2 Fingers of Scotch with a milk back... Stat!

'99 Manual...and I too am dying for this!

The gas pays for its, u get slightly better gas milage with it. I was getting around 295 avg b4 and about 325 now. Maybe slightly different change is my driving styles to add another variable to that so I would not take 30miles more per tank to heart but it does give u more miles. If u are worried about traveling far every once in a while just have some octane booster in ur car set aside for that.

03 rally red evo viii - stock
cardomain page
http://www.cardomain.com/id/steve0677

Hmmm.... So what's the big difference between the 97 mtx ECU and the 98 mtx ECU? I guess there must be some kind of difference that would prevent you from using the 97 in 98.

Another '99AT right here. I'm sitting on your money Gary. I will by one the same day you come here and say you have one for me.

"Natty Ride"


http://dirty.thisfreedumb.com/

As you guys know, ive had my ECU for a few days now. I dont really drive it hard, so i began to get used to the power So, last night after work, i decided that i was going to have some fun with it, and try it on the highway for the first time. I wanted to try out 4th and 5th gear.

I flew onto the highway and i could definetly feel the difference being in third gear. I shifted to 4th, and even in 4th the car pulls stronger than before. I put it in 5th, and just cruised at around 3000, and slightly felt more power, but 5th gear is also rather weak at 3000. So, im cruising on the way to my bro's house, and although i felt the power difference, i kept saying to myself "man, i want to race somebody, just to make sure this power gain isnt in my head" I was so eager to put this ECU to the TEST!

I finally got what i was wishing for when i looked in my rearview mirror and saw a 97-99 eclipse catching up!!!!! I was SOOO eager for him to catch up, ha ha, all i did was smile! I noticed he wasnt a turbo because he was 97-99, with the low rise spoiler. He began to get next to me until we were side by side. His car was white and had tinted windows, believe it or not, i could hear his sound system(lol). His car was slammed to the ground...and through the dark ass windows i could barely see his figure, leaned back in his seat like he was a pimp. LOL, at this point, i knew i was going to enjoy whooping his ass!!

As we were side by side, he FLOORED it, and this stupid 18 wheeler got in my lane at the same time! so i swerved in his lane and dropped it into 4th! DAMN! is all i can say! ha ha, i mean, it didnt throw me back like a turbo or nothing, but i caught up to that dude in seconds, and when i passed him, i wasnt inching away, i was like...FOOTING away! it was great!!! I crushed him!!! He was definetly manual as well because i can tell he dropped it when he took off! I was very pleased with the outcome!! Ha ha, and this ECU is definetly the best NA mod!

Now, i want to race someone off the line, because first gear is where i noticed the most gain with the ECU. The TQ in first gear is crazy!! Well, just wanted to let everyone in on a little update, later.

______________________________________________________
2003.5 M3
99 M3
99 GST

Stop it, stop it. You're making me want it.

16.1 @ 87.11
http://www.virtuallyinfamous.com

ARD 57mm tb and p&p manifold, Neuspeed STB, Pro-kits, Illuminas, Injen CAI with K&N, 2.5" pacesetter catback,
AF/X UDP, Rear STB, Powerslot rotors, RRE SS Brakelines.

I just bought mine.

"Liberate Tutemea Ex Infernis"
More pics at www.cyn0sure.homestead.com

GOOD DECISION!

______________________________________________________
2003.5 M3
99 M3
99 GST

How much, I can't find it on their website... doh!!!
-Chris b.

.........................................................................................................................

Built. That's All...
.........................................................................................................................
www.monkeybuttpirate.com
.........................................................................................................................
2 Fingers of Scotch with a milk back... Stat!

Ok... I'm getting one dammit... so where do I get it at ? I went to the site too but couldn't find it? Oh and How Much is it again? I got like $350 that I could spend right now ...... Where do I buy the ECU at?


MODS:
AEM CAI
AEM CAM gears
Unorthodox UDP
Centerforce Dual Fiction(i hate it.. i need a diff one)
MSD Wires
NGK Iridium Plugs
Cat Back exhaust
RRE Steel braided Clutch Hose
NOS Dry Kit 60 Shot
Short Shifter Mod
Symberski Shift Kit
Greddy Shifter
Custom Interior
Custom engine bay stuff
uuhh i think thats it maybe...

MODS:
Click on link to see mods
http://www.tunedmotorsports.net/Members/kalexander/kalexander.html

>Ok... I'm getting one dammit... so where do I get it at ?
>I went to the site too but couldn't find it? Oh and How
>Much is it again? I got like $350 that I could spend right
>now ...... Where do I buy the ECU at?
>

you have to call them

_____________________
98 Silver Eclipse RS ATX
CAI, header, bored TB, Apex N1, Pro-kit/Tokico combo, custom lower tie bars, cross drilled/slotted rotors

Someone needs to find the rev limiter. If I still had my car, the ECU would already be installed and I would have already would the rev limiter. }> }> }>



________________________________________________________________________________________
Car Sold


http://hometown.aol.com/ohshootuhh/
www.Fast420A.com

Flame Red SRT-4 GT40,8.5:1 Built Shortblock, Brian Crower Stage 2 Cams, etc etc etc...

I'm glad to read some good reviews about the Howell ECU. I think this ecu will also benefit turbo-charged guys, cause like some of the other guys have already mentioned, the initial timing advance should help with acceleration. Now, you could install an MSD to retard timing advance from about 2500 rpm (I believe it is the MSD that has the capability to allow the user to retard timing by a certain degree at certain rpm points).

The Crane ignition, however, will not do that. It only allows you to set timing at a set amount or by boost referencing. This tends to cause too much timing during initial acceleration, which kills your take off speed. For instance, I set my Crane ignition to retard (boost referenced) 7 degrees at 15 psi of boost. I will roast my tires, but the car doesn't accelerate well because timing retard kicks in, and there's this "momentary" time when the car has to overcome this initial timing retard.

___________
Kon C

"Sometimes, a man has to do what a man has to do."

>Hmmm.... So what's the big difference between the 97 mtx ECU
>and the 98 mtx ECU? I guess there must be some kind of
>difference that would prevent you from using the 97 in 98.
>


Yeah im am wondering the same thing my self i also heard the ecu's for 98 and 99 are supposed to be out sometime after the first of the year if anyone know the answers i would appriciate the help.