Apex Digital V-TEC AFC

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $290.00 from Toyland

Year / Model Reviewed:
2000 MR-S

Strengths:
Small, light weight, easy to program. Does all it says with above limitations.

Weaknesses:
Documentation is terribly written, by Japanese interpreter.

Summary:
Decent unit. Very nice display. Easy install, depending upon the vehicles harness. If you do not have a chassis dyno or at least a logging O2 data collection device (Novation etc.) you will NOT be able to set up properly. Do not kid yourself.

Similar Products Used:
Haltech, Holley 950, Tec-3

Price Paid:  $270.00 from Ebay

Year / Model Reviewed:
93 Honda Civic Si

Strengths:
-Price when compared to stand alone units -Vtec switch over points can be adjusted easily -Looks nice when installed on steering wheel colomn or in dash -Easy to read at night or during day -Easy to adjust air/fuel ratio (recommend using a good stoichiometry quage). -Good power increase for price

Weaknesses:
-Only a piggy back to stock ECU, so you are limited in adjustments -You really need more equipment or a proffesional tunner to tune it properly -Kinda tricky install (you are splicing into the ECU) unless you use a wireing harness which costs an extra $150

Summary:
Very nice product (as expected with Apexi name). I suggest using an air/fuel ratio guage and a gtech pro to get the best results-or take it to a qualified shop with a dyno. Installation is not for the beginers! It took me approx. 4 hours to install while being very, very careful. Without saying what the others didn't-my gas mileage has gone from 31 to about 36 miles per gallon (on average). This thing has already paid for itself.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $0.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 00 Civic SiR

Strengths:
Ability to move VTEC points and tune A/F when doing so. Good for making your engine if you have mods such as a high lobe or aggressive cam(s) Graphic displays are pleasant to look at and are clear in any type of light environments. Helpful doing "rough" tuning at the track, quick and easy.

Weaknesses:
You install it wrong and your ECU will not forgive you.(Not recommended for average beginner.) Does not have a reading for A/F itself, although allows you to manipulate A/F Altering VTEC might throw a 22 code if you hover around the switchover point for a period of time.(found that out in sweepers at the track) VTEC is utterly useless below 4500 RPM.

Summary:
The V-AFC is a nice product. The options that you can manipulate is quite convienent and it is pretty user friendly.(That's if you know how to use buttons.) Pretty simple design that allows you to correct some of your woes if you have a modified un-tuned motor. Not too shabby for a "poor man's stand alone." I am definately pleased with it and would recommend it to others.

Price Paid:  $350.00 from Phantom Motorsports

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2000 Accord

Strengths:
Easy install, looks great, does what its supposed to do.

Weaknesses:
Piggypack, not as good as standalone but works good as long as its installed right and tuned good.

Summary:
I love this product. Helped with tunig my Turbocharged Accord. Combined with MSD BTM and an additional injector controller it has made for very nice precise tuning. Installation is simple if you have the ECU pinout diagram. I installed in less than an hour and have never had any problems! Don't expect hugh gains on a stock engine, the more upgrades you have the more you'll need a the tuning done using this.

Similar Products Used:
HKS AFR, Field SFC.

Price Paid:  $310.00 from Titanmotor sports

Year / Model Reviewed:
 94 Prelude

Strengths:
Looks, adjustable visual settings, compact, easy to program.

Weaknesses:
Can have a memory to store different fuel maps. I would like a minimum of three. (It can only hold one at a time) Installation... I did it myself with no problems. If you are mechanically challenged, don't even attempt it as you can really screw your engine up! The installation manual is not that clear.

Summary:
A must if you have a Vtec engine and want to gain HP. The display at night is great with it's deep blue color. As the previous posts state, it can display a number of vital readings from your engine. 2 analog displays are available or up to 4 digital displays. There are other choices, like Hondata, but you might have a limit on how much you want to spend for your car too. Apexi is a good choice. To get the maximum out of this product, you need to have the car dynoed at a good shop that knows how to tune V-afc's. You can lower the Vtec setting just about anywhere, but you will probably find the best setting between 4400 and 5200 rpms.