adelgigs Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Hi Guys, I'm building a F20C locost here in Australia and I would like to use individual gauges, rather than the S2000 instrumentation panel. But I have heard there are some weird non-standard voltages being used. Can anyone help with this - even better are there any instrumentation diagrams / doco floating around ? How do the Ultralites go about it ? Any help would be appreciated. Cheers, Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Hey Simon my name is Loren. I own the Ultralite brand here. We use Autometer gauges and assorted digital dashes over the years. For the oil pressure we just remove the factory sensor and replace it with the sending unit that comes with the gauge. On the temp. gauge we install a sending unit somewhere in the upper radiator hose it's the most accurate area to monitor temps. You need to leave the factory sending unit in place. The Ecu monitors it and you will have limp issues if you use a stock Ecu. Speedo it's best to use a magnetic pulse generator on the driveshaft or rear axle. The vehicle speed sensor doesn't drive a analog gauge and can cause some Ecu problems again. The tach runs fine off the factory tach signal lead. Are you using the factory Ecu or aftermarket? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adelgigs Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Hey Loren, thanks for your reply. It doesn't sound so bad afterall for someone with basic wiring skills. I'm using the factory ECU for now, and least until it's road legal. Although down the track I would like to lower the VTEC kick in point, which I guess will mean going aftermarket. Is the ECU happy without the factory instrumentation, especially the warning lights ? Or do you need to trick it with dummy loads. I appeciate your help. Cheers, Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 It's happy with no indicators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Sent you a pm make sure you got it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sevnn Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 You won't have to replace the factory ECU just to change your VTEC engagement point. That can be updated through flashing the ROM or using an aftermarket controller that will piggy back with your factory ECU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adelgigs Posted March 17, 2012 Author Share Posted March 17, 2012 You won't have to replace the factory ECU just to change your VTEC engagement point. That can be updated through flashing the ROM or using an aftermarket controller that will piggy back with your factory ECU. What is the experience of the Ultralite guys. Have you bothered droping the VTEC point and if so what is a good/manageable rpm? The flash process would seem to make more sense (based on my Golf GTi experence). Are there a number of flash options/products, and any suggestions ? Cheers, Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 (edited) I think it depends how new the motor is for a "flash"... I think it has to be a 2006-08 ( [http://www.scienceofspeed.com/products/engine_performance_products/S2000/Hondata/Reflash/ ). If you just want to lower the VTEC you can get a piggy back ECU for earlier years. I had some issues with my stock ECU and finally went with an AEM ECU and have been really happy. The smooth powerband is nice and got 216 at the rear wheel with stock motor. And you can the most out of any mods you do. The key is to find a reputable dyno guy and get what he's comfortable working with. Edited March 17, 2012 by Mondo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 No flash options available. You can lower vtec to about 5000-5200 and it works great on a light car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sevnn Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 In conversations with the previous Ultralite brand owner, he said that the norm was to raise the VTEC on the S2K/R cars to help keep them stable. I know that I better have my car pointed straight when the VTEC rolls in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 He's mistaken... lowering the rpm that VTEC kicks in makes for a more linear torque curve. No loss of power or surprises when giving it a little more throttle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnr Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 He's mistaken... lowering the rpm that VTEC kicks in makes for a more linear torque curve. No loss of power or surprises when giving it a little more throttle. +1 The higher the switchover the more abrupt the transition will be. Manufacturers keep it high as it makes it more exciting and can help fuel economy but in our case we want it lower - mine is at 5600 and while still noticeable it is very controlled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Lower is better makes it less abrupt when it comes in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaNostra Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 .....vtec - kick like 2 strokes...hold on, then the supe --- hold on more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilo Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 Reallly? That's surprising actually. VTEC 'kick in' is more like a wee nudge in my experiences with those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 WE nudge in a 2800lb car big nudge in a 1300 lb car. He is also talking supercharged motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 IMHO the Vtec comes in too high "stock" for track use. Since you can control the Vtec to a point with your right foot it's actually better to have it roll in early, not having to stay so reved it leaves you short shifting on complex corner combinations or having to lift to stay out of the not so gentle rev limiter. For straight line use it's OK as the trans is close ratio enough that once your in Vtec in the lower gears you just stay in it between up shifts. Honda has always vied for top honors on milage and emissions so the motor is really great at both (read as it's a bit wimpy) till the Vtec kicks in and you get to party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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