avc neo problem

[berdener]

hey guys! I'm new to the site.. I just got an afc neo and an aem wideband afr gauge installed in my s2000. the thing is I used to have an impreza and i didn't mess with the afr alot.. the readings on the s2000 is around 13.8 on lower revs and 12.8 on higher (14.1 when the vtec kicks in) this is the stock readings.. I think this is the safe zone for this car right? do I need to change anything ? and also I have tried to pull down the vtec kick down like 500rpm just to try how it works, but after a few tries the check-engine light appears.. I'm totally sure of the connections but is there an other problem that any one knows of?? btw the car is a stock '00 s2000 with only the afc neo...

[berdener]

also after a little chat with some friends that own civic type-r s, I think the best result would be to sell the afc neo and buy an ecu instead... Is there a specific brand and model u guys would prefer?? I've heard of the AEM

[Scott]

AEM EMS is probably the best aftermarket tuning solution for the money. The problem with the AFC's is that the ECU will gradually reset itself to stock setting with just the unit hooked up. You can combat this by pulling the fuse for your ECU once a week, which will have it continue to rely on the Neo for it's settings. But over the long term, yes the AEM unit is well worth the big price tag. Just make sure you get it professionally tuned by someone who knows what they are doing.

Also, there's no real good reason to lower the VTEC engagement point on an otherwise stock motor. 500RPM's isn't really going to be much of a problem, but any more than that can actually increase wear and tear on the engine substantially.

[berdener]

thanx alot mate! I guess the best thing to do is to get an AEM EMS... but now the thing is what do i do with the lower revs the car is killing me after the impreza its just like its dead until its 6000rpm... I guess the most is to get a proper headders and a good exhaust system right? which one would you prefer for the s2k?

[Scott]

Well, the car simply doesn't make low end power. It's the trade-off for being able to rev to 9000. Most of the proper solutions to rectify this include either forced induction, or increasing the engine's stroke and going with an individual throttle body setup, which will also be very difficult to tune properly.

[berdener]

OK thanx alot mate we've decided to sell the neo and buy the AEM EMS.. we found a second hand for about 1600USD which is the lowest around here in Turkey... What kind of a exhaust system did you prefer on your car? Since the car is non-turbo, I'm really confused about the size. Also the police keeps annoying us even on the stock system... Probably a pair of silencers would help us... I've checked the hks system for the s2k but again I just can't be sure since everything is double the price around here...

[Scott]

Well, if the police are already hassling you about the stock exhaust system, then just about any single exhaust is going to be way too loud. I'm running a 70mm single made by T1R. It sounds great to me, but is very loud.

There are a few good and relatively quiet duals available. However, most of them come with a hefty price tag, and with silencers in place, you won't gain any horsepower from them. The HKS is a pretty decent setup, and with the silencers, is barely louder than stock. Feel's makes a dual setup that has a deep, low rumble. Only downside is that it's very expensive for an exhaust. The Fujitsubo Legalis R dual exhaust is very nice, has a very crisp and pleasing exhaust note, and here in the US, runs around $900. On the downside, it might be just a bit louder than you want.

As for exhaust size, pretty much any 60, 63, or 70mm exhaust will work fine. 60mm may reduce power output, and 70mm may be more than you need if you have no plans to go with forced induction down the road. So, your best bet might be an exhaust with 63mm piping. I believe both the HKS and Fujitsubo exhausts are 63mm.

Also, stay away from the Invidia exhaust. For a dual setup, it's very loud. Even with the silencers, it's a noticeable decibel increase.

[berdener]

thanx alot for the advice! It's so wierd around here cuz' I'm also trying to get some rims.. I found the BBS RGR suits us some point at 18" but the problem again is I can't find them anywhere in Turkey.. I'm trying to find a shop in Germany to get it from but I can't find one.. Getting an s2k around here is a bit of problem I guess