Basic programming and operation are straightforward with a little guidance from the 57-page English manual. The menu-driven interface is clear and intuitive. A'pexi has put a considerable effort into documenting its product and it shows. The two boost settings can be independently programmed, retained, and switched between as desired. Boost can either be set at a fixed level, or allowed to vary with rpm. Additionally, a separate scramble configuration is available for each setting to raise or lower the boost at the touch of a button (any button you want, as the unit just looks for a signal wire to be grounded).
Monitor mode provides a number of methods to display and log all the sensor data available to the AVC-R. A maximum of four digital numbers, two simulated analog dials, or a single line graph can be displayed. Maximum log time is 60 seconds. A peak hold function is also available for all displayed data.
Out of the box the AVC-R worked fine on our Eclipse. Boost response was good, but as we tried for more, things got a little weird. Getting the most out of the unit takes either lucky guessing, or real tuning time. First you set the boost, then duty, Ne-point, F/B speed... While the AVC-R is supposed to tune itself, it seems the brunt of the work is on your shoulders. If you like to fiddle with things, you'll be in heaven.
| CONTROLLER: A'PEXI AVC-R |
| PRO | Big display, tons of features, works great. |
| CON | Must splice ECU harness. Takes time to program well. |
| COST | $629 |
| SOURCE | A'PEX Integration Inc. |
| (714) 685-5700 |
| www.apexi-usa.com |
Aesthetics: Nice big display, simple interface, clean design, big buttons.
Ease of Installation: Splicing wires into a ECU harness can get hairy, but the instructions show wire locations for most Japanese cars.
Installation instructions available on the company's Web site.
Clarity of instructions: Big fat book in English. Diagrams and flowcharts are intuitive.
Features: Fixed boost, rpm-based boost control, scramble up and down, auxiliary instrumentation for rpm, speed, TPS, duty cycle, boost. Data logging and replay, peak/hold display.
Support: Good on phone, answered questions.
Controller: Blitz SBC i-D
The SBC i-D is composed of three parts; a head unit, control unit and solenoid assembly. The solenoid assembly consists of two solenoids which can be operated either sequentially or in parallel, which Blitz claims gives the product an edge in both response and maximum boost authority. The control unit is scarcely larger than a deck of cards and can be mounted out of the way in the cabin. Manifold pressure is routed with supplied hardware to a small and somewhat fragile Teflon hose on the control unit. An optional harness is available which plugs into the control unit and allows for the display of three analog or digital signals such as MAF voltage, coolant temp, injector pulse-width, etc. This data can then be displayed numerically, as a bar graph, or logged over time.