ESC and reliability
 

I have just obtained a version 2.5 Phantom with the two-stage throttle switch which produces either 2 or 5psi. However when it was being delivered, I put in a Borla header and Berk free-flow cat front pipe. The added performance is quite surprising. Much more than I expected. I may decide I don't need the ESC.


This is no doubt a dumb question but...I would not put a full SC on this '14 model because of the known relationship between FI and blown motors. However 5psi seems pretty tame to my knowledge, and it's only intermittent. The Edelbrock SC lists 9psi. I ran 10psi on my turbo Miata. I doubt there are enough ESCs in use to establish any connection with engines turning to hand grenades, but I guess it's worth asking. My default operating mode is at least 6500 in first, traffic permitting. Same in second if there's room ahead. 7,000 fairly often.

What's your question? I've ran a phantom for over 4 years this last year I ran twin phantoms on my car. I always out ran full bolt on cars. You'll notice a difference when you install the phantom. It's not so much the hp but the low end tq that makes the big difference. If you need the files for the tune let me know and I can provide them in a email. Or you can talk to shiv and he can provide a custom tune on openflash.

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Thanks for that offer. I have an OFT and run E85 with the stage 2 tune now. I'm just a little gun shy after reading about spun bearings and the other gremlins in the early motors. My other fear is that I can only get E85 at one station in my town and if that goes away I'll probably lose a lot of the performance I've gained. In that case I would probably install the ESC. I should flash back to 93 for a tank and see what I've got.

The phantoms don't make enough power to cause stress on the bearings. If you're wondering what kind of power. It'll put you right around a full bolt on wrx or 350z also you can set up the throttle switch to work only when you want to so you won't always be boosting. Shivs tunes are really good too. He created a thread on here all about tuning on openflash and almost all tuners go based off of his threads. If you get a custom tune from him he can make it safe so you can have a greater peace of mind.

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That's very helpful. Thanks.

I miss ESC. If fenton made this as full supported company, i will repurchase it but cant get replacement part so i had to let it go

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I know sucks the only other option is torqamp lots of people are now posting videos on YouTube

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I've had mine for 7 or 8 years now and put over 150,000 miles on it with no problems. No problems with the engine. I did have a couple problems with the earlier versions of the ESC. But Rob fixed them right away and incorporated the improvements into the later designs. Your version should last for years with no problems. Except for batteries only last a couple years.
I think you will see your operating mode change immediately. Before I got the ESC I would bring it up to redline all the time because that's where the power is. But the ESC has immediate torque. Even in the "torque dip" area. I hardly ever go over 5,000 RPM. There's no need to.

Very good to know. Thanks.

I've watched the install video several times and have a couple questions. I know I'm not able to safely lift the existing battery out myself. I'm also concerned about shorting and frying the controller. So I think I'll install everything short of the new batteries and have my wrench do those. The compressor obviously isn't restrictive since it only runs intermittently, (though it looks like it would be.) I'll set up the throttle-control switch and readout, but to be safe won't plug into the fuse block.
Then I can drive it to my mechanic and have his guys install the batteries, wire them up and finally plug intro the fuse block.


Does this sound like a good plan?

If you want to be sure to not short it out simply install everything else and once the batteries are in place plug in the esc and turbskie. This way you can be sure every is connected correctly. You can run the car with the phantom in place with stock tune it won't affect it In anyway it may look like a restriction but it's not remember I had two phantoms in my care and even with two it wasn't a restriction.

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Thanks again. I wonder if it would be a good or bad idea to plug a 12v power source into the cigarette lighter to preserve my other settings.

i second this. dont make mistake like i did lol

You don't need to but from my experience you want to buy a home trickle charger they're like 30$ at Costco. The small battery after a while will run out on you especially if you don't daily it. Fir me after a week of not starting it the battery would be dead.

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Good input again. I have a battery tender already.

In it goes
 

It's finally cool enough in my garage to install, but I'm having trouble finding needed info on the batteries. I have two PC680s, but it looks like they're dated 2016 and 2017 so I figure I'd be better off just getting 3 new ones. It also appears that a regular trickle charger won't do it for an AGM, so I can't use my motorcycle battery tender. Somebody posted how they installed a slightly larger starter battery and had room to do it, but I can't find that post.

I would stick with the original upgrade set up. Which is one pc680 battery for your starter and two big crank etx16

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Ready to go but batteries are back ordered everywhere. I have two Odyssey PC680s from PO, but two days after after a full charge, one is holding 12.85 and the other 12.34. Probably best to go with two new ETX16s you recommend, and one new PC680 for starter. Probably won't be able to get them all before January. Can't get E85 where I live now, and it looks like it won't be available for a long time. Will have to run 93 till then and the car is a real slug running that stuff. Ugh.

:(

I dont know where you located but i have 2 new 16x batteries for sale cheap. I cant ship though

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Thanks, But I'm, in Florida. Just curious, if you use E85, can you get it where you are?

If you're gonna run 93 I would suggest getting Steve to get you a custom tune.

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Yes. There is one in Newark near airport. I never did though. Dont want to drive like 30min to get that lol

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Sorry but I just couldn't resist the smart ass reply.

If I use E85, yes I can get it. If I can't get E85 no I don't use it.

But seriously, don't worry too much about the batteries. I've been using the original PowerSonic spec batteries since day one with no problems at all. If you have any problems, PM me. I'm just on the other side.

I've used a lot of deep cycle batteries in RVs, and always considered 12.5 to be fully discharged. Would you be confident using the

PC680s I have now? After a charge two days ago, one is now 12.33 and the other 12.84.

No e85 on the turnpike?

The turnpike is 75 miles from me. The website I saw purporting to list stations carrying it was worthless. Last time I looked it had about a dozen, but not one had it and most I called didn't even know what it is.

Theres actually a Facebook group for e85 in Florida. Might wanna check it out. Info on locations and availability

No I think your batteries are pretty much dead. The voltage should be around 13 volts. But voltage is not a good way to determine the health of batteries. Go to an auto parts store and have them load tested. Most places will do it for free.

Advance auto told me they load-tested OK, but I'm confused. Electronics are not my strong suit (If I had any strong suit.) I can't understand why a freshly-charged battery would drop below 13 in a day. I'm going to do most of the install of my ESC, but will have my wrench put in the batteries and under-dash wiring. One of these will be my starter battery and I'm concerned about depending on it to get me home.

I used a bad battery for a whole year. I had to i had a out 4 day hold with it. If I drive the car everyday it was perfectly fine but if I let the car sit for more than 4 days with out turning on the battery would be dead. If you bought it from battery mart hit them up for the warranty they're pretty lenient. Replaced two of mine two times for free the last time I didn't bother to get it replaced since I'm selling my kit.

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