Getting DSC to work with 13B REW swap
 

I think getting the DSC to work in a 13B REW swap is a subject where we could save current builders like myself and those who come after us a great deal of heartache, time and effort. However, I haven't yet found a helpful explanation of how this can be done, certainly not one with the detail I'm looking for, and many comments on threads like the one here are less than friendly.

I’m in a different position to most as I have (or, more accurately, had) a working non-DSC set up left by the original builder, a professional rotary specialist best known as 'Bodger' ('a person who makes or repairs something badly or clumsily'), rather than starting from scratch. On one hand, some of the thinking has been done for me but, on the other, I don’t have components like an RX8 throttle body to inspect or test. I have an FD throttle body operated by cable from an FD throttle pedal and can replace all of this.

I have spent quite a few hours investigating my current system due to unrelated issues so am familiar with the PCM, Apexi PFC, 13B REW electrics and RX8 electrics on my system; I’ll write this up when I get an hour or 2 spare at the weekend as it might be useful to those wanting to do a non-DCS swap. I’ll also write up instructions for getting the DCS should I find out how to do it.

Here in the UK I know of only one other person with a 13B REW swap with a working DSC where, to quote, "Although understandably fairly secretive about the ins and outs of the job, he was able to reveal that by using a one-off upper inlet manifold finished off with some electronic wizardry from an electric specialist, combined with a lower inlet manifold designed to add Weber carbs . . .”. AFAIK he has a modified RX8 throttle body, Adaptronic ECU and an extra electronic unit provided by his electronic specialist.

I’ve spent countless hours looking through build threads here for inspiration on this and other issues without getting any further forward. Maybe there’s something that I missed, I just don’t know.

Sticking my neck out, I think the minimum needed is:
• RX8 PCM linked to all ABS and DSC components and set up to operate power steering and dash electrics.
• RX8 throttle control wiring, including pedal sensor, from using an RX8 throttle body modified as appropriate or modding the FD throttle body with the RX8’s electrics.
• RX8 MAF.
• Dummy loads such as resistors or voltages on some of the PCM outputs.
Feel free to knock me down constructively.

Please will people add information that they have to help?

If you use the adaptronic, rx8 TB, and RX-8 front cover it works.

No need of rx8 front cover, rew cover works fine

Ah yes, the FFE trigger wheel, I forgot.

Guys, thanks.

The FFE trigger wheel looks great; I've got what looks like a poor man's version with a trigger wheel mounted on the crank and the original CPS mounted on a bracket (see photo).

Knowing that this can be done with both the RX8 and REW front covers is useful. I've got the original REW cover.

The Adaptronic seems reasonably priced ($1350 in the US and $1600 in the UK), some $400-500 more than an Apexi PFC with commander. I've now found the info here that should lead people to the correct set-up and connection procedures. That said, I want to know more about the throttle body adapter mentioned and a full procedure to see how it integrates all the wires before I make a full judgement on how easy it is, particularly as my source mentioned in the first post has close connections to the Adaptronic distributor but talks of extra electronic work (this might just be bullshIt though!).

Even if the Adaptronic unit makes things far easier for people yet to start their swap, I and others will have other units such as the Apexi Power FC that we want the DSC to work with.

My two cents,
Sell the power fc and get a adaptronic.

True story.... It's decades ahead of the power fc

.

Thanks. I'm seriously considering doing just that. If I didn't have the Apexi then I'd certainly take your advice and get the Adaptronic.

BTW I'm trying to be careful as I have 2 default modes with spending money: being very careful or splashing out with abandon. I go years without buying shirts then I decide to get a new one, walk into a shop, see 6 at 3 times the price I want to pay, an irresistible urge hits me and I buy them all. I fear that if I spend $1600 here on an Adaptronic then I'll splurge on a new EFR 8374, Seibon Carbon splitter and APR GTC-200 spoiler ($1000 here in the UK), ending up with my selling my kids for medical experiments to pay the bills.