PE vs. LA3

thesameguy · Post by **thesameguy** » Fri May 20, 2005 6:30 pm

Relative merits.

Discuss.

JasonKnight · Post by **JasonKnight** » Fri May 20, 2005 6:33 pm

LA3 if you want to put a large VAM and a Intercooler. Basic Setup

PE iif you want more advanced timing and air to fuel ratio with large vam and intercooler.

Those are the basic reasonings

vcallaway · Post by **vcallaway** » Fri May 20, 2005 8:01 pm

Both are setup for the big VAM and intercooler.

The PE has a more agressive program and is almost plug and play.
LA3 is MUCH cheaper to acquire, requires minor wiring changes.

The PE is getting harder to find. Prices are starting to reflect that.

Post by **John Brennan** » Sat May 21, 2005 3:55 am

The LA3 is also a 16-bit processor vs. the PE's 8-bit. It requires an Air Charge Temperature sender to be plumbed into the lower intake manifold as well. All the PE requires is a ground from pin #30 (Octane Switch); either to #46 (Signal Return), or to the chassis.

I've never run an LA3, but most of what I've heard about them is that they are smoother and have better driveability characteristics, but the PE makes more power from the same setup with its more aggressive spark and timing tables. I loved my PE... it worked very well for me.

Oh yeah-- most writers seem to be of the opinion that disconnecting the knock sensor, with either computer, will prevent the loss of power from a too-sensitive condition. My car ran like crap with the KS connected, and went like a rocket when I pulled it off-- so I would strongly agree.

GeneticRehab · Post by **GeneticRehab** » Sat May 21, 2005 4:52 pm

I was wondering if you could take all the timing and air tables and apply them to the la3 with a supper chip?

Post by **John Brennan** » Sun May 22, 2005 3:25 am

Sure-- but you can also chip your PF with PE tables, or put them in with something like the EEC Tuner. So I can see no need to buy an LA3 if you're not going to use its program.

xrpat · Post by **xrpat** » Sun May 22, 2005 8:33 am

If you are not planning on modding the ecu then go for one of the automatic ecus like the 8ua. The PEs arent really going up in price so much as they have already gone into high orbit, I think I saw one about a mounth ago starting on ebay for over $200 unfortunately the LA3s have gone up an awfull lot as well, I have been seeing them go for about $100, sometimes more. The automatic ecus however are still going for nice and cheap, I grabbed one (8ua) off ebay for ~$25 "out the door", took me about an hour to hook it up and worked just fine the first time round. As far as programing goes I have read a few times that the auto ecus have slightly more agressive timing, especialy off the line as the auto needed all the help it could get at low rpms.

thesameguy · Post by **thesameguy** » Sun May 22, 2005 7:18 pm

I already have both a PE and an LA3 - I picked up the latter from a junkyard, and the former along with some other SVO parts. Assuming I don't mind wiring changes, it sounds like the LA3 might be the better deal all said and done - a faster processor and better driveability are a good deal.

Do they both use the same VAM? Is there any advantage to either as far as chips go?