Ask the Editors: Aftermarket ECU?
Engine Control Unit.
The Copperhead ECU comes from Velocity Devices Inc. and in our experience, the reliability will be equal to what you would expect from an OEM part. If that’s your only determining factor as to whether it is the right unit for you, we say you can buy it without hesitation.
However, at $450, the unit comes at slight premium over the stock ECU (which we found new on eBay here for $383.95). Realize that this upcharge comes due to some performance gains.
Since the ECU controls the timing and fuel distribution, Copperhead boasts power gains through their high energy and repetitive fire ignition programming, which also allows for crisper throttle response and reduced fuel consumption. When ordering a Copperhead, you actually select from a series of dropdown menus to customize how your unit comes set up. You can actually duplicate the OEM fuel map if you wish as well if performance gains aren’t on your agenda.
In short, were it ours, we would spend the extra and reap the benefits of Veolcity Device’s engineering.
