Well I use the APEXI SAFC. I bought it for $265 on ebay. Works fine, and I love how I can adjust settings on the fly right on my dash, it is pretty convenient. Down side to the SAFC is that you can't shift your ignition timing, I would say that is more important than anything when you are trying to shoot for big HP numbers.
Since you have a laptop your best bet would be an smt6, it's a piggy back that can be used to lie to the ecu and actually shift your ignition timing, and it is half the cost of a standalone.
http://www.perfectpower.com/products/smt6.asp
If you want the biggest bang you should look into investing into an AEM EMS, you can get one for around $1200, don't let shops shyst you. It's a direct plug and play to your existing harness and the feature to shift ignition timing, knock sensor input, TTP is plush. It also allows you to use all of your smog equipment, and comes with many diagnostic features. The AEM EMS is really easy to use.

 

haha, this thread is great. keep up the info posting BigV and Raine... nm about all that other s14 junk, i'm prob getting a 240 on friday (not just a regular 240 either )

*all info and stuff will be withheld, i want to pick it up before i start talking it up

 

I think, a ems would be the last on my to buy list... 1.2k is still a bit steep for a working student ><. Thx for the info Vin.

 

I hear the AEM ems is a really really nice system though... anyone had expierience with it before?

 

Phat ka-T turbo's have used it... managed to get a KA-t de to hit up to 590-600 hp...

 

Here is the link to an impressive N/A KA pumping 210 CHP. Not to much modding done but I thought you guys might want to check out the mod list.
http://www.bryanleitch.net/

 

interesting... he's using JWT cams.