Its hard to know with guys Ger, some are just full of shite.
Get your manifold on to her and the up pipe. I know its easy for me to say but try take it handy untill you get some sort of ecu/ map sorted, even if you can pick up a 2nd hand apexi power fc, there a good budget ecu,.. Simtec are great when you want to go maf less, the anti lag/ launch control features to be honest are things that lads go on about and in truth never get much use out of.. so just be open minded, you will probably pick up a 2nd hand apexi for 300 sterling, Simtec will be 800sterling 2nd hand, way up is it worth it too you mate