E.C.U. Re-Mapping...
The main job of the ECU is to control the engine management system, its the "brains" behind the brawn if you like.On a standard car it works faultlessly, not only controlling the engine, but other things such as the air-conditioning too!
However, there is a snag.If and when you start tuning, you will find out that the ECU is one of the foremost components you will need to give your attention(and hard earned money) to.The reason been is an in built safety feature that is programmed into the standard "map" called a "fuel cut". This is to prevent the engine blowing itself to pieces in the event of a fault occuring somewhere down the line, namely over boosting.The second problem, once you have overcome the fuel cut, is that after 1.3bar of air is fed into engine, the standard ECU is`nt mapped(programmed) to provide enough fuel.
However, there is a snag.If and when you start tuning, you will find out that the ECU is one of the foremost components you will need to give your attention(and hard earned money) to.The reason been is an in built safety feature that is programmed into the standard "map" called a "fuel cut". This is to prevent the engine blowing itself to pieces in the event of a fault occuring somewhere down the line, namely over boosting.The second problem, once you have overcome the fuel cut, is that after 1.3bar of air is fed into engine, the standard ECU is`nt mapped(programmed) to provide enough fuel.
There are three routes from this point that can be taken.
Firstly is completely removing the ECU, and replacing it with another.This is probably the best route, as you can fit a superior peice of equipment with alot more features, such as datalogging, re-programming as you drive with the aid of a laptop, Anti-lag systems, in built boost controllers....the list is almost endless.The off side to this method is expense, the cost starting around £1500 rising to how big your bank account is!
Second route is through use of very clever fuel and boost controllers, made by a company called APEXi.The way they work is to basically feed more pressure into the engine, along with more fuel by fooling the standard ECU into thinking it is`nt working as hard as it actually is.The downside is they cannot change the ignition timing, a seperate unit is available to do this, but then you may well have gone down the new ECU route.
Third route is the one i took........Re-mapping the ECU is easy, you have no unsightly controllers in the cabin (baring boost controller if req.), you get ignition aswell as fuelling tuned, and its relatively cheap.Remapping is available, so should you heavily modify your car, the map can be changed to suit.Having said that, the maps are fairly flexible so you can modify in relative safety aslong as you keep an eye on the air/fuel ratio,CO emissions and engine knock. One of the main companies in the UK for ECU modifying are Power Engineering, based at Uxbridge, London.
You can buy a pre-mapped ECU from them off the shelf, or take your car to them and have it remapped on their Rolling Road.I was extremely lucky in that i came upon a second hand ECU of theirs for sale, which i purchased, fitted to the car, and then had tweaked on their rolling road.All in all a very cheap ECU modification for me! :)
Fitting the ECU is easy.Its fitted above the lefthand kick panel in the cabin.Access can be made easier by removing the glovebox on RHD cars.
Biggest pain was the drive down to London from Leeds, 187miles which took me around 3.5hrs! I arrived at P.E. and was imediately given a warm welcome by the guys down there, enjoying cups of coffee and general chit-chat.
First job was to remove the ECU to ensure it was one of theirs, and if so what map it actually had! Turns out it actually had the "Power 21" map, which is for standard fuel pumps and not uprated ones, like what i have fitted, hmmm, best refit it and see what the CO is upto.First run came out at 310 bhp, all CO seemed fine, if alittle over rich up at the top.This is not a problem though, as the extra fuel helps to cool the pistons and prevent detonation.Time to turn the boost pressure up! :D
Firstly is completely removing the ECU, and replacing it with another.This is probably the best route, as you can fit a superior peice of equipment with alot more features, such as datalogging, re-programming as you drive with the aid of a laptop, Anti-lag systems, in built boost controllers....the list is almost endless.The off side to this method is expense, the cost starting around £1500 rising to how big your bank account is!
Second route is through use of very clever fuel and boost controllers, made by a company called APEXi.The way they work is to basically feed more pressure into the engine, along with more fuel by fooling the standard ECU into thinking it is`nt working as hard as it actually is.The downside is they cannot change the ignition timing, a seperate unit is available to do this, but then you may well have gone down the new ECU route.
Third route is the one i took........Re-mapping the ECU is easy, you have no unsightly controllers in the cabin (baring boost controller if req.), you get ignition aswell as fuelling tuned, and its relatively cheap.Remapping is available, so should you heavily modify your car, the map can be changed to suit.Having said that, the maps are fairly flexible so you can modify in relative safety aslong as you keep an eye on the air/fuel ratio,CO emissions and engine knock. One of the main companies in the UK for ECU modifying are Power Engineering, based at Uxbridge, London.
You can buy a pre-mapped ECU from them off the shelf, or take your car to them and have it remapped on their Rolling Road.I was extremely lucky in that i came upon a second hand ECU of theirs for sale, which i purchased, fitted to the car, and then had tweaked on their rolling road.All in all a very cheap ECU modification for me! :)
Fitting the ECU is easy.Its fitted above the lefthand kick panel in the cabin.Access can be made easier by removing the glovebox on RHD cars.
Biggest pain was the drive down to London from Leeds, 187miles which took me around 3.5hrs! I arrived at P.E. and was imediately given a warm welcome by the guys down there, enjoying cups of coffee and general chit-chat.
First job was to remove the ECU to ensure it was one of theirs, and if so what map it actually had! Turns out it actually had the "Power 21" map, which is for standard fuel pumps and not uprated ones, like what i have fitted, hmmm, best refit it and see what the CO is upto.First run came out at 310 bhp, all CO seemed fine, if alittle over rich up at the top.This is not a problem though, as the extra fuel helps to cool the pistons and prevent detonation.Time to turn the boost pressure up! :D
Not been overly keen on Dawes Devices (because they are "cheap"?!), they tightened the boost controller one full turn, this turned out to be prefect, producing a straight 1.4bar creeping upto 1.5bar there after. Ideally you want it the other way around, which would probably have given another 10 or so lb/ft in the mid-range. However this is only achievable with electronic boost controllers, which with a retail price of over £400 for a decent one is beyond reason for me. There's alot better things to spend that kind of money on!....fast women and beer anyone?? ;)
Boost set to 1.5 bar we hit 346bhp on the first run, flames spitting out the exhaust as she hit the rev. limiter in fourth!!
Boost set to 1.5 bar we hit 346bhp on the first run, flames spitting out the exhaust as she hit the rev. limiter in fourth!!
Second run with the new boost setting we hit 351 bhp @ 7,200rpm with Peak Torgue of 302 lb/ft ..... i was well chuffed, especially considering the way some people frown upon the Dawes Device simply because it is cheap.
On all the following runs, the car still showed to be running slightly rich at the top, but as stated before, not enough to cause concern, and if anything this actually provides a nice safety blanket in the event of bad fuel or been unable to purchase superunleaded.
On all the following runs, the car still showed to be running slightly rich at the top, but as stated before, not enough to cause concern, and if anything this actually provides a nice safety blanket in the event of bad fuel or been unable to purchase superunleaded.
That concluded the events for the day, both the lads at P.E. and myself all very happy with the result.On a final note, apparently i should be reasonably future proof too, as this map will handle high lift cams, aswell as water injection and higher boost levels.
A well recommended mod!
A well recommended mod!