I figured as much, the electrical/programming side isn't my specialty this entire thread is foreign language to me. But it sounds pretty simple, I will have to give this a shot sometime.

So for the programming and tuning, does it just read values and update the ECU as I drive or do I need to take it to a dyno and have somebody program it?

The simpler the terms the better for me.

 

with tuning software you do zero programming...while I do like the idea of open source tuning, sometimes it's not as user friendly as something you pay for...there are pros and cons to both of the two tunings solutions that are available to us.




in layman's terms, you download the maps from your ECU onto a laptop via an interface cable. maps are tables (like excel) with say load vs rpm on the axes, where the numbers in the table would be ignition timing in degrees before TDC, or fuel, either as a number, or an air-fuel ratio value or you usually have a table for each. Once you download the maps you can change the numbers in the tables to a more desirable number to either increase the AFR (more lean), or advance ignition timing which both increase combustion efficiency, increasing power and fuel economy. This process is cut short by pre-ignition, knock or detonation. if the air fuel mixture ignites by compression or hot spots instead of spark, or if it ignites too soon before TDC (or two different reactions are generated more or less simultaneously), and the combustion (or detonation) reaches maximum power before TDC (sharp and substantial increase in pressure), it sort of tries to push the piston backwards while the crank is still rotating forward, and can cause major engine failure...With a good N/A tune a 5-10% power increase should be easily achieved, and should be safe and reliable.

Even N/A you can tune for higher octane fuel and tune aggressively, and achieve even better results, supporting mods (bolt-ons) CAN augment this, but still, don't add up the numbers on the boxes

 

Ah perfect, that is one of the ways I envisioned this. Thanks Cranswick!

 

Tools needed:

Laptop windows 7
Flash software either MMCFLASH or free software (when is ready aprox 2 weeks I was told) ECUFLASH is free and is used as the MAP editor if you want to make any changes.
EVOSCAN is the data logger.
Tactrix Cable 2.0


The process is actually pretty simple:

Read the ECU
Send me the file
When the file is ready I email it to you. (Performance tune/file already patched)
You flash the file and have fun.

Using the software whether it be MMCFLASH or the free software (when its ready) again no worries it is pretty straight forward. If you need help I can walk you through the process.

I left this until the end for a reason. As it stands right now there are 3 programs/software that you will be using.

MMCFLASH or Free Software (when it is ready): This will read and write to the ECU
ECUFLASH: This free from the Tactrix site. This is the file/MAP editor.
EVOSCAN: This is the data logger. its costs $25usd.

ECUFLASH and EVOSCAN have been used by EVO tuners and self tuning guys for years and has worked perfectly and has proven its self many times. Once you get used to the programs it is a very easy to use.

Also the "loan a tool" program is under way. Right now the tools are in the Seattle Washington area.

 

You deserve a parade. Thanks for the hard work man, I think I speak for everyone (except that one guy, did you kill his puppy?) by saying your work is greatly appreciated.

 

Hey brent I was wondering do you think there would be a noticeable difference with Merlin's tune vs Micheal's tune on N/A cars with bolt-ons.

 

There is a big difference. I say this from experience having driven with both.

 

the difference is in the tune, not the tuning solution...if there is a power difference, it's because merlin's tune is more aggressive. it's comparing apples to oranges, both tuning solutions are capable of the exact same results, and have the exact same physical limitations...tuning isn't a physical product that you install, and get a set amount of power gain, and that's all you get. With both solutions, you get a base tune which will obviously be better than the factory tune, and you can with with that what you want...it's not really a question of which one is better...

 

What garrett says is very true. You can adjust and alter both and achieve results. The difference I experienced was in quality and smoothness.

Michael's tune felt very powerful but only in specific points of the powerband and if driven aggressively you would find dead spots. Again this can be ironed out if you play with the tunes. I also noticed quite a bit of knock with michael's tune, and the the knock control was shut off so the ECU wouldnt try to correct itself if large amounts of knock was detected.

With Merlin's tune the car as a whole felt more powerful than stock, but I sort of missed those hard hitting power sections that Michael's tune had. However the car was more responsive and you could feel the power curve was much more linear and not spikey. Again if you like the spikes you can certainly do that with this tune as well. I know I have gone back myself and with Brent to make my low end more responsive for AutoX. But you could do that with either.

The question shouldnt be which tune is better, because both can be adjusted to do the same things. But instead with method is more convenient and more cost effective for you.

 

Josh, not trying to poke holes, but what kind of fuel were you running with Mike's tune...cause I didn't have any knock with mine with 91 octane.

 

Ran 93 octane for ages. Well before I ever started tuning.

 

Very good question and easy for me to answer. Anything I say will be deemed that I am bashing the other software. The other issue is whatever I say is self serving as I am working with Merlin.

Having said that little disclaimer, absolutely I Have I noticed a big difference between the other software and Merlin's Files. Keep in Mind Merlin has been working with Mitsu code for well over 10 years. For example I sent Bakuro's file to Merlin and in less that 2 weeks Merlin had the ROM and Auto trans code dissembled. IN 2 WEEKS!!! Read and write software is just that will read and write only the key is the Definitions and the scalings (ROM disassembly). I have tuned my car with both systems there are good and bad points to both. Take my bias opinion out and you are left with what Bakuro has said as he has used a tune from hack, using hack's software and one that I worked on, using Merlin's defininition. His opinion seams pretty clear.

 

I have to disagree with some of this, sorry dude. You are comparing apples to oranges I agree with this point and you can not compare the results of two different tuning systems. You can compare the tuning abilities of 2 tuners using the same system. If you give Merlin and hack the same software, same car on the same dyno and the same operational conditions I would be comfortable saying the results would be very close, both lads can tune a car and both have proven it many times. Where the comparison should be is in the understanding of how the ECU does its thing, there I give a big advantage to Merlin his history proves it, not hard to find his work here on EVOM. Both tuning systems are not capable of the same results simply there are 2 different guys dissembling the ROMS and building the Definitions. My opinion that is the main reason Bakuro noticed the difference with his car. Unfortunately he and I are the only 2 guys that have done a comparison and well to be honest my opinion is bias for many reasons.

 

Thats what i was thinking. I know therenis a difference between tuners but what I wanted to know was if the merlins rom build was better than hackish and i heard that theres alot more setting with merlins software

 

when it comes down to it, with the N/A tuning, not much gets changed except for fuel and timing...all of the sensors are OEM, no patches are required, all you need is the ability to edit the fuel and timing maps that are already there...you can only make your AFR's so lean, and you can only advance ignition timing so much...both systems are capable of that, and there's not much else you can do, everything else is mechanical. correct me if I'm wrong.