Ok, so I thought that I was fairly knowledgeable about cars, forced induction,boost, etc, but I believe this question is X specific. Prior to the release of EcuTek's software people were controlling boost either through manual boost controllers or electronic boost controllers.

Then, fuel and timing were controlled separately with piggybacks, or by adding parts that were thought to lean out the AFR and let the ECU adjust itself.

So my question regarding the X is, now that a flashing option is available (and soon to be more the one option), is any form of boost controller still necessary (manual or electronic)? Isn't the X's ECU capable of controlling boost (at peak and at redline) just as easily as it controls fuel, timing, mivec, etc through a flashing option? Thanks in advance to whoever answers without flaming...

 

ECU-based boost control will be available.

 

Meaning, it is not currently available with this initial release of EcuTek?

 

Any reflash can control the boost electronically via the ecu. Perhaps some of the old ecutek versions when they first came out for the evo 8 didn't, I 'm not sure, but these days almost all reflash software gives control of the wastegate duty cycle mapping controls, boost targets, gains, etc, and the ecutek for the X does as well. Read the thread about noize's evo x tuned with ecutek. The boost characteristics are much better in that unlike an MBC you don't hit full boost at partial throttle and don't throw any check engine codes either. The car is much more driveable this way and safer too. This is definitely the way to go for controlling your boost. So to the answer to your question is no, there is no need for an MBC or EBC when you have a reflash.

 

^ Thanks man, I appreciate the detailed response!

 

No problem man, always happy to help whenever I can.

 

This is a great response as I was wondering how this worked.

I think I am going to have Al of DynoFlash tune my car at Buschur's sometime in May.

Thanks!

~Ryan

 

This is a quote from a different post. Just some food for thought.


"The next thing is gonna be a big thing, as I was on the forefront of ECU boost control. I think a lot of people may disagree with my opinion but here it goes... ECU boost control is not all its cracked up to be. It is a very time consuming process, that can NOT, and I mean can NOT, be tuned perfectly in one, two or even three tuning sessions. You might get lucky cuz you live in so cal, where the temp only vary about 20-30*s. Come up to where i live in nor-cal, where temps and elevation change greatly and see what happens.

Also, Im under the impression that you dont drag race, so I'd guess you know nothing about this. But you should take one of the cars you "tuned" the ECU boost control to the drag strip and run it. Have fun watching that ECU controlled boost spike and dip all over the place.

And yes there is tips to get ECU boost controlled drag runs to have perfect consistent boost, but it takes a long time to get it perfect. Then the weather changes and you have to start all over.

In conclusion (on the boost tip), I know pro ECU controlled boost users are not gonna like what i just said and say Im wrong. I'm not. ECU controlled boost take a long time to get perfect and takes constant tweaking with weather, season changes and driving styles. In the end, it IS easier and just as functional to just throw a MBC on and call it a day"

 

The Evo X is a whole new beast as far as ECU-boost. The Evo X comes with a 3bar map sensor stock for psi-based boost control. (had to upgrade to this on the 8/9) It also has TPS vs Boost control as well, like Subarus have had for awhile.

These features alone make the issues outlined in the above quote almost moot.

I am sure it will get even better the more EcuTek matures and when the COBB ap and Ecuflash comes out.

I've tuned over 100 evo 8/9's with Ecu-boost and I can tell you, done correctly, and with the right control tables touched, it does work without the issues outlined above, be it at the drag strip, on the street, or at the circuit. I am sure the Evo X will be even better as it already has a better starting advantage over the 8/9's from what I have seen.

 

I definitely agree with this on the IX, where there is no twin solenoid setup and the boost correction seems to intervene a lot more.

I've been running EcuTeK controlled boost on my car all day with fantastic results so far. We have insane weather changes here (sometimes from under 20 degrees in the winter to over 100 in the summer). I only have 60-85 degrees and probably 4 and a half hours of driving so far, but I will definitley update that other thread if things go wonky.

 

Cool, keep the MBC for the IX and give the X some time to get tuned. Thanks for the info!