just wondering if it utalizes he stock boost controller, or u need to purchase a second one.

 

you CAN use the UTEC to control boost, and it does it pretty well.. If you want higher than stock boost, there are minor mods (That are included with the UTEC) that can be used to raise the boost levels a little higher while still being controllable with the stock solenoid.

 

right now I plan on just running 19, but I would like to hold it till redline. Will the utec allow me to do this?

 

Yep.. very easily in fact..

 

sweet thats what I wanted to know

 

I installed my UTEC last night without the supplied ABC and my boost now stays solid at around 1.3 bar (19psi).
Before UTEC it would peak for a split second to ~1.5 bar (21psi) and then immediately drop to 1.1 bar (16psi).
I'm running my UTEC on map0 (stock mode).

 

Your mods will effect the level of boost and how it tapers, but for the most part its a huge impovement over stock boost control..

 

Any thoughts on how the UTEC might react with an XEDE Flashed ECU? The flashed changes are a raised RPM cap and a raised (or otherwise modified) max boost limit.

I would not expect to hit anything really unusual, but I am currious.

 

It shouldn't make a difference what flash your running, when your tuning you need to be aware of it since you can't just take any map and expect it to work without tweaking.. Boost control would be taken over by the UTEC so thats not going to hurt anything.. Although the new UTEC firmware soon to be available drives the injectors directly (Eliminates fuel cut and raises limit) if you already have those things in your flash, you will certainly immediately be able to benefit from it.

 

Jack, will it be possible to set fuel cut and rev limit in the parameters section manually?

 

Thanks Jack - that's what I figured.

I was talking with the TurboXS guys yesterday because I've been considering a switch. At least I finally know the definitive difference between the Utec and the XEDE. The XEDE controlls timing using an offset from the ECU's value. The Utec provides absolute timing without ECU interference. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

Other than direct vs. indirect timing control, the units seam to line up point for point. At least they will once V3 of the XEDE software is released later this month.

As for developing my base Utec maps, I had planned on putting the Utec in ECU mode and doing alot of datalogging with my XEDE still running the car. After I had data for all of the Utec cells I was going to remove the XEDE and build Utec maps based on the data from my logs. From there I was going to fine tune.

Keep up the good work here, too. This is one of the better places to find some real discussion about tuning.

 

I found that because most of these piggyback systems just offset the MAF sensor reading, most of them use percentages that it adds or removes signal, althouth its not a direct translation, it allows me to take settings from almost any map and convert them to the UTEC.. I also have the advantage of having a pretty good map of what the factory ECU's timing is, so I can easily convert timing offsets from other Piggybacks like the XEDE, ECU+, or EManage..

I think another thread talksa bout the upcoming features of the new UTEC Firmware Update. Rev Limit, Injector Scaling, and a few other things are directly configurable including open loop fuel control (direct injector control) which should eliminate some of the wishywashy issues of using a MAF offset to trick the ECU into changing its mixture (specifically its indirect effect on timing that it would have)

 

Yeah, I know you guys are pretty psyched about injector scaling. If I'm remembering the XEDE software correctly that may already be impleminted; if not it's part of the V3 update.

I guess I'm still on the fence about switching for now. I've been talking with Vishnu again and the software update is supposed to be out later this month. If they actually ship it with the widband link I won't need to switch. I know it's possible to tune without the exact link, but I'd feel much more comfortable with it in place.

You are right about the next Utec release, though. The Utec is moving towards more direct control of ECU functions instead of modifing the ECU signals. That should allow for great control while tuning and power, but it does take away a fair bit of the saftey offered by the ECUs safeguards.

They both seem to be good units.

 

Yep, no doubt.. Their fairly similar units overall so you really can't go wrong.. just do you research and work with what fits your needs best..

The "Safety net" of the factory ECU is really pulling timing a little, then switching to a different map.. the UTEC actually functions pretty similar, it will pull timing if it detects knock in the same way.. the difference is the sensitivity is adjustable and you KNOW when your getting knock because the logs will show it, and the CEL light will show it, and if you exceed the threshold set, it will pull timing so you don't hurt anything. So you can actually run those "noisy" underdrive pulleys, etc.. and adjust accordingly.. you can even make it more sensitive than stock if you wanted to.. but the UTEC's settings are on par with the stock ECU's settings..

 

Question for you Jack, when I set the boost through the utec at 19.5 lbs how come I still have to adjust the ABC so that it runs at 19.5 lbs? I thought the utec was supposed to control the boost and keep it at 19.5 lbs?