I don't know which generation of Link we're all crapping on, but the G4X line is pretty good. I preferred it over the Haltech 2 years back when it just released and bought it myself. The hardware change between G4+ and G4X is pretty huge. I looked up spec-for-spec and went through their whole tuning software before deciding that. And honestly Haltech/Link/Vipec and probably a few others have GUIs and features that are so similar that its really just ignorance IMO why some say one is "so much better" than the other. Its like these people are copying each other's homework. The differences are not game-changing in most conditions. Emtron is definitely a very noticeable step up but doesn't have the huge user base support of Haltech/Link worldwide. Motec is obviously the best consumer/pro-consumer level standalone with its own set of challenges.

 

Sounds like he knows the MoTec difference.

For 15-20 years other companies chased the 800 series gold box in terms of functionality, reliability and being able to count on it.

Lots of decent options today that will run the car well.

MoTec, syvecs and emtron are top tier. Harder to tune but almost unlimited custom features and advanced functioned.

 

The lower tier ECU's are much more user friendly, not only in terms of actual use but also in the support systems (help desk, forums etc).
Haltech is a great example of this with a huge help base, and lots of "automatic" functions in the ECU.

I'm running an Emtron and I love it, but I can see how it would be overwhelming to lower tech people.

 

Slow progress here, but I got my car mostly back together and got the ECU plugged in for some initial work on setup. Looks like my license and package dont match on the M150 since I took to long to get this going and John Reed recently updated things. So monday Im hoping to get a new license and then start getting sensors set.

If all goes well, might even be able to start the car this week.

 

Great choice on the Motec m150 you won’t be disappointed!

 

Got the car running/idling on the motec now but there were definitely a few struggles along the way, mostly because Im learning as I go. But a couple things werent right.

The fans were reversed, that was kinda odd. Easy enough once I understood, just had to flip the polarity but seems that should have been correct.

The biggest issue was fueling. Took a while to figure out why it was running like 10:1 at idle. I swapped to a walbro 450 and FIC1650s, and of course the 450 over runs the OEM FPR unless you're using the fuel pump resistor. But, fuel pump resistor implementation doesn't work. The line needs to be ground at low load and switch open under load. Motec doesn't have an option to invert the signal for fuel pump. So using a fuel pump output it can only output open and then switch to ground when flow rate is exceeded.

I figured it out after forcing the output active (test function) and the fuel pressure drops about 80kpa (320 down to 240) while idling. Also enabling closed loop, It now idles at 1.0 lambda.

Now trying to see if I can use the water injection to control the fuel pump resistor relay instead. I can invert that and control when it switches with more control.

 

This doesnt sound like an OEM configuration. If you have electrical schematics or documentation I can review those and investigate into this. In my mind fuel pumps should be controlled via PWM if connected to a standalone ecu like a Motec.

 

This is the John Reed package, I'll give him the feed back so it can be corrected on his end (if he chooses too).

The water injection controls worked just fine to control the resistor relay. I just wish I could rename it or something so it was obvious if someone else looked at it.

There are PWM controls for a fuel pump, maybe in the future I'll go that route but for now this works. All the brushless setups available now I see are for huge flow and power. And also come with an unnecessary price tag for my measly 500hp

 

Ooh, John said the Aux controls will work too. So I peaked at them and that seems to be the jam. Can spec out all the different things I was considering playing with.

 

Update: Figured out the fuel pump resistor output with an Aux output. That seems to work perfect.

It wouldnt start for crap on the 1650s and E85 (sensor reading E90) cold so I migrated all the cranking maps from a file I got from Lucas and it fired right up. Since that worked I also started migrating various throttle and idle maps to get tip-in to not dip and rpm drop to catch better. Now it seems pretty solid, so about ready for a slow drive I think.

 

Does Motec have a solid fuel pressure compensation model?
Can you test this by changing fuel pressure at idle and making sure the lambda stays the same?

My fuel is overrunning (high pressure) at idle with the Emtron KV8, it works everything out for me. I dont need to map any of the compensations once it has correct injector and fuel temp+pressure data.

 

I imagine yes thats possible. I'll have to look and see if I can find the map for it though.

I like the voltage resistor though to reduce fuel flow and heat build up in the pump fuel and also running high current at all times through the stock connector.

 

yes the m150 will allow you to setup flow vs pressure and temp.
setting up injector flow vs fuel pressure differential is an absolute must IMO.
Of course it solves over running the system/pressure at idle but more importantly it can save an engine that experience a pump failure, fuel slosh, vacuum ref blowing off regulator, fuel leak or anything else that leads to fuel pressure differential falling off during a high load/power pull.

simple tables to setup and extremely effective for engine saftey.

I personally also configure boost target trims that drop boost if injector differential pressure drops below target (this helps lower the demand on the fuel system if there’s a problem. as well as soft limiters if the differential pressure drops to low above a certain rpm/load.
(some of these functions trims may be limited depending on what firmware page you are using on the m150)

sounds like your doing great with it already can’t wait to see you fully enjoying the car once she’s tuned!
are you planning on tuning the car yourself? (Looks like you have the drive to learn how/all the ins and outs which is great. I fully support that anyone with a standalone ecu should get as familiar with it themselves as they possibly can. Huge help in the long run and builds tons more confidence in using your own car.)

Keep it up and have fun!

 

Thats good to know on the fuel pressure vs injector map. Still trying to find it in my package. Got a screen shot showing where to look in the calibrate table? Sounds like a table theres no reason to have active just in case.

Im trying to do as much as possible myself for exactly that reason. I'll get Lucas to do some work on it on the dyno but till then I want to work on each section to understand it. Learning a lot from the HPA motec class as well.

 

Im going to be that guy and say why dont you just take it somewhere to get tuned? get it all set up then tinker with it or if your friendly with a tuner maybe you can sit in with him as he does some of the stuff?

I think otherwise your going to miss alot of the stuff that should be set up. get a solid base get the tuner to show you around the software and then go from there.