Important Announcement Re: Brain Flash P2
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Important Announcement Re: Brain Flash P2
I’m back, rested, and relaxed and would like to thank everyone for their patience while I have been away on vacation. Hopefully my colleagues have been helpful in answering questions and helping bring everyone up to speed on the latest product developments while I have been away.
It has come to my attention that there has been some controversy regarding the release of our much-anticipated enhancement to our wildly successful Brain Flash ECU for the Evo. I have spent this weekend reviewing some of the dialogue on this issue here on the board and meeting with our staff and would now like to make the following announcements:
The Brain Flash is now available for $499.
The new boost enhancement to the Brain Flash (known as the P2) will be available to current Brain Flash owners (all purchases pre-10/01/03) for the nominal cost of $50.
The cost of the P2 enhancement on all new Brain Flash orders (orders placed after 10/01/03) will be $100.
The P2 represents an upgrade to the Brain Flash and includes a comprehensive remapping of the standard Brain Flash’s ignition curves, air/fuel ratio and, of course, adds boost mapping. In addition, the P2 also includes a unique replacement boost hose assembly to achieve higher boost. The P2 provides addictive acceleration by eliminating the factory boost taper in the higher rpms. By eliminating this boost drop-off, the area under the curve is enhanced and the car responds with increased urgency as the power band winds out.
Power charts can be viewed at www.worksrally.com and new charts will be posted as they become available (for 93 octane and alternate engine hardware configurations).
The excess balance paid on any existing orders that have been placed for the Brain Flash P2 while I was away will promptly be refunded.
WORKS would also like to assure its continued commitment to engineering enhancements and upgrades to the Brain Flash. This is to ensure that the Brain Flash is, and will continue to be, the clear leader in EVO ECU tuning technology.
Lastly, I would like to take a moment to explain the change in the pricing structure. While the P2 Brain Flash represents a far greater value than the nominal fee we are charging for the upgrade given the extensive development that went into engineering this enhancement (details from our engineering staff posted below), we believe that it is of paramount importance that our loyal customers have the opportunity to run the most advanced configuration of our product in their Evo once they have been brought into the WORKS tuning approach. We want to help you to go fast!
We appreciate the positive response that has been posted by customers already using the P2 enhancement and look forward to hearing more responses as the P2 finds its way to enthusiasts across the country.
-- DavidV
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"P2 Technical Development Overview
These are some of the details we felt we should share with all of you about the development process for our Brain Flash P2 product.
Subject: Precise Control
When attempting to control the boost with the factory ECU, first we had to determine the stock turbo’s compressor capacity and efficiency. We carefully studied the compressor’s maps, characteristics, and specifications.
Mitsubishi’s engineers, with their relatively unlimited R&D resources, designed a system that we needed to understand thoroughly as our initial starting point. Initially we established what the factory/stock system was trying to achieve and how it was accomplishing that. Controlling flow with mechanical devices and electronic controls in an open loop is relatively crude, but can be achieved effectively with meticulous data collection and testing. The Evo doesn’t have a direct feedback system/closed loop to directly control boost and this made the task more difficult. Many forced induction cars are equipped with a Manifold Air Pressure (MAP) sensor and control the boost based on the feedback provided by sensor. Trying to accomplish this without a direct feedback loop was quite an undertaking.
The mechanism to control boost in the Evo consists of primarily four fluid paths, we had to analyze all four of these paths. Two of our engineers have backgrounds in fluid dynamics. All four of those paths in themselves are some form of restriction -- specifically two of them have been modified/altered by Mitsubishi factory engineers, and this is where we focused our efforts. Scientifically, we attacked this situation starting with one variable at a time. We tested various sizes covering the whole spectrum. With each of those size changes, we modified the maps within the ECU and confirmed the effects of the various sizes in conjunction with the ECU changes.
Using our four-channel data logger and a calibrated pressure transducer, we collected data for flow, pressure, and solenoid Duty Cycle. This data was collected at various load and RPM levels on the road and on the dyno.
Our data and findings were submitted to a third party fluids engineering expert. Being very familiar with these types of systems he gave us some recommendations. It became clear why the factory Mitsubishi engineers chose the paths that they did and in fact the system works very well. This was only the beginning. Now we had the real work ahead of us.
_________________________________________
Development Phase
After running the numbers we identified the areas we wanted to target. We manufactured flow calibrated, laser cut, restrictors in various sizes centering around our target sizes. Again we ran more tests collecting data with boost flow, pressure, duty cycle…When we finally came to the sizes that we going to work best for us, we began evaluating the software parameters to properly control this set-up.
_________________________________________
We then began modifying the software and adjusting the 3D maps altering various boost parameters that allowed us to manipulate these variables….
What we found was that changing one single byte makes a significant impact on the boost in this very sensitive system. Once we set the boost parameters correctly on the road in 2nd 3rd and 4th gear, we brought the car to the dyno to verify that we could achieve these same boost levels in all three gears. As mentioned before, since the Mitsubishi boost is not a feedback (closed loop) system, replicating our results on the dyno was challenging. Several variables contributed to this: the load on the dyno is not identical to the load on the road and because dyno fans cannot replicate real road wind speed --critical for any vehicle equipped with a front mounted intercooler. Once we finally achieved the correct boost maps on the dyno, our attention turned to tuning the fuel and timing maps both on the dyno and back on the road.
When the final mapping was deemed to be completed, the mapping was subjected to extensive testing among multiple cars to ensure 100% accuracy and consistency.
In summary, working within the constraints of the factory Evo, we have come up with a safe, reliable product based on the R&D learned from the factory Mitsubishi engineers and taken their work a step further.
-- WORKS Engineering"
It has come to my attention that there has been some controversy regarding the release of our much-anticipated enhancement to our wildly successful Brain Flash ECU for the Evo. I have spent this weekend reviewing some of the dialogue on this issue here on the board and meeting with our staff and would now like to make the following announcements:
The Brain Flash is now available for $499.
The new boost enhancement to the Brain Flash (known as the P2) will be available to current Brain Flash owners (all purchases pre-10/01/03) for the nominal cost of $50.
The cost of the P2 enhancement on all new Brain Flash orders (orders placed after 10/01/03) will be $100.
The P2 represents an upgrade to the Brain Flash and includes a comprehensive remapping of the standard Brain Flash’s ignition curves, air/fuel ratio and, of course, adds boost mapping. In addition, the P2 also includes a unique replacement boost hose assembly to achieve higher boost. The P2 provides addictive acceleration by eliminating the factory boost taper in the higher rpms. By eliminating this boost drop-off, the area under the curve is enhanced and the car responds with increased urgency as the power band winds out.
Power charts can be viewed at www.worksrally.com and new charts will be posted as they become available (for 93 octane and alternate engine hardware configurations).
The excess balance paid on any existing orders that have been placed for the Brain Flash P2 while I was away will promptly be refunded.
WORKS would also like to assure its continued commitment to engineering enhancements and upgrades to the Brain Flash. This is to ensure that the Brain Flash is, and will continue to be, the clear leader in EVO ECU tuning technology.
Lastly, I would like to take a moment to explain the change in the pricing structure. While the P2 Brain Flash represents a far greater value than the nominal fee we are charging for the upgrade given the extensive development that went into engineering this enhancement (details from our engineering staff posted below), we believe that it is of paramount importance that our loyal customers have the opportunity to run the most advanced configuration of our product in their Evo once they have been brought into the WORKS tuning approach. We want to help you to go fast!
We appreciate the positive response that has been posted by customers already using the P2 enhancement and look forward to hearing more responses as the P2 finds its way to enthusiasts across the country.
-- DavidV
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"P2 Technical Development Overview
These are some of the details we felt we should share with all of you about the development process for our Brain Flash P2 product.
Subject: Precise Control
When attempting to control the boost with the factory ECU, first we had to determine the stock turbo’s compressor capacity and efficiency. We carefully studied the compressor’s maps, characteristics, and specifications.
Mitsubishi’s engineers, with their relatively unlimited R&D resources, designed a system that we needed to understand thoroughly as our initial starting point. Initially we established what the factory/stock system was trying to achieve and how it was accomplishing that. Controlling flow with mechanical devices and electronic controls in an open loop is relatively crude, but can be achieved effectively with meticulous data collection and testing. The Evo doesn’t have a direct feedback system/closed loop to directly control boost and this made the task more difficult. Many forced induction cars are equipped with a Manifold Air Pressure (MAP) sensor and control the boost based on the feedback provided by sensor. Trying to accomplish this without a direct feedback loop was quite an undertaking.
The mechanism to control boost in the Evo consists of primarily four fluid paths, we had to analyze all four of these paths. Two of our engineers have backgrounds in fluid dynamics. All four of those paths in themselves are some form of restriction -- specifically two of them have been modified/altered by Mitsubishi factory engineers, and this is where we focused our efforts. Scientifically, we attacked this situation starting with one variable at a time. We tested various sizes covering the whole spectrum. With each of those size changes, we modified the maps within the ECU and confirmed the effects of the various sizes in conjunction with the ECU changes.
Using our four-channel data logger and a calibrated pressure transducer, we collected data for flow, pressure, and solenoid Duty Cycle. This data was collected at various load and RPM levels on the road and on the dyno.
Our data and findings were submitted to a third party fluids engineering expert. Being very familiar with these types of systems he gave us some recommendations. It became clear why the factory Mitsubishi engineers chose the paths that they did and in fact the system works very well. This was only the beginning. Now we had the real work ahead of us.
_________________________________________
Development Phase
After running the numbers we identified the areas we wanted to target. We manufactured flow calibrated, laser cut, restrictors in various sizes centering around our target sizes. Again we ran more tests collecting data with boost flow, pressure, duty cycle…When we finally came to the sizes that we going to work best for us, we began evaluating the software parameters to properly control this set-up.
_________________________________________
We then began modifying the software and adjusting the 3D maps altering various boost parameters that allowed us to manipulate these variables….
What we found was that changing one single byte makes a significant impact on the boost in this very sensitive system. Once we set the boost parameters correctly on the road in 2nd 3rd and 4th gear, we brought the car to the dyno to verify that we could achieve these same boost levels in all three gears. As mentioned before, since the Mitsubishi boost is not a feedback (closed loop) system, replicating our results on the dyno was challenging. Several variables contributed to this: the load on the dyno is not identical to the load on the road and because dyno fans cannot replicate real road wind speed --critical for any vehicle equipped with a front mounted intercooler. Once we finally achieved the correct boost maps on the dyno, our attention turned to tuning the fuel and timing maps both on the dyno and back on the road.
When the final mapping was deemed to be completed, the mapping was subjected to extensive testing among multiple cars to ensure 100% accuracy and consistency.
In summary, working within the constraints of the factory Evo, we have come up with a safe, reliable product based on the R&D learned from the factory Mitsubishi engineers and taken their work a step further.
-- WORKS Engineering"
Last edited by DavidV@WORKS; Oct 13, 2003 at 04:59 AM.
Thanks for the update David......and welcome back!!!
Its certainly easy to armchair quarter-back a situation when its not your personal business at stake. Works response to their customers recent feedback regarding the P2 product pricing, is an example of not being adverse to embracing humility and less margin, and going the extra mile to meet the customers needs in a fair and balanced way.
You can never make everyone happy, but I believe that your efforts will go a long way towards restoring the majority of customers faith in Works, their products, and the confidence that Works does listen to their customers.
Hope to see you in St.Louis in Nov!!
Jeff/N10S
Its certainly easy to armchair quarter-back a situation when its not your personal business at stake. Works response to their customers recent feedback regarding the P2 product pricing, is an example of not being adverse to embracing humility and less margin, and going the extra mile to meet the customers needs in a fair and balanced way.
You can never make everyone happy, but I believe that your efforts will go a long way towards restoring the majority of customers faith in Works, their products, and the confidence that Works does listen to their customers.
Hope to see you in St.Louis in Nov!!
Jeff/N10S
Last edited by N10S; Oct 13, 2003 at 05:40 AM.
Great News!
Welcome back and thanks for the updated pricing and insight into the P2. We just added the Aperture to our Evo last week and look forward to the addition of the P2 as well. P1, the Aperture and the Exhale have made a tremendous improvement in our Evo, its very character has changed and it’s definitely been for the better, thanks.
Rick
Rick
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From: The Golden Rim Motor Inn
I was pretty sure we could count on WORKS to come through. 
I am sure with this package the volume will help cover the cost of all the r&d.
I am sure with this package the volume will help cover the cost of all the r&d.
Last edited by TragicallyHip; Oct 13, 2003 at 07:09 AM.
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Posts: 135
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From: NorCal
Hi David, glad you had a nice vacation. I had the P2 installed a week ago and am very impressed . Tell Pete I figured out what was wrong with my boost guage. When the dealership installed it, one of the strip ties were to tight and kinking the hose. Pete wanted to troubleshoot it, but I had to get back to work. I drove home almost 100 miles the next day and wow I noticed nice gains in the low,mid and high ranges. I was most impressed with it's roll on speed in 5th gear 
. My boost guage reads in bars, as I go through the gears at redline, I see 1.4-1.5 bars and does not let off till i back off the pedal 
. The car has a noticeably stronger pull then the P1 . You folks at WORKS built up a good customer base with your products, thanks for the clear explanation on the R&D of the P2. It sounds like WORKS built it with safety & reliability. Most of, all thanks for listening to your current & future customers 
. I look forward to the WORKS Dyno Day @ ATP .
. Tell Pete I figured out what was wrong with my boost guage. When the dealership installed it, one of the strip ties were to tight and kinking the hose. Pete wanted to troubleshoot it, but I had to get back to work. I drove home almost 100 miles the next day and wow I noticed nice gains in the low,mid and high ranges. I was most impressed with it's roll on speed in 5th gear . My boost guage reads in bars, as I go through the gears at redline, I see 1.4-1.5 bars and does not let off till i back off the pedal . The car has a noticeably stronger pull then the P1 . You folks at WORKS built up a good customer base with your products, thanks for the clear explanation on the R&D of the P2. It sounds like WORKS built it with safety & reliability. Most of, all thanks for listening to your current & future customers . I look forward to the WORKS Dyno Day @ ATP .
Last edited by jess; Oct 13, 2003 at 07:12 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 135
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From: NorCal
Originally posted by jess
Hi David, glad you had a nice vacation. I had the P2 installed a week ago and am very impressed . Tell Pete I figured out what was wrong with my boost guage. When the dealership installed it, one of the strip ties were to tight and kinking the hose. Pete wanted to troubleshoot it, but I had to get back to work. I drove home almost 100 miles the next day and wow I noticed nice gains in the low,mid and high ranges. I was most impressed with it's roll on speed in 5th gear . My boost guage reads in bars, as I go through the gears at redline, I see 1.4-1.5 bars and does not let off till i back off the pedal . The car has a noticeably stronger pull then the P1 . You folks at WORKS built up a good customer base with your products and customer service, thanks for the clear explanation on the R&D of the P2. It sounds like WORKS built it with safety & reliability. Most of, all thanks for listening to your current & future customers & making us 1st priority . I look forward to the WORKS Dyno Day @ ATP .
Hi David, glad you had a nice vacation. I had the P2 installed a week ago and am very impressed
. Tell Pete I figured out what was wrong with my boost guage. When the dealership installed it, one of the strip ties were to tight and kinking the hose. Pete wanted to troubleshoot it, but I had to get back to work. I drove home almost 100 miles the next day and wow I noticed nice gains in the low,mid and high ranges. I was most impressed with it's roll on speed in 5th gear . My boost guage reads in bars, as I go through the gears at redline, I see 1.4-1.5 bars and does not let off till i back off the pedal . The car has a noticeably stronger pull then the P1 . You folks at WORKS built up a good customer base with your products and customer service, thanks for the clear explanation on the R&D of the P2. It sounds like WORKS built it with safety & reliability. Most of, all thanks for listening to your current & future customers & making us 1st priority . I look forward to the WORKS Dyno Day @ ATP .
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From: Nothern CA
Kudos David...Welcome back and thank you for listening and acting promptly with fairness. I do not believe that I am alone in my thinking that a company that listens and responds to their customer base will enjoy long term profits that "good will" and reputaion produces. I am really excited about the up comming dyno day.
