Switching Ecutek maps...
 

Hi guys,

On my 2003 STi I'm getting remapped in a few weeks, thinking about dual maps. I know that to change the map, you full throttle and press the demister button, but do you get a flash of the CEL light or something similar?

I was just wondering, without a boost guage it would be tricky to know which map you were on until you booted it?

That trick doesn't change the actual map (no dual mapping), just alters the boost limit.

Never used mine in 9 years LOL. For dual mapping you need a later Jap ECU or a different ECU.

That's how I remember it anyhow but might have changed :)

Shaun

Sorry, I realise that. I want a lower boost setting for car going into the garage and also for the wife.. ;)

I'm just wondering if there is a dashboard light that flashes when you switch maps/boost levels. Like, 1 flash of the CEL light for low boost and 2 flashes for high boost?

No indication of the change has been set on my ECU, nothing would flash........however it would be patently obvious as the car would drive like it's on no / low boost.. bit f a nightmare if you decided to overtake :(

Also when the garage does a test drive it won't boost properly and they will start to diagnose it....also anybody who knows (most people) will just try and toggle it anyway.

All IMHO :)

Shaun

Mmm... I think I'll probably just not bother. Apparently I can have both settings set to the same which in effect cancels it.

The car restricts boost when it's cold anyway, so wouldn't be obvious which boost setting you were on to start with anyway.

I had originally thought it would be good to have an economy/power setting, but if it's only adjusting boost pressure then won't really affect economy, just stay off boost and that will be the best economy possible?

Not sure that the ECU cuts boost when cold.?

Yep, best fuel economy measure is a light right foot. :) EcuTeK mapping actually improves general fuel economy as the factory map is quite rich (cooling)...

Shaun

It does, part of the original factory map. It's coolant temperature linked boost, when you first drive the car it feels sluggish and won't boost. Designed so you don't kick it's arse when it's cold. It will be retained after remap.

It does do that yes. I thought you meant cold outside, so did Shaun.

Ah sorry, meant after starting car from cold, as in cold coolant. :)

Any ECUTek mappers care to let us know what year ROM you write to WRX's 2001-2005? Just looked at my ROM(WRX 2001) and it doesn't have ECT comps for boost, I'm assuming you write the same ROM for all WRX's between these years?

I guess your rom definitions are not complete enough then.

cheers

bob

I'd be surprised if it hasn't been found and defined. It's A4SE900D with the burst/continuous boost control type.

Edit to say, the reason I'd be surprised is its present in Roms from 2003 onwards.

Confirmed, just had a double check on my stock ROM file.

Bob, out of curiosity, are you able to open the attached hex file and read an EGT boost comp table?

Why are you asking ?

cheers

bob

Had a quick compare of an EDM WRX vs EDM STi map (both MY02) and only the STi map had an ECT boost correction table.

Just curious to see if that's because the definitions are incomplete or whether the WRX simply doesn't have that table (not after any info to be able to complete the definitions or anything like that).

There is more than one way to skin a cat and whilst it may not be ideal, it's certainly an option available......

Using EcuTEK's EasyECU (or more recently as I understand, ProECU) you can re-program your UK MY03 ECU will a complete map file. The downsides are that you need a PC type device to enable you to do that but it's an option.

Car is being mapped soon at Andy Forrest, still not sure about the twin maps (ok, boost) but will probably decide on the day. Maybe nice to have a wife mode... ;)

Hi Gigsy, just because the maps not showing doesn't mean its not there, just that its not been identified, I have a sort of enhanced tuner status for the ecutek software so I have access to literally dozens of maps that have not got definition data to them, the OS roms are basically the same roms so the same situation exists.

This is why, although I have the OS software and can use it, I prefer not to. The devil is in the detail.

ProEcu demands that a car has been mapped initially for the process to work effectively, unless a car is mapped properly and that rom file used as the update base then its all a guess. But its very good for that purpose.

I regularly adjust and email back aftermarket ecu roms based on logged data for customers that I have mapped cars for and given the right approach it can be very effective for relatively minor changes, but large scale stuff must be mapped in car.

cheers

bob

I had spoken to Litchfields about all of this and that ideally a CEL flash to indicate which map was in operation on ignition, would be one hell of a positive addition (for JDM full map switching). The request was discussed with Ben / Mervyn, with them stating it should be possible, but RaceROM was sucking dev resources at the time.

If it was fairly easy to implement this would be awesome in my opinion.

Precisely, which is why I was wondering if your EcuTek software showed the ECT adjustment table or not. I was interested to know if the fact that it was missing in RomRaider was because the definition was not present or because the stock ROM for the A4SE900D ECU simply doesn't have that table... I'm sure with all the R&D work that EcuTek do, their definitions would be very complete and would be able to provide an answer.

I'm not sure I fully get what you're saying re access to the maps that don't have definition data... are you saying that your EcuTek software doesn't have the ECU definitions for the A4SE900D ECU and therefore isn't able to read the tables in hex file I posted (which is just a straight grab from the aforementioned ECU), or that EcuTek may not have defined the ECT adjustment table either?

What I was asking is do ECUTek mappers flash one WRX Rom to WRX's from 2001-2005? I'd love to try to flash a 03 rom to my 01 but don't want to brick my ECU.

Port the values over to your stock map... that way you should have all the right tables etc (do so at own risk! :)). Or simply compare them to see any differences first.

Edit: I've done this with an 05 map on to my MY02 bug WRX with no issues BTW (PM me if you want a copy. It's set up for decat centre and backbox - not sure what mods you're running).

It's more to do with my preference with the boost control on the 03+ Rom's, not the content of the tables.

You mean in terms of the ECT compensation you mentioned earlier?

No. It's more to do with the change to initial and max wgdc tables, doing away with the burst/continuous tables. The ECT thing I'm not that bothered about, my right foot takes care of that until the engine is up to temp.

Ah yes, I'd missed you mentioning that.

Will be interesting to hear what the result is - my gut says the ECU firmware would probably need to know about the tables in the ROM in order to read/use them... hopefully someone with the appropriate knowledge will be along to provide an actual answer. Like you say, I certainly wouldn't want to try it without knowing for sure :)

I think it would be fine. The JDM derived Group N Rom will flash on to the 2001 EDM WRX ECU, so flashing a 2003+ WRX ROM should be fine too. I don't want to be the first to try though!;)

It's things like this that make a strong case for getting a spare ECU :)

Yeah, I bought a spare ECU for my Spec C. The good thing about the JDM though is you can swap the ECU as and when you want, no need to worry about the immobiliser. I think the WRX would have to be resynched by a dealer.

Yes, for a full back up, I think you'd need to have a spare key programmed to the other ECU too :)

I believe EcuTek can program keys but otherwise, yes it would mean a trip to the dealer.