SqeekyMclean

Hi

Is anybody using any of these opensource mapping and tuning software for their scooby's?

Reflashing software
EcuFlash - reflashes many 2001+ Subaru and Mitsubishi vehicles
EcuExplorer - reflashes 2001-2005 WRXs

Tuning software
EcuFlash - edits arbitrary ROM images with proper definition info
EcuEdit - edits arbitrary ROM images with proper definition info
Enginuity - edits arbitrary ROM images with proper definition info
TunerPro - edits arbitrary ROM images with proper definition info

Logging software
EcuExplorer - logs from almost all modern Subarus
MitsuLogger - logs from Mitsubishis
LogWorks 2.0 - logs from Innovate WBO2 and other sensors - now has EcuFlash support

Connecting cable and laptop and away you go. Map everytime you upgrade a part on your car yourself.

Please remember to donate these people for developing and making their software available for free for all us to download

Logging Example: YouTube - Basic Enginuity/RomRaider Datalogging How-To

Ecu Flash : YouTube - How-to flash your Evo ecu using ecuflash

MartynJ

I personally recommend that every one should think very carefully about attempting any mapping on their own cars...
With a complete lack of experience and a poor understanding of how the combustion engine works this could lead to disastrous consequences...
But hey feel free to have a go , more engines to build all round...
There is a reason that the services of people like myself , Andy F , Bob Rawle and JGM to name a few are in such demand ....

SqeekyMclean

not really rocket science?

dhforever

I dont think you now what your talking about and if your just looking for a "fight" then go else where.

hux309

You would need a wideband afr and det cans as a minimum, im still dabbling and granted it isn't as hard as some like to make out but it is also easy to kill your engine through lack of fuel causing det or overfuelling causing bore wash.

Time you buy all the gear it'll cost you just as much as a remap anyway if not more.

This is what a friend used on my 309 we mapped.

Innovate Wideband O2's: LC-1 Wideband w/ DB Gauge Kit - SpeedClinic.net

And this would be the det cans.

Phormula - Advanced Engine Knock Detection

Det sounds like knocking/clicking as the fuel is being burnt before it is supposed to causing a wave front to be formed that places strain on the engine.

Clarkie172

You must have some ***** to attempt this! Why bother? As said, people specialise in this field. For £650 you may as well have it done properly!

MartynJ

And by somebody who has either been tuning cars for 30 years plus of all shapes and sizes , or been tuning Subarus since the late 90's.....

Keith Collings

iTrader: (3)

Yep - Artexing ceilings and mapping - get a professional

Varboy

If you are prepared to pay out if it all goes horribly wrong, then I say go for it!!

The US scene have been doing this for a while and so there is a lot of knowledge out there. The UK Evo scene is also more embracing of open source.

Like anything, remaping an ECU is all about complying to rules. Obviously the experience of someone who has been doing it every day, year in year out will count for something when it comes to mapping but IMO mappers shouldn't be treated like demi-gods as they on here sometimes.

Saying that, I've always used mappers to map my cars and wouldn't attempt it myself, but that's because I am inpatient and not because of the risks.

bighead

iTrader: (1)

too much hassle to learn to map yr own car .....get the pros to do it

Big Bear

If you are prepared to spend the time doing research, reading the openecu and romraider forums the results are very rewarding.

SqeekyMclean

Another vid - YouTube - After D/P install ECU reprogram with ECUFlash / Enginuity

hmmyip

+1 here!!

I have been doing it for 12 months now and been researching it for 4 years (previous car couldnt be done, my98) and I will never stop learning, nor would I ever try mapping someone elses car, but quite happy with the tuning I get, better mileage per gallon more resposive throttle and pulls nicely, and 2 stage rev limiting, all for the price of a cable (£80?) and a Wideband.

Do read the romraider forums though (enginuity's new name), oh and scoobypedia. It takes a lot of bottle to do your first flash, so read and read again before you think of doing anything.

What I would advise is LOG, LOG, LOG and LOG. And when you think you have enough LOG some more, BEFORE you even contemplate re tuning and any alterations you do must be small, then re log and compare the differences.

I do not claim to be an expert, as previously mentioned, the North American's have been doing it a lot longer, unfortunately that means when they talk about fuel ratings, remember theirs is different to ours..... but names like freon, merchgod, teacups etc are all very knowledgeable.

Also american models are different ie they dont have 02 sti turbo as an example.

There are also some very good books out there if you want to learn, which are posted on various forums.

Hasn't done my car any harm, but it is definately 'try at your own risk'.

Well thats my 2 penneth........ I would pay for someone else to do it, but I want to learn and if I went down the ECU~~K route then thats it, game over, no more opensource as the ecu is locked out.

frayz

iTrader: (7)

100% Agree...

I dont know why the mappers get themselves in such a fluster over things like this. How many people will actually want to learn to use opensource etc.

So the business loss is probably around 1%

Do your research, take your time, get the tools and give it a go. Im still learning with mine

JTaylor

Could you recommend someone that fits this bill?

MartynJ

Lol , as it appens Mr Taylor yes I can...
About time you got yourself back behind the wheel of a Scooby isn't it...?

JTaylor

Not in the big league like these boys anymore, Martyn. One day, maybe one day.

davedipster

An opensource mapping forum on here would be handy so we can all post our std and user modified ROMS. I'm guessing it be possible to copy a std/ppp/333 map and post it on the forum so others could flash it?

dipster

hmmyip

Yeah I have always thought this, I have tried getting some 'enthusiasm' going on the opensource forums, but there are just not enough brits go look at it to share ideas/maps etc with.

I do have quite a nice collection of various roms though

STiFreak

iTrader: (4)

I would be careful about posting ppp or 333 or any other comercial rom image ... the companies who developed the map, might view that as theft of intellectual property and would probably not take too kindly to that. User tuned roms on the other hand would be good, although Romraider already has some of these bouncing about.

I think Opensource tuning is a great tool to have available, but be prepared to put in a whole lot of work if you want to do it yourself safely. By a whole lot of work, I mean months of reading all you can find on forums and in books; making small changes and logging to to see the effects (and repeat many, many times); adding new hardware making changes to see where improvements in the map can be made; when you get stuck on things be prepared to work it out yourself or beg and plead for assistance from someone that has been through it before (most of who are not very keen to help out). Yes, it is fun and can be rewarding, but don't under estimate the work involved in learning this.

I do agree that the current mappers are unlikely to loose much business from people OS mapping their own cars, so I find it a pity that so many seem intent on OS bashing at every opportunity, which only harms their own reputations in the end.

rbaz

iTrader: (1)

When I was in school at careers meetings (am 28 now) I always said I wanted to be an ECU mapper but the careers bloke said I had to find something that was more realistic and achievable and talked me in to electronic engineering which I packed in after the first year.

I ended up as a computer engineer so it’s not all bad but would love to read up a bit more about open source mapping and logging
Shame mine can be done MY97

hmmyip

I totally agree, all my roms are completely opensource and not taken from anyone else's pro tuned map.

I am a complete believer in opensource and everything it stands for, and do not have any ecu--k maps or 333. I only have peoples maps who, like me, believe in opensource tuning, given to me by themselves.

This is where the tuners are worried and I can completly understand that, even if I say 'nope not me, I wont do it', I can guarantee there are another hundred or so that would, just look at MSoft and how people rip their software.

So I understand the reason behind ECU--K locking the ECU and good for them. But unfortunately its not for me because I want to further my knowledge on this and fully understand how to get the best from my car. Its the sense of satisfaction if you like, it may take a lot longer (4 years and 200 pounds instead of 4 hours and 600 pounds), but I did it.

frayz

iTrader: (7)

The thing is 99% of people that have their car Ecutek mapped are not told that their ECU will be locked afterwards.

rbaz

iTrader: (1)

How do they lock them
Cant it be unlocked?

STiFreak

iTrader: (4)

Yeah and I agree that is completely out of order and people should be told when they book their first remap with an ecutek tuner.
I had that problem, but then decided to keep my original ecu with ecutek map as a spare, linked to my spare keys, after seeing the problems dynamix had and bought a second hand ecu from Grade-A for £80 which I am now tuning on. I could have obviously sold on the ECutek'd ecu for the license value, but I felt it was worth the peace of mind to keep.

reano

iTrader: (2)

Mapping along with any job can be learnt ... simple as that but they will all take time and some cost (Not just an £80 cable) as you have to map, research, etc, etc.

Also there is only a certain amount of years knowledge that is relevant in any industry (especially mapping or software-electro-mechanical based industries) as things involve and somethings which were around 20 years ago are totally irrelevant today. I've been in Software development for over 15 years and it makes me laugh when someone says they have 20+ years development experience as thats not whats relevenat it's what programming language did you use, in what industry, etc. So someone who has 5 years experience could (in the right circumstance) have more 'relevant' experience than someone with 20+ years experience (like me for instance).

Anyway back to the point (and I will end by still recommending you go to an experienced 'friendly' mapper)

To go down this route. Some recommendations would be as follows:

1) Get yourself on a good basic course like the EFI101 (that a lot of mappers around the world go on) this will give you the basics about how most electronic fuel injection systems work.
2) Get the books and research via the various forums as mentioned (they really are good)...
3) As well as mapping see if you can book dyno time at a garage with one
4) Keep learning on your own car....

Having said all that ... and yes im in favour of opensource and I work in the software industry.... The time and cost to do the above to me isn't worth it. I know if I put my mind to it I could do it but I don't see myself mapping my car that often. Also anyone thinking of setting up should think twice as you have to add to te above

Indeminity insurance, possibly a rolling road or use of one, premises (and all the associated costs), advertising, accountancy, etc, etc.... You may be able to charge more an hour but will you really get 40 hours+ of work week in week out....

I have no bias to a mapper as I don't do this for a living but I think it's best to stick with a good established mapper and maybe get an intelligent boost controller and easy tune to allow you to 'tweak' the boost, wastegate duty, ignition advance and similar.

A good mapper has nothing to fear (a recent one I been to being Zen Performance) but those who treat customers as cash cows will need to think again....

SqeekyMclean

Anyone one else tried and tested the above software?

Shark Man

Funny that alot of mappers don't have much hands-on experience with building engines.....

So think for second. How does a mapper "know" what an engine can physically handle. If they didn't build it, or have experience with rebuilding the stock engines in which one gains a good insight to which components wear out faster and are more vunerable. They need to blow up a few first to work that out And even then they need to work on something that will ensure the engine will last over 30,000miles to avoid any negative comeback from the customer (i.e its the mapper's fault ).

Is it the old rule: As long as the car runs long enough without something breaking or wearing out prematurely - it MUST be ok?

How many previous cars was a map developed on to asses that it is ok? And who did tose ars belong to (guinea pigs, or customers? ) Of course with the subscribed networks where one can download a pre-made map to customise yourself is a helpful starting point...but who said that starting point was ok? The 10% rule? Few runs on a dyno? Few laps on a race track? With the pre-made base maps one can obtain with licensed software they are always a bit sketchy on the details of its origins.

In the ideal world a ECU map would be tested for at least 100,000miles on a test mule to ensure its safe for its purpose. Afterall; thats at least as long as most people would want to see their engines last for.

Not that it matters much; As an end mapper can adjust it to suit the car or customer's wants (loadsa powaar!)....but based on what? Live data from Sensor readings and gut "feel"?

Point being; They are no strict guarantees. One can be pretty certain, if done badly, something will go ary in a few thousand miles. And if done well the engine will be good for at least a few years and 20K odd miles....but proper long term....100,000miles, 10 years time?

Can't be so sure, can you? Unless you expect to rebuild the engine at 50K before it blows (pre-emptive rebuild is much more cost effective than rebuilding a blown engine).

<gets off fence>

eggy790

iTrader: (20)

sorry to bump u p an old thread, but its an interesting topic

does anyone these days offer open source mapping? might be good for those who just really want to get the car running right with breathing mods such as decatted exhaust etc. but dont want to pay the huge inital remap cost for the licesnse..

something more around 200 / 300 pound for open source map might get more people, as with scoobys, a lot do simple breathing mods, due to the awesome boxer sound.

bluenose172

iTrader: (2)

I've no doubt the popularity of OS mapping will grow in the country, just needs time. It's not just for cars with simple mods either, it can push the OEM ECU to it's limits. Not sure ECUTek mappers will use OS software, I don't know what ECUTek as a company think about OS, it might conflict with their interests.