ECU Reporgramming Rather than EFIE?

[SteveO]

I've always wondered, instead of trying to fool the ECU, why not just make it learn by reprogramming it. I can understand you'd rather fool it so you don't VOID your vehicles warranty, but what about the older vehicles that no longer have their factory warranty's? You can get a chipped ECU or have your existing ECU chipped, and get something like Hondata, Neptune, or eCtune so you can change how you want your vehicle to run and let the ECU do the thinking, opposed to messing with knobs. With the knobs on the EFIE/MAP, some set their fuel mixture too lean, and then they don't have power when they need it, or they're just not running efficiently enough.

Anyway....just thought I'd bring this topic up since I haven't seen anyone bring this idea into the mix.

[hg2]

I've always wondered, instead of trying to fool the ECU, why not just make it learn by reprogramming it. I can understand you'd rather fool it so you don't VOID your vehicles warranty, but what about the older vehicles that no longer have their factory warranty's? You can get a chipped ECU or have your existing ECU chipped, and get something like Hondata, Neptune, or eCtune so you can change how you want your vehicle to run and let the ECU do the thinking, opposed to messing with knobs. With the knobs on the EFIE/MAP, some set their fuel mixture too lean, and then they don't have power when they need it, or they're just not running efficiently enough.

Anyway....just thought I'd bring this topic up since I haven't seen anyone bring this idea into the mix.

That was discussed a few days ago on Resagos "Ecu Thread" under engine integration sub forum.

[SteveO]

Ah, ok, Thanks. =)

[Painless]

Surely though, with this level of adjustment available, one could achieve much better MPG results?

I, for one, see a lot of potential for a device that allows ignition timing etc to be adjusted.

[kerry k]

I've always wondered, instead of trying to fool the ECU, why not just make it learn by reprogramming it. I can understand you'd rather fool it so you don't VOID your vehicles warranty, but what about the older vehicles that no longer have their factory warranty's? You can get a chipped ECU or have your existing ECU chipped, and get something like Hondata, Neptune, or eCtune so you can change how you want your vehicle to run and let the ECU do the thinking, opposed to messing with knobs. With the knobs on the EFIE/MAP, some set their fuel mixture too lean, and then they don't have power when they need it, or they're just not running efficiently enough.

Anyway....just thought I'd bring this topic up since I haven't seen anyone bring this idea into the mix.

I totally agree with this. This is my x-mas present to myself
http://www.bgsoflex.com/megasquirt.html

[Boltazar]

I'm sure we would like a review by the auto techs here on this product. Based on the web site....................

[Jaxom]

I've seen a lot of hot-rod guys with seriously modified engines use Megasquirt. I've never used it myself so I can't give reviews on it, but from what I hear it's good stuff. Keep in mind most of these guys' engines have aftermarket cams, upgraded intakes and possibly heads, most of the emissions hardware gone, oversized injectors, and who knows what else. Some even run forced induction or nitrous oxide. Go to the message board at www.thirdgen.org and check out the subforum "DFI and ECM." It's a Camaro-specific site but there's a lot of good info there on EFI tuning in general, and a bunch of guys using Megasquirt that can help you if you run into problems. That site gets a lot of traffic so use the search button to find what you need. They don't like it when people ask questions that have already been answered a dozen times.

[kerry k]

To be totally honest one of the main reasons I am going Megasquirt is to run E-85. My car (86 Merkur xr4ti) With its 22+ year old electronics is just not adaptable enough to fully take advantage of HHO and its benifits. Being a turbo charged car any lean condition is bad. On my car tricking the sensors just moves the problem somewhere else. I tried fooling my O2 sensor then the timing was off. The oxygenated garbage the smog nazis try and pass off as gasoline in my area only makes things a lot worse.

I personaly know of 6 people running megasquirt. They all love it. It's laptap programable, lets you program all the varibles into your fuel map. I plan on making 3 different programs 1 for e/85 hho, 1 for pump gas hho and 1 for race gas only

[HiTechRedNeck73]

the biggest downfall to megasquirt is that it's not emissions legal... you are essentially modifying emissions equipment and forcing it to do what you want... I don't know what state you're in, but around here it would be impossible to do... smog stations in CA plug into the OBD port for testing, so anything out of the ordinary is failed...

I even doubt an EFIE would be allowed in this state... if the smog machine knows the difference, then that is not an option for me... that is why I've been very interested in anyone with OBD data while running hho...

there is a process to get an exemption for smog testing, but it requires getting a prototype permit and certification as if you were going to produce the product as a business... it get's very costly...

if your state isn't that bad yet... great, it may work for you...

[resago]

Alabama doesn't even have vehicle inspection, let alone emissions.
If it has 4 wheels and a tag, you can drive it