[OpenFlash]

Continued from here.

I never really thought of a name for this tune yet. Mostly because I didn't know if there would even be a market for it. But given the interest in low cost quasi-tunes/boost controllers, I started working on something a couple months ago.


(Bare board prototype shown)

I initially entertained the idea of making an SSTT-like device that plugged into the TMAP sensor. I even went so far as to source the connector housings which was no small feat. But with only a TMAP and IAT signals available to manipulate, I was restricted in what tuning changes I could induce. That approach would also prevent a functional user interface which has been one of our priorities from day one will the PROcede. I didn't see any reason for this entry level product to not follow suit. And given the number of people who have broken their TMAP connector housings, I figured another approach would be more risk-free as well as being more functional and flexible.

So we took a page from the PROcede install and designed a PnP patch harness. It's basically 1/4 of a PROcede harness. Instead of installing 4 subconnectors, there is only 1. And there is no external power tap due since there are no plans to ever replicate any >5v signals. So install would take about 1-2 minutes once the ECU is exposed (which takes 2-8 min).

Extending from the single subconnector patch is a 6" cable that can either be kept in the ECU box (along with the handheld control unit). Or routed through the firewall like a PROcede's USB cable. If that case, the control unit can be stored in the glove box and pulled out when making adjustments.

The Hardware

As for the adjustments, there is 1 knob and 2 switches.

Switch 1- Turns the tuning device On/Off

Switch 2- Activates a boost "equalizer" which effectively raises boost when intake temps are low. For those with upgraded ICs or running in cold temps, this switch alone raises boost by 2-3psi. The effective boost increase induced by this "equalizer" reduces as IATs increase which is good if safety/consistency is a concern (and it should be). It basically raises boost when conditions are nice and engine-friendly.

Knob- Adjusts the amount of boost rise not dependent on intake temps. This a rotary dial and can be set anywere from 0-100%. This adjustment will raise boost an additional 0-4psi.

LED Display- The LEDs light up in response to boost pressure. 1psi per LED starting at 8psi. It will impress your friends if you velcro it to you dash.

The TUNE

Since real engine tuning isn't about turning up the boost by Xpsi, we have some general guidelines to follow if you want to maintain a decent safety margin while enjoying extra power.

1) If you are just looking forward to taking advantage of cool nights and/or your upgraded FMIC, just switch ON the "Boost Equalizer". This will bring your boost up by 2-3psi. You will pick up 20-25whp. And since we aren't even adjusting the TMAP signal at this point, this boost bump is DME-induced. In other words, what you see on your BavTech boost logs is accurate. In very hot conditions, you will see 1-1.5psi more than stock. Pretty sensible. And safe.

2) If you are looking for more power, you can the (in addition to step 1) turn the rotary knob up a bit. At 1/2 way, it will raise boost by another ~1.5-2psi across the board and provide another ~15whp.

3) If you want even more power, you can turn it up all the way. This will raise boost another ~1.5psi. But only up to 5500rpm above which point it will taper back down to where it was in Step 2 above. This top end boost taper is a safety precaution given the fact that this system provides no active ignition timing or direct wastegate solenoid driving. Trying to keep boost pressure high all the way towards redline just makes the engine cranky and relatively inconsistent. Looks good on a dyno sheet if you only show a couple of runs. But crummy on the road.

The DYNO

Before anyone complains, yes, all the following results were from my personal car. It already had all the bolt-on goodies (helix fmic, full catless exhaust and twin intakes). All these results were on 91oct. No race gas mix at all. I'll test on a stock car later this week. And then with a 93oct mix.

Stock tune vs. Step 1 (Boost EQ) 7psi vs. 9psi


Stock tune vs. Step 2 (Boost EQ+50%) 7psi vs. 10.5-11psi


Stock tune vs. Step 3 (Boost EQ+100%) 7psi vs. 12-13psi up to 5500rpm taper down to 10-11psi above that. Please note that the Y axis scaling is different in this graph.


Note: All these runs were taken within the span of an hour with me jumping back and forth between "steps" for testing purposes. So adaption isn't complete by any means. But even so, the results were pretty consistent, smooth and knock-free.

FAQ

Q: What's the price?
A: Probably around $250-350 depending on how fancy looking we make the hand held controller. I think we have all the functionality we need though. Might consider putting in an expansion plug to add fuel control at a later date. We will also offer a trade-up program to PROcedes.

Q: Is this diagnostically invisible in 29.2+ cars.
A: Step 1 certainly is. Step 2 has proven to be invisible as well. Step 3 is pushing it.

Q: How does this compare to the PROcede.
A: Since is to does not control fuel pressure, it will have to run less boost than the PROcede to remain diagnostically invisible. Also, since it does not control ignition timing or have directly drive the solenoids, it's not going to make the same top end power as the PROcede. Nor will it offer the same off boost engine response, partial throttle response or fuel economy. On the dyno, the PROcede offers a commanding advantage at high rpm. But this no name tune is considerably better, imho of course, than the other TMAP attenuator devices out there.

PROcede Stg 3 Doomsday map vs. Boost EQ+100%


If you guys have more questions, I'll be happy to answer them and add them to this FAQ.
Cheers,
Shiv

[Joonsup]

I would like to see the dyno on a bone stock car or a car with just an intake. hmmm

[rooster3.0]

Would this require a soleniod bypass?

[Crimson92]

they all give in eventually



that is all

[runningman]

This appears to be like a JB-Stage 2 with their adjustment dial? Considering those go for $120 now your $200 price point seems OK but isn't this a couple years too late?

The bigger picture like I said in that other thread is there is nothing quick install about this. Give us something that goes on the tmap so we don't have to enter the ECU box, remove and pull apart the connector, etc! Bring it back with a quick install capability and we'll talk!

[OpenFlash]

Originally Posted by runningman

This appears to be like a JB-Stage 2 with their adjustment dial? Considering those go for $120 now your $200 price point seems OK but isn't this a couple years too late?

Jb2s aren't plug-in. And they didn't have an in-car boost display. And they didn't work as well as this.

The bigger picture like I said in that other thread is there is nothing quick install about this. Give us something that goes on the tmap so we don't have to enter the ECU box, remove and pull apart the connector, etc! Bring it back with a quick install capability and we'll talk!

We're talking now, aren't we? This product can install in less than 10min with just an 8mm wrench. If you're good, less than 3 min. I suppose it takes longer than plugging in a Tmap connector. But if a few extra minutes per install/uninstall isn't worth the extra goods for you, that's cool.

Originally Posted by joonsup

I would like to see the dyno on a bone stock car or a car with just an intake. hmmm

Me too Will try to get to that this upcoming week. Will have to borrow a local customers car first.

Shiv

[joec500]

you should have a Name that Toon Contest

[roadkillrob]

I would think there would be a market for this, the beauty of the Turbo Tuner or JB+ is the ease of install for gain, but this appears to give more gain for a lot less money than something like the Turbo Tuner, so it would be nice for someone not afraid to open the ECU to get good power for reasonable money. Those that want more can move up, those that don't want to touch the ECU can stick to the models that manipulate the TMAP sensor.

[NM_BMW]

Cool that it has the in cockpit controls, but if you can't disconnect the board from the harness how are you going to fit it through that access hole in the ecu box? The usb barely fits.

[Rotary Rasp]

Interesting....

[OpenFlash]

Originally Posted by Humtek

Cool that it has the in cockpit controls, but if you can't disconnect the board from the harness how are you going to fit it through that access hole in the ecu box? The usb barely fits.

Ha I was waiting for someone to point that out. With the proto, I just rain the cable through the window during development. The production unit will have a small connector that plugs onto the board.

Shiv

[runningman]

We're talking now, aren't we? This product can install in less than 10min with just an 8mm wrench. If you're good, less than 3 min. I suppose it takes longer than plugging in a Tmap connector. But if a few extra minutes per install/uninstall isn't worth the extra goods for you, that's cool.

My point is that regardless of the price, what draws people to the SSTT and now the JB+ isn't to save money. Up until recently SSTT was one of the more expensive tunes per HP. It is about a true PnP easy install system. If I am going to take apart the cowl, ECU, connectors, etc, I am going to put in a JB3 or V3. It isn't much more money, especially a used one.

What you need to do is stop playing around at Radio Shack and start working on the Vishnu reflash!

[De90man]

"No Name" ?

Traditional marketing tactics DO work ya know?!

[DrewKo]

Nice product, Shiv. I think this will be very appealing and very cost-effective. Thems good power bumps on the dyno sheets.

[rocketpop]

That would be my big hang up as well, if I was going though the trouble of getting into the ECU, hell I might as well put a full blown piggyback in.

[Monaco35Dream]

Originally Posted by rocketpop

That would be my big hang up as well, if I was going though the trouble of getting into the ECU, hell I might as well put a full blown piggyback in.

but you wont get cool LED's haha

[Weefer335i]

Is this supposed to market to the same people interested in the JB+?

[scalbert]

Interesting. That 2500 RPM torque looks strong; nearly 50 lb/ft more than the PROcede. Albeit, a more typical turbo curve; strong down low but falling quickly as the revs climb.

I just wonder about the market for this since the cowl does need to be pulled. We'll have to see as I would probably pull the cowl just to get to the TMAP anyway.

[kenni243]

WoW man...Think outside of the ECU for this tune man...If you want to get new buyers toward this tune ..TMAP or some "easy" plug device that give "moderate" power is the way to go. What make you think people will go with this tune if they need to open up the ECU? 8-10 minutes install is still a lot longer then 20 second install in my book.

[Choolgooz]

Originally Posted by kenni243

WoW man...Think outside of the ECU for this tune man...If you want to get new buyers toward this tune ..TMAP or some "easy" plug device that give "moderate" power is the way to go. What make you think people will go with this tune if they need to open up the ECU? 8-10 minutes install is still a lot longer then 20 second install in my book.

I agree.

Though this is a cool lil mod, some people are 100% against opening up the ECU. Something like the JB+ plus a max setting with +.5lb boost over what the JB+ offers and the ability to change your settings from outside of the case for $249

Ya'll sold me on the V3 already, I finally updated to the recent firmware/maps and all i can say is BAADASSS

[eazydoezit]

Let me just say that I'm sure more than half the people here can't get into their ECU in 10 min. Straight lie. My first time it took me 30 min.

[OpenFlash]

Originally Posted by eazydoezit

Let me just say that I'm sure more than half the people here can't get into their ECU in 10 min. Straight lie. My first time it took me 30 min.

A lie... Really? How long does it take to remove six 8mm bolts and pull off the bulkhead cover? It's a sub 10 minute job. I suppose someone could take 3 hours if he doesn't know how a wrench works

Shiv