Programmable ECU Vs Factory ECU

[Al]

Let me start be saying that, i am not posting this thread just to promote the Wolf 3D as the best ecu blah blah.....( As i beleive similar power gains can be acheived using any PROVEN programmable ecu) My intention for this topic is to demonstrate to people, especially the youger performance car drivers, the advantages and power gains to be had by installing a programmable ecu. I feel that too many 'newbies' think that a BIG turbo with a factory ecu is the best way to go. Unfortunately this belief is not only wrong, but can lead to a blown motor and turbo. I have seen this done, motor blew and fired peices of metal into a new turbo.

True power gains can be accomplished safely b4 you even touch the turbo.

I decided to attach a picture of a dyno sheet of my car. This was done a few weeks ago and I wasn’t going to post it as the power rating/figure doesn’t mean squat. I am just showing you a comparison between the wolf 3d ecu and the factory ecu.

Back round info:

This was done, as I wasn’t happy with my dyno result on the Dr_Drift Dyno day.

My mechanic is in the process of purchasing a dyno, so the rep. from dyno dynamics brought the dyno to the w/shop to demonstrate all its operations. (Lucky for me, my car was the test car )

Now the rep did all the setting up and driving, whilst my mechanic was in the passenger seat, I was on the sidelines. So if the dyno dynamic rep. can’t do an accurate run, who can? (Read: This is a true reading of the car’s power). I also put my factory rims back on, as I knew my 19 “s would produce a lower kW reading (physics)

After doing a few runs with the wolf, we plugged back in the factory ecu to see the difference. A couple of runs were done on the ecu with the same results. I do not know if the ecu needs time to recalibrate itself after being unplugged, but the results were huge. Also, before buying the wolf the car would backfire and loose power while on hi-boost (this occured due to the inability of the factory ecu to adapt to my modifications), thus prompting me to get the wolf 3d.

*All runs were done without the huge fan at the front of the car, as there was no room on the dyno dynamics trailer to fit it. Thus, intake temps. would have been higher than normal.

Mods: (these are listed in order)

- 3” exhaust, turbo back

- pod

- 13psi (via bleed valve)

- Fmic

- Sealed off pod and placed a cold feed to pod using a 4" drain pipe from front bar. (I now recommend only to install a pod once the fmic is installed thus allowing you to do this mod.)

- H/D clutch

The graph indicates that more gains could be had with some fine tunning. As one could see betwwen 2500rpm and 5000rpm the a/f ratio is very rich, and the power curve has a slight 'ditch'. Also the car acheives its peak power at 6100rpm, which is lower than usual (6800rpm), this could be due to the fact that boost tappers off and is not flat. By 6100rpm boost drops to approx. 11.5psi. I am planning to install a Wolf boost controller and completing the std. BOV mod. to keep boost at 13psi flat.

PS: The “MAX 140.0 kW” was for the factory ecu, the wolf 3d made 189.7 kW (NOT in ‘shoot out’ mode)

PSS: Sorry for the long post, but i think it could be helpful to some .

[Sydneykid]

Well done Al, with the mods you have done, the next most logical step was to do the ECU. Too many people go too far with mods before they attack the ECU.

We could have long discusion about the merits of AFM versus MAP driven ECU's, but as you point out that's not the point.

Thanks for posting.

[T0nyGTSt]

My PowerFC was probably the first thing I bought.

The original ECU was just too full of faults.

T.

[rob77]

Nice gain. I'm already at 245hp (182kw) @ rear wheels on a dyno dynamics (non shootout mode) with the stock ecu still and thats my next planned mod to change to an aftermarket ecu and nismo fuel reg to keep the pressure up, hopefully I can get close to 200rwkw's with the change. So far it looks like an autronics for me at around $3500 installed. I've looked at the haltech ($2500 installed) and the power fc but most people I have spoken with say the autronics will be the better way to go.

[hippy]

whats the advantage of each ecu?? there are so many around, how would u know what to get for ur application??

[GTS-t VSPEC]

Do lots of research. Compare the features and pricing of each ECU. Be aware of the tuning cost associated with each ECU.

I have the Wolf plug'n'play and am very happy with it, but there are lots of good ecu's to choose from now:D

See'ya:burnout:

[rob77]

Does the wolf have a map sensor or does it use the AFM still?

[MrZac]

Has anyone used the Microtech plug and play system? You can do away with the AFM...

[Al]

Same as the wolf 3D, it apparently gives you the option to keep it or ditch it and use a MAP

[EnricoPalazzo]

Al, how much was installation?

[Al]

EnricoPalazzo:

Basically nothing (part of tunning), as the unit plugs into your factory loom. The only additional thing was a vaccum pipe from the plenum to the ecu, inside the cabin. It also had a base program so the car was drivable without the tune. Personally i wouldn't drive long without tunning it properly as all engines have different characteristics.

[EnricoPalazzo]

Ahh so its similar to the PowerFC. Cool mate. Im glad u r happy with it!

[predator]

But its Aussie based, so at least you can always speak to the manufacturer at anytime.

[GTS-t VSPEC]

The Wolf also comes with temperature compensation, which I don't believe the PowerFC has, and a built-in boost controller, no added cost like the PowerFC.

[rob77]

The other thing is it always only be as good as the tuner. The wolf is looking like a good local contender to the microtech and powerfc. Its a good upgrade on the stock ecu at any rate, my car is running so rich at the top end its redicolous.

[Steve]

Tuner is very important. Here in Adelaide, I have tried to investigate the functionallity of the 3DV4.51??? NO ONE has a bloody clue about the ECU with regards to an R33. I even rang a distributor, and he couldnt tell me squat just that it was a plug and play. He also told me that it only had basic ECU functionality such as fuel and timing - no sequential idle, couldnt tell me if it batch fired or not, just had no idea. Even on the wolf website, I could find no mention of the plug and play or even the wolf 3DV4.5.

So do make sure your tuner is comfortable and competant with the ecu before you buy it or you could be throwing money away.

[locutus_of_bris]

Hey Al, just checking what model wolf 3d was it? I am looking at doing this as my next mod, then its ready for anything else i want to do in the future

thanks

[GTS-t VSPEC]

Steve,

If you want to know more then send a PM to Steve-SST, he does most of the Wolfs in WA, and is more than happy to tell you about them:D

[Steve]

Paul, I sent him a pm, he basically told me to have a look on the website and see my local distributor. Mentioned a few of the functions, but I need detail. Eg the website says wolf V4 only has 4 ign drivers - ie batch fire? The tuning shops I have spoken to over hear have said to steer clear

[GTS-t VSPEC]

Steve, The plug'n'plays are much better than the generic Wolfs. They have 6 individual drivers. What other stuff do you need to know, I'll help as much as I can, then ask Steve the rest, as I see him every other day anyway:D