Control you ECU via a PocketPC PDA

[frankdonato]

hi guys

found this which may be of interest

http://www.rationalracing.com

its a digital dash and allows you to make certain changes to your ecu settings like fuel inj timing and ign timing

let me know what you think, wouldnt mid trying one

[too_much_boost]

Provided it does what it says it does, that looks extremely good. It looks like a PDA version of Nissans CONSULT. I'd be curious if the Ign and Inj changes get written back to the ECU, and whether some type of daughterboard is required.

[someonestolecc]

Are you meant to mount that into the dash?

I'm suprised it lists cefiro in there O_o

[RiverSide]

Are you meant to mount that into the dash?

I'm suprised it lists cefiro in there O_o

Considering power FC's etc are the same from R32 to Cefiro there is no reason why this should not be interchangable also.

Looks like a good idea.........bit scary to think people with minimal knowledge can play with there ECU though........confucious say: uninformed people play with management equals many engine failure

[too_much_boost]

The changes to the Ignition and Injection aren't permanent. This would be more a diagnostics tool than a modification tool..

It would run off the consult port..

[C_DawG]

The changes to the Ignition and Injection aren't permanent. This would be more a diagnostics tool than a modification tool..

It would run off the consult port..

True it doesnt write the new settings to the ECU, but couldnt the PDA software just remember them and re-apply the settings everytime it starts up?

[too_much_boost]

Apparently it can do that, but would require you to have the pda permanently mounted in the car

[ferni]

I emailed them. Here is the reply:

Hello Andrew

Currently we are just at the end of field trials and it all looks good.

We should have a deliverable product by Mid to End of January.

EcuXtend will be released in two packages;

* Full Package which will contain the software, interface unit with

cables and a HP Ipaq rz1710 PDA

* Interface and software ONLY package which will be the same as the full

package minus the PDA.

We anticipate the RRP for the FULL package will be $999 and $599 for the

INTERFACE ONLY package.

Due to issues in obtaining information for PDA's the only PDA's

supported will be the HP IPaq range at this point in time until we

obtain the required information to use other PDS devices.

If you have not already done so, register on the mailing list as all

people who register will be emailed when the product is released. You

can register at http://www.rationalracing.com/signup.asp

If you have any further queries please dont hesitate to contact us.

to which i replied saying sounds good, but for the $1,000 mark i think i'd prefere a PowerFC, but good luck... they replied with:

hi Andrew

we know about the powerfc and don't feel that it will impact ecuXtend due to the fact ecuXtend is a fully software driven product therefore will lend itself to be more flexible in the future in via software enhancements and the like.

Also from the feed back we have had people like the colour display and the like on the ecuXtend rather than the plain old mono LCD the powerfc unit has.

Also the powerfc unit is a complete ecu where ecuxtend is more and extension to the Nissan factory ecu.

[too_much_boost]

Yeah i think they will have trouble selling the package at that price point. Its a shame though as it is a good idea, but too expensive for the average enthusiest

[ferni]

exactly my thoughts

[NewKleer]

how would u hook up to the pda? i didnt think any came with serial/usb ports (that can be used like a normal port would on a laptop/pc, i dont mean something that would only be capable of "syncing" with a computer or whatever the inbuilt connection on many pda's is for)

i was looking into whether its possible to write software for a consult interface on a pda (which essentially is what this is) but stopped cause i go zero response to how to connect up to a pda