Aftermarket ecu opinions

[steroidcontaskie]

Hi all

I'm just getting my project back up and running. It is a 2jzge turbo conversion Soarer, built a340e trans (cable line pressure), 560 cc injectors and a water methanol injection kit. It currently has a mapecu 3 running it. But since it is a piggy back it doesn't have a lot of features I would like.

I'm looking for full after markets that can be piggy backed in so I can keep auto trans running but give me options like a iat adjustment table and options around converting from distributor to coil packs, water methanol control. Flex fuel would be nice option for the future too.

Been recommended with a link G4 extreme or a haltech elite. Does anyone have experience piggybacking in a full aftermarket so they can keep auto control. If so was it successful?

Cheers edward

[whynot]

I have managed to piggy back a 3sfse ecu and a 3sfe ecu together so the dash and air conditioning would keep working. I had to do that as the car had a digital data link from the ecu to the Dash board and body ecu so nothing would work without the factory ecu still in place. The original trans would have worked as well but I had already fitted the other one by that point. From what I discovered as long as the factory ecu has rpm, temp and speed inputs it will keep controlling things regardless of the fault codes it picks up. When Toyota programmed the ecu they never considered that the ecu might still be 'running' an engine even with a huge number of apparent faults so the ecu just keeps doing what it can with the signals it has. I powered the required sensors off the new ecu's 5 volt supply. Made sure the 2 ecu's had common earth's and doubled up on the sensor inputs. I don't see any reason why what I did can't be repeated with a toyota ecu and a link or similar. I wouldn't be surprised if you can't find an auto sparky who is willing to do a job like that though.

[steroidcontaskie]

Thanks for the reply.

I am getting the feeling that it can be done, and I could get a link G4 wired up in a piggy back format and give the car only the inputs it needs to run, but as you have said the issue is that auto sparkies are not keen to try something they haven't done before. NZEFI seemed pretty positive about it, but they are in Christchurch and I am in Auckland. Most of the other places I have called have said it isn't possible/wont touch it.

I would give it a go myself, but most of the problems with the car are because I have tried that :-p.

Any recommended auto sparkies/tuners in the greater Auckland area that might take on something like this?

Cheers
Edward

[whynot]

It's probably beyond your budget but have you considered a stand alone trans controller? I have looked into them out of curiosity but the fact it's worth The same as a link g4 puts me off when the car I would put it in is only worth a few grand. Saying that it would give you full control over the gearbox and the ability to have paddle shift where as the factory is pretty much stuck with what comes programmed in it. Also consider the cost of the auto sparky spending days trying to nut out how to make it work. It took me probably more than 40 hours to get the wiring right and I'm no beginner to this kind of thing.

[Stu-]

Its definitely possible, would just take some careful planning of the wiring and figuring out whats the bare minimum the factory ecu requires. I've seen several setups run this way for various reasons and all have run with great success and the requirements weren't that difficult. Have you considered using an auto ecu that runs separately from the engine ecu? I wired up a 7mgte that had a seperate auto ecu - might be worth looking into?

[steroidcontaskie]

Thanks everyone.

I have had a thought about a separate trans computer, but that is expensive and I wasn't sure how well they work with a cable controlled line pressure automatic.

I really want the car up and running. I was thinking that if I upgraded the trans in the future I might get a stronger more complicated trans and put in a trans controller but might now I just want to have something that will work.

Seems like getting a link piggy backed in might be the way to go.

Cheers edward

[Vertigo]

Having just gotten my Megasquirt running well, I am fairly impressed. Good little unit! Especially if you arent afraid of doing a bit of custom wiring.

[steroidcontaskie]

I've done my dash of diy ecu and tuning. I have had a play with the mapecu 3 that is in the car now and I just want to have a professional install done so I know there isn't a problem with the ecu side of things.

Cheers
Edward

[Stott69]

Biggest thing Ive been told in choose an ecu your tuner is familiar with to get the best tune from them. As for the piggy back to run the auto, yes definatly possible as whynot first said. Both STM and Shred (while they were open ) said they could do it with a wire in Link. The two top models were the suggested ecus? Extreme having single fire, Storm running batch fire? Think STM qoute was around $4k wired and tuned

[JZCrazy]

Yeah STM were about 4-4.5K to supply ECU (Link Extreme), wire and tune. They were going to use the stock ECU to run the auto trans.
You could use a transmission ECU such as Supra Stick V4. Second hand they are reasonably priced. Anyone had experience with them?

[2jayzgte]

Probably won't help you but my Supra's an Auto and i went with the plug N play HKS F-Con V-Pro tuned by Andre at STM 6-7 years ago the big advantage outside of the HP gain I experienced was fuel economy with a correctly tuned mid range the car found another 50 km on a full tank of gas running an increased boost level.

My install & tune for that ECU was in the $3-3200 area.Have to say I haven't touched the tune in that time but every time its seen the dyno it's run within 2-3 KW of its max number.

[JZCrazy]

Are you using the stock ECU to run the trans only?

[steroidcontaskie]

Hi all

Im not really sure what needs to be run by the factory computer. It is a soarer, so there is digital dash, aircon etc. But I am most concerned about the auto.

I wish there was a plug and play ECU option (like the HKS ) but since it is a soarer it has a different plug from the supra and the 2jzge ecu has different pin out to the 1jzgte.

I had a call around just before xmas and a place in Pukekohe called E and H motors seemed to think they could sort out a solution for the ECU. Pretty much everyone else was too busy to talk to me . Anyone had any dealing with them?

I dont mind paying a bit more for a more capable ECU incase I do some more upgrades in the future.

Cheers
Edward

[7ishNZ]

MAP ECU will do what you need...

[2jayzgte]

Are you using the stock ECU to run the trans only?

Roger that stock ECU to run the trans.

Biggest reason for going with the HKS ECU was simplicity of install because of the plug n play option.

OP I'd go have a chat to Soichi at ST Hitec I think he could probably find a solution for you.