EcuTek launches retail software for BRZ/FR-S/GT-86 vehicles
British-based ECU expert EcuTek has been empowering all sorts of high-performance cars for many years, but the company’s latest move looks set to do the same for their owners. The Middlesex firm has released details of its ‘Retail’ range of hardware and software for the best-selling ‘Toyobaru’ that allows end-users to take full control of their car’s abilities and truly personalise their vehicle with a staggering range of performance option.
Ecutek’s history with Subaru drivetrains is without comparison. As the official supplier to both Prodrive and Subaru UK, as well as many other territories, the company has had well over a decade of experience in working with both the electronic and mechanical innovations that FHI has created with each new model.
Based around EcuTek’s ProECU programming kit, the options available for this platform are almost limitless. By purchasing this easy-to-use hardware, a huge range of options become available to enthusiast. Once purchased, the ProECU BRZ software package is available from the supplying EcuTek Master Dealer as a free upgrade. Once this has been acquired, owners can safely access the ECU and make tangible changes to how the car performs and functions.
And if that wasn’t enough, further upgrades are available by then purchasing the RaceROM BRZ upgrade from any approved Master Dealer. This then opens up a world of adjustment and refinement possibilities, to truly maximise the car’s ability.
These features include;
Launch Control
The launch RPM is adjustable from the cruise control stalk and can be enabled for any of the four separate customisable modes.
Vehicles without cruise control can set the desired launch RPM using the rear screen defog button and the accelerator (only available on Subaru BRZ,Toyota FT86 and Scion FR-S).
Flat-foot Shifting
Flat-foot Shifting allows the driver to keep their foot flat on the accelerator while changing gears, to minimise gear change time and keep engine speed and torque up for when the next gear is engaged.
With this function, it is also possible to adjust the torque to maximise power when engaging the next gear. This is useful when fitting a stronger transmission, or to minimise torque to reduce wheel spin on higher power engines (such as turbo or supercharged vehicles).
Downshift Auto-Blip
The Auto Blip feature applies a short burst of throttle when the driver is down-shifting under braking. This raises the RPM to help provide a smooth entry into the lower gear by reducing engine braking.
Accelerator Trim
This intelligent feature allows users to adjust the accelerator pedal response, which is principally useful when using Map Switching, to get different pedal responses for each of the 4 different Map Switching modes.
Per-gear Rev Limits
This feature allows per gear rev limits to be configured. It could be used to improve 0-60 times by allowing a higher 2nd gear limit to just hit 60 mph / 100 km/h in 2nd, whilst preserving the lower rev limit in other gears.
Map Switching
Map switching for the BRZ, FT86 and FR-S provides 4 separate customisable tuning modes, which can be changed on-the-fly by the driver using either the cruise control switchgear, the traction control switches, the defog-switch or the automatic transmission mode switches (only available on models with the automatic transmission).
These modes can be customised to provide bespoke settings such as:
Valet mode - Limits enabled so that the Engine RPM is limited or the torque is limited.
Economy Mode - The car is tuned to provide the best fuel economy but with reduced performance.
Race Mode - High power mode for track use.
Dual Fuel Mode - Settings for different fuel types such as E85 or high quality race fuel.
The map switching also works with other RaceROM features such as Launch Control, Flat-foot Shifting, Throttle Auto-blip or Speed Density. It can also be combined with the RaceROM Custom Maps to enable custom features and functions under certain conditions.
Speed Density
The Speed Density (SD) feature changes the way the engine load is calculated. When SD mode is activated, the ECU will disregard the MAF sensor reading and will instead calculate mass airflow based on Engine Speed, Manifold Pressure and Air Temperature, this allows the MAF sensor to be removed, and a larger intake may then be fitted if desired.
Speed Density can be toggled in any map switch modes, and a hybrid MAF and Speed Density system can be implemented to aid accurate readings at low speed and provide maximum calibration at high power levels. A range of activation options are available for Engine Speed, Mass Air Flow or Manifold Pressure.
High Horsepower Forced Induction Load Limiter Lift
This RaceROM feature is only available to trade customers, or retail customers that have purchased the optional RaceROM BRZ upgrade.
The High Horsepower Forced Induction Load Limiter Lift feature allows for high horsepower for vehicles with forced induction (Supercharger or Turbocharger).
Custom Maps
RaceROM Custom Maps allow the tuner to modify the behaviour of the factory ECU by inserting additional maps into the ECU's normal calculations for parameters such as ignition timing, fuel, boost & VVT, and even repurpose inputs and outputs to measure custom sensors or solenoids not featured on the standard vehicle.
This facility lets you add custom compensations or even completely replace the calculations that are normally used. For example:
Per gear fuel enrichment factor.
Vehicle speed based ignition retard.
Torque reduction for engine oil temperature.
Throttle reduction for airflow.
Torque reduction for wheel speed differential.
E85 enrichment factor for injection volume.
Custom traction control strategies for wheel speed differential.
Ignition compensation for Engine Speed and Manifold Pressure RaceROM Custom Maps enables you to repurpose an input sensor and actuator output, allowing you to control devices not provided by the manufacturer, such as a wastegate purge solenoid or intercooler spray pump, or read data from a custom sensor such as charge air temperature or ethanol content (flex-fuel) sensors.
This map is a custom ignition compensation for Engine Speed and Manifold Pressure.
Entire functions can be created by linking maps together such as:
Boost control and wastegate duty feedback by repurposing the Carbon Purge Canister valve to act as a boost control solenoid.
Enrichment factor for E85 content by connecting a flex-fuel sensor in place of the Carbon Purge Canister pressure sensor.
Each of the custom maps can be logged and viewed using ProECU log viewer.
Frequently asked question on this product range can be found here ecutek.com/Products/Retail/ProECU-Programming-Kit/Features/FAQs.aspx
For more information on the EcuTek tuning range, visit ecutek.com.
