- What does the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) do?
The ECU controls the injectors (how much fuel), the ignition system (when to spark) and the turbocharger (how much boost).
The outputs are determined by the inputs from sensors such as the Air Flow meter, Manifold pressure sensor, engine speed, crank and cam angles, etc.
All ECU functions are variations on the above.
- What does the Enduring Solutions Limited (ESL) Live Board do?
Simply, it allows the numbers in the OEM ECU to be changed in real time, with the engine running. This removes the only drawback of the OEM ECU and allows it to be optimised for your particular car.
- What power increase is to be expected?
This is a very common question, and is dependant on the specification of your car. As an example, the ESL Sprint Car is a stock 93WRX with the
following bolt ons:
HKS Induction Kit and Magnex Exhaust,
Autobahn Front Mounted Intercooler,
Walboro Fuel Pump,
440cc Injectors,
Post 96 Subaru MAP sensor and
ESL Live Map Board.
The Car makes 330bhp and similar levels of torque. In a light classic Impreza, the performance is very strong. The car has won its class in
a national sprint championship in 2007, regularly outpacing full race specification Porsche 996 GT3s. This level of performance is
available to classic Impreza owners for a modest outlay using ESL Live. Beyond this level of torque the TY752 gearboxes fitted to Version 1 & 2 Imprezas
are liable to fail.
- What sort of modifications are appropriate for use with ESL Live?
Any and all! The ESL Live board will cope with anything from a mild tune to a full race spec. However, if you are starting with a standard car, the modifications
detailed below are a good first stage.
Initially, a MAP sensor from a post 96 car. This will raise the available boost threshold from 1.2bar to 1.7bar
The ECU has 3D boost mapping so there is no need for a separate boost controller (Good considering its a similar price to an AVCR!).
This allows mapping for increased midrange boost and torque. The ESL car runs 1.4bar midrange, backing off to 1.2bar at the redline to ensure the injectors
do not run over 100% IDC.
After that, the fuel system will need attention. A Walboro pump and larger injectors are a useful upgrade. The ESL car runs 440cc injectors at standard fuel pressure,
which are good for at least 330bhp. The maximum seen on 380cc injectors is 313bhp at which point the car was beginning to lean out.
The stock intercooler is also a limiting factor as it is mounted on top of the engine and is quite small.
A larger FMIC is a good option and will allow extra ignition advance (commonly 3-4bhp per degree advance at peak power) without the inconsistent response of the TMIC
as it heats up in the engine bay.
- What is closed loop knock control?
Closed Loop Knock Control is arguably the most important feature on a road car ECU. Given the variability of pump fuel in the UK, the amount of detonation an engine will experience
on different tanks can vary considerably. An ECU equipped with knock control will listen to the output of the knock sensor and retard ignition timing until no more detonation is
sensed. The OEM JECS ECU will also richen the mixture and reduce boost pressure if significant detonation is heard. An aftermarket ECU without this facility relies on every tank of fuel
being exactly the same as the one it was mapped on or has to be mapped with a safety margin, costing power. Owners of knocklinks will know that activity between tanks of the same type of fuel can vary significantly, which is why knock control
is one of the most important features of an ECU. It is very rare for aftermarket ECUs to offer it, even as a cost option.
- What is 3D boost mapping?
3D boost mapping means that boost is mapped in a table of engine speed vs throttle position in this application. This allows a boost profile to be tailored to the car, commonly running maximum boost
in the midrange for maximum torque and lessening at the top end to defend the engine and prevent injectors, turbos, MAFs etc exceeding their useful range. Aftermarket ECUs do not always offer this option
meaning extra cost associated with boost controllers.
- What are Diagnostic Control Codes?
The OEM ECU monitors the condition of its sensors and actuators. If it senses an error condition it will respond by turning the Check Engine Light (CEL) on. The ECU can switch into a limp home mode if a failing sensor may cause engine damage,
both preventing the damage and saving you from being stranded. The ECU can then be interrogated without the use
of specialist test equipment to determine which component is at fault. This built in test equipment can save alot of time and money in diagnosis. Aftermarket ECUs tend not to have this test facilities as comprehensive as this.
The RRP for the hardware is £295 +VAT and labour for mapping session. A typical installation and full mapping session will be £250 +VAT. Mapping tweaks thereafter are generally charged at an hourly rate,
contact your nearest distributor for further details. It is the cheapest live mapping system available for the application.
- If I change my cars' specification, can the board be remapped to cope?
Absolutely. You only need to buy the hardware once, but it can be remapped to complement any specification.
- How do I purchase ESL Live?
By clicking to the distributors page, choosing your preferred mapper, and making contact. The distributor will handle the entire operation commercially and technically from installation to mapping.
- What about model years other than 1992-6?
We are working on Version 3 and 4 (1997/8). Beyond these years, the OEM ECU is reflashable as standard. All our dealers can map any year of Impreza, so feel free to contact them even if there isn't an ESL Live product for your application.
Please contact: service@enduringsolutions.com |
