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Today's OBD II ECU utilizes flash memory technology for easy software updating.
We (H-racing) has acquired the technological know-how on flash
programming system with the capability to tune the factory Engine
Management Data Maps.
Unlike the "Piggy-back" or "Re-chipping" method, this system does not
omit the general sensors input, thus giving a much better all round
driveability and 'original feel'.
We are able to overwrite the ECU with performance data and/or fuel
economic data on specific maps, keeping the rest of the essential maps
intact.
The system employs both in-car programming from diagnostic port and direct programming from ECU connector.
How to Programme?
The ECU utilizes the Flash Memory to hold the Software Program and
Engine Data Maps. There are generally over 300 maps in the data in
order to provide a good management of the engine and driveability.
Using an Electronic Interface and the software, we are able to read and
copy both the Program and the Data into the Computer. There are 2
methods employed: remote programming or ‘live’ programming.
In the remote programming method: the Data is copied into the computer
and upgraded accordingly. The data is reloaded into the Flash Memory,
overwriting the original set of data. The engine is then tested for its
performance. Further adjustment would have to be made until the
performance is acceptable. For ‘Live’ programming, data can be changed
while testing the engine.
It is quite safe for tuner as if the owner of the vehicle is not
satisfied with the tuning, he will be able to reload the original data
back into the Flash Memory with causing any problem.
What to Programme?
Due to economical and business consideration, high safety factor were
used to ‘curb’ the power of the Engine. Higher power means a shorter
life span of an engine and thus result in higher warranty claims by the
end user.
As such, engineers will limit the power output of an engine by
injecting more fuel (petrol) and NOT allowing too much advance ignition
firing. This results in wetter combustion chamber condition and thus
lower combustion temperature. Limiting the advance ignition firing
angle will prevent the occurrence of engine knock, which is extremely
harmful to the engine.
With these measures, the result of the engine performance is lower in engine power output and higher fuel consumption.
ECU Programming usually will reset the parameters of these maps so as
to optimize the power output of the engine. However, care must be taken
NOT to over-exert the engine and cause the engine to breakdown earlier.
The solution would be to reduce the fuel injection pulse at strategic
area and limit the rise in engine temperature to 2 – 4 Degree Celsius.
With original tool, we are able to activate the cooling fan earlier to
counter the rise in temperature.
As for the Ignition Timing, either only advance the ignition timing (to
a certain limit and make sure that it does not cause knocking too
often) and let the Knock Sensor do the retarding of Ignition Timing. A
better way, which I prefer, would be to advance the Basic Ignition
Angle moderately and reduce the amount of Knock Sensor retardation
angle at the same time. This way, the driver would have a better
control over the engine knocking issue.
Conclusion
Flash Memory Programming is the safest way of modifying the ECU. It
does not require the removing of the Chip and re-soldering of the same
or replacement on the ECU PCB. Thus it prevents physical damage of the
PCB, which may cause an immediate or most of the time, delayed
breakdown of the ECU.
It is “invisible” and cannot be checked by any common diagnostic
equipment. It does not change the ECU Program (only the Data), thus the
car will react normally to the Diagnostic Scanner. It is totally
STEALTH.
ECU Programming only change a handful of Management Data Maps and leave
the rest of the Maps alone. This will ensure that the feeling of the
car is better and driveability is not affected. Most of the Aftermarket
Replacement ECU or Piggy Back cannot handle this aspect of better fuel
consumption and better driveability as they either have too few
Management Data Maps or had excluded some essential Sensors along the
way.
The best of all is that it is easily REVERSIBLE.
The tuning cost is as follows:-
RM999 for entry level tuning for Naturally Aspirated Cars (approx 10% more power and torque)
RM1800 for second stage customized tuning for Naturally
Aspirated Cars (approx 15% more power and torque) – can be customized
for cars with modifications
RM2500 for Turbo Diesel tuning ( approx 25% to 30% more power and torque)
RM1600 for Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDI (Naza or Kia Version from 2004 to 2007)
RM1800 for Naza Sorento 2.5 CRDI (2008 facelift version)
RM3600 for Turbo tuning (Evo, Airtrek turbo) – Approx 25% to 30% more power and torque
Tuneable cars
- All Hyundais with the exception of the Atos.
- Kia Sorento (petrol & diesel), Kia Spectra, Kia Rio (new model), Kia Sportage (new model), Kia Carens, Kia Optima.
- Chevrolet Optra 1.6
- Mitsubishi – Lancer, Grandis, Evo, Airtrek, Outlander
- Proton – Waja 1.6, selected Wiras
The tuning service provided is unique as we directly re-map /
re-program the car’s original ECU. We do not use a Piggyback as all
other tuners do. The big difference is that our tuning service is not
detectable by the service centre as their diagnostic tools cannot pick
up the parameters we have modified.
The tuning is 100% safe as we have the “check sum” software to counter
check our program before we upload it into the ECU. Our software comes
directly from Hyundai racing team and was developed for Korean cars and
Mitsubishi platform cars.
Piggybacks
are ECU controllers or add-on controllers that control specific
functions of the car’s ECU. The Piggybacks cannot control 100% of the
ECU functions but is able to control enough of the ECU’s parameters and
functions to alter the air fuel ratio, timing and also fueling.
Piggybacks are usually universal in nature to cater for a wide range of
vehicle brands and model thus it is difficult for the piggyback
manufacturers to be able to have complete control over an 1 particular
ECU as the difference in one ECU to another is very great. For example:
An ECU from Toyota will differ from an ECU from Nissan. The piggybacks
will only have limited control over the ECUs for many brands of
vehicles.
The Piggybacks also do not have the ability to read directly from the
existing ECU before it can alter the parameters and settings on the ECU
hence it requires the services of a Dynamometer machine and several
plug in sensors to pick up the necessary data before programming can be
done. This is not as accurate as reading directly off the original ECU
and using a Dynamometer machine will not provide 100% accurate data as
compared to the ECU’s original data. Dynamometer cannot replicate the
exact same conditions as on road conditions as there will be some
difference in air temperatures, air quality and speed of which the air
is charged into the air intake system.
Direct ECU tuning is only available through a software provided by the
original vehicle manufacturer or it’s motorsports division. This
software is highly protected and restricted to only a handful of
workshops or motorsports companies around the world. Direct ECU tuning
software from the factory allows the engineer to read the actual
reading directly from the original ECU. The software also allows the
engineer to have 100% control over the ECU. This eliminates the need to
use a dynamometer to obtain data. The engineer then uses the software
and original data to modify the selected parameters and settings. The
engineer also uses a software called “Check Sum” software to double
check that the altered parameters are within tolerance levels to avoid
over stressing the car. The “Check Sum” software acts as a fail safe
checking system before the new parameters and settings are uploaded
onto the ECU. Piggyback systems do not have such a software and tuning
safety is usually at the discretion of the tuner.
Direct ECU tuning is the safest way to tune the car’s original ECU.
The tuning will be done by Mr. Joey Lim from Harmony Singapore or Mr.
Kevin Yuen from Hyundai Motorsports. Mr. Joey Lim has more than 15
years in the car service and repair business and has 2 authorized
Hyundai service centres in Singapore while Mr. Kevin Yuen has been
working as an race engineer with Hyundai racing team / Motorsports for
more than 7 years.
No, the service centres will not know that your car’s ECU has been
retuned as the service centre’s simple diagnostic tools won’t be able
to pick up the difference in the settings.
No, the car will run more efficiently and will have less carbon build
up. The car will last as long or longer than before.
The fuel consumption will remain the same or improve depending on how
the owner drives their car. The improved power and torque will usually
see the driver drive harder for the initial few weeks but after they
have settled into their regular driving habits the fuel consumption
will stabilize. After tuning the ECU the car’s fuel consumption will
not be worst then before tuning.
No, the new tuning program will remain if the car owner changes
battery. The program is done at the base level and replaced as the
default hence the program will not change.
Yes, the original program can be re-uploaded if you wish.
The driver will immediately see the difference in power and the power
gains will be across the power band. We do not sacrifice power in one
part of the rpm range to gain power in another part. The power gains
will be available throughout the rpm range.
The answer is very simple: The car manufacturers (Hyundai and Kia
in particular) only creates 2 ECU programs for the world. One is for
cold climate and one for hot climate. For Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand
and Indonesia, we are given the hot climate program. In order to
program the settings in the ECU the manufacturers will take the lowest
grade of fuel possible (eg. RON89 or RON91) and use that as the base
for tuning so that there won’t be knocking when the car is exported to
a country with very low grade of fuel. With the extra heat due to the
external environment the manufacturers crank up the fueling ratio
(making the fueling very rich). This is a simple solution to overcome
heat but in the case of Malaysia and Singapore where our fuel grade is
very high this causes the fueling to be too rich and bogs down the
engine. When there is too much fuel, the combustion chamber becomes
flooded and the combustion is inefficient as there is not enough air to
burn off the excess fuel. This leads to huge amounts of carbon deposits
and loss of power and high fuel consumption.
The cost is too high for the manufacturers to custom tune the ECU for
each country unless the sales volume is very large (eg USA). For small
markets like Malaysia and Singapore, Hyundai and Kia just installs the
basic hot climate program.
Hyundai Elantra 1.6
Hyundai Trajet 2.0
Hyundai Sonata 2.0
Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi
Kia Spetra Dyno Chart
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