EFI Experience Thread

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by uglyduck

Thanks for the progress report Phil...I am possibly looking at an option to my Xede. Is all engine management done by the EFI amd the Lotus ECU acts like a hoste or interface with the dash and other non engine related functions of the car?

That's about right. It's much different and waaaaay more advanced than the xede. waaaaaaay.... That said it's way more expensive too- 3 grand or so...

The EFI runs *all* engine functions from start-up to shut down. The Lotus ECU controls the dash, and supplies power to the fuel pump- That's it. The hardcore will eliminate the factory wiring harness and Lotus dash to really clean things up...hmmm

In the first couple days, learning the ins and outs of this system is like drinking water from a fire hose. After that initial curve, things start to make sense though and the fun begins...

I'll keep posting as things come up...

Best,

Phil

[exarkun1178]

thanks for posting your experiences! i am reading each post with excitment, and looking forward to very post in the future.

tell me, this set up, will in the end net a specific tune to its car, with increases in hp, tq, smoothness and efficiency?

[uglyduck]

That sounds like the ticket Phil.....will have to budget for it...

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by exarkun1178

thanks for posting your experiences! i am reading each post with excitment, and looking forward to very post in the future.

tell me, this set up, will in the end net a specific tune to its car, with increases in hp, tq, smoothness and efficiency?

That's it exactly. Since you can tune specific to your car, you should be able to obtain more torque, more HP, and a smoother more drivable car. I'll dyno eventually, but at this point, it's by far not my number one priority...

To be clear, it's not really a replacment for CX's flash. It's just different. For the user that wants plug and play and to never screw with the car again, this is NOT your ticket. *I bet* that many who super charge their cars are the type that just can't leave well-enough alone and are never satisfied. If you're that type, the flash will work for you for a while, and then you'll be bored and want to try something new... That's where the EFI comes in...

Lately, every mod I've made to the car has me saying to myself, " Damn, that the best mod I've done to date. Lotus should have done it this way from the start"... I realize that can't be the case all the time, it's just that we've done a lot of cool things lately...

-D2 Dash Replacement and DL1 data logger
-Clam hinge
-Super Charger
-Reverie Wing and Splitter
-EFI

Perhaps I need to buy new floor mats or a cup holder to bring me back to earth for a while

Cheers,

Phil

[Dave]

Here are a couple lame-quality screen dumps of Power to Win tuning software, I'll try for some better ones up this weekend. As you can see, you ARE in total control of your car. Going to take some time to absorb the vast set of variables, but going to be fun getting there...more excuses to go test driving too

[uglyduck]

Oh my...thanks Dave.
The problem you have caused is that I may have to go the EFI route...

[GTsRasta]

Cool stuff! So it runs parallel to the stock ECU for both the 05's and the 06+ DBW's, huh?

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by GTsRasta

Cool stuff! So it runs parallel to the stock ECU for both the 05's and the 06+ DBW's, huh?

Sorta. Parallel is a bit of an overstatement though. With the EFI plugged in, the ECU only runs the dash. More like the ECU is converted to an overpowered Dash display computer

[Tang0_au]

Somthing i am trying to find clarification on - running a stand alone ecu, be it efi, pfc or hydra etc etc, are there ANY issues running the stock ecu for dbw / dash only ???

cheers

[Randy Chase]

Originally Posted by Tang0_au

Somthing i am trying to find clarification on - running a stand alone ecu, be it efi, pfc or hydra etc etc, are there ANY issues running the stock ecu for dbw / dash only ???

cheers

For my 2005, I ran the EFI for a year and the stock ECU ran the dash. Only issue was the CEL being on.

[fzust]

Originally Posted by Tang0_au

Somthing i am trying to find clarification on - running a stand alone ecu, be it efi, pfc or hydra etc etc, are there ANY issues running the stock ecu for dbw / dash only ???

cheers

I believe the DBW module for the EFI is the way to go as it allows the EFI to directly drive the electronic throttle. It can be done without the module, BUT it is much easier and more elegant to have the EFI do it.

[Tang0_au]

i guess the reason i ask is that i have not yet chosen a standalone ...

it very much comes down to who i find locally to tune. Not sure there are many tuners in sydney (australia) that know the efi, but i know for sure of good PFC tuners, hydra is known here, as (of course) is motec (but expensive) and a few others

if the dbw is not an issue for the lotus ecu to all by itself then my options are a lot more open ...

Thanks

[turbophil]

The DBW is *not* a problem. the 06 and up ECU's run the dash under the same way the the 05's do. There's special module the EFI uses to run the DBW setup. Kris has this ironed out...

Regarding tuning, you'll get a decent base map to start with from whoever you get the unit from. Some people are touchy about sharing their map, which I don't get But, I'm happy to share my map with anyone that wants it. It's still a work in progress, but it's proven not to blow the motor with a 3.2" pulley. I drove the snot out of it this past weekend over a two day track event No major problems, but still needs a minor tweak here and there to be perfectly civilized. That said the car was VERY fast and very smooth.

Point is that if you're reasonably mechanically inclined you should be able to work from one of the tunes out there to build something that will work for you. IT won't be 100% "turn key", as it requires some work to get the fine tuning done. Anyone that's looking for turnkey should stay away from any standalone, IMO.

Best,

Phil

Originally Posted by Tang0_au

i guess the reason i ask is that i have not yet chosen a standalone ...

it very much comes down to who i find locally to tune. Not sure there are many tuners in sydney (australia) that know the efi, but i know for sure of good PFC tuners, hydra is known here, as (of course) is motec (but expensive) and a few others

if the dbw is not an issue for the lotus ecu to all by itself then my options are a lot more open ...

Thanks

[Harrybauls]

Originally Posted by Dave

Here are a couple lame-quality screen dumps of Power to Win tuning software, I'll try for some better ones up this weekend. As you can see, you ARE in total control of your car. Going to take some time to absorb the vast set of variables, but going to be fun getting there...more excuses to go test driving too

Off Topic:

If that's your current fuel curve then you have more on the table if you invest some time into cam tuning.

You shouldn't need to pull that much fuel during the cam switchover. Mine looked like that too until we worked on the cam tuning on my Hydra based turbo build - now I'm close to flat through the transition. You're blowing boost through the cams.

p.s. I'm currently at 300whp/250lb-ft on a Mustang dyno @ 92 octane. Still need to do more cam tuning and fix a top end control boost issue - expect 40 more hp or so left.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Harrybauls

Off Topic:

If that's your current fuel curve then you have more on the table if you invest some time into cam tuning.

You shouldn't need to pull that much fuel during the cam switchover. Mine looked like that too until we worked on the cam tuning on my Hydra based turbo build - now I'm close to flat through the transition. You're blowing boost through the cams.

p.s. I'm currently at 300whp/250lb-ft on a Mustang dyno @ 92 octane. Still need to do more cam tuning and fix a top end control boost issue - expect 40 more hp or so left.

That's just the fairly conservative base map that came with it...there's a lot more in the bag

[Tang0_au]

ok - thanks for the clarification - i deffo know i wont be getting a turn key package. i have an elise S (not sold in the US) with a 1zzfe engine - same as the mr-s - the only turn key packages currently available are the komo tec and silverstone performance sp-t package, this is in the region of 15,000 au$ delivered and while they are turn key packages, i cant justify that amount of $. So this leaves me with a custom build turbo or supercharger and standalone ecu.

not having to deal with dbw is a big plus at this stage.

Cheers

Originally Posted by turbophil

The DBW is *not* a problem. the 06 and up ECU's run the dash under the same way the the 05's do. There's special module the EFI uses to run the DBW setup. Kris has this ironed out...

Regarding tuning, you'll get a decent base map to start with from whoever you get the unit from. Some people are touchy about sharing their map, which I don't get But, I'm happy to share my map with anyone that wants it. It's still a work in progress, but it's proven not to blow the motor with a 3.2" pulley. I drove the snot out of it this past weekend over a two day track event No major problems, but still needs a minor tweak here and there to be perfectly civilized. That said the car was VERY fast and very smooth.

Point is that if you're reasonably mechanically inclined you should be able to work from one of the tunes out there to build something that will work for you. IT won't be 100% "turn key", as it requires some work to get the fine tuning done. Anyone that's looking for turnkey should stay away from any standalone, IMO.

Best,

Phil

[Dave]

Check this out:

Just got back from the dyno this morning. This is the out of the box EFI map with zero tuning/conservative timing! Note the Katana a/f...wow. Tail pipe probe and my AEM wideband were nearly spot on. Pulls were back to back about 10 minutes apart, 3.2" pulley, ambient 62F. Katana=red, EFI=blue.

[turbophil]

Shuh-Zam!

[charliex]

I'd say more note the lesson in physics, have to keep repeating over and over, don't change the pulley, regardless of who tells you it runs fine.

[Casey@ForcedFed]

Dave....I'm glad the base tune worked out for you as it was originally setup for 8psi with the higher boost areas being mathmatical interpolations for fuel and timing values. With a little tweaking......