EFI misconceptions and rumors

[perryeyges]

I'm sure DRS would be just fine working with race teams only but they do help out us wannabe racers with their products.
I am very satisfied with my DRS EFI. Keep up the good work Kris...

[Dave]

Originally Posted by dmh

EFI is not for street cars but rather for race car/off road/marine/aviation applications.

You mean like 80% of Sector's/BWR's/FFs/etc products including the Katana s/c that say 'track/off road use only?' I'm sure everyone with a Katana or aftermarket exhaust hauls their car on a flatbed to the track and never runs it on the street

[Kris from DRS]

Originally Posted by dmh

EFI is not for street cars but rather for race car/off road/marine/aviation applications. Importantly, EFI is for experienced tuners with all the right tools at his disposal and not enthusiasts. To market or tout it otherwise is a devious practice.

EFI is also not really the best standalone for the Toyota/Yamaha VVTi technology. Phasing...

EFITechnology

We've been able to control VVT-i phasing since day one. When we originally set up this ECU for 2ZZ (in early months of 2006) it was specifically for Forcedfed's turbo kit and at the time we opted for boost control instead of modulated cam control. The dyno data supported best results with the cam timing "locked" in position under load, thus switched w/ load & rpm.

A lot has changed since then. With new revisions to the ECU we are working on adding even more features.

The VVT-i phasing is currently being worked on and will be ready for release very soon.

Kris

[dmh]

Originally Posted by Kris from DRS

We've been able to control VVT-i phasing since day one. When we originally set up this ECU for 2ZZ (in early months of 2006) it was specifically for Forcedfed's turbo kit and at the time we opted for boost control instead of modulated cam control. The dyno data supported best results with the cam timing "locked" in position under load, thus switched w/ load & rpm.

A lot has changed since then. With new revisions to the ECU we are working on adding even more features.

The VVT-i phasing is currently being worked on and will be ready for release very soon.

Kris

A customer of ours has been pursuing a used Lotus EFI unit. Do any of the units currently in circulation have the VVTi control as the Motec, Autronics, or Vi-PEC? If not, will it be upgradeable?
(An Exige just left the shop with Vi-PEC and a blue-printed engine. NASA racer.)

[Solo2Elise]

Originally Posted by Kris from DRS

The VVT-i phasing is currently being worked on and will be ready for release very soon.

Kris

Hi Kris,

Is this a firmware/software upgrade? Will I get it by the time I go down to S. CA?

Hung

[EBTurbo]

Originally Posted by dmh

A customer of ours has been pursuing a used Lotus EFI unit. Do any of the units currently in circulation have the VVTi control as the Motec, Autronics, or Vi-PEC? If not, will it be upgradeable?
(An Exige just left the shop with Vi-PEC and a blue-printed engine. NASA racer.)

All the EFI units have the VVTi function capability. It is only a firmware upgrade for the ECU and all the controls/tables for it are already in the EFI N Editor software. Any EFI system currently in use can be upgraded with just an ECU reflash. This system is still in testing we have it working on one car right now. It should be avail for release in the next upcoming weeks.

EB Turbo
DRS

[robains]

Great news EB Turbo (any chance for a your first name?)

Here is a link to the latest EFI software

There might be more recent if contacted directly, don't know. I don't see any "Firmware" upgrades so either they are included in the software update package downloads or have to be obtained separately by calling??

Rob.

P.S. - you need a login user/password.

[EBTurbo]

Originally Posted by robains

Great news EB Turbo (any chance for a your first name?)Here is a link to the latest EFI software
There might be more recent if contacted directly, don't know. I don't see any "Firmware" upgrades so either they are included in the software update package downloads or have to be obtained separately by calling??
Rob.
P.S. - you need a login user/password.

It's Cody Guldstrand. It's not just a new update from EFI. It's a custom Hexadecimal file. All of the ECU's currently have the capability but the firmware and hexadecimal files have not yet been created. you can see the Vanos functions tables in the N Editor software. This has always been there but it has not been functional. We are working directly with the Head of EFI to get these custom files for the VVTi function to work properly. It takes a lot of time and these files have to be written by hand. For anyone who has written hex files before it can be a headache. One letter or number in the wrong spot and nothing works.

EB Turbo

[robains]

Hi Cody,

Thanks for the response -- I'm a software engineer so Hex files are second nature to me -- just a representation of binary 1 and 0's which is ultimately what all transistor based digital electronics deal with...now organic electronics is really cool stuff, but that's for a different discussion entirely

Back to firmware updates ... how do us EFI owners actually get these files and the software that can flash the firmware (aka send the binary data to the CMOS or whatever non-volatile memory is used)? Will they be made available on a web site, direct request, or what?

Thanks, Rob.

[mark.r]

Originally Posted by robains

Hi Cody,
Back to firmware updates ... how do us EFI owners actually get these files and the software that can flash the firmware (aka send the binary data to the ROM)? Will they be made available on a web site, direct request, or what?

Thanks, Rob.

I had my ECU firmware upgraded in May. I don't know if there has been a newer version released by EFI or not. Cody? This was done prior to my car being at DRS so my ECU had to shipped to them from VA. Cody may remember when it was done . . .

[EBTurbo]

Originally Posted by mark.r

I had my ECU firmware upgraded in May. I don't know if there has been a newer version released by EFI or not. Cody? This was done prior to my car being at DRS so my ECU had to shipped to them from VA. Cody may remember when it was done . . .

Mark, your car got the firmware update because you are running the external DBW/ADC amp.

Originally Posted by robains

Back to firmware updates ... how do us EFI owners actually get these files and the software that can flash the firmware (aka send the binary data to the ROM)? Will they be made available on a web site, direct request, or what?

These EFI 1.2 units are specific to the lotus. All updates for them will come from us. When there is an update we will make sure and let everyone know. So there is no need to frequently check the EFI USA website for updates. When this feature is released we will start a new thread stating so, send an e-mail to all know owners and post it on our website(racesolutions.com). NOTE: This is still in the beginning stages of testing and probably wont be released for a few weeks. so, lets not get ahead of ourselves, lol.

EB Turbo

[mark.r]

Originally Posted by EBTurbo

Mark, your car got the firmware update because you are running the external DBW/ADC amp.

EB Turbo

Oh ok. I know of a couple others than are using the DBW as well. But I assume these recent firmware upgrade questions are from non DBW users?

[Bender Rodríguez]

I was thinking about the comment that started this thread and I definitely find it amusing that Frank melted his pistons. That may be a little cynical of me but I can't help it.

[MaineLotus]

Karma is a funny thing, maybe yours will melt also?

[robains]

Cody,

I have the external DBW/ADC amp also, is there any way for me to confirm the firmware version via the nEditor software?

Looking forward to the update when available and hope you have me on your mailing list to get it.

Thanks, Rob.

[mark.r]

Originally Posted by robains

Cody,

I have the external DBW/ADC amp also, is there any way for me to confirm the firmware version via the nEditor software?

Looking forward to the update when available and hope you have me on your mailing list to get it.

Thanks, Rob.

So assuming that there is not difference in the firmware version between the one used for blower vs. turbo, you and I should have the same version . . . I assume?

[Bender Rodríguez]

Originally Posted by MaineLotus

Karma is a funny thing, maybe yours will melt also?

I would say that’s Karma getting back at Frank for trying to make a buck on the Lotus Community. And for him bad mouthing other possible tuning options, when he doesn't understand how they work.

[MaineLotus]

Originally Posted by Bender Rodríguez

I was thinking about the comment that started this thread and I definitely find it amusing that Frank melted his pistons. That may be a little cynical of me but I can't help it.

BTW, the reason for the melt down was an overboost. When Frank removed the failed flex pipe (restricted, see pics) from the exhaust, it created an overboost situation.

[robains]

Yeah, would be nice if I could validate firmware, I know I have the lastest software (7.1.7) for the 1.2 ECU.

[Bender Rodríguez]

Originally Posted by MaineLotus

BTW, the reason for the melt down was an overboost. When Frank removed the failed flex pipe (restricted, see pics) from the exhaust, it created an overboost situation.

I agree I doubt the tune is why the engine failed. As far as the root cause it's possible but unlikely restricting the exhaust caused it. It should also prevent the turbo from continuing to spool, but without really knowing the geometry of exhaust flow thru the external wastegate back into the exhaust stream it's impossible to judge. Usually people have boost gauges to catch things like that. Also looking at those pistons I doubt it's too much boost, I would guess it's just lack of fuel causing too high internal engine temps.