MOTEC M4 ECU - LotusTalk

ExigeMania · 09-05-2008, 05:41 PM

Any one knows if the Motec M4 ECU can be used as a stand alone and if no y not and are there going to be any problems if i use it as a parallel with the Lotus ECU?

GTsRasta · 09-05-2008, 08:05 PM

This Lotus uses a Motec M400 engine management unit:

Have fun with the wiring.

Randy Chase · 09-05-2008, 08:18 PM

I have talked with Motec (since my company has been working with them) and they offered to put an ECU on my car.. but I already had the EFI or I would have. I can't see why it would not work. If you need some contacts, let me know.

ExigeMania · 09-05-2008, 09:08 PM

Well the concern i have with the Motec M4 is that it cant replace the factory ECU becoz it cant control VVTL-i system ( i think only the M800 and maybe the M600 can do that ) so the only way is to let the factory ecu control the VVTL-i and dash instruments and let the motec control everything else right? Now isnt that the same thing as the piggybank setups? Whats the difference betwin piggybanks and parallel systems? We already done the wiring the car starts and works fine ( no dyno runs yet ) but we have engine check light on all the time now ( i suppose thats becoz the stock ecu now cant find the wires that are now connected to the motec)

ExigeMania · 09-05-2008, 09:11 PM

Thanks for the offer Randy

i will talk to the guy that works on my car today and ill send you a pm after i know exactly what’s going on. Btw the Exige on the video that works with the M400…do u know if it’s a parallel setup?

ozracer · 09-05-2008, 09:24 PM

You are dead right the M4 cant drive the valve actuation system that is why the m400 is used. The car in that video was build in Sydney Australia. Here is a link to another built in Melbourne using what I believe will be the the Charlie x set up being talked about in another thread on this forum.....Not confirmed I could be wrong however...

It was developed in conjunction with TurboXS. It uses a m400 in parallel with the lotus ecu. Charlies input or flash I am led to believe will mean the m400 is not required if he flashes the ecu to accomodate the set up.....

Turning the Exige into an Exocet!

Viggen · 09-05-2008, 09:35 PM

Also look at Autronic, built by one of the original designers of Motec with equal quality & usually more features with a better/cheaper price

ExigeMania · 09-05-2008, 09:39 PM

The car on the link uses the M800 that can control pretty much everything. On the motec web page it says that the M400 can continuously control the camshaft variable but its an extra feature and u have to pay to unlock it.

ExigeMania · 09-05-2008, 09:46 PM

Well the thing is that i already got the M4 and if there is a way to make the system work with out having the problems that the piggybanks have and not blowing my engine then ill go with the M4. Only if there is no way to make it work then ill change it.

turbophil · 09-05-2008, 10:28 PM

Hate to sound like one of those guys stating the obvious.... but could you not sell the m400 to get a few bucks for it and go with EFI? There are several of us that would help you tune it and it's already tried and true. It has VVT control as well...

Best,

Phil

ExigeMania · 09-05-2008, 10:39 PM

By the way which EFI we talking about? The 1.2 ECU?

EBTurbo · 09-05-2008, 11:30 PM

Yes, The system we offer is based on the 1.2. With the splice in kit it is modified specifically to work with the lotus. I'm sure you'd have to make changes with the M400(internal components/software) to get it to work correctly.

EB Turbo
DRS Tech

ExigeMania · 09-07-2008, 07:28 AM

By the way do the stock instruments work with other ECUs other than stock?
or i will have to replace them with something like this AiM Sports - MXL Strada - Advanced Digital Display for Performance Cars and Street Bikes if i want to remove the stock ECU from the car?

turbophil · 09-07-2008, 09:48 AM

The stock cluster can work, its up to you. The typical installation of the EFI for instance, will allow the stock cluster to work just fine... it will show a MIL, but I believe there's even a work around for that as well. So yes, the stock cluster works just fine with the standalone.

I went ahead and stripped the car of stock cluster and installed the the Race-technology Dash2 display. I've got several pics on my webpage and there's a couple threads on the forum about it... I don't know of anyone else that's done an installation of an aftermarket display into the dash and maintained a stock-ish look just yet. I know MaineLotus is working on it, or may even be done. It's not that hard, and is a huge improvement over the stock cluster. With EFI in particular, you can even purchase one of their plug and play displays and use it in lieu of switch brands. Even less programming work in that case...

Best,

Phil

charliex · 09-07-2008, 12:56 PM

The M800 can control everything, including the stock cluster and then some, their software is second to none.

EBTurbo · 09-07-2008, 10:34 PM

I believe the FF 380R car has the EFI dash display inplace of the stock one. the EFI system is capable of running the stock dash. its just a matter of setting up the correct CAN protocol.

EB Turbo

ExigeMania · 09-08-2008, 02:25 PM

Well thanks all of u guys for the help but i finally decided on the ECU

We started working on the car today. We going to use the Electromotive Tec3R ECU with the AIM MXL Strada Dash. This Exige is starting to cost me on engine mods alone more than the whole car cost me

. Here are the links for the ECU and Dash
AiM Sports - The World Leader in Data Acquisition
TEC³ - by Electromotive
The link shows the Older Tec3 ECU the photo shows the newer R version.

Kris from DRS · 09-09-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExigeMania

Well thanks all of u guys for the help but i finally decided on the ECU

We started working on the car today. We going to use the Electromotive Tec3R ECU with the AIM MXL Strada Dash. This Exige is starting to cost me on engine mods alone more than the whole car cost me

. Here are the links for the ECU and Dash
AiM Sports - The World Leader in Data Acquisition
TEC³ - by Electromotive
The link shows the Older Tec3 ECU the photo shows the newer R version.

Do you have to add an external crank trigger to use this? And how wbout the cam reference? It's been a loooong time since I have used thier stuff. Just curious.

charliex · 09-09-2008, 11:11 PM

Interesting choice, good luck with it.

ExigeMania · 09-10-2008, 10:46 AM

Yeap an external crank trigger is needed...the machine shop is working on the crank pulley at the moment. Ill will let you know as soon as the car is on the road.

09-05-2008, 05:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
ExigeMania Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 82	MOTEC M4 ECU Any one knows if the Motec M4 ECU can be used as a stand alone and if no y not and are there going to be any problems if i use it as a parallel with the Lotus ECU? Last edited by ExigeMania : 09-05-2008 at 06:09 PM.

09-05-2008, 08:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Randy Chase Forum Founder Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 23,308 Images: 761	I have talked with Motec (since my company has been working with them) and they offered to put an ECU on my car.. but I already had the EFI or I would have. I can't see why it would not work. If you need some contacts, let me know. __________________ *** V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S *** We have been feeling the buzz since 2002 2006 Noble M400. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Hinged clams. Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds.

09-05-2008, 09:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
Viggen Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: on my couch Posts: 231	Also look at Autronic, built by one of the original designers of Motec with equal quality & usually more features with a better/cheaper price __________________ Lotus shopping Elise or Esprit

09-05-2008, 10:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
turbophil Plug Whisperer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas City/ Overland Park Posts: 1,609 Images: 3	ya-buts Hate to sound like one of those guys stating the obvious.... but could you not sell the m400 to get a few bucks for it and go with EFI? There are several of us that would help you tune it and it's already tried and true. It has VVT control as well... Best, Phil __________________ \| '05 GG LSS Elise \| A Track Chariot \| BOE ClamHinge \| BOE TVS SuperCharger 275whp/175wtq \| EFI Standalone Engine Management \| See my car at BOE Fabrication: www.boefabrication.com *----->Last Updated: 11/09/08* If something ain't worth doing right, it ain't worth doing at all...

09-05-2008, 11:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
EBTurbo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 57	Yes, The system we offer is based on the 1.2. With the splice in kit it is modified specifically to work with the lotus. I'm sure you'd have to make changes with the M400(internal components/software) to get it to work correctly. EB Turbo DRS Tech __________________ DRS Technician/ BGB Motorsports Technician/ Guldstrand Motorsports Last edited by EBTurbo : 09-08-2008 at 06:22 PM.

09-05-2008, 09:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
ExigeMania Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 82	Well the concern i have with the Motec M4 is that it cant replace the factory ECU becoz it cant control VVTL-i system ( i think only the M800 and maybe the M600 can do that ) so the only way is to let the factory ecu control the VVTL-i and dash instruments and let the motec control everything else right? Now isnt that the same thing as the piggybank setups? Whats the difference betwin piggybanks and parallel systems? We already done the wiring the car starts and works fine ( no dyno runs yet ) but we have engine check light on all the time now ( i suppose thats becoz the stock ecu now cant find the wires that are now connected to the motec)

09-05-2008, 09:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
ExigeMania Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 82	Thanks for the offer Randy i will talk to the guy that works on my car today and ill send you a pm after i know exactly what’s going on. Btw the Exige on the video that works with the M400…do u know if it’s a parallel setup?

09-05-2008, 09:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
ozracer Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 20	You are dead right the M4 cant drive the valve actuation system that is why the m400 is used. The car in that video was build in Sydney Australia. Here is a link to another built in Melbourne using what I believe will be the the Charlie x set up being talked about in another thread on this forum.....Not confirmed I could be wrong however... It was developed in conjunction with TurboXS. It uses a m400 in parallel with the lotus ecu. Charlies input or flash I am led to believe will mean the m400 is not required if he flashes the ecu to accomodate the set up..... Turning the Exige into an Exocet!

09-05-2008, 09:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
ExigeMania Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 82	The car on the link uses the M800 that can control pretty much everything. On the motec web page it says that the M400 can continuously control the camshaft variable but its an extra feature and u have to pay to unlock it.

09-05-2008, 09:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
ExigeMania Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 82	Well the thing is that i already got the M4 and if there is a way to make the system work with out having the problems that the piggybanks have and not blowing my engine then ill go with the M4. Only if there is no way to make it work then ill change it.

09-05-2008, 10:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
ExigeMania Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 82	By the way which EFI we talking about? The 1.2 ECU?

09-07-2008, 07:28 AM	#13 (permalink)
ExigeMania Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 82	By the way do the stock instruments work with other ECUs other than stock? or i will have to replace them with something like this AiM Sports - MXL Strada - Advanced Digital Display for Performance Cars and Street Bikes if i want to remove the stock ECU from the car?

09-07-2008, 09:48 AM	#14 (permalink)
turbophil Plug Whisperer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas City/ Overland Park Posts: 1,609 Images: 3	The stock cluster can work, its up to you. The typical installation of the EFI for instance, will allow the stock cluster to work just fine... it will show a MIL, but I believe there's even a work around for that as well. So yes, the stock cluster works just fine with the standalone. I went ahead and stripped the car of stock cluster and installed the the Race-technology Dash2 display. I've got several pics on my webpage and there's a couple threads on the forum about it... I don't know of anyone else that's done an installation of an aftermarket display into the dash and maintained a stock-ish look just yet. I know MaineLotus is working on it, or may even be done. It's not that hard, and is a huge improvement over the stock cluster. With EFI in particular, you can even purchase one of their plug and play displays and use it in lieu of switch brands. Even less programming work in that case... Best, Phil __________________ \| '05 GG LSS Elise \| A Track Chariot \| BOE ClamHinge \| BOE TVS SuperCharger 275whp/175wtq \| EFI Standalone Engine Management \| See my car at BOE Fabrication: www.boefabrication.com *----->Last Updated: 11/09/08* If something ain't worth doing right, it ain't worth doing at all...

09-07-2008, 12:56 PM	#15 (permalink)
charliex disproving HD MTBF daily Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Las Vegas , NV Posts: 8,189	The M800 can control everything, including the stock cluster and then some, their software is second to none. __________________ Black Exige S - http://goth.am 265 Mule / Elan M100 ECU Tuning, http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39660

09-07-2008, 10:34 PM	#16 (permalink)
EBTurbo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 57	I believe the FF 380R car has the EFI dash display inplace of the stock one. the EFI system is capable of running the stock dash. its just a matter of setting up the correct CAN protocol. EB Turbo __________________ DRS Technician/ BGB Motorsports Technician/ Guldstrand Motorsports Last edited by EBTurbo : 09-08-2008 at 06:22 PM.

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09-08-2008, 02:25 PM	#17 (permalink)
ExigeMania Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 82	Well thanks all of u guys for the help but i finally decided on the ECU We started working on the car today. We going to use the Electromotive Tec3R ECU with the AIM MXL Strada Dash. This Exige is starting to cost me on engine mods alone more than the whole car cost me . Here are the links for the ECU and Dash AiM Sports - The World Leader in Data Acquisition TEC³ - by Electromotive The link shows the Older Tec3 ECU the photo shows the newer R version. Attached Images

09-09-2008, 11:11 PM	#19 (permalink)
charliex disproving HD MTBF daily Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Las Vegas , NV Posts: 8,189	Interesting choice, good luck with it. __________________ Black Exige S - http://goth.am 265 Mule / Elan M100 ECU Tuning, http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39660

09-10-2008, 10:46 AM	#20 (permalink)
ExigeMania Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 82	Yeap an external crank trigger is needed...the machine shop is working on the crank pulley at the moment. Ill will let you know as soon as the car is on the road.