Re-Programming ECU Questions

Hey Guys!!

I have some 510cc injectors from when I ordered my JDM engine, however I have the stock 450cc ones in the car right now because I know that in order for the car to run well and get decent gas mileage I will need reprogram or re-chip the ECU.

I am wondering if anyone can let me know any info about doing this. A guy a work with has a tonne of programs for DSM's but he doesn't remember if they require a socket or additional resistors or not. Please let me know what is needed in order to do this.

Thanks for your help!!
Alex

You can use dsmlink, requires a socketed eprom ecu, cost a lot. You can also use a SAFC which is about 300.

Keydiver chips come with injector compensation, I think the URL is www.dsmchips.com. A slightly cheaper alternative to DSMlink, but DSMlink is obviously the ballz. Any type of ECU reprogramming is going to require an EPROM ecu. www.tmo.com has instruction for checking your ECU. Don't trust the stickers and part numbers on the case, I have seen them be wrong, open the ECU and put your own eyeball on it.

The alternative is piggyback style devices like the AFC. For about 300 bucks, its not much more than an EPROM ECU, and a lot easier to find, so many people go this route. And even with an injector compensated chip you still need an AFC or similar to tune anyway. DSMlink obviously combines all these things into one package.

So I can not reporgram the stock ECU how it is if I already have programs waiting to be loaded on? This is the impression that I was under, however I am not really all that educated on it so I will trust you guys. All I really want to do it be able to use my 510cc injectors without it running like shit. thanks for the help!

Only if your stock ECU has an eprom, like I says. Otherwise you have no choice but to get an EPROM ECU or get an AFC. Or both.

EPROM, or more accurately, EEPROM stands for Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. A PROM doesnt have the erasable part, thats where you get hosed ;)

Okay that makes sense. Thanks.

So then, is there a difference between "reprogramming" and "rechipping"?? if so, what is it?

Rechipping is adding a new chip. If you understand computers, the EPROM is like RAM, can be erased and add stuff to it. The regular ECU is like ROM, the stuff that's in it is read only.

Question, can the datalogger software for PalmOS actually reprogram, or is it just a reader?

palm datalogger is just a reader.

Okay. A guy I work with has like 15 different chips, so assuming that I can get one that has the same numbers on it, I should be set...correct?

So then what do I need to be able to do that? Do i need special "sockets" or additional resistors or anything like that? What would be the process of rechipping the ECU, basically.

thanks

You cant change chips without an eprom ECU, this is what I've been trying to say. The ECU has a procesor, in the case of the eprom, the instructions and data are stored there. In the case of non-eprom, its all hard coded in the processor itself AFAIK. Either get an eprom ECU and try this guy out or jsut get a keydiver chip, or say screw it and just spend 2-300 on a AFC and drive it on :)

what about the maf-t?i just prefer it over the apexi afc in my opinion.

nice blue tsi you have there!

yeah thanks, i like the blue as well :-)


So...if my car does not have an EPROM ECU, it is rendered useless.

Assuming it does not have one, I would need to possibly get one (currently one on eBay bidding at $255). And then once I get it I can buy one from that site above or try my friends. So, lets pretend I do not get an EPROM ECU.

Them my other option would be to buy an AFC for 200-300 bucks (any suggestions? how much is DSMLink?). Or will a MAF-T (is that MAF Translator) work like this guys says above me?

Am I on the right track? Sorry if I seem retarded, I am totally new to the ECU thing.

thanks for your help.

MAFt will do the same thing, but I prefer the ease of use of the AFC. On a 1g the MAFt makes more sense since the stock MAS has such a low airflow limit. The 2g sensor is much better, and I prefer to hang on to the 2g sensor as long as possible (50 pounds/minute). Both will do the job though, either way. They both modify the airflow signal to the ECU allowing you to control fueling. As I have talked about before though, using airflow to control fueling will also alter timing, in a negative way. So a chip with injector compensation AND and AFC or MAFt (and logger) is the best way to go. But, if you have that much money on hand, and have an EPROM ecu to use that chip, you might as well get DSMlink for the same price. But that doesnt solve the shitty 1g MAS problem. Most poeple do DSMlink and MAFT. So perhaps the best mod path is to do the MAFt now since it will let you run those injectors and take care of that stock MAS, and just deal with the advanced timing until you can do the ECU and DSMlink. Thats what I would do anyway, its up to you.

Okay that makes sense then. Is there no other way to adjust timing in the mean time if I only get the Maf-t at this point? Then down the road do not bother with any of the other ECU stuff and just get DSMLink. The only issue I see with that is that I think I could find an EPROM ECU for significantly cheaper down the road, and I already have a chip. After just a little bit of searching I found on eBay that DSM Link is going for $527.00

I know that DSM Link is highly advantageous, but I just don't know if there is enough difference for the price. I would like to probably get my car to the point where I am running about 350-400hp, so I would think that would be a point to get DSM Link. How long should (or could) I wait to get something (eprom or dsm link) after I do the maf-t without it damaging anything. What really will be the results of the negative timing?

I think I am getting this now :-) Thanks for your patience.

just to clarify since im not sure you realize this. to use dsmlink you need a eprom ecu

I know that DSM Link is highly advantageous, but I just don't know if there is enough difference for the price.

There absolutely is without a question. I wouldnt bother running a car without it. I'm tempted to get it for the daily driver even. If I get an EVO, I will installing EVOlink the day it comes out. Etc. ;)