The Electronic Control Unit (ECU)

The ECU is responsible for the entire engine management. It measures, checks and controls all important functions of the engine under consideration of the current load condition and in dependence of all environmental parameters, such as ambient, engine coolant and oil temperature, intake air density etc.

This vital information concerning the current operating conditions, are gained by sensors, that very accurately pick up pressure, temperature, revolutions, speed, and air mass (density) signals. In accordance with this information, the ECU processes the ignition, injection, boost, and lambda patterns, that are programmed on to a chip (EPROM) inside the ECU and i.e. determines, according to load condition and other environmental parameters the ideal ignition timing, the necessary fuel amount in respect of the optimal injection timing and the corresponding boost.

During the process of chiptuning, this database, programmed on to the EPROM (Chip) inside the ECU, is optimised. All relevant patterns and identifiers for, i.e. injection and ignition timing, boost control, load limitation and exhaust emissions, are being monitored over the entire rpm range of the engine and then changed within certain limits, in dependence to load and engine-rpm, so that the maximum horsepower and torque output, in consideration of the durability of the engine, as well as the least fuel consumption stand in an optimal relation to each other. Hereby we gain horsepower as well as a significantly higher torque output.

Depending on the car make and model, turbocharged engines (petrol or diesel) will see an increase of horsepower and torque of 20% to 40% - and for normally aspirated engines 7% to 12% is realistic. In both cases acceleration, top end speed and elasticity improve significantly. Chip tuning will not have any effect on the durability of the engine. Note, that correct servicing and normal car care are recommended – this applies to both tuned and standard cars.

ECU Functions

Retarding and advancing ignition timing For economic and efficient fuel combustion, it is important under all possible driving conditions, to compute the correct ignition timing in relation to engine-rpm, load and other relevant parameters. For diesel engines the right injection timing (pump timing).

Dwell control

Dependant on engine rpm - the time between ignition trigger signals varies. To ensure constant ignition energy it requires a certain Primary Current to flow through the windings of the ignition coil. To sufficiently build up a magnetic field inside the coil, it requires time. The time delay from switching to interrupting the primary circuit has great influence on the voltage induction into the secondary circuit of the ignition coil the higher the engine speed, the shorter the delay from switching to interrupting the primary circuit, the less energy is inducted into the secondary circuit. Careful tuning prevents misfire in this situation.

Detonation detection

Modern engines normally use a high compression ratio in order to achieve higher torque output and better fuel economy. Engines with high compression ratios have a higher risk of uncontrolled combustion, especially under high loads running at high rpm. Detonation causes severe engine damage. Where detonation is detected, the ECU will retard the ignition timing for the particular cylinder. On tuned engines, care is taken to ensure detonation is kept in check throughout the rev range.

Fuel injection

In accordance with air-mass (air-flow) signals, rpm, load and correctional factors such as ambient air temp as well as coolant temperature etc... The ECU determines the momentarily required fuel quantity and injection timing. This increases fuel economy and reduces exhaust emissions and is responsible for a higher specific engine output. Tuned engines will have these parameters enhanced, resulting in crisper throttle response, higher power output and smoother running.

Lambda control

Another correctional factor is the lambda-signal. The lambda sensor located in the exhaust system, in front of the catalytic converter, constantly measures the remaining oxygen in the exhaust gases. This signal is used by the ECU under all driving conditions except at full load.

Boost control

On cars with turbocharged engines, the ECU calculates, in reference to load indication, the pressure and the currently needed air charge volume and adjusts, dependant on the corresponding sensor signal, the appropriate boost at a given rpm and throttle position. When chip tuning a turbo engine, these parameters are recalibrated to optimise power and torque delivery.

Top Speed Governor

Chip tuning will remove this limiter unless the customer specifies otherwise.

Diesel

Diesel chip tuning is unique in that fuel delivery, fuel quantity, fuel pressure and fuel timing; combined with throttle position, boost pressure and torque limiters are recalibrated during ECU remapping to achieve very significant torque and efficiency gains.

Vehicle Type, Transmission Version and Power Train

Chip tuning for each vehicle is very specific. Each tune is designed to work optimally with the car it is being applied to. The car's engine configuration, transmission type and drive train are important in determining the end tune. The vehicle's characteristics, strengths and weaknesses are taken into consideration when tuning.

Emissions and Fuel

We recommend the use of 98 octane fuel for best results. Chiptuning NZ performance tuning complies with EU Emissions Regulations – unless otherwise specified.

Software Updates

Naturally, advances in software are made over time in the same way software is updated on laptops and PCs. As we make improvements to our performance tuning software, these are applied to the cars we chip to achieve the best performance result possible.

Cautions

It soon becomes clear why each ECU has to be individually programmed with clever software to achieve maximum reliability, safe gains and driveability. So please be warned of products purporting to do what chip tuning does by fitting, for example, a "tuning box", switchable "power booster" or offering prices that are too good to be true – usually found on online auctions. These devices, at best, do nothing. But because they can interfere with the data transfer to and from the ECU, disturbances occur within the entire system, which in many cases has led to severe engine damage.

back to top ^