Sunday, July 20, 2014

Subaru Dynotuning: Professional Engine Calibration for Subaru WRX and STi

Subaru Custom Dynotuning: From Motiva Performance

By  Motiva Performance Engineering President: Dave Rochau

            Getting a Custom Dynotune from Motiva Performance for your Subaru WRX or STi is a simple and effective way to improve the efficiency of your turbocharged vehicle all around. Even from the showroom floor there is more power to be had from your factory turbocharged Subaru.


In the above video, this almost stock Subaru WRX (with just a cat-less downpipe installed) picked up more than 40 Horsepower over the factory calibration. To tune Subaru vehicles Motiva uses an open source tuning suite known as EcuFlash.

EcuFlash main tuning window. Here you can see the tables and scalars that Motiva's Engine Calibrators use to dial-in Subaru's on their 4WD Dynamometer
EcuFlash works by first reading the factory ECU .BIN file. The tuner then modifies the tables necessary to achieve the desired resuls to dial-in the vehicle. Common to all vehicles is the modification of the Fuel and Ignition timing maps (you can read more about this here), but specifically (although not exclusively) on Subaru WRX and STi we can control the amount of boost delivered to the intake manifold. The ability to increase and tailor boost levels plays a significant role in the outstanding increase in power Motiva can deliver on even stock vehicles. Motiva has hundreds of hours worth of calibrating Subarus with ECUFlash and Motiva Staff Tuner Scott Fox has tuned some of the most powerful Subarus around using this tuning solution.

The Tactrix OpenPort 2.0: This is the hardware interface the tuner uses to read and reflash the Engine Control Unit on Subaru vehicles

There are limits to how much boost can be tailored with the factory boost controller. When turbochargers are changed or very high boost levels are desired the solenoid that regulates the amount of boost going to the wastegate of the turbocharger becomes a limitation and must be changed.


The AEM Boost Contol Solenoid wires into the factory Subaru ECU and allows for factory-style boost control, but with superior modulation and airflow paths.  You can purchase this boost control solenoid here
Changing the boost control solenoid will allow for more precise boost control. When multiple stages of boost are desired a different boost control strategy must be used.


The AEM Tru Boost boost controller allows the user to select between four boost levels from inside the car. You can purchase this boost controller here
Installing the AEM Tru-Boost controller allows up to four different boost setting to be selected by the driver:
1) Off (Minimum Boost)
2) Boost Setting "A" (Low Boost)
3) Boost Setting "B" (High Boost)
4) Scramble Boost (Short-Term Burst of Additional Boost)

The benefits of a boost controller installed in the cabin of the vehicle is the driver can select different boost levels for different racing situations according to need (octane level, driving style, how bad you really need to beat the car in the other lane!)






In the above video a Tru-Boost has been installed and then Motiva Custom Dynotuned. This allow the driver to add 56+ Horsepower and 100+ Torque on demand straight from behind the wheel while driving.

Contact Motiva Performance Engineering today for a professional custom engine calibration today.


You can purchase the AEM Tru Boost Boost Controller Here: http://motivaperformance.com/product/aem-tru-boost-boost-controller-30-4350/

You can purchase the AEM Boost Control Solenoid Here: http://motivaperformance.com/product/aem-boost-control-solenoid-30-2400/


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Monday, July 14, 2014

Expert Engine Calibration with HP Tuners

Professional Dynotuning the Motiva Way


The Following Excerpt is from a series of articles about Engine Calibration from Motiva Performance Engineering President Dave Rochau:


There are many engine calibration platforms out there and when it comes to choosing which one to go with the following questions should be considered:
-What is the tuner most comfortable with? The key to a successful tune is being able to intuitively make the changes necessary without struggling with the learning curve of a new platform.  Sometimes this isn't possible (due to new products, supply chain changes etc.) and in the these circumstances it is important to allow the tuner sufficient time to properly sort out where everything is organized in the platform. (Akin to an Apple user utilizing Windows for the first time)
-What are the capabilities of the platform? Some platforms are more powerful and versatile than others. Piggyback-style platforms (AEM FIC, UniChip, Power FC among others) can be installed on nearly any vehicle, but will have little-to-no control over factory style ecu functions (trouble codes, transmission control). Factory ECU re-flash solutions (HP Tuners, SCT, Diablosport, UpREV, ECUFlash, ECUTek etc) have far reaching control over these parameters and excellent calibration capabilities, but may not support every vehicle platform. Stand-Alone engine management systems (MoTeC, AEM Infinity, FAST, BS3, Holley Dominator etc) are the most powerful of the bunch, deliver the most compatibility and the most versatile tuning options within the platform (adding two-step, launch/traction control, wideband controlled closed loop etc).
-What is the cost of acquiring the platform? The acquisition cost, or in this case the licensing cost on each vehicle tuned, platform will also be a principle consideration. Factory ECU re-flash is the most cost effective to tune per vehicle with prices running from free (ECUFLash, ECUTech) to about $400 (UpRev). Some ECU re-flashing platforms (SCT, Diablosport) require a propriety programmer on each vehicle with prices starting around $379. Most Piggyback solutions require hardware that starts around $500. Stand-Alone setups (AEM Infinity, FAST, MoTeC) require the purchase of a separate ECU and harness with prices starting around $1,800.
-What is the cost of the tuning? Piggy-back setups require the most amount of time to properly calibrate and test. A typical tuning session on a piggyback setup will take more than 6 hours to initially dial-in (not including cold-start tuning). ECU re-flashing will typically take at least 4 hours to initially dial-in. Stand alone tuning will typically take the most amount of time to properly calibrate.


       At Motiva Performance we maintain two professional level engine tuners on our staff. Between Scott Fox and Dave Rochau more than 2,000 engine calibrations have been successfully performed for our customers. Many of those vehicles were tuned using HP Tuners. Motiva was an early adopter of HP Tuners purchasing our first Pro Package in late 2005. Since that time we have witnessed the growth in both the variety on sophistication of HPTuners products. 

        HPTuners sells a comprehensive tuning package known as "VCM Suite". VCM Suite is a combination of a BIN editor to modify the calibration on a stock ECU and a powerful datalogger that allows the tuner to monitor the engine controls and how the calibration is changing them.This package interfaces with a proprietary cable that communicates Each vehicle tuned has a specific number of "credits" that must be purchased in order to tune the vehicle. The end result is less expensive than platforms that require a handheld programmer of some type. 


       HPTuners has one of the complete engine calibration tables that allow complete control over every parameter necessary to completely custom tune any supported vehicle. In addition to the usual control over airflow calculations and ignition timing, HPTuners includes controls for throttle body, variable camshaft and fuel pump controls.


Here is a screenshot of the most common parameters that are adjust on a 2014 Corvette Stingray in the Engine calibration tables
          One of the things HPTuners excels at is transmission tuning. HPTuners includes comprehensive transmission calibration abilities into its software. We've found at Motiva that access to these parameters allows us to provide the GREATEST benefit to our customers with automatic transmissions. If a customer's vehicle has an upgraded torque converter, shift kit or even if the transmission is 100% stock HPTuners allows us to provide the correct shift points, pressures and torque converter lock up targets.

Another screenshor, this time showing some of the common parameters adjusted on a 2014 Corvette Stingray in the Transmission calibration tables



Contact Motiva Performance Engineering today to get your vehicle custom dynotuned by the most experienced engine calibrators on HPTuners in New Mexico and the Southwest:

Motiva Performance Engineering, LLC
6919 Montgomery Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109



Below you can find a complete list of all of the vehicles Motiva Performance can custom calibrate utilizing HPTuners software. Notice in most cases 2 credits are needed for each vehicle in order for us to tune it.

       

Buick

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
GM Credits
98-05Century 3.12
08Enclave 3.62
14Enclave 3.62
13Excelle 1.62
08-09Lacrosse 5.32
08-09Lacrosse 5.32
12Lacrosse 2.42
97-05Lesabre 3.82
06-09Lucerne 4.62
99-05Park Avenue 3.82
04Rainier 5.32
05-07Rainier 5.32
04-07Rainier 4.22
97-04Regal 3.82
11-14Regal 2.0, 2.4(2.4 in 2012+ only)2
04Rendezvous 3.42
04-06Rendezvous 3.62
97-99Riviera 3.82
97-98Skylark 2.42
14Verano 2.02

Cadillac

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
GM Credits
13-14ATS 2.02
06-08BLS 3.62
04-05CTS 5.72
06-13CTS 6.0, 6.22
14CTS 6.22
04-07CTS 2.8, 3.62
08-11CTS 3.62
12CTS 3.62
14CTS 3.62
06-09DTS 4.62
99-00Escalade 5.72
02-06Escalade 5.3, 6.02
07-13Escalade 6.22
14Escalade 6.22
07-09SRX 4.62
04-08SRX 3.62
12SRX 3.02
12-13SRX 3.62
12SLS 2.02
06-10STS 4.42
07-10STS 4.62
05-07STS 3.62
06-09XLR 4.42
07-09XLR 4.62
13-14XTS 3.62

Chevy

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
GM Credits
98-00Astro 4.32
02-06Avalanche 5.3, 8.12
07-13Avalanche 5.3, 6.02
98-05Blazer 4.32
98-02Camaro 5.72
97-02Camaro 3.82
10-14Camaro 6.22
10-14Camaro 3.62
10Caprice WE2
12Captiva 2.42
08-09Captiva 3.22
97-05Cavalier 2.2, 2.42
05-07Cobalt 2.0, 2.2, 2.4 (05-06 2.2 Not Supported)2
08-10Cobalt 2.0, 2.2, 2.42
09-12Colorado 5.32
04-07Colorado 3.5 3.72
08-12Colorado 3.5 3.72
04-07Colorado 2.8, 2.92
07-12Colorado 2.8, 2.92
10Colorado 3.62
97-04Corvette 5.72
05-13Corvette 6.0, 6.2, 7.02
14Corvette 6.0, 6.2, 7.02
11-14Cruze 1.4, 1.8 (1.8 in 2012+ only)2
07-09Equinox 3.42
11Equinox 3.02
98-00Express 5.0, 5.7, 7.42
98-00Express 4.32
01-07Express 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 8.12
08-13Express 4.8, 5.3, 6.02
14Express 6.02
06-10Express 6.62
06-11HHR 2.0, 2.2, 2.4(2.2 in 2007+ only)2
06-09Kodiak 8.12
01-10Kodiak 6.62
06-09Impala 5.32
00-05Impala 3.4, 3.82
06-14Impala 3.5, 3.6, 3.9 (3.5 in 07+ only2
97-03Malibu 3.1, 3.42
97-05Malibu 2.2, 2.42
13-14Malibu 2.02
06-12Malibu 3.5, 3.6, 3.9 (3.5 in 07+ only)2
06-07Monte Carlo 5.32
97-05Monte Carlo 3.1, 3.4, 3.82
06-07Monte Carlo 3.5, 3.92
97-03S10 2.22
98-00S10 4.32
13S10 2.42
98-00Silverado 5.0, 5.7, 7.42
98-07Silverado 4.32
99-07Silverado 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 8.12
01-10Silverado 6.62
07-13Silverado 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.22
14-15Silverado 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.22
08-14Silverado 4.32
12-14Sonic 1.4, 1.82
03-04SSR 5.32
05-06SSR 6.02
98-00Suburban 5.7, 7.42
00-06Suburban 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 8.12
07-13Suburban 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.22
14-15Suburban 5.32
98-00Tahoe 5.72
00-06Tahoe 4.8, 5.32
07-13Tahoe 4.8, 5.3, 6.22
14-15Tahoe 5.32
04Tiltmaster 6.02
03-04Trailblazer 5.32
05-10Trailblazer 5.3, 6.02
02-07Trailblazer 4.22
08-10Trailblazer 4.22
12Traverse 3.62
07-09Uplander 3.92
99-02Venture 3.42
12-14Volt2

Daewoo

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
GM Credits
08G2X 2.02

GMC

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
GM Credits
07-08Acadia 3.62
12-14Acadia 3.62
09-12GMC Canyon 5.32
04-07Canyon 3.5, 3.72
08-12Canyon 3.5, 3.72
04-07Canyon 2.8, 2.92
08-11Canyon 2.8, 2.92
03-04Envoy 5.32
05-10Envoy 5.32
02-07Envoy 4.22
08-10Envoy 4.22
98-00Jimmy 4.32
01Jimmy 4.32
98-00Safari 4.32
01-05Safari 4.32
98-00Savana 5.0, 5.7, 7.42
01-07Savana 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 8.12
08-13Savana 4.8, 5.3, 6.02
14Savana 6.02
06-10Savana 6.62
98-00Savana 4.32
01-07Savana 4.32
08-13Savana 4.32
14Savana 4.32
98-00Sierra 5.0, 5.7, 7.42
99-07Sierra 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 8.12
07-13Sierra 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.22
14Sierra 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.22
98-00Sierra 4.32
01-07Sierra 4.32
08-13Sierra 4.32
14Sierra 4.32
01-10Sierra 6.62
98-00Sonoma 4.32
01-04Sonoma 4.32
97-03Sonoma 2.22
99Suburban 5.72
11Terrain 2.42
11Terrain 3.02
14Terrain 3.62
06-09Topkick 8.12
01-10Topkick 6.62
98-00Yukon 5.7, 7.42
00-06Yukon 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 8.12
07-13Yukon 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.22
14Yukon 5.32

GMPP

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
GM Credits
06-14GM Generic GMPP E67 Crate Motor PCM2

Hummer

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
GM Credits
06H1 Alpha 6.62
03-07H2 6.02
08-09H2 6.22
06-10H3 3.5, 3.72
08-10H3 Alpha 5.32

Isuzu

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
GM Credits
03-04Ascender 5.32
05-06Ascender 5.32
03-07Ascender 4.22
97-00Hombre 2.22
06I-280 2.82
07-08I-290 2.92
06I-350 3.52
07I-370 3.72
08NPR 6.02

Oldsmobile

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
GM Credits
97-98Achieva 2.42
99-04Alero 2.2, 2.42
99-04Alero 3.42
97-98Achieva 2.42
02-04Bravada 4.22
98-01Bravada 4.32
98-03Silhouette 3.42

Pontiac

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
GM Credits
06-10G5 2.2, 2.4 (06 2.2 Not Supported)2
06-10G6 2.42
06-09G6 3.5, 3.6, 3.9 (3.5 in 07+ only)2
08-10G8 3.62
08-09G8 6.0, 6.22
97-05Bonneville 3.82
97-02Firebird 3.82
98-02Firebird 5.72
97-05Grand Am 2.2, 2.42
97-05Grand Am 3.1, 3.42
97-05Grand Prix 3.1, 3.82
05-09Grand Prix 5.32
04GTO 5.72
05-06GTO2
06-09Solstice 2.0, 2.4 (Transmission Not Supported)2
97-05Sunfire 2.2, 2.42
07-09Torrent 3.42
97-05Montana 3.42
06-09Montana 3.92

Saab

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
GM Credits
05-099-7x 5.3, 6.02
05-079-7x 4.22
07-099-7x 4.22
06-099-3 2.82

Saturn

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
GM Credits
08-09Aura 2.42
07-09Aura 3.5, 3.62
04-07Ion 2.0, 2.2, 2.4 (04-06 2.2 Not Supported2
00-04L-Series 2.2, 2.42
07-09Sky 2.0, 2.42
08-10Vue 2.42
09Vue 3.52
07-08Outlook 3.62

Ford

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
Ford Credits
02-14BA, BF, FG models (Including A6 TCM support)2
05-12Crown Victoria 4.62
07-14Edge 3.5 (Except Ecoboost)2
02-11Escape 2.3, 3.02
06-14E-Series Van 4.6 (Except Diesel)2
05-14Expedition 5.42
04-14Explorer 4.0, 4.6 (Except Ecoboost)2
07-12Fusion 3.02
06-07Freestar2
05-07Freestyle2
09-14Flex (Except Ecoboost)2
04-10F-Series 4.6, 5.42
11-14F-Series incl. SVT Raptor (Except Ecoboost, Diesel)2
08Fusion 3.02
05-14Mustang 4.6, 5.0, 5.4, 5.82
05-14Mustang 3.7, 4.02
07-12Ranger2
07Sport Trac 4.02
04-14Taurus 3.0, 3.5 (Except Ecoboost)2
03-05Thunderbird2

Lincoln

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
Ford Credits
03-05LS 3.92
09-10MKS2
10-14MKT (Except Ecoboost)2
06-14MKZ (Except Ecoboost)2
05-14Navigator2
05-11Towncar 4.62

Mercury

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
Ford Credits
02-11Mariner2
06-11Milan2
04-10Mountaineer2
04-09Sable2

Dodge

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
Dodge Credits
05-06Dakota 4.72
05-06Durango 5.72
05-06Caravan 3.3, 3.82
06Charger 5.72
05-06Magnum 5.72
04-06Neon 2.42
04-06Ram 4.7, 5.72
08-10Viper 8.320

Jeep

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
Dodge Credits
05-06Grand Cherokee 5.7, 6.12
05-06Liberty 3.72
05-06Wrangler 4.02

Chrysler

YearModel TypeSingle Vehicle
Dodge Credits
05-06300C 5.72
04Sebring 2.72


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