Supercharging: what computer to use - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Fleshgear · 03-11-2004, 22:37

i went around to a few local performance car centres today trying to find someone to fit my supercharger kit, the main thing they brought up was engine management, i was told by both places that the factory ecu wont take boost at all, so some kind of after market ecu is needed, one guy straight up suggested a haltech for about 2k but i know there are chraper options out there, i would really like to get away with not spending over $1500 for the install including any small parts that arent included in the kit i have, i think the main thing is the engine management, the rest is pretty much bolt up, ive seen people in here saying that the factory ecu can handle up to 6psi, which is all i would be running, can anyone give me some details about this or put me in contact with someone who has done this kind of install before and knows what is generally needed for the setup, what i have included in my kit is the supercharger, intercooler, pulleys, piping, hoses etc, nothing on the electrical side of things.
btw i live in hobart so my options are pretty limited on where to go.
thanks, Ben

Xeron · 03-11-2004, 23:59

Whatever you can afford I'd go for. I've seen a Motec and an Autronic both do the job for a turbo. ChipTorque chip on the standard ECU works for me and I've hit 12psi, but I can't see a distributor for them in TAS, maybe give them a call? Apparently the EMS can do it as well, but I'm not sure if it runs on it's own or alongside the stock ECU.

I believe Motec is the only street legal complete ECU change option.

NAPARM · 03-12-2004, 00:09

I think you'll find an EMS is designed to run as a stand alone computer. I have one in my supercharged AU that i just bought but i'm ditching it as the car's not running properly with it in and apparently there's alot of messing around to get it to run properly (need fuel cut defenders, voltage clamps etc.) (also i need the standard ecu to run the auto).

I'm going with a piggyback computer instead. So basically the standard ecu will run the car up to a certain boost, then the piggyback will kick in and assist when the boost gets to a certain level.

ebxr8240 · 03-14-2004, 21:13

Myself and friends use either Haltech or the new EMS 8860 no troubles at all.Both turbo'd cars one is a six the other turbo'd V8..One is auto and has no troubles at all with EMS...

Iff you can"t get these to work on your car, I'd select another installer or tuner.. Imo...

The trouble keeping std eec is that you realy need bigger injectors, even 24 Lp at 50Lp fuel pressure leans out at 4500 rpm with 6 Lp boost with turbo so s/c should be similar..Then with bigger injectors you need some kind of fine tuning to get around rich mixture at low boost / rpm etc..Plus your spark curve will be too much in the midrange especially if you have an XR6...

A V8 all is required bigger injectors and univ maf meter calibrated to injectors with blow through system...

not ford · 03-15-2004, 02:19

Any aftermarket ECU can be made to work in piggyback with the the std ECU. I'm planning on doing this on my NC fairlane with Kalmaker when I turbocharge.

Xeron · 03-15-2004, 23:58

Yeah I've been told an EMS will run concurrently with my ECU if the current system proves inadequate. However, after the recent custom tune from Lachlan of ChipTorque, I've had no problems and it's just a chip.

Something to consider.

NAPARM · 03-16-2004, 22:38

Spoke to my dyno place today and they said my Stinger was wired in absolutely shockingly, none of the earths were done and basically it was just a shithouse job. Explains was it wasn't working properly with the car!

Xeron · 03-17-2004, 22:40

Certainly does! Hope you'll be having words with the people that did that to it?

NAPARM · 03-18-2004, 00:12

It was already in the car when i bought it...
Anyway spoke to dyno place today and car is now making 280hp @ wheels (210kw) up from 180hp when i took the car to them. Very happy with that.

Xeron, how much power is your beast making mate?

ebxr8240 · 03-18-2004, 01:07

Very good!!