Drivetrain NEW ALTA R56 Plug-n-Play ECU Q&A Thread
ADAM and KEN from Alta Mini Performance Rock. thanks Adam, as per your advice I searched the whole harness and found a small wire that had gotten loose and been cut. Thanks again for the quick responce. I cant wait to get my Turbo Back Exhaust. Sorry for the rant 
Last edited by chakraj; Apr 27, 2008 at 09:56 PM.
On the Flux, waiting on more details, but it will be 1) REALLY kool 2) reasonably priced.
Thanks again!
I installed the Unichip this morning. Aside from the plastic clips holding the ECU cover on being a PITA, the install was relatively quick and easy. No CEL's on either map or any issues at all. The harness is very solid.
I drove on map 0 and felt no difference but no CEL's so I quickly felt relief (I asked for a pass-through on map 0 so it's a-ok). After a few miles of driving I pulled over and switched to map 1...
NICE!
I drove on map 0 and felt no difference but no CEL's so I quickly felt relief (I asked for a pass-through on map 0 so it's a-ok). After a few miles of driving I pulled over and switched to map 1...
NICE!
No apologies necessary! Glad you and I got it worked out! Chat soon!
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 376
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL
Well I removed the neg. terminal on the battery and stepped on the brake. Re-attached the battery. Started the car and the CEL popped right back on.
Plugged the scanner to reset the code. Started the car and drove for about 20 minutes in Map 0 and no CEL.
Pulled over, switched on Map 1 and drove for about 10 minutes and a CEL popped back on. Plugged the scanner back in and now a new code P0420 (Catalyst Efficiency below Threshold (Bank 1)). Reset the code and switched back to Map 0. Drove for 20 minutes and no CEL. Parked the car for a few hours.
Re-started after 2 hours and drove for 10 minutes with Map 0 and the CEL popped back on. Continued driving for the next 25 minutes with CEL still on. Pulled over and checked code and its still P0420. A few times, the car felt like it was coughing or rather was congested and hesistated when pushed slightly. But overall, I did not drive the car aggressively with the PnP ECU because of the CEL. I must admit that I did notice the ECU working but overall performance was not as smooth as I expected probably because I was being careful . I did feel very strong pull with ECU, must be the increase in boost, though I wished my gauges were already installed.
After I re-set the code, I finally removed the PnP ECU and drove the car all day (over 150 miles) and no more CEL. Drove the car very very aggressively, high rev'd and over 90+ MPH and NO CEL.
Hope ALTA can figure out whats going on,
EDIT: Just wanted to mention that I am waiting for replacement boost tubes from ALTA to replace one with a small hole in it. Currently it has a patch and a strap on it and does not leak because the CEL is not on. The CEL popped on last week and upon inspection by the dealer, it was discovered and temporarily fixed by my tuner. The CEL has not come back on for this particular issue. Would it be a factor in this ECU issue? I have no idea! Just for full disclosure.
Plugged the scanner to reset the code. Started the car and drove for about 20 minutes in Map 0 and no CEL.
Pulled over, switched on Map 1 and drove for about 10 minutes and a CEL popped back on. Plugged the scanner back in and now a new code P0420 (Catalyst Efficiency below Threshold (Bank 1)). Reset the code and switched back to Map 0. Drove for 20 minutes and no CEL. Parked the car for a few hours.
Re-started after 2 hours and drove for 10 minutes with Map 0 and the CEL popped back on. Continued driving for the next 25 minutes with CEL still on. Pulled over and checked code and its still P0420. A few times, the car felt like it was coughing or rather was congested and hesistated when pushed slightly. But overall, I did not drive the car aggressively with the PnP ECU because of the CEL. I must admit that I did notice the ECU working but overall performance was not as smooth as I expected probably because I was being careful . I did feel very strong pull with ECU, must be the increase in boost, though I wished my gauges were already installed.
After I re-set the code, I finally removed the PnP ECU and drove the car all day (over 150 miles) and no more CEL. Drove the car very very aggressively, high rev'd and over 90+ MPH and NO CEL.
Hope ALTA can figure out whats going on,
EDIT: Just wanted to mention that I am waiting for replacement boost tubes from ALTA to replace one with a small hole in it. Currently it has a patch and a strap on it and does not leak because the CEL is not on. The CEL popped on last week and upon inspection by the dealer, it was discovered and temporarily fixed by my tuner. The CEL has not come back on for this particular issue. Would it be a factor in this ECU issue? I have no idea! Just for full disclosure.
I am needing help also
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: SoCal, Germany, Iraq
x2. I am going through the SAME problem....Without the ECU in it runs PERFECT. When I plug the PnP ECU, sometimes the boost just dies out. When I am in 6th gear and give it some gas, the boost cuts off 90% of the time at 3k rpm. I tested without the PvP ECU driving it hard and all and yet to have no CEL or no-boost issues.
I am needing help also
I am needing help also
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: North Shore ,MA
x2. I am going through the SAME problem....Without the ECU in it runs PERFECT. When I plug the PnP ECU, sometimes the boost just dies out. When I am in 6th gear and give it some gas, the boost cuts off 90% of the time at 3k rpm. I tested without the PvP ECU driving it hard and all and yet to have no CEL or no-boost issues.
I am needing help also
I am needing help also
5th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
I ran into a similar problem. After Jeff and I spoke, he suggested I install the stock intake hose on my car. Cured the problem. The Alta silicon intake hose would collapse with the increase in boost(mostly in 5th and 6th gear/3200 rpms and up). I have a boost gauge in my car, so I knew instantly that was the cure. Hope this helps.
I ran into a similar problem. After Jeff and I spoke, he suggested I install the stock intake hose on my car. Cured the problem. The Alta silicon intake hose would collapse with the increase in boost(mostly in 5th and 6th gear/3200 rpms and up). I have a boost gauge in my car, so I knew instantly that was the cure. Hope this helps.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
I didn't experience this on the I5 on my way back from Oregon. And haven't since, but I rarely do any highway or freeway driving (and I found 3000rpm to be about 75MPH; can't do that speed anywhere around here). But that is disturbing.
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands, Tx
I am running into the same problem I was losing all boost by 4000 RPM I talked to jeff he though the inlet hose was collapse with the increase in boost. I took the car in the morning to test that out we notice the inlet hose and the hose from the intake where both collapsed with the increase in boost. That really sucks.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Portland, or
PLEASE e-mail us directly with any questions or concerns. Thanks again guys and gals!
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Portland, or
I am running into the same problem I was losing all boost by 4000 RPM I talked to jeff he though the inlet hose was collapse with the increase in boost. I took the car in the morning to test that out we notice the inlet hose and the hose from the intake where both collapsed with the increase in boost. That really sucks.
Thanks!
NOT TO STRESS! For those clients affected, we are sending replacement parts ASAP. NOT all are a problem only some that weren't cured properly and were left well a little soft. We have added some VIAGRA(tm) inner wire to the latest inlets and the problem will NOT come back!
PLEASE e-mail us directly with any questions or concerns. Thanks again guys and gals!
PLEASE e-mail us directly with any questions or concerns. Thanks again guys and gals!
i just went out after reading this and installed my old stock intake hose. i squeezed the alta hose and man there is a huge difference in both. its tough to squeeze the stock one. i haven't driven it yet but just feeling the difference in the two is proof enough. this explains the p115d maf error code.i wish i had noticed it before; but i hope they have a fix on the alta tube because i hope i didn't throw away $200!
NOT TO STRESS! For those clients affected, we are sending replacement parts ASAP. NOT all are a problem only some that weren't cured properly and were left well a little soft. We have added some VIAGRA(tm) inner wire to the latest inlets and the problem will NOT come back!
Well Ken, you're definitely not the first company to run into this problem, I ran into this exact same problem after installing a few different Porsche 993tt & 996tt kits.
A lot of people scoff at the idea that something as simple and seemingly cosmetic as inlet/boost hoses/open intake can really free up/make hp, but I think this is a good example. When the engine's struggling for air so much that it creates enough vacuum to collapse the tubing, you're seeing a lot of restriction still, whether it's the airbox or the many bends and chokepoints along the way.
Try it with a Mcdonalds straw, it's soft & squishy, but start sucking and it'll flow fine and appear rigid until you start applying some restriction to the end of it.
Adding a spiral wire to the silicone tubing is a great way to help prevent the tubing from collapsing, but opening up intake and shortening/straightening will really leave you skipping down the street w/ a smile on your face
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: North Shore ,MA
Last edited by snkbte; May 3, 2008 at 09:22 PM.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
They are going to replace the hose as soon as they get more in. Without the ECU/ added boost, the hose worked fine. I have seen as much as 17 lbs boost with just the intake and boost tubes, along with their cat-back exhaust and CAI.With the ECU as much as 21-22 lbs! I am sure the new hose will be/work fine. I am just happy to have solved the problem(with Jeff's help), and the car pulls great right through all six gears.
Interesting. Just checked back on this thread and finally we seem to be getting somewhere with this P115D code
. Interesting info on the collapsing intake and boost tubes and the vanishing boost. Hmmm
Hey folks. Ken sent me a reminder to this thread and I was busy the past day or so with BS family and work stuff. So back I am!
Anyway, there may be TWO issues here.
If you have the ALTA inlet hose on the car and is is soft (not all of them are BTW) then remove it and try the OEM hose. Repeat the test. If the car noses off then it is NOT the hose.
If you have the ALTA inlet hose and you remove it and the OEM one fixes the problem, then viola we need to get you a new inlet hose and problem solved.
To keep things easier to track, if you have ANY of these issues, end the concerns directly to me: adam.taft@altaminiperformance.com This will insure that you don't get mixed up in CSR land etc. I will handle each one as fast as possible and of course report back here as well.
Thanks again guys and gals!
Anyway, there may be TWO issues here.
If you have the ALTA inlet hose on the car and is is soft (not all of them are BTW) then remove it and try the OEM hose. Repeat the test. If the car noses off then it is NOT the hose.
If you have the ALTA inlet hose and you remove it and the OEM one fixes the problem, then viola we need to get you a new inlet hose and problem solved.
To keep things easier to track, if you have ANY of these issues, end the concerns directly to me: adam.taft@altaminiperformance.com This will insure that you don't get mixed up in CSR land etc. I will handle each one as fast as possible and of course report back here as well.
Thanks again guys and gals!
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 376
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL
Where you refering to the Turbo Inlet Hose or the Boost Tubes? I would hate to have to deal with the cold side boost tube. I have the stock Turbo Inlet hose on the car and still experience the boost-cut at WOT most of the time and the boostcut at 3k rpm@ 6th gear. Should this be an actual ECU problem or do the boost tubes also have a record of "collapsing"?
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Low boost in high gear
This may or may not be what is happening to others with the lack of boost in 5th or 6th gear, but, when I did have the ECU installed I found that fluttering the throttle would induce the boost, if I just ramp the throttle up of put it to WOT the boost would not build and the engine would runn rather weak. Try a little throttle flutter, like when you force and automatic to shift with the gas pedal, sort of, and see if that makes a difference.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 2
From: los angeles
We fixed the problem...
Hi everyone....
I think almost everyone overlooked me posting about the p115 issue...
We solved the issue with our "CEL Defender" this part will take care of the soft throttle issue some of you have experienced (not from collapsing intake tubes) but usually from the ECU uppgrades that are available on the market- place IE. Alta/Unichip modules.
I will have a new Vendor release of the part on Monday with some images
as well....
Peter
M7 Tuning
562-608-8123
I think almost everyone overlooked me posting about the p115 issue...
We solved the issue with our "CEL Defender" this part will take care of the soft throttle issue some of you have experienced (not from collapsing intake tubes) but usually from the ECU uppgrades that are available on the market- place IE. Alta/Unichip modules.
I will have a new Vendor release of the part on Monday with some images
as well....
Peter
M7 Tuning
562-608-8123
Hi everyone....
I think almost everyone overlooked me posting about the p115 issue...
We solved the issue with our "CEL Defender" this part will take care of the soft throttle issue some of you have experienced (not from collapsing intake tubes) but usually from the ECU uppgrades that are available on the market- place IE. Alta/Unichip modules.
I think almost everyone overlooked me posting about the p115 issue...
We solved the issue with our "CEL Defender" this part will take care of the soft throttle issue some of you have experienced (not from collapsing intake tubes) but usually from the ECU uppgrades that are available on the market- place IE. Alta/Unichip modules.
CELs are a sign something is wrong, I usually do not use a product that hides CELs or CEL triggers from me. Perhaps some more details would be appropriate in a new thread...
Where you refering to the Turbo Inlet Hose or the Boost Tubes? I would hate to have to deal with the cold side boost tube. I have the stock Turbo Inlet hose on the car and still experience the boost-cut at WOT most of the time and the boostcut at 3k rpm@ 6th gear. Should this be an actual ECU problem or do the boost tubes also have a record of "collapsing"?