OK, I know there's half a million posts including RMW, but could someone simply tell me:

What is RMW's ECU tune?

I mean, I was pretty happy with my MTH tune, since it made a definite difference with my mildly modded car.
Don't know how effective it would have been with alot more high performance hardware installed

I'm thinking about tuning up my car again, and I keep reading
"RMW" -- whats the basis of this ECU tune? From brief reading, sounds
like installing high performance hardware with an ECU tune, or?
(besides the rats/gerbils/hamsters/squirrels in the box/cage etc...)

 

Better wait to earn the presense of the Master Mechanic on this one....
I too am curious if I have the correct understanding of the ECU tune.....
I thought it was just remapping the stock ECU maps..... without needing saw, a S-AFC

 

This will be interesting to see if you get a non biased response. There really is only a few qualified that can answer this?

 

+

 

Whoa...I wasn't trying to poke my finger into a beehive,
(i'm not afraid of bees though...)

Just meant, is this at its most basic an ECU computer program kind of tune?
Or does it need a chip?
Or is it always associated with some pretty hefty engine upgrades too?

I couldn't cut thru the hype (expect it with most mods, moreso with expensive ones) to understand what Jan's "basic tune" consists of,
or is there a basic RMW tune?

 

A cool, unbiased opinion would be a great thing...but not commercially viable for the few qualified that could get together to answer that question. I think the ABF venture is the closest we have to that(?). Jan works with Hubie, Hubie works/ed with Jason... Emil, Jan and John use Dimsport... Don works with John... Jason won't say what he uses...

 

The only chips that I know of that are available for the MINI are the Shark and Unichip. Avoid both...unless someone really figures out the Uni.

Other canned tunes include Evotech, MTH and GIAC.

Whatever you do, get a custom dyno tune if at all possible. There are 4-5 choices available that come to mind.

 

Its not the Master Mechanic that knows this answer.And there is no training/schools for ECU tuning/flashing. I would say that Jan himself should explain the perimeters, area's and the limitation he does when tuning. While he does and did worked long hours to get it a level that seems to work well and he does seem to continue to improve on it he should be the one answering the question " What is RMW's ECU tune?"

 

i'm pretty sure this has been done . i am just too lazy to navagate nam's search function (which i have almost given up on) to find the link.

 

Might as well ask what is the meaning of life. Or ask Coke for the formula.

You are asking questions that will not get answers from any tuner. GIAC, MTH, RMW, or any one that reprograms, piggy backs or otherwise changes the parameters of the ECU is not about to give that proprietary information away.

To the OP

The difference between what RMW does and MTH is rather simple. Look at it this way. There are 3 levels of tune, OEM, Canned and Custom.

The factory or OEM tune has to take many different operational parameters. The same tune has to work on cars from Alaska to Florida and every where in between, pass EPA for the life of the car and take in all the various ways the end user is going to abuse the car.

A Canned tune such as MTH improves upon the OEM tune and takes inot account certain mods that the tuner anticipates the end user may or will have. Again this will cover a larger spectrum of cars but doesn't have to be as forgiving to the abuses of the end user as the OEM.

A Custom tune is designed for a specific car. The car is tested and modifications are made to various tables in the software. The car is tested again and depending on the results more changes are made. This is repeated until gains stop and/or will become unsafe for normal operation. The exact settings are different for each car. Plus if present during the tuning one can help by specifying what is important to the user and how the car is going to be used.

Can a custom tune add more than a canned tune? In most instances, yes.

 

I am by no means a mechanic nor do I pretend to know more than the average Joe. But what I believe Jan (RMW) does is modifies the parameters of the ECU to extract the most usable power out of an engine safely through adjusting timing, air, fuel and RPM limiters. On a modified car with perhaps a header, injectors, exhaust and intake the stock ECU is not calibrated properly to deal with the added air and fuel this allows. Jan has base maps he has created from previous cars he has worked on and he loads one into your car that was similar. Since every car is different he then does a dyno pull and see what the engine needs...more/less fuel...and timing etc. Ideally he is looking for a flat torque curve for smooth power delivery across the board...maximum power with safe air:fuel ratios.

Thats my guess anyways.

 

See its not going to happen.... There are what hundreds of windows or doors or what ever you want to call them in an ECU that can be modified or changed. The tuners out their only touch and effect a few of them. No mystery no secret. Jan just hits on a custom tune using a dyno as a tool and does a good job at improving thoughs few area's. It not so hard to let the consumer know which ones. Lets see the to mention a few that we all know...
I hope that there is not a belief beyond this??? But after reading a couple of responses???
Now really this is when Jan should be here to support me...( ha ha)


Its just another repeat of many other threads . Was there not a really good explanation in MC2 once about the OEM ECU?

And why are not the tuners here instead of the same crew (me included) debating the same things ?

I feel a spanking coming to me on this ...

 

Big question; Where is the tuning software for the DIYers. Tuning isnt for everyone, but there are quite a few 'normal people' who have a decent understanding of the requirements for a engine are. A program like this also enables a 'road' tune which has been proven repeatedly to be better then a dyno session. While there isnt much gain, every little bit helps.

Honda have their Hondata.
DSMs have their DSMlink.
LSx have their LS1edit.
Hell there isnt a bike that isnt able to be fine tuned b/c of PowerCommander.

Where is the Mini home tuning software ? I could buy a 'dimsport' package, but i think i saw a European price of $4k for there 'handheld' device ? ...ESH....

 

all i can say on tunes: is you know when its missing....
have noticed my car is very flat all of a sudden
i am assuming my custom rr tune has walked, as i am also getting more mpg?
back on the rollers to try and track it down next week....
will post when i know more

 

The only DIY software available that I know of is from
Jestr Tuning (www.jestrtuning.com) or Sniper Tuning (www.snipertuning.com)
You can purchase tuning software from them
I would like to get my hands on the software and try it but when I contacted them they never got back to me...probably beacause Im an Aussie

 

Seems like sniper tuning is going to be the way to go, and with everything that it offers....ummm Delta Force i will be waiting for you.



EDIT: oooooo Hydra has a system too, and i am semi familiar with it b/c of a friends Subie. But it gets rid of cruise control, which sucks pretty bad...

 

I would be interested to see how thing go... please keep me posted

 

Jan is probably reading this topic right now just giggling

 

yes I am... I just found this today

timing maps
fueling maps
throttle response
RPM limiter
traction control

It is amazing how different each car is even with the same mods. I have good base maps I have built from all of the cars we have done and it gets it close but the only real way to do it is to put it on the dyno and tune it to each individual car.

I have tuned cars in England which then went to the drag strip and backed up the dyno numbers that it put down on the dyno. People like to have you believe otherwise. The smart people know better

 

My only question, is not how it is done or to release "secrets"... But if you go in there to the dyno with no piggyback system, and stock ecu... Do you just reprogram the perameters of all these timing and fuel maps? Or do I need a piggyback system such as the AFC for fuel or anything else for timing???

 

take your piggyback and go sell it to the Honda crowd

what do you think works better?

tricking the computer into something or getting it to run on the tables it came from the factory with?

 

Well that's obviously a No Brainer!!!
And good to know, that saves a lot of hastle installing it and $200 buying one...

 

I don't think there are actually any secrets in this matter...other than exactly how much he is adjusting and exactly where...I've read many threads on this and without asking for secrets...I have a decent idea of it.
Just out of curiosity, not trying to start another gun fight, but Nitro, what secrets are you talking about. I ask because I feel that there is a ton of information on what he does to the ecu. But asking for him to put out detailed info on the actual map he is using is like asking him to publish CAD drawings of his head...it's a silly request. If I am misunderstanding your request, then please be more specific.

He uses his dimsport software and hardware to remap the stock ecu...like the dealership would, except he dynos it between uploads, then changes the paramaters, then another dyno, and repeat...until he feels it is at it's best for the mods present. That is at least my understanding of it. That is in essence the definition of a dyno tune.

 

Just FYI, i do not think i can create a tune that is better then what Jan is able to produce. I am interested in tuning software for a complete of reasons and none of them are to show Jan up.

The Hydra is an awesome standalone, w/ an auto-tune feature it is a very powerful unit. People in the subaru community have found this to be one of the best things available.

The sniper...ehh it is nice.

Mainly i am looking for something to datalog and then tune all within the same software. While dyno pull tunes are nice and gets the car extremely close, road/track tunes are ideal. Especially if you add things in a slow manner.

 

Out of curiosity, I have a somewhat related question: How do the new maps "interact" with the the part of the ECU that does the "learning"?

There is that aspect of the ECU that "learns' your driving style and I wonder how that part of the ECU meshes with the new tuned maps. Thanks.