ECU

  Originally a California car, I tossed the stock ECU and picked up a federal BP4W unit and mailed it to Joe at Dynotronics.  Their tuning process involves replacing the code on the original chip without removal from the motherboard, which leaves all the idle and cold start features alone and just focuses on timing and fuel to extract more power and improve air/fuel ratio.  RPM limit can also be changed and I upped the limiter from a stock 7200 to 7700.  Unfortunately, the tune can only be modified or changed by Dynotronics, meaning that a time consuming and less than precise E-tune process will be needed to fully maximize the ECU's potential.  Also, only one tune can be stored at a time making it impossible to switch between multiple maps, different rpm limits, etc.

   A piggyback controller is now also legal for 2012 SCCA Solo competition in all of the ST* classes, but I chose to program the stock ECU because I believe it will be more stable and initially easier and cheaper to tune.  Eventually, I will probably want more personal control over the tuning and may step up to a Greddy Emanage Ultimate, Megasquirt, or similar device.

 












  Based on my first impressions while driving on the street, the low speed/low rpm throttle response is crisper and the off idle throttle response is smoother.  Horsepower feels the same and we will eventually let a dyno shop have a go with both ECUs to see the results.