V8 Engine ECM Upgrade

[Barrykearley]

10 hours ago, MD355 said:

So you are suggesting that removing the chip and installing chip carrier to be able to swap chips is dangerous for the board?

I think Marcus does it this way..

Any other alternatives? Who can do it in Europe ?

Chip carriers for plcc devices are massively unreliable - especially in scenarios where vibration is an issue.  We had this issue years ago in maritime comms kit - one of the reasons I didn’t have them in my ecu. 

4 hours ago, Mightymetro said:

But haven’t the original ECU’s had lots and lots of hours development to get them the best they can be, or is it because of the compromises of emissions, gearbox warranty etc. 

The software was an issue a few years ago when Alan looked into this. The kit was specific to the ecu and fully locked down at the time. Dunno if that’s still true.

[mike_sekinger]

PM sent.

[andyblackman777]

On 05/11/2020 at 07:30, mike_sekinger said:

Do NOT install chip carriers.  These multi-layer pcbs do not favour being re-worked and in the worst case you will end up having and ECU that does not work anymore.

Have the ECU re-flashed with the new calibration over CAN.

Bugger, wish I new that 20 years ago! Mind you its still working....

[MD355]

@andyblackman777

What ECU did you install on your car ?

[andyblackman777]

PUK.    Chip S360. I sent it to Marcus.

It was many years ago before flashing was available outside of Lotus 

If Mike is willing to do it for you I would take that option.

[MD355]

@andyblackman777

I am doing S350 as my gearbox is stock and I don’t want to be breaking down again.. I realized one important thing.. This is not Gran Turismo in Playstation where you choose that parts that give you the most horsepower.. These are real metals that break, and they cost real money to fix.. So more boost and bhp does not mean good for your car.. I want to have a nice experience and enjoy my car.. And since the S350 was offered with guarantee by Lotus and the same gearbox as the V8, I go for that..

[v8GTmac1]

On 13/11/2020 at 10:09, MD355 said:

@andyblackman777

I am doing S350 as my gearbox is stock and I don’t want to be breaking down again.. I realized one important thing.. This is not Gran Turismo in Playstation where you choose that parts that give you the most horsepower.. These are real metals that break, and they cost real money to fix.. So more boost and bhp does not mean good for your car.. I want to have a nice experience and enjoy my car.. And since the S350 was offered with guarantee by Lotus and the same gearbox as the V8, I go for that..

Someone say Gran Turismo !!

[MD355]

@v8GTmac1

I just built a monster Lotus Esprit V8... in Gran Turismo Playstation..  LOL

It has 700 bhp, slick tires and it never breaks down... very reliable, in the simulator...

LOL

[MD355]

ECU Update : 

Today I received the 350 Sport ECU for my V8 Esprit and I just installed it..

Due to covid restrictions driving after a certain hour is not allowed, however I couldn't resist and went on a short drive around my neighborhood..

Immediate the ECU seems to operate the engine smoother.. Even in first gear I felt less of a hesitation vibration.. The car feels more linear and pulls nicely in all RPM at any gear, whereas before it would shake and vibrate at low rpm due to lack of power.. There is definitely less vibration..

In 2-3 gears I could see the difference with power coming in earlier, but without burst on transient boost... The ECU program seems to fit the car nicely.. It also seems to protect the gearbox.. I am not gonna say it feels much faster, but it is too early as I did not go over 80-90 km/h in my neighborhood narrow residential roads..

Once I take it out on a spin tomorrow I will have a better idea of the 350 Sport program..

The good thing is that I improved the drivability / power / performance of my car and it still feels safe to drive..

I could have opted for something more powerful, but Mike is right that the risk of damage to the transmission / engine is too high... Let's just enjoy what we got

Edited December 15, 2020 by MD355

[MD355]

Review of 350 Sport ECU Day 2 :

Today I had the chance to drive and enjoy my car with the 350 Sport ECU.

The best way to summarize the 350 Sport ECU is that this is the correct ECU that the Esprit V8 should have come with straight from the factory !

Whereas the standard V8 ECU feels 40% of the time slow and has turbo lag, the 350 Sport gives you instant power & torque in all gears at all RPM... For some reason, even 1st gear seems more eager.. Accelerating straight line 1-2-3 gear has now become almost scary... I cannot imagine what the more powerful ECU feel like... But one thing is for sure : with the 350 Sport I can feel when the ECU is trying to avoid excess peak transient boost in order to protect and save the gearbox.. With other programs like the RED that have all the safety measures removed, I think it is recipe for disaster.. As for 1st gear, who needs more power? It is already enough..

The summary is that the 350 ECU is a must for any V8.. and quite honestly most people here will agree that it is the limit for a V8 with stock components... In the last 2 years of ownership, I have had quite a lot of damages with my car, and the feeling of something breaking, calling roadside assistance, taking the car to the service, and hearing from the mechanic what the damage is... as well as paying for it and waiting for the parts to arrive and the work to be done, is enough reason not to want to try anything else.. So lets enjoy our cars..

Final conclusion :

-If you want a trouble free fast car : 350 Sport ECU (the endurance choice, think 24hr Le Mans)

-If you want a short term 1-race car that will break : go for anything else... including RED (the qualifying lap choice, 1-2 flying laps and replace everything that breaks)

 

[mike_sekinger]

Nice to hear that you are satisfied

[mike_sekinger]

If anyone else would like the S350 high torque or any other standard or custom flash, please PM me.

[MD355]

Just a fun video showing turbo boost pressure in 3rd gear with 350 Sport ECU.. Enjoy

 

[mike_sekinger]

I don't hear any BOVs.....😇

[MD355]

@mike_sekinger I never removed them.. It’s just my impression that maybe they are wrong BOV for my car and they rarely open.. I uploaded 2 more videos.. One is boost pressure in 2nd gear and the other is a 0-150 km/h rolling start run.. Try to figure if they open..

Below is the 0-150km/h

 

On the 0-150 km/h notice the sound of the exhaust poping on the overrun when I shift gears.. With the turbos warmed up, cats removed and straight pipes, this means cool flames at the back.. Lol

[mike_sekinger]

Hmmmm sounds like those BOVs are not working.

In comparison, this is a chargecooled car running 1.2 bar boost.

IMG_0773.MOV

[Barrykearley]

Nice easing off with the “slow” writing on the roads 🤭😂

[MD355]

@Barrykearley the roads are very slippery, so I believe there is minimal stress on transmission / differential... 😄 

[MD355]

Is there some test to check if my Forge BOV are working properly ?

Do you know if they are adjustable ? Thanks

[mike_sekinger]

There are different BOV designs from Forge.  Is it a piston or diaphragm version?  They can be fitted with difference strength springs.

I would recommend that you have them apart to check the seals and also which colour springs are fitted.

 

[MD355]

I am positive that it is a piston BOV.. My mechanic cleaned them up and showed to me how they work.. I will try to find put more info about them and maybe changed the spring..

P.S. Happy New Year to all !! 
Today I was driving with fair cool weather and was getting lot of thumbs up from bikers and other motorists.. Guess they love the shape, sound and flames shooting show of the Lotus Esprit..

p.s.2. Funny fact of the day, in the Department of Transportation of Greece some “genious” put in the database that Lotus makes the Lotus Espiri, so all Lotus Esprit cars registed in Greece are officially called “Lotus Espiri” Hahaha

[v8GTmac1]

On 28/12/2020 at 03:51, MD355 said:

@mike_sekinger I never removed them.. It’s just my impression that maybe they are wrong BOV for my car and they rarely open.. I uploaded 2 more videos.. One is boost pressure in 2nd gear and the other is a 0-150 km/h rolling start run.. Try to figure if they open..

Below is the 0-150km/h

 

On the 0-150 km/h notice the sound of the exhaust poping on the overrun when I shift gears.. With the turbos warmed up, cats removed and straight pipes, this means cool flames at the back.. Lol

love the videos, keep them coming.   Can i question why the boost drops during the pull? Is that normal for the factory ECU ?

 

Also just want to point out that you really like to REv up the 918, lolol

On 28/12/2020 at 05:58, mike_sekinger said:

Hmmmm sounds like those BOVs are not working.

In comparison, this is a chargecooled car running 1.2 bar boost.

IMG_0773.MOV 1.69 MB · 16 downloads

that video is unreal, prolly only 1 like it.

Edited January 9, 2021 by v8GTmac1

[cweeden]

You can see the speedometer is lagging behind the engine revs. I wondered if something was slipping but then you see the speedo play catch up (or at least I think that is what is going on), nice. 🙂 

[MD355]

@v8GTmac1 The boost drops during the pull because I lift the foot of the throttle pedal as the revs go past 5500 rpm to prepare myself for the upshift... The is little room left not to over-rev the engine LOL .. So I assume as I lift the pedal boost drops..

I am used to revving my cars, especially my Ferrari that revs to stratospheric 8500 rpm.. 😉

@cweeden The roads here are so slippery... there is wheel spin.. also notice the bang as I upshift.. It is explosion and flames from straight pipes LOL

[MD355]

@v8GTmac1 since you enjoy the videos so much, here are 2 new ones my friend took chasing my Esprit V8..