Funny thing happened while tuning
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: 808state
Funny thing happened while tuning
I recently changed my ECU from the Autronic SMC to the Autronic SM4. And after looking over some general parameters, I noticed that my tuner had only put a 5500 rpm rev limit. I never really noticed that except when I got hard on the gas, the car would cut off. He told me he put a boost limit of 5 lbs because I had no control over the ignition timing. Car has only been running at 3 lbs of boost despite my wishes. (Tuner didn't wanna go higher until everything could be controlled, and this was ok with my installer since he didn't wanna pull the motor if I blew it up) So all this time I thought I was hitting the boost limit. (no I didn't install a boost guage yet) because I thought since the boost was so damned low why would I care?
Well long story short, he gave me up to 6500 rpm as my cutoff and let the boost stay the same. Car is much more wicked than I thought. It really plants me in my seat. I still hit the boost limit, but when he datalogged the drives, I was actually hitting 12 lbs when the car upshifted. the Boost limit kicked in and then we found that one of my internal wastegates was frozen shut and one of my actuators had a bad leak. Getting these fixed tomorrow.
SM4 tuning will be done in stages, fuel and ignition, then will play with the VVTI. The tuner said that we could even control the drive by wire setup but I told him that I would still like my VSD present because it has saved my but a few times.
Hopefully dyno this week.
Well long story short, he gave me up to 6500 rpm as my cutoff and let the boost stay the same. Car is much more wicked than I thought. It really plants me in my seat. I still hit the boost limit, but when he datalogged the drives, I was actually hitting 12 lbs when the car upshifted. the Boost limit kicked in and then we found that one of my internal wastegates was frozen shut and one of my actuators had a bad leak. Getting these fixed tomorrow.
SM4 tuning will be done in stages, fuel and ignition, then will play with the VVTI. The tuner said that we could even control the drive by wire setup but I told him that I would still like my VSD present because it has saved my but a few times.
Hopefully dyno this week.
Hey so update us on the Autronic, I am considering moving to one and would like to hear how things turned out. What did you do with the VVTI, did you set up the system yourself or have someone do it for you. How did you wire it into the car, custom harness or is one available for plug and play. How did you setup the spark advance etc.
Thanks alot you are one of the few people that actually seems to have gotten a standalone to run with the stock ecu.
Thanks alot you are one of the few people that actually seems to have gotten a standalone to run with the stock ecu.
I'm going to be going with an AEM EMS standalone here in a bit once I build the motor + a "race built" tranny. A lot of the IS guys have had really good things to say about the EMS. Oh yeah, I'm self tuning that too so I'll keep you guys updated on how it all turns out as well 
Morris, a lot of the standalone ECU's can't really run truly as a standalone anymore. Especially in modern cars now with so many computers and electronics tied together in a multiplex system. They usually just run the standalones as a piggyback onto the stock ecu, but give the standalones sole control over fuel and ignition while the stock ecu does the rest like air bags, gauge cluster, etc...
Morris, a lot of the standalone ECU's can't really run truly as a standalone anymore. Especially in modern cars now with so many computers and electronics tied together in a multiplex system. They usually just run the standalones as a piggyback onto the stock ecu, but give the standalones sole control over fuel and ignition while the stock ecu does the rest like air bags, gauge cluster, etc...
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: 808state
Morris, so far, I have been able to control timing and fuel, he hasn't really touched the VVTI due to the fact he is still researching and getting more information on how it really works. (he wants to know when the vvti cuts in and how it affects ignition and cam timing under different loads/speeds/pressures etc.) Luckily my tuner is **** about these things, otherwise I think I would have needed a new motor a while ago.
My tuner also happens to be a very good friend and the autronic dealer here in Hawaii/west coast. He is the one that installed and is tuning it in increments.
I agree with JeffTsai, the Autronic could be made as a full standalone, but the electronics on the car is so damned complex that we just decided to let the ECU take care of everything else that didn't need to be tweeked. I decided not to even try controlling the tranny. I figured if I wanted to really do that, then I should get the 6 speed swap setup.
As for now, the car runs very strong. I have a short list of "kills" because I don't really condone racing unless it is someone that is really provoking me, or I am in the mood. (no one else is usually in my car and the road MUST have very little traffic) My racing ends when I see the other car in my rear view. I am usually starting from about 60-65 and going 110 when it's game over for the other car. (race usually ends in about 15 seconds) Putting it succinctly, I don't fear whatever car that wants to give me a go. I have beaten very fixed up STI's, an SC'd IS, M3, Mustangs and a few others, which I forget.
My tuner also happens to be a very good friend and the autronic dealer here in Hawaii/west coast. He is the one that installed and is tuning it in increments.
I agree with JeffTsai, the Autronic could be made as a full standalone, but the electronics on the car is so damned complex that we just decided to let the ECU take care of everything else that didn't need to be tweeked. I decided not to even try controlling the tranny. I figured if I wanted to really do that, then I should get the 6 speed swap setup.
As for now, the car runs very strong. I have a short list of "kills" because I don't really condone racing unless it is someone that is really provoking me, or I am in the mood. (no one else is usually in my car and the road MUST have very little traffic) My racing ends when I see the other car in my rear view. I am usually starting from about 60-65 and going 110 when it's game over for the other car. (race usually ends in about 15 seconds) Putting it succinctly, I don't fear whatever car that wants to give me a go. I have beaten very fixed up STI's, an SC'd IS, M3, Mustangs and a few others, which I forget.
damn! congrats man! this is very interesting. keep us updated on the results! your car sets the standard for GSs here in hawaii...now you are raising the bar once again
thats props man
your car sets the standard for GSs here in hawaii...now you are raising the bar once againthats props man
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Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: 808state
I am sure that we could have some fun. I am sure straights would be no problem for both of us, but if it came down to twists and turns, I would definitely take a beating. 
You and I know that the STI is a killer on a slalom type course.
Even the non z06 vettes have trouble hanging
I'm thinking of uppping it again to around 18-20PSI range when I get the tranny built and when I install new pistons in my block.
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Florida
Jeff, which EMS box are you going to be running? You are retaining the stock GS wiring harness, correct? Let me know, because to my knowledge both the 30-1100 and 30-1101 will not plug into the GS harness. In my mind, I thought the only alternative are the universal and or the Honda EMS boxes. I currently have a MAP ECU II wired in, but have had the thought of changing over to AEM EMS. Any shared info would be greatly appreciated!
I'm going to be going with an AEM EMS standalone here in a bit once I build the motor + a "race built" tranny. A lot of the IS guys have had really good things to say about the EMS. Oh yeah, I'm self tuning that too so I'll keep you guys updated on how it all turns out as well
Morris, a lot of the standalone ECU's can't really run truly as a standalone anymore. Especially in modern cars now with so many computers and electronics tied together in a multiplex system. They usually just run the standalones as a piggyback onto the stock ecu, but give the standalones sole control over fuel and ignition while the stock ecu does the rest like air bags, gauge cluster, etc...
Morris, a lot of the standalone ECU's can't really run truly as a standalone anymore. Especially in modern cars now with so many computers and electronics tied together in a multiplex system. They usually just run the standalones as a piggyback onto the stock ecu, but give the standalones sole control over fuel and ignition while the stock ecu does the rest like air bags, gauge cluster, etc...
I cant tell, but by the looks of your avatar picture, do you have a GTE swap? Or is that just a "for the hell of it" photo lol? I'm running the MAP-ECU1 right now but a lot of the IS300 guys are running the AEM box. They use either the universal one or some box out of a honda and just piggyback that onto the stock system so it has sole control over fuel/ignition only.
I think the box they use is the AEM 1050 box or something like that. Everything else like traction, air bags, gauges, etc is still controlled by the stock ecu. Some guy over on the IS forum also devised a new hack for the stock ignitor module so it won't throw a CEL from cutting the stock ignitor wires. There's a company(Dezod) selling an AEM box with a ready made plug n play harness for $2000. Supposedly, it also has a few hacks and such so that it won't throw any CEL and allow you to pass state inspections.
One of my friends is about to turbo his Scion TC so he wants to buy my MAPECU. I'm getting ready to dump my MAPECU for the EMS in about 2-3months time so I'll let you know how it goes
I think the box they use is the AEM 1050 box or something like that. Everything else like traction, air bags, gauges, etc is still controlled by the stock ecu. Some guy over on the IS forum also devised a new hack for the stock ignitor module so it won't throw a CEL from cutting the stock ignitor wires. There's a company(Dezod) selling an AEM box with a ready made plug n play harness for $2000. Supposedly, it also has a few hacks and such so that it won't throw any CEL and allow you to pass state inspections.
One of my friends is about to turbo his Scion TC so he wants to buy my MAPECU. I'm getting ready to dump my MAPECU for the EMS in about 2-3months time so I'll let you know how it goes
Morris, so far, I have been able to control timing and fuel, he hasn't really touched the VVTI due to the fact he is still researching and getting more information on how it really works. (he wants to know when the vvti cuts in and how it affects ignition and cam timing under different loads/speeds/pressures etc.) Luckily my tuner is **** about these things, otherwise I think I would have needed a new motor a while ago.
My tuner also happens to be a very good friend and the autronic dealer here in Hawaii/west coast. He is the one that installed and is tuning it in increments.
I agree with JeffTsai, the Autronic could be made as a full standalone, but the electronics on the car is so damned complex that we just decided to let the ECU take care of everything else that didn't need to be tweeked. I decided not to even try controlling the tranny. I figured if I wanted to really do that, then I should get the 6 speed swap setup.
As for now, the car runs very strong. I have a short list of "kills" because I don't really condone racing unless it is someone that is really provoking me, or I am in the mood. (no one else is usually in my car and the road MUST have very little traffic) My racing ends when I see the other car in my rear view. I am usually starting from about 60-65 and going 110 when it's game over for the other car. (race usually ends in about 15 seconds) Putting it succinctly, I don't fear whatever car that wants to give me a go. I have beaten very fixed up STI's, an SC'd IS, M3, Mustangs and a few others, which I forget.
My tuner also happens to be a very good friend and the autronic dealer here in Hawaii/west coast. He is the one that installed and is tuning it in increments.
I agree with JeffTsai, the Autronic could be made as a full standalone, but the electronics on the car is so damned complex that we just decided to let the ECU take care of everything else that didn't need to be tweeked. I decided not to even try controlling the tranny. I figured if I wanted to really do that, then I should get the 6 speed swap setup.
As for now, the car runs very strong. I have a short list of "kills" because I don't really condone racing unless it is someone that is really provoking me, or I am in the mood. (no one else is usually in my car and the road MUST have very little traffic) My racing ends when I see the other car in my rear view. I am usually starting from about 60-65 and going 110 when it's game over for the other car. (race usually ends in about 15 seconds) Putting it succinctly, I don't fear whatever car that wants to give me a go. I have beaten very fixed up STI's, an SC'd IS, M3, Mustangs and a few others, which I forget.
More questions:
1. so Is the VVTI disabled or is the stock ECu controlling it if so how when the autronic is controlling the other engine functions
2. What do you have for a tranny?
3. Are you still running the fly by wire intake, if not then what, if so then which computer is controlling it?
4. What did you use for a harness to connect it up to the car?
5. HOw much timing are you pulling?
6. What is a street price for the Autronic and any additional sensors and harnesses etc.
7. What did the install run you?
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