markk

iTrader: (2)

Just some info on the quality of some of the products out there, some may know ive been looking for an ECU for the new rally car for some time, well i narrowed it down to three in the end, Motec, Life racing, and GEMS.

after samplig all three i finally decided on GEMS for a few reasons, mainly being price, user ability and tech support.

Heres a quick screen shot of the newest GEMS mapping software, you name it, and its configurable, and has more functions than every ecu in the same price range, that includes any of the Pectel range for those who swear by Pectel

-beefy-

iTrader: (6)

looks nice mark ,

whats the price bud ?

beef

markk

iTrader: (2)

that version is £1200 plus vat, if you want active throttle like i have add another £150plus vat.

please do not compare this with the cheaper end of the ECU range though.

Big Will_

Does it have PBW Mark?

markk

iTrader: (2)

Will, im shocked at you

you should know better

and its in the image as well

Big Will_

Oh, they've changed the name now!

I had to squint really hard at those titles to see it!

pa_sjo

LifeRacing is EONS ahead of Gems....... that's the one i'd go for

markk

iTrader: (2)

not from what i have seen mate, and i have looked at them all trust me.

pa_sjo

Are you judging it by the tuning software? LR uses a professional calibration console, not some fluffed up pretty junk.

markk

iTrader: (2)

by its input and output characteristics and by its mapping usablity and its price.

so hows that for evaluation?

do you use either of the above mentioned control units?

Rick

Mark, have you looked at adaptronic? I haven't used it and the spec looks interesting, but that doesn't mean anything really.

Rick.

pa_sjo

Yes.. with regards to LR and Pectel.. admittedly only evaluated the Gems s/w.

markk

iTrader: (2)

no i haven't but the biggest issue with all the other ecu's other than what ive mentioned was being able to run drive by wire. non do that i found to have a play with.


so hardly qualified then really to comment on the GEMS units.

pa_sjo

Well, that depends on how you look at it. I know that LR does exactly what any tuner would want a decent ECU to do. It has the right shortcuts, the right layout and this is only as far as the calibration software goes. What it does internally with regards to strategies and algorithms to improve driveability, well, that isn't documented, but i'd be very surprised if Gems could match it (but of course, that is pure speculation).

LR does DBW, just incase i'm misunderstanding what you said above.

markk

iTrader: (2)

I think you are misunderstanding completly, re-read the original post, life racing was one of the units i tested for possible usage, and did not make the complete package required like the one i chose does.

Stu @ M Developments

iTrader: (12)

Nice. Should be fun, its years ahead of the old rubbish they used to produce.

PBW =

markk

iTrader: (2)

i totally agree mate

dont forget when they used to make the P8 implant boards that was in 1992 !! ! most ecu manufacturers that we know now where not even aorund then !

stevieturbo

DTA can do DBW with an add on. Motec of course can do DBW...at a price.

markk

iTrader: (2)

DTA could nto do DBW a couple of months ago when a rang Alan, he told me he has been working on it for a good while but had no expected availability, and to be honoust i dont like DTA, and certainly dont want an add on to my ecu, so thats where that fell down !!

stevieturbo

There is a guy with a VAG 1.8 turbo running DBW on DTA. Think he has been for a while now...although he might be the first.

markk

iTrader: (2)

maybe Alans guinea pig

stevieturbo

Seems to be..that was last August or so though.

http://dtaforum.psycode.com/viewtopi...&highlight=dbw

markk

iTrader: (2)

yes just a prototype, still dont think its ready tbh, doesnt really talk about it either, but then again, it was standard on that engine anyway !!

richm

Correct, Bill Brockbank is using it on his Ibiza Cupra in Castle Combe saloons this year - and yes as far as I'm aware it is the first one out there.
I gave him a hand sorting it out over the winter, it is running now, done some dyno time etc, not sure if he's run it on the circuit yet.

markk

iTrader: (2)

he would have gone backwards not to use it though eh?

OldDan

What's DBW?

markk

iTrader: (2)

drive by wire

OldDan

Ahhh! nice. What are the advantages over cable throttle and a tps?

markk

iTrader: (2)

you still have a tps, its built into the throttle body, the biggest advantage for us is the ALS/launch and traction control strategies.

richm

Depends how you look at it
The inflexibility of the original Bosch system against programmable aftermarket is more of a limitation than not having DBW in a lot of ways. For circuit racing that he does, the benefits in terms of TC and antilag/launch are much less than I guess they are with what you do Mark, the conditions are more predictable and suitable mapping can minimise the need for TC. There's guys out there with similar setup and big horsepower, and the TC is frankly a hindrance in a lot of ways, and they've ended up reducing HP and/or modified mapping to reduce the need to good effect. He had the opportunity of including DBW so took it, time will tell how it works out
For loose and changing surfaces I can imagine DBW being a useful tool though.

GARETH T

whats PBW? lol