Has any electronics savvy member tried to fid out what is involved in upgrading the ECU to the new software?
I have not seen the unit (ECU) myself - but sounds like there is a programmable device (chip, IC - EEPROM, controller, whatever) that the dealers are just upgrading with the new software.
If anyone has a handy ECU out - let me know I can try to identify what type of device it is that needs to be programmed to upload the new software on it.
Thanks
JWT ECU - what is involved
It's just not worth it. Each year or even mid year a modle of a car could receive a revised ecu. Case in point it a MAF on your can sends one voltage but the manufacture get a deal from another supplier that sends a different voltage at a given flow then the ecu would be slightly different.
You would have to get a dump of your ecu identify the program vs data memory. Figure out whan the ecu is doing and with what memory variables, then modify the data area to suit your needs. And all of this fun must be done in assembler (which sucks to look at). What you would be modifing is the data memory of the cpu, adjusting the timing and fuel maps in relation to the sensor values.
You would have to get a dump of your ecu identify the program vs data memory. Figure out whan the ecu is doing and with what memory variables, then modify the data area to suit your needs. And all of this fun must be done in assembler (which sucks to look at). What you would be modifing is the data memory of the cpu, adjusting the timing and fuel maps in relation to the sensor values.
May be I asked the question incorrectly. By "dealers" I meant the folks who are selling the JWT ECU and the likes. NOt suggesting to alter and transform the ECU data on the fly - rather what is involved in upgrading the stock to JWT ECU?
My feeling is that all what may be needed is an EEPROM burn and should be fairly easy to do @home. Just curious if others have thought about it. Now I do not know how well the code is protected by copyrights and if one is allowed to dump it or not.
Thanks
My feeling is that all what may be needed is an EEPROM burn and should be fairly easy to do @home. Just curious if others have thought about it. Now I do not know how well the code is protected by copyrights and if one is allowed to dump it or not.
Thanks
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Q45tech
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- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
The EPROM is soldered [No socket] so the first thing JWT does is send it out and have a socket installed.
You are paying for intellectual property, the work they did years ago in dynoing the various models and coming up with safe changes to the code. Their reputation for safety is paramount since who knows the engine condition when it is suddenly asked to deliver more.
I installed the ecu with only 30k back in 1994 it has served well for 8 years with many many excursions to the new 7300 rpm redline [probably not more than once/twice] per week but 400-800 times is a lot! And at 238k it still burns no oil [less than 1/2 quart in 4k] and accelerates within 0.1-0.2 seconds of what it did when the ecu was installed. [50-80 mph stop watch]. The 50-80 timing test is part of my every 90 day diagnosis with an oil change....important to catch small problems early before they get serious!
I purchased an ECU from JWT with the software installed and kept my oem as a spare [never had to use it] but the spare is helpful in diagnosing problems on other 90-93 Q keep it in a foam case along with oem T-ECU in trunk just in case.
You are paying for intellectual property, the work they did years ago in dynoing the various models and coming up with safe changes to the code. Their reputation for safety is paramount since who knows the engine condition when it is suddenly asked to deliver more.
I installed the ecu with only 30k back in 1994 it has served well for 8 years with many many excursions to the new 7300 rpm redline [probably not more than once/twice] per week but 400-800 times is a lot! And at 238k it still burns no oil [less than 1/2 quart in 4k] and accelerates within 0.1-0.2 seconds of what it did when the ecu was installed. [50-80 mph stop watch]. The 50-80 timing test is part of my every 90 day diagnosis with an oil change....important to catch small problems early before they get serious!
I purchased an ECU from JWT with the software installed and kept my oem as a spare [never had to use it] but the spare is helpful in diagnosing problems on other 90-93 Q keep it in a foam case along with oem T-ECU in trunk just in case.