Microtech Library

[03.5MSP]

I just wanted to know how the ignition is setup on the Microtech. It has been posted that we want to look for a falling edge.

This is from haltech's website:
"Just a warning to all, make sure your spark edge is set to FALLING in the ignition setup page, or you will fry your coils. I have fried 3 sets so far, and was finally able to narrow it down to that setting. Constant charge type, 5ms dwell time, and felling edge and you'll be happy."

 

[TurfBurn]

I used to know off hand, but I'd have to look at it. But plain and simple 5ms will take out our coils in a heartbeat. That is WAY too much for our coils. 2.6ms is okay. Above 3ms will fry them.

 

[03.5MSP]

What would increasing the dwell time due, and why would we want to increase that. I'm trying to learn so I apologize for the silly questions if some of you guys know this already. Also would the x4 box and Bosch coils help when running higher boost?

 

[TurfBurn]

Dwell time is sort of like "charge" time for the coil. Higher dwell time allows for a more powerful spark, but as you get closer to redline it can max out the duty cycle of the coil depending on things.

Stock coils can be made to run over 20 psi of boost... which is 350+whp which will trash your transmission. So until you get your transmission made with billet gears bigger coils are not necessary. The MPI tuner is the reason for the theory of our coils being weak because it messes with the spark dwell to control timing and it seems to negatively affect the spark. That said, yes using X4 and Bosch coils will allow even more boost, the combo is rated by Microtech to handle up in the 30+ psi range.

 

[jimmysuite]

sub, should be tackling installation and tuning in a month or two!

 

[Metallic36]

Worth it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MICR...VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

 

[TurfBurn]

No, not at all. It's just the hand controller to work with the Microtech ECU and it's nowhere near as good as the laptop software etc which is cheaper.

 

[808MP5]

subbed for later viewing

 

[Packerfan]

What happened to maps are their any available or is this not a Microtech library thread

 

[TurfBurn]

there are several maps on the first page...

 

[Packerfan]

Yes but fromlike 2005 all talk since then. And since you chimed in I bought LT10 from Kharris who purchased from you and never installed so I hope I will get the support due to the unit serial # and that Kharris never used his due support from you guys thanks.

 

[TurfBurn]

You'll get support because that's what we do with all our units and is who we are... not because you are "due" anything. (not trying to be a dick, but your statement comes across to me a little cocky/demanding... point being we do what we do to help people and the community and hope that people appreciate it in that manner... if you didn't mean it in that form than no worries!!)

 

[Little Beavis]

Worth it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MICROTECH-ECU-HAND-CONTROLLER-CABLE_W0QQitemZ120111514206QQihZ002QQcategoryZ33596QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

Yes, IMHO.

No, not at all. It's just the hand controller to work with the Microtech ECU and it's nowhere near as good as the laptop software etc which is cheaper.

Now, I certainly value Steve's opinion, but this unit allows you to tune without having a laptop. I have one of these (which reminds me I need to sell it. . .if anyone wants to make an offer). Anyway, I kept it plugged in for my drive to and from work each day allowing me to tune my car to have no driveability issues. I also tweaked it for higher mileage on long trips with a couple little clicks here and there. I think it was SO worth it and then some. NO laptop, no battery issues / or inverters needed, just plug it in and go - no dongle. . .ALL GOOD. Plus no laptop to go flying if you have to slam on the brakes, and it was worth every penny for me in terms of stell and not having to look all 2F2F.

If you really want one, let me know, I really ought to sell mine since my car is long gone as well.

 

[TurfBurn]

For a ground up tune they are a little tougher, but for day to day tweaking, yeah awesome, better than a laptop. Easy to use coming off of a base tune like we provide on the units as well. I have a couple customers that have them and they love them. Definitely a good unit for people to get their hands on.

Getting one used from Beavis is a great way to get your hands on one!

 

[LordWorm]

For a ground up tune they are a little tougher, but for day to day tweaking, yeah awesome, better than a laptop. Easy to use coming off of a base tune like we provide on the units as well. I have a couple customers that have them and they love them. Definitely a good unit for people to get their hands on.

Getting one used from Beavis is a great way to get your hands on one!

I Much prefer the dash unit over the hand controller guys... ok so its only 2 line (but for basic tweak as you go tuning its all you ever need) - and lacks the ability to store maps....the shift lights and tach (which are staged, providing you with 2 preshift, a shift and an over-rev light - the single bar digital tach reads off of the same sensor that the ECU does to drive fueling and ignition so its super accurate, which is more than one can say for the OEM tacho) and nice compact unit give it a great amount of appeal for track work....and it can do everything the hand controller can do...

Shift lights also double as warning lights (if the water temp passes the warning threshold, the lights will flash...same goes for all the other settings you can run warning levels for).....So it gives quick reference that SOMETHING is going wrong and you need to get off the car's case and work it out.

Saves having to have loads of gauges in the car too (and is very handy for those of us who haven't rigged a second water temp sensor, as it gives you the current water temp on the front page).

Of course you could use the hand controller as a dash unit...but its a bit clunky ....

 

[LordWorm]

Yes but fromlike 2005 all talk since then. And since you chimed in I bought LT10 from Kharris who purchased from you and never installed so I hope I will get the support due to the unit serial # and that Kharris never used his due support from you guys thanks.

sorry for the double post...but man - Steve is one of the best guys on this forum. He'll help you because he's a champion....I can't think of any other person who makes a living selling these units providing free support to people who didn't directly buy them.... most places if you buy something second hand, you have to live with next to no support. Demanding his support when you are not really "due" it in the first place, is only going to put him off side and make him less likely to help you, or other people in the future.

Also, bare in mind the maps that are provided are nice starting points - they get your motor running... But they should NOT be relied apon to provide a 100% safe tune because they don't take into account the vast array of combinations of modifications from car to car.... be prepared to shell out for some tuning time because you're going to need it. Engine management systems are not something to be trifled with...you shouldn't just load up a "one size fits all map" and expect the car to run reliably and safely...if you do that you're in for one very expensive headache.

So it doesn't matter that no maps have been posted since 2005 - you're map will be BRAND new, because you will only put one of these maps on the car to get it started and driven on the back of a trailer so it can take your nearest tuning shop, right?

 

[Packerfan]

So sorry about how I came across to you guys must be the NY coming out of me. Just had read how hard it would be to get support from him if you didnt buy unit from him. Like every other topic in this forum "Don't believe what you read" get the info from the source. Thanks for clearing it up.

 

[Little Beavis]

So sorry about how I came across to you guys must be the NY coming out of me. Just had read how hard it would be to get support from him if you didnt buy unit from him. Like every other topic in this forum "Don't believe what you read" get the info from the source. Thanks for clearing it up.

LOL, (the NY part). It won't be an issue and Steve is well known to bend over backwards. . .it makes it pretty tough on him from time to time, but he somehow still does it and he does it without making much money either (not when you figure in his time. . .so I guess that makes him elligible for Mazda-saint-hood).

I Much prefer the dash unit over the hand controller guys... ok so its only 2 line (but for basic tweak as you go tuning its all you ever need) - and lacks the ability to store maps....the shift lights and tach (which are staged, providing you with 2 preshift, a shift and an over-rev light - the single bar digital tach reads off of the same sensor that the ECU does to drive fueling and ignition so its super accurate, which is more than one can say for the OEM tacho) and nice compact unit give it a great amount of appeal for track work....and it can do everything the hand controller can do...

Shift lights also double as warning lights (if the water temp passes the warning threshold, the lights will flash...same goes for all the other settings you can run warning levels for).....So it gives quick reference that SOMETHING is going wrong and you need to get off the car's case and work it out.

Saves having to have loads of gauges in the car too (and is very handy for those of us who haven't rigged a second water temp sensor, as it gives you the current water temp on the front page).

Of course you could use the hand controller as a dash unit...but its a bit clunky ....

Good points. . .the dash unit is very slick. I did the handheld because I found it quick and easy and it was pretty darn stealth at all times (versus a dash unit or a bright laptop lighting up the car at night).

 

[TurfBurn]

So sorry about how I came across to you guys must be the NY coming out of me. Just had read how hard it would be to get support from him if you didnt buy unit from him. Like every other topic in this forum "Don't believe what you read" get the info from the source. Thanks for clearing it up.

No worries.. I hemmed and haaed a little before replying to your post in part because I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt and the internet is AWFUL for conveying meaning. I just had a couple rough experiences with people in the last few weeks and support issues for re-sold units so I thought it was more of the same. I hope I didn't come across as an ass either as that wasn't my intent but my post could easily be taken that way too, I tried to qualify it, but again the internet is rough on tone

 

[TurfBurn]

but anyway to your original point/question. The maps that are early in the thread are the same base maps roughly we use today. Some things have been tweaked and cleaned up to provide a little better continuity across more cars, but they aren't changed largely. The unit you got should have a black laptop adapter that would have 2-3 maps on it and those are various base maps to match what the unit was designed for and should give you what you want. The big issues is that cars vary so much that even IDENTICAL engine builds with identical turbo systems required reasonably significantly different tunes to match AFR curves and as such we never really released a lot more for maps than what is out there already. That clear things up? If you email me at sales at nsnmotorsports I can email you an updated manual and tuning tutorial documents to get you on your way.

Later!

Steve