I4 tuning box development - who wants one?

[Kaz]

So, you think the 400hp units will have lower net gain. Why is that? if the 360hp is getting 50hp why only 30hp for the 400hp

Oh I was just assuming they are all basically the same car mechanically, and just the tunes are different...so, in theory the box will max out the platform regardless of the starting tune but, what do I know I'm not an engine tune engineer typing on the internet lol. More the merrier I'd love another 50hp

 

[Lotus F1]

Oh I was just assuming they are all basically the same car mechanically, and just the tunes are different...so, in theory the box will max out the platform regardless of the starting tune but, what do I know I'm not an engine tune engineer typing on the internet lol. More the merrier I'd love another 50hp

Well, the initial offering for final power and torque number by TDI were different between the 360 & 400. Remember they are working off the base tune. The base tunes are different and they need a different level of signal tricking to reach those targets. The 360 tune is not going to make as much as the 400 tune from the starting reference and how much altering the tune will need.

 

[Davidexige]

I'd bet my trousers it's more than 400bhp. Dyno is booked for 15th so I'll report back.

Good day today, TDI got the car on the dyno for some base runs and then tweaks to the software in their box to see what's possible whilst checking temps and error codes, etc to ensure the car was running fine and happy.

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Baseline run was interesting: 379bhp and 420Nm. That's more bhp than I was expecting but slightly lower torque. The car picked up on the fact the front wheels weren't turning so threw up an error code and CEL light which TDI quickly read and cleared. All runs were carried out in 5th gear, Track mode with ESC switched off.

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After trying out a few different settings and tweaks TDI settled on a repeatable 431bhp and 470Nm which we achieved on multiple runs. Engine temps were good with just the standard dyno setup (no extra fans required) and even though the photo shows the engine compartment up we actually did most of the runs with it closed. At this level the car ran the same numbers repeatedly with no issues whatsoever.

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I haven't had much of a chance to drive the car on the final map other than the drive home which was pouring with rain. Already though the mid range is much improved, and through the final 2k it really punches hard - performance is significantly improved. I'll test the car over the coming days and report back.

For those wanting more (me), a sports cat and maybe a decent panel filter or intake kit will see a safe 450/460bhp and 500Nm. If cooling becomes an issue (highly likely for track days) I'm talking to a tuner about an inexpensive uprated chargecooler. All in I'd estimate £3k in spend to get there. To put that into perspective I had to spend north of £10k on my Exige V6 engine to achieve similar numbers and even the trans blew which meant another £8k getting that rebuilt stronger.

Right now though having 430bhp on tap via a well developed tuning box for a few hundred £'s that I can easily remove is an absolute no brainer.

A big thank you to Jake, Steve and the team at TDI for their R&D getting to understand the i4 Emira. The i4 is unlike an A45s M139 AMG, or V6 Emira when it comes to the sensors, etc so its been no small feat but worth the time and effort.

That's a great result thanks for posting the update. Quick question, hopefully it's not daft one, but does the cars power gauge/display still max out at 360bhp or does it show your new figure. Thanks

 

[steveoexige]

That's a great result thanks for posting the update. Quick question, hopefully it's not daft one, but does the cars power gauge/display still max out at 360bhp or does it show your new figure. Thanks

Good question, I'll have a look and report back

 

[Lotus F1]

That's a great result thanks for posting the update. Quick question, hopefully it's not daft one, but does the cars power gauge/display still max out at 360bhp or does it show your new figur

 

[Lotus F1]

Straight from , TDI
Hi
Yes the voltage range operates the same on both the 360hp and the 400hp version, This is just detuned via the ECU, The performance gains you will be looking at will be the same gains over the 360hp version, You will see a 50hp and a 50nm torque increase over the stock performance figures.

 

[Kaz]

The car picked up on the fact the front wheels weren't turning so threw up an error code and CEL light which TDI quickly read and cleared. All runs were carried out in 5th gear, Track mode with ESC switched off.

Ok so it's kind of like the 4C, to be clear after the car throws code and you get rid of it you can do more runs? 1 run per clearing? The 4C goes into limp mode on a 2WD dyno and you actually need to run a special 4WD dyno (annoying) obviously this is different as you've had a real dyno session @F1 SML8R @docron

 

[Kaz]

Also very specific question, what is the relationship between the drive modes and the tuning box? Tuning box just takes whatever map the engine is on and applies what you pick 0-7? So touring mode at 7...is that like, a very aggressive touring mode map but, track mode at 7 gives you the most response and power? @steveoexige how does yours behave?

 

[docron]

 

[docron]

Second piggy headed to Cali…

 

[Lotus F1]

Ok which one of you are going to be the first to do an install video lol

 

[Kaz]

Ok which one of you are going to be the first to do an install video lol

DocRon already got the pictures started lol, he was legendary in the Alfa community for very detailed and helpful installation guides - but his baby is getting ppf-ed and he's going overseas so, I think eventually he'll document

 

[Lotus F1]

Yeah have to disconnect the alternator and losen the belt to get to one of the boosts sensors

 

[Davidexige]

DocRon already got the pictures started lol, he was legendary in the Alfa community for very detailed and helpful installation guides - but his baby is getting ppf-ed and he's going overseas so, I think eventually he'll document

This would be fantastic if someone did a fitting guide, as this would determine if I got one or not, for me it has to be something I could fit and remove myself.

 

[Beachbum]

How is that ever going to be considered a simple install, with that many cables/connections ?

 

[Sjobing]

Hi Steve,

Did you get any AFR data from dyno runs?

And do you know if this box does anything with the ignition timing?

 

[Andy H]

How is that ever going to be considered a simple install, with that many cables/connections ?

LOL - glad it wasn't just me who was thinking that! No way that would be in my comfort zone. Luckily I'm an hour's drive from TDI.

 

[virtualmacho]

Would love the see the harness unrolled. Does it have 2 connectors (in and out) for each sensor? Which sensor readings does it intercept?

 

[docron]

Would love the see the harness unrolled. Does it have 2 connectors (in and out) for each sensor? Which sensor readings does it intercept?

will try to snap a pic of the harness unrolled this afternoon for you. stay tuned.

Like Kaz said, my Emira is in shop getting PPF, tint and ceramic so didnt spend too much time analyzing it yet.

 

[Lotus F1]

Guys the notion that this is difficult because of 3 connectors that basically swap right in and click is unfounded. The only reason why they may be some difficulty level is because one of the boost sensors is not as easily accessible from the top so you must take off the bottom diffuser and get to it from there but that is the only one, the other simply click in seconds lol