Launch control for Motronic

[prj]

On topic: Sounds like this is coming along well. What would I actually have to send to Paul to have this installed? Just a chip from the ECU? Assuming I install the rheostat myself.

Well, if you can manage to do fine soldering, then in theory you only need to send your current fuel chip.
If you can manage soldering and have a chip writer, then all you need to do is send your current binary and the launch control will be added in, then you can write the binary back.

If however, none of those things seem very appealing to you, then you'd have to send the ECU.
Also, the rheostat and the resistance on the circuit is fairly precisely calibrated. Just any rheostat won't do.

[S2central.net]

Yes - this isn't just a case of wiring up any old pot to an unused ECU pin... There are some internal mods required on the ECU to make the unused input active and to get the voltage levels correctly balanced for operation across the revs - with boundaries that we have in the code to behave correctly if the pot is unplugged and when a clutch switch is detected in the future.

I intend to offer the Variable Launch Control (VLC) as an upgrade to any 20VT ECU that includes the internal mods with a nicely connectorised loom that can be user installed for the pot location.... this will also be plug and play forwards compatible for features with the clutch switch to come in the future.

In a week or so I should have photos and such of the completed installation on my car - I will try to accomodate a miniature version that can be used in either a spare console switch, near the handbrake or the column cover... but I have to balance that with a desire for tidy cabling as well. There is a good chance I can package it with a default location on a short cable that will allow folk to simply extend with an off the shelf cable of some sort to less popular locations.

The cabling will be compatible with LHD and RHD vehicles.

Pricing for this 'must have' accessory is going to be GBP90, but there is a special offer for the 1st ten kits with a reduced price of GBP75

PS - This has not yet been tested on 3B/RR machines yet - it will take a code revision and perhaps a different h/w tweak on the ECU - but I'll hold the same introductory price for 1st ten 3B/RR versions as well.

Finally - the obligatory disclaimer... use of launch control or any driver techniques to create an aggressive transition from stationary to moving has the potential to shorten lifespan of the vehicles engine, clutch, drivetrain and tyres. The VLC module needs to be setup for the car such that some controlled amount of wheelspin is generated on launch - if there is insufficient wheel spin, the drivetrain takes more stress. All things being equal on the car - wet surfaces will need less rpm and drag strip slicks will need more rpm. Have fun - but use responsibly...

[Jonas_R]

So how do you become one of the first 10?

I would like a kit or perhaps a diy kit?

[S2central.net]

This is not DIY... but yes you can be 1st if you wish

[Jonas_R]

Ok that would be nice

[Rusty]

Is this separate to the chips that the car is running, or is it integral to them?

[S2central.net]

the launch code gets injected to whatever chips you have.

[Rusty]

That's good to know. Will see how the clutch fares with the new blower then

[A1quattro]

just what i wanted

hi, very excited these mods will suit me more than most ,as i rally a ur fitted with rs2 engine and ecu ,you can put me down for 1 conversion @ discount price i have 2 questions , 1/as i have to run a 34mm air restrictor ,this gives higher torque low down rev range almost 400ftib , higher up the revs are resricted [34mm] so dont realy rev much past say 5k in gear only in top gear and at start line . will i benefit from fitting a rs4 [think its m5]airflow mtr instead of the standard s2 which i currently use or is it unlikely that the s2 unit running out of its parometers. 2/ ant-i lag would help me ,but due to noise regulations at rallys i would have to run a mild anti- lag ,even if it gave me 0.5-1 psi this would help a lot,so i am interested in this as well . the car is fitted with a o1e dog gearbox so i dont need to use the clutch changing up threw the box ,the flat shift kit would also realy be something that i would like to have . ray

[prj]

If you are running a restrictor, I don't think there will be much benefit to running a hot film MAF. You would also benefit from custom mapping the car, rather than running a generic upgrade.

The flat shift kit is still some time away, but Paul is planning on making it modular, so you will be able to fit it yourself with only a chip change.
Antilag is very possible, but as I have said before - it's too dangerous for the average user. That said, I will experiment with it.

[S2central.net]

Agreed on the restrictor issue - you are running some custom chip from MRC already unless I am confusing you with someone else. Is no problem adding launch to that if you wish...

ALS and FFS are a bit further out - personally I think egt monitoring is needed as a minimum so that user can manually turn ALS off if temps get too high, but there are plenty unused ecu pins that could be used for automatic mode of operation.

[prj]

Even with EGT feedback it is possible to do nasty things to the exhaust manifold and turbine. ALS should not really be used by the masses on a street car.

Launch control is fairly harmless by comparison. As long as you get some wheelspin and your gearbox and clutch are solid, nothing bad should happen. Although of course it places more stress on the drivetrain, so as always - care must be taken and me nor Paul can not take any responsibility for what happens to your car on repetitive 5000 rpm clutch dumps.

[Acidburn]

ALS and FFS are a bit further out - personally I think egt monitoring is needed as a minimum so that user can manually turn ALS off if temps get too high, but there are plenty unused ecu pins that could be used for automatic mode of operation.

I'd be very interested in ALS when that comes available, i'll make sure to have a EGT gauge in the car ready

[S2central.net]

I think its fair to say that ALS could seriously shorten life of the turbo - its no surprise that its popular in drag / race / rally applications - should be fun to develop it as proof that it can be done... suggest kept for special occasions for most people - like launching away from that unsuspecting EVO-X beside you at the lights - by which I mean Santa Pod raceway.

[Rusty]

Based on the fact that boost will be similarly low to that of a launch on a stock ECU, IME, you cannot just dump the clutch, even at 5000rpm, you need to bring the clutch up quickly but also allow a little boost to build at the same time, such that the engine does not bog down and you achieve a little chirp of the tyres. This system makes holding the RPM simple but it will still require some finesse on the left foot. To get the wheels to spin, you'll need to be very rough with it for sure!