ECU Tuning Options

Morris (wowzer) was asking me last night about what all the options are for tuning the various ECU's we have. Morris and I have been working pretty closely the last couple of months on the Neon ECU flashing, and in general the last few years. So, I figure if he's not clear about it, then maybe nobody is. So, here's the list I sent him and then some:

ECU Tuning Options:


LM 1985-87 – Currently only socketeing and chip swap or Ostrich. There was a home-brew flash setup done many years ago. Not very user-friendly. I've considered making a module to simplify the process.

SMEC 1988-89 – Socket + chip swap or Ostrich, or Flash Module Conversion

SBEC 1990-91 – Socket + chip swap or Ostrich using a latch board , Flash Module Conversion (module is unique for SBEC, has latch chip on-board)

SBECII 1992-93 – Socket + chip swap or Ostrich using latch board, Flash Module conversion (module is unique for SBECII, has latch chip on-board)

FCC 1994-95– Flash factory chip, socket + chip swap

TCM 1989-91 – Not sure yet what the options might be. Though, I believe the SBEC flash module should work with the '89-90 TCM to make them flashable (they also used the 87C257).

TCM 1992-95 - Flashable from the factory and they used the same memory chip as the FCC. So, the process currently being used for the FCC should also work on these TCM's. Testing needed.

Flash Module:
The flash module conversion for the SMEC/SBEC/SBECII allows you to re-flash the ECU from the SCI port using a PC/Laptop, an SCI-to-USB conversion cable, and MP Tune. The flash process takes about 10seconds total. These use an actual flash memory chip (29C256) that does not need to be erased prior to writing (it's basically treated like SRAM). And, they are programmable with 5v. So, no special adapter is required to program other than the SCI cable. The advantage over the Ostrich is that the flash module can be sealed up and left in the car permanently. On the other hand, the Ostrich does allow for 'on-the-fly' tuning - that is you can change the cal while the car is running.

Latch Board:
The latch board for the SBEC and SBECII allows you to use a 'standard' memory chip with those ECU's. From the factory, they came with an 87C257 chip that incorporates the latch into the memory chip. For reference, the SMEC had the latch chip on the logic board.

Factory Flashable ECU's:
Some SBECII's came from the factory with a flashable chip. The chip is a 32-pin DIP package and made by Toshiba. It's not yet known how to flash these in-circuit.

The Neon FCC (1994/1995 only) has a flashable chip from the factory (M28F512). More accurately, it's an EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM). As such, it needs to be fully erased before reprogramming. Programming the chip in-circuit requires supplying the FCC with 20v on the Rx line at the appropriate time. I'm currently building a flash adapter to do this using MP Tune. The FCC flash process is longer than the SMEC/SBEC due to the bigger binary and the required erase procedure. But, it still takes only 30-40seconds.

I believe the voltage adapter I have for the FCC will work for any of the flashable Chrysler ECU's from the SBECII, FCC, and SBECIII and even the TCM’s. According to the patent docs, they always require 12v to boot strap, and 20v to program. The difference will be in the protocol required to erase and re-write the various chips.

Prcoessors:
The LM used a Motorola 6803. All the other listed here used a variant of the Motorola 68HC11.

Nice to be able to see the whole of it in one place.

Mike

So in all technicality I could burn a tune onto my 85 LM for a T2 status car????

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 85boostbox

So in all technicality I could burn a tune onto my 85 LM for a T2 status car????

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Not sure about that... I thought the 85 distributor was different. I'm actually not sure if that affects the hardware or just the cal.

Well I could swap distributors no problem.

My experience with the ostrich is that it only works reliably in a LM.

SMEC it is susceptible to interference and even causes interference on power circuits, Also at high stress situations (high rpm/boost) signal is too weak and cuts out. The cutting out can be remedied with a socket booster but this causes issues with power module fitment and you have multiple unsealed connections.

On the SBEC the ostrich works only when the USB port is constantly powered, If unpowered the car will start and soon foul all the spark plugs. One issue with keeping it powered all the time is that it keeps a circuit powered in the SBEC and will kill the battery if the car sits more than a couple days.

If you want to run an Ostrich and a FTDI cable at the same time you have to do some USB jockying to get everything to work, they both use FTDI chipsets and using them both at the same time can cause conflicts.

So I suggest that if you are looking at going to setup that you can tune without burning chips, definitely go with a flashable setup from Rob. If you turn your core in it comes up cheaper than an ostrich, the cable used for flashing can also datalog, read codes, and give Live readings too, and the SMEC/SBEC stays sealed from the elements with no open pins to come loose or corrode.

Well I have a LM setup. I have the 85 one that came out of the car and a 87 Daytona t2 one that I will be converting. So what would you suggest I run with this. Ostrich or have it a flash able with robs cable?

LM has no flashable options. You would have to run an ostrich. The ostrich would only work on the 87 ones

I'm wondering how much of that is USB cable issues. I have 4 different USB extenders here and the only devices you can get them working 100% with are keyboards and mice, anything like a USB wifi or flash stick and they give errors.

My thoughts are that the RS-232 link in the chain is least susceptible to interference, so, personally, I'd keep everything else on a really short leash, put the RS-232 to 5 volt adapter in a shielded/grounded box right next to the SMEC/SBEC and run a long shielded RS232 cable inside the car to the smarts, keeping the USB<>serial side if required as close to the laptop as possible.

Almost no computers are available anymore with an RS232 port, though. You'd have to get a ~10 year old laptop to find one...

Yah, think it's about exactly 10 years now, last generation where they were common was Athlon XP and P4M ... 4:3 screens and floppies went out at practically the same time, and wifi came in... that's not to say that you might not find the odd widescreen one with a serial port, or the odd 4:3 screen without one... probably a bit of a minefield actually to get one late enough to be useful, but still having a serial port.