So after countless pm's and questions I'm going to start a thread for all questions regarding the UTEC and the 6th gen. I'll outline some brief points and then feel free to ask questions on other relevant matters.

System is completely plug and play, no splicing or cutting
Allows full control of timing and fuel in MAF or MAP modes
Does not burn coil packs
System can be run in piggy back or stand alone fashion
Timing adjustments are set as hard timing, ie.. 31 degress BTDC @ 6500 rpm
250 RPM resolution from 500-9000
11 load points
Full control of knock sensitivity and adjustment
Injector scaling
Rev limit adjustment
TPS vs RPM switch over points
5 maps

There are some functions I don't use like programable shift lights and solenoids.

I'm sure I've left some things out so ask away

 

Pictures?

 

What took you so long? I've been arguing that your setup exists in some form for 3 days, and I don't even know you.

Joshua

 

Nietzsche: Good to see you chime in on this hot topic. Perhaps an explanation of UTEC compared with other products, like NEO, SAFC, and TS reflash would be very helpful for all.

 

I don't know how I missed such a debate, what forum was it in?

 

I've heard this works wonders with Nitrous - can you confirm?

Joshua

 

I don't have any pictures of the install, I could take some later in the week if necessary.

 

This forum, three threads down.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=543009

Joshua

 

The more info the better.....
For newbie morons, like myself

 

I think its important for everyone to try to research a bit online and learn the terms and what they all mean, including myself. I feel like I dont know enough to have an intelligent discussion on this very important topic. These tuning devices are technically difficult and complicated, I believe, but doable. Just takes a bit of work and these cars can really be made to run very well.

 

NEO, SAFC, VAFC, eblue - these are all piggyback style systems that only alter the MAF voltage to induce more or less fuel. Our ECU's are to complex for such systems to work for reliable results as it tends to learn around them. Other problems I see for a real tuner is that they only manipulate the MAF, no timing, injector scaling, and certainly of no use for forced induction. For install you must cut or splice which ruins the car for some.

EMU - A far superior systems to your standard piggyback but still limited in it's ability. Only manipulates stock signals (you can't set hard timing, only plus or minus), has been known to burn coil packs, problems with advancing timing to much. It also is only a piggyback so it can be learned around. Unless you buy a patch harness you have a lot of wiring to do. The EMU also lacks knock control which to me is crucial when tuning a vehicle to run hard.

TS, Uprev flashes - Obviously a great system that completely rewrites the code in the ECU. No need to worry about the system unlearning, plug and play, and it uses all the complex controls for altitude and temperature compensation. Allows adjustment of variable cam timing. Down time while ECU is out, no room for future adjustments of mods(unless you dyno and send out the ECU again). Stock ECU doesn't monitor knock up high. No good for forced induction

UTEC - Can be used as a piggyback or stand alone. Full control of hard timing and fuel. Monitors and controls knock at all rpms. MAF or MAP operation. Excellent system for forced induction. Full plug and play. Doesn't control cam timing.

FCON - If you got big dollars and a built TT then this is your puppy. Full stand alone system. Down side..$$$$$$$$

Does that sum it up Deus?

 

Yes

 

Where can I get a deal on a UTEC...

Yeah...I know they're expensive...I haven't seen a where to buy link yet...

 

New or used I'd check the Z boards.

 

Looks like they're going for around $785 on eBay. My local shop says they'll tune the UTECs also. How much HP you think a decent tuner can get out of the UTEC? I'm trying to calculate and justify the $$$ / hp in this case...

 

Yes. Thanks.

 

I have heard about 10-20hp gains, more likely around 15hp depending on mods. Its worth it. Im just saving my pennies.

 

you don't save pennies Deus, heck I'm surprised you haven't popped already. I mean after a steering wheel and seats, what's a UTEC?

 

How does it work as standalone?

 

Open loop fueling mode, it uses it's own base maps that you adjust.

 

So it bypasses the ECU altogether. Is that how the speed limiter is lifted and rev limiter raised?

 

You can't adjust the speed limiter, only the rev limiter. Speed limiter is embedded in the code of the ecu.

 

Well thats why I have to save - cuz of the steering wheel and seats.

 

Here is text copied from the UTEC advertised on ebay:

The Delta UTEC for the 350Z is a Plug and Play Parallel Engine Management System. Designed to work together with your factory ECU.

The front UTEC Ports from left to right. The RJ-12 Adapter allows for Serial Port connectivity with the use of our adapter. The large connector in the middle is where you will connect the factory ECU. This is part of our plug and play installation, zero hardwiring is needed. Located on the far right is the UTEC On-board map selector. This used to switch between the 5 map locations, valet and security mode.

The rear UTEC Ports from left to right. The first port is the UTEC 9v power input. This is used to power the UTEC outside of the vehicle. The second input is the optional Map Sensor input. This is used when running a vehicle in Speed Density Mode. The optional map sensor has the ability to read up to 70 psi. The third input is to use a USB adapter to connect. The fourth is yet another form of connection to the UTEC, DB9 Serial port. The last port is to connect our Remote Map Selector. This allows you to remotely switch between the maps.

The UTEC gives you the ability to let the factory ECU drive the car under normal cruise conditions then take over when you are ready for the power in a flawless manor. This gives you like stock drive-ability with the advantages of a powerful stand-alone system. The UTEC allows you to maintain OBDII compliancy while remaining unnoticed to the OBD Scan process most states are adopting these days.

In basic form we allow control over Fuel and Ignition Timing. Each control gives you 250 rpm resolution from 500 rpm to rev-limit with over 10 different load sites.

The UTEC will ship with pre-programmed base maps to help get you up and driving right away. In addition to having a pre-programmed base maps the UTEC has provisions for 5 different map locations. The multi-map capability allows you to use our remote map selector to switch between the 5 maps or stock mode on the fly. Your tuning options are endless when you can have a race map and daily driving map at the tip of your fingers. The power is all yours!

The easiest way to visualize it would be to break down it’s components into separate systems.

Fuel Control
The UTEC has two fuel control modes. Each of them have a fuel map that allows the fuel to be adjusted at each of the 250 rpm resolution with over 10 different load sites from zero to rev-limit.

MAF Pull Up/Down
allows you to intercept the MAF signal and add or subtract up to +/- 50% of the signal. This form of fuel control works best for mild naturally aspirated modifications.

Speed Density Fuelling
allows you to use your MAF for low load cruising situations. Under heavier load the UTEC will employ Speed Density Fuelling. The fuel map will allow you to enter Injector Pulse-width X10 into the table. This allows for precise fuel control. In the map you are now specifying millisecond on times of your injectors. This mode is a necessity for Forced Induction vehicles. The UTEC Map sensor is required.

Ignition Timing
The UTEC gives you complete control of timing. This is not done on the basis of offsets or altering the crank signal as some engine management systems use. The load reference we use is RPM vs. MAF or MAP which is optional. This allows the fuel map to be adjusted at each of the 250 rpm resolution with over 10 different load sites from zero to rev limit. When you enter a value into the Ignition Map you are actually typing in Degrees Before Top Dead Center. The UTEC fires the coils based on these values. No more wondering if the stock ecu is going to advance or retard timing.

Knock Control
This feature allows you to help keep y

I figure this will help people understand it a bit better

 

Or confuse the hell out of them

 

And to anyone who gets a UTEC, throw away the preloaded map.

 

So how to you develop a baseline map?

 

Practice

 

Here is a thread from the 350z forum that might be of interest:

http://my350z.com/forum/showthread.p...hlight=utec+fs

 

Better question may be how do you establish a BASELINE map before you perfect it?

 

I believe you can look somewhere online or a knowledgeable tuner could give you the correct parameters for a decent basline map...or play with it..do a few test passes and watch air/fuels. Am i close ??

 

Pretty much, you start out stock and make SMALL adjustments, ONE at a time. Not adjusting a column is your base map so to speak. Then you play until you get something that works and doesn't blow up. I constantly push the limits, then take a break for awhile when I get stuck.

 

Can you also go back to the FSM and check certain parameters to tune your base map?? I think I heard that somewhere.

 

I don't see what the FSM will give you to help, they don't talk about performance tuning in it.

 

I remember reading in it somewhere about like idle and things like that. I thought the base map meant like the stock map for our cars or am I misunderstanding? Then we tuned off that.

 

Great thread Nietsche, thanks for getting this one going. I think we've all been fairly anxious to hear from a 6th gen owner running a UTEC.

FYI here was a link that Josh provided for the UTEC with great pricing and info. MRC Motorsports

I still think this one is a little bit advanced for my purposes (daily driver who wants to enjoy the occassional power surge) but for some, this unit sounds absolutely awesome being able to enjoy the stock ECU settings then switching over to UTEC when you want to get serious.

 

Nietzsche,

How do you go about changing map to map? I know the Uprev Osiris uses the cruise control buttons. For instance, I'm at a light and want to switch to my nitrous map...do I have to turn the car off, open the hood, etc? Or would one have to run a laptop plugged into the ecu? Or, worst case, pull out the utec and change it on your pc?

Joshua

 

Slightly better price here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Turbo...spagenameZWDVW

 

Plug and play? I thought the VQ35 in the maximas had a different ecu plug than the G or Zs?

 

Not the A34, it is identical to the Z33.

Whereas the A33B needs to be spliced/wired etc:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=402973
Jime's using the A33B ECU, FYI.