UTEC Users please read the manual!

nmyeti · 10-25-2002, 11:14 AM

I know this should go without saying, but I need to ask you guys to please make sure you read the manual before you try to tune you cars. We are very busy doing UTEC tech support, and I’ve been answering a lot of calls that would be avoided if users would read the manual before attempting to tune their cars.

The UTEC is very easy to use, and it seems this has led to a lot of users just jumping in with both feet before reading any of the documentation that is supplied with the unit.

I'll be the first to admit that we need additional material on "how you should tune a car," and that is coming, but there are a number of problems that can be avoided simply by reading the instructions at few times.

I've had several people that were modifying maps numbers 2-5 when their selector switch was set on #1. Their modifications of course have no change on how the car runs.

I've had several people who have confused the load references at the top of the fuel and timing maps with TPS when it is clearly listed as percentages of MAP pressure in the manual. See the topic "I Surrender Need Utec Tuning Help." You can spend all day tuning in the 100% load zone, but if you never run enough boost to get to that zone, you'll never see any results.

Common questions include; "why does my CEL flash? How do I add fuel? How do I capture logs? How do I change maps? What do the numbers in the fuel map mean? What software do I need to connect to the utec?" The list goes on and on and on...

Please don't take this wrong, I want to help you guys out over the phone, but I’d like us to be at a level where we can have an intelligent discussion about the actual tuning of your car. If you read the documentation before you call, we can at least be on the same page when you have a question.

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JenisonWRX · 10-25-2002, 11:39 AM

Nathan ... do what Link does when you send them the ecu ...

right when they open the box it says in big bold letters

RTFM!

nmyeti · 10-25-2002, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JenisonWRX
Nathan ... do what Link does when you send them the ecu ...

right when they open the box it says in big bold letters

RTFM!

You have no idea how many times i've said that...

8Complex · 10-25-2002, 12:15 PM

Yeah, I say sticker over the connector with something that says "if you haven't read the manual yet, your car will blow up when you try to start it after installing this".

You can always include one of these in each box :

BOP · 10-25-2002, 01:30 PM

this is pointless

JenisonWRX · 10-25-2002, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BOP

Do they really do that? This is hilarious

There is a warning right when you open it (at least in mine) about reading the manual and what damage you can do if you don't..

but no .. not those exact words RTFM... that would be cool!

silvercharged · 10-25-2002, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nmyeti
I'll be the first to admit that we need additional material on "how you should tune a car," and that is coming, but there are a number of problems that can be avoided simply by reading the instructions at few times.

Needless to say, the "how to tune" that is forthcoming needs to be written at the very beginning level including a glossary of terms ... i.e. load point (or zone), TPS crossover point , adding fuel, timing, etc.

Will be very useful to those of us who WANT to learn, and not just try to "pick it up" as we go along from this board....

In fact, I really don't want to acquire it, until I'm pretty conversant with it.......read: comfortable

gpatmac · 10-26-2002, 03:45 PM

I'm with Silvercharged. The way that it's stated "...the reasoning behind these default values is discussed in the "WRXtm Tuning Guide." leads me to believe that it's been published. Does this refer to that book they published for us WRX owners by that Australian guy? (Sorry for the vagueness).

As far as MAP, in the instructions, it says you need an accurate boost/vacuum gauge. How on earth would I know that? My gauge and my UTEC are reading 2.5 to 3 lbs different (if gauge is 18 then UTEC is 15). It would seem that the MAP sensor would be more accurate.

Nathan, your instructions make me want to buy the IQ mod. Do you know where I can get one?

Pat

ScoobieSnaX · 10-26-2002, 04:22 PM

Pat,

About your boost guage readings being different than the MAP values.........read this: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hreadid=264488

gpatmac · 10-26-2002, 06:31 PM

But I'm drag racing at Hawaii Raceway park, ~1 mile from the beach. I know I won't be at absolute 0 atmospheric pressure, but 2 lbs?

My disclaimer is that, yeah, I'm a still a friggin' n00b, and yeah, I just got the UTEC a few days ago. I'll post or email my log if anyone's interested.

Pat

ScoobieSnaX · 10-26-2002, 06:34 PM

Send it. I'm curious

You're right though...it shouldn't be that far out but then again, what are the weather conditions like there? My resting MAP value will change from day to day......not much, but it does change.

gpatmac · 10-26-2002, 06:42 PM

It can get mighty humid. Last night, it was relatively cool, but my butt hygrometer told me it was humid. Also, sometimes the trade winds will blow into your face going down to the track. I don't think it was that bad last night. Of course, I don't really understand the function wind and humidity have on MAP.

You'll have to scroll down a bit to see the run.

Thanks for the help.

Pat

ps. it wouldn't let me send it as an attachment. Could I email it to you?

ScoobieSnaX · 10-26-2002, 06:50 PM

E-mail away....

I'm not so sure the wind would have any bearing on the MAP values but cloud cover, temperature, and humidity will for sure. There will be more air pressure on a cloudy day vs. sunny day; more air pressure on a cold day vs. warm day; and more oxygen molecules in the air on dry day vs. humid day (this one I'm not 100% sure about).

So, on a warm, humid day you're corrected altitude will be up there! Do they ever announce the "corrected altitude" at the race track? They do here in Edmonton...

gpatmac · 10-26-2002, 06:57 PM

No, they don't annouce that unless it is when they first open. I'm never there, then.

I think most of the WRX owners down here swear that there's something about our track here, humidity is one among others, that makes us slower than what we see of similarly modded cars on the lower 48.

Pat

is2scooby · 10-27-2002, 01:11 AM

Is there going to be an addendum to the UTEC manual that discusses the "Honolulu Triangle" where cars run .5 second slower than their continental US counterparts?

Pat - we'll get that logging down and then start tuning. What fun that will be!

Retro · 10-27-2002, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gpatmac
No, they don't annouce that unless it is when they first open. I'm never there, then.

I think most of the WRX owners down here swear that there's something about our track here, humidity is one among others, that makes us slower than what we see of similarly modded cars on the lower 48.

Pat

The humidity absolutely annihilates my performance here. On hot muggy nights I tell people that I'm just trying to save gas.

10-25-2002, 01:30 PM	#5
BOP Scooby Specialist Member#: 8681 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: this is pointless	this is pointless Last edited by BOP; 12-04-2002 at 02:30 PM.

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10-25-2002, 11:14 AM	#1
nmyeti Scooby Specialist Member#: 4980 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Albuquerque, NM USA	UTEC Users please read the manual! I know this should go without saying, but I need to ask you guys to please make sure you read the manual before you try to tune you cars. We are very busy doing UTEC tech support, and I’ve been answering a lot of calls that would be avoided if users would read the manual before attempting to tune their cars. The UTEC is very easy to use, and it seems this has led to a lot of users just jumping in with both feet before reading any of the documentation that is supplied with the unit. I'll be the first to admit that we need additional material on "how you should tune a car," and that is coming, but there are a number of problems that can be avoided simply by reading the instructions at few times. I've had several people that were modifying maps numbers 2-5 when their selector switch was set on #1. Their modifications of course have no change on how the car runs. I've had several people who have confused the load references at the top of the fuel and timing maps with TPS when it is clearly listed as percentages of MAP pressure in the manual. See the topic "I Surrender Need Utec Tuning Help." You can spend all day tuning in the 100% load zone, but if you never run enough boost to get to that zone, you'll never see any results. Common questions include; "why does my CEL flash? How do I add fuel? How do I capture logs? How do I change maps? What do the numbers in the fuel map mean? What software do I need to connect to the utec?" The list goes on and on and on... Please don't take this wrong, I want to help you guys out over the phone, but I’d like us to be at a level where we can have an intelligent discussion about the actual tuning of your car. If you read the documentation before you call, we can at least be on the same page when you have a question. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

10-25-2002, 11:39 AM	#2
JenisonWRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 6049 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Jenison.Doomhammer Vehicle: 02 WRX & 99 RS Black	Nathan ... do what Link does when you send them the ecu ... right when they open the box it says in big bold letters RTFM!

10-25-2002, 12:15 PM	#4
8Complex Moderator Member#: 922 Join Date: Feb 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Schaumburg, IL Vehicle: 16 WRX (white) 04 FXT (red)	Yeah, I say sticker over the connector with something that says "if you haven't read the manual yet, your car will blow up when you try to start it after installing this". You can always include one of these in each box :

10-26-2002, 03:45 PM	#8
gpatmac Scooby Guru Member#: 18446 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Stratford, CT Vehicle: 2002 WRX wagon psm	I'm with Silvercharged. The way that it's stated "...the reasoning behind these default values is discussed in the "WRXtm Tuning Guide." leads me to believe that it's been published. Does this refer to that book they published for us WRX owners by that Australian guy? (Sorry for the vagueness). As far as MAP, in the instructions, it says you need an accurate boost/vacuum gauge. How on earth would I know that? My gauge and my UTEC are reading 2.5 to 3 lbs different (if gauge is 18 then UTEC is 15). It would seem that the MAP sensor would be more accurate. Nathan, your instructions make me want to buy the IQ mod. Do you know where I can get one? Pat

10-26-2002, 04:22 PM	#9
ScoobieSnaX Scooby Specialist Member#: 10844 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: location, location... Vehicle: 2004 Acura TL Navi Pearl	Pat, About your boost guage readings being different than the MAP values.........read this: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hreadid=264488

10-26-2002, 06:31 PM	#10
gpatmac Scooby Guru Member#: 18446 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Stratford, CT Vehicle: 2002 WRX wagon psm	But I'm drag racing at Hawaii Raceway park, ~1 mile from the beach. I know I won't be at absolute 0 atmospheric pressure, but 2 lbs? My disclaimer is that, yeah, I'm a still a friggin' n00b, and yeah, I just got the UTEC a few days ago. I'll post or email my log if anyone's interested. Pat

10-26-2002, 06:34 PM	#11
ScoobieSnaX Scooby Specialist Member#: 10844 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: location, location... Vehicle: 2004 Acura TL Navi Pearl	Send it. I'm curious You're right though...it shouldn't be that far out but then again, what are the weather conditions like there? My resting MAP value will change from day to day......not much, but it does change.

10-26-2002, 06:42 PM	#12
gpatmac Scooby Guru Member#: 18446 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Stratford, CT Vehicle: 2002 WRX wagon psm	It can get mighty humid. Last night, it was relatively cool, but my butt hygrometer told me it was humid. Also, sometimes the trade winds will blow into your face going down to the track. I don't think it was that bad last night. Of course, I don't really understand the function wind and humidity have on MAP. You'll have to scroll down a bit to see the run. Thanks for the help. Pat ps. it wouldn't let me send it as an attachment. Could I email it to you?

10-26-2002, 06:50 PM	#13
ScoobieSnaX Scooby Specialist Member#: 10844 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: location, location... Vehicle: 2004 Acura TL Navi Pearl	E-mail away.... I'm not so sure the wind would have any bearing on the MAP values but cloud cover, temperature, and humidity will for sure. There will be more air pressure on a cloudy day vs. sunny day; more air pressure on a cold day vs. warm day; and more oxygen molecules in the air on dry day vs. humid day (this one I'm not 100% sure about). So, on a warm, humid day you're corrected altitude will be up there! Do they ever announce the "corrected altitude" at the race track? They do here in Edmonton...

10-26-2002, 06:57 PM	#14
gpatmac Scooby Guru Member#: 18446 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Stratford, CT Vehicle: 2002 WRX wagon psm	No, they don't annouce that unless it is when they first open. I'm never there, then. I think most of the WRX owners down here swear that there's something about our track here, humidity is one among others, that makes us slower than what we see of similarly modded cars on the lower 48. Pat

10-27-2002, 01:11 AM	#15
is2scooby Scooby Specialist Member#: 19851 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI Vehicle: 02 WRX Aspen White/[email protected]	Is there going to be an addendum to the UTEC manual that discusses the "Honolulu Triangle" where cars run .5 second slower than their continental US counterparts? Pat - we'll get that logging down and then start tuning. What fun that will be!