|
|
Electromotive
Electromotive has been a leader in fuel-injection system development since it opened in 1987. Not only have they been building universal fuel-injection systems that can be fitted to any make or model of engine, they essentially pioneered the DFI (direct fire ignition) technology. This revolutionary system enabled them to eliminate the spark distributor on an engine and replace it with individual ignition coils that could directly fire each cylinder.
Electromotive fuel-injection systems have been around for quite some time, but what has really set the company apart is the fact that it was the originator of the multiple-coil-pack waste-spark systems like the one shown here.
Normally, two cylinders opposing each other in the firing order are paired together, and one coil would provide their spark. This way, on each revolution of the engine, one cylinder would be at top dead center on the compression stroke, and the other would be at top dead center on the exhaust stroke. Only the cylinder that actually required the ignition event actually uses the spark. This is typically known as a waste-spark configuration.
In a waste-spark ignition system like this one, cylinders are paired together and one coil fires the two cylinders that oppose each other in the firing order. This way on each revolution of the engine, one cylinder would be at top dead center on the compression stroke, and the other would be at top dead center on the exhaust stroke.
When Electromotive paired their fuel-injection system with their direct-fire ignition system, they created what they call the Total Engine Control unit, or TEC. The TEC was capable of controlling all functions of engine management from idle control, fuel injection, ignition timing control, and most auxiliary functions such as boost, nitrous, and torque-converter lock-up control.
Since the first Total Engine Control system was introduced to the public, Electromotive has had a very dynamic calibration software program. As new needs arose, Electromotive was quick to provide the software fit those needs.
The earlier software was DOS based, and the currently supported software written for Windows operating systems. The first program was called CAL. This software could control all of the basic functions of the TEC unit.
Briefly the TEC units were supplied with an optional software package called PAFZ, which contained algorithms for using mass airflow sensing for calibration. That way, the system could automatically compensate for changes in an engine’s volumetric efficiency, rather than require re-tuning like MAP-based speed-density systems.
Second, came Super, which was an updated version of CAL that supported a few more options for basic tuning. Super was available up through 1997.
At that time, Electromotive again raised the bar in technology for aftermarket engine control systems by introducing the first software calibration tool that would allow users the ability to perform full closed-loop tuning.
This software, called PAF (performance air and fuel), gave the tuner the option to define target air/fuel ratios from 10:1 to 21:1 throughout the base calibration tables in order to give the TEC unit control over the fuel correction under all load and speed conditions. A user could now reap the benefits of good power under a load, while maintaining economy at cruise, all in one easy calibration.
The last of Electromotive’s software offerings to use the DOS-based operating system was PAFBlend, which stands for performance air/fuel with MAP/TPS blending capability. This software calibration tool recognized the desire street/strip crowd to run large lift/duration cams and individual intake runner manifolds, yet not forgo the advantages of PAF air/fuel ratio tuning.
Briefly, the TEC units were supplied with an optional software package called PAFZ, which contained algorithms for using mass airflow sensing for calibration to automatically compensate for changes in an engine’s volumetric efficiency, rather than the required re-tuning necessary with MAP-based speed-density systems.
Next came the Super Blend software package. This program was introduced to allow easy tuning of engines with individual intake runners and large lift/duration cam profiles used in all-out racing applications. This was achieved by blending TPS voltage and MAP sensor signal voltage, rather than using only TPS as a load input, which proved to be inadequate. The system was also capable of using mass airflow sensors, but did not allow tuning to different air-fuel ratios throughout the load/RPM range.
Electromotive’s waste-spark configuration makes for a tidy package when mounting the ECU to the chassis. The built-in ECU attaches to the bottom of the coils and is hardly visible.
The last of Electromotive’s software offerings to use the DOS-based operating system was PAFBlend. This software calibration tool recognized the street racer’s desire to run large lift/duration cams and individual intake runner manifolds, yet not forgo the advantages of PAF air-to-fuel ratio tuning.
Mass airflow sensors pose a limitation to the ultimate power that an engine can produce because of their restriction to airflow. Because of this, the MAF routines were deleted to accommodate closed-loop tuning and blend routines using MAP based control algorithms.
If you happen to have one of the earlier calibration systems mentioned above, it is important to remember that these systems each had their own EPROM chips inside that were sold under license. If you lose your software, you will need the license number to obtain a new copy through Electromotive’s technical support department. Keep this in mind if you intend to sell the unit also, as the new user will need the license number in order to get any access to new software.
Today, if you were to order a unit from Electromotive, you would receive the TEC 3 engine management system. This is their latest offering, packed full of options such as the ability to control engines with 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 12 cylinders, as well as rotary-style engines. They also have the ability to control a 6-cylinder engine using 2 spark plugs per cylinder.
The current stable of calibration software packages offers the user the flexibility of Windows-based tuning. The first version called WinTec was based on the older version of PAFBlend. This system was calibrated in much the same way, but allowed the benefits of Windows compatibility.
The latest and greatest offering from Electromotive is the WinTec2 program, which finally allows the user the ability to tune in real time, on the fly. Earlier versions required the user to input values in the calibration tables, then save the file and download it to the TEC unit. The user would then operate the engine and observe the conditions live, or data-log them to a file for analysis at a later time. Once the user decided what changes to the calibration were necessary, he could then input those into the calibration, save the file again, and reload it into the TEC unit for another try. This was very cumbersome, and often frustrating for tuners. The ability to tune in real time has greatly improved the usefulness and user-friendliness of the TEC system.
Electromotive coil packs are included with each Electromotive system. They come encased in anodized aluminum for long-lasting good looks. This is a nice little package that contains all of the ignition system in one unit.
|
|
| Table of Contents: |
Click below to view samples pages from each chapter |
| PDF |
NA |
Table of Contents |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 1 - Carburetors vs. Fuel Injection |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 2 - The Basics of Electronics |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 3 - Tools and Equipment |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 4 - ECU Inputs |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 5 - ECU Outputs |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 6 - Tuning Maps and Basic Engine Calibration |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 7 - ACCEL/DFI |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 8 - AEM Plug & Play |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap 9 - Autronic |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 10 - Edelbrock Pro-Flo and Advanced Programmable Fuel-Injection Systems |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 11 - EFI Technology |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 12 - Eelectromotive |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 13 - F.A.S.T |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 14 - Haltech |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 15 - Holley Commander 950 |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 16 - MoTeC |
| PDF |
HTML |
Chap. 17 - Simple Digital Systems (SDS) |
| back |
Buy Downloadable Version of This Book
Click cart to order
 |
Chapter 1 |
(FREE!) |
(606 KB) |
|
Chapter 2 |
(FREE!) |
(469 KB) |
|
Chapter 3 |
(FREE!) |
(465 KB) |
|
Chapter 4 |
(FREE!) |
(701 KB) |
|
Chapter 5 |
(FREE!) |
(443 KB) |
|
Chapter 6 |
(FREE!) |
(1.2 MB) |
|
Chapter 7 |
(FREE!) |
(758 KB) |
|
Chapter 8 |
(FREE!) |
(553 KB) |
|
Chapter 9 |
(FREE!) |
(701 KB) |
|
Chapter 10 |
(FREE!) |
(628 KB) |
|
Chapter 11 |
(FREE!) |
(576 KB) |
|
Chapter 12 |
(FREE!) |
(953 KB) |
|
Chapter 13 |
(FREE!) |
(1.1 MB) |
|
Chapter 14 |
(FREE!) |
(617 KB) |
|
Chapter 15 |
(FREE!) |
(531 KB) |
|
Chapter 16 |
(FREE!) |
(686 KB) |
|
Chapter 17 |
(FREE!) |
(839 KB) |
|
Appendix |
(FREE!) |
(69. KB) |
|
Download all chapters |
(FREE!) |
(10. MB) |
|
