HELLO ALL YOU ANXIOUS BOOSTERS...

I must start off by saying the tC SUCKS as far as electronics goes. The ECU relearns the fuel maps within about 4 seconds from adjusting fuel curves. Under idle the AFR is about 15.5-16. This is with the 550CC injectors... Even if we add 20% fuel and advance or retard ignition timing, the AFR goes back to that spot within a few seconds. We then started to plot out AFRs at fixed rpms and started making our recordings. More and more testing gets done. We actually retarded the timing 15 degrees! We did this tpo keep things from breaking as we got on it with more and more fuel, to keep the AFRs in check. Anyway.. We ran it EXTREMELY rich, about an 11 ar. Things were ok, and we already made over 200whp at about 4500 rpms with the ignition pulled that much back. We kept blowing the sensor setup for the dyno out of the exhaust which led to more delays... Anyway, we couldn't finish the whole tune yesterday because it took so long to get small things worked out. So I drove the car home. At one point, 50% throttle lit up 3rd as soon as it spooled and felt really nice. Granted the roads were a little wet, we still didn't expect that much power. So it poors all last night and all today. I wait a while and decide to take my girl out for lunch then head back to the dyno shop. On the way to the dyno, I get really sever sputtering, then the engine gets louder and rougher, almost no idle, then some CELs, and soon enough, the throttle stopped responding. I was at an intersection stopped and the engine died on me. Ran some DTCs on the scan tool... Waited 4 hours for a tow back to my house (which was only a 5 minute drive)...

The verdict... The turbo kit works perfect. The ECU is a stubborn A that doesn't like to be told what to do. My throttle system (the actual throttle motor) failed. So a defective throttle body prevented us from getting the final dynos done. One of the few parts we didn't modify failed on us during a regular street cruise. I do plan on fixing the issue (by spending quite a bit). I need to buy a new throttle body assembly just to even start the car again. We found an engine management system that works in junction with piggy-back fuel computers to put the ECU into la-la mode and not learn anymore. This will allow us to use the emanage as almost a stand-alone system.

So, sorry guys for not writing back, it's been a weekend from hell. More stock parts have failed on my car than anything directly related to what I've modified. Pretty upset so far. Thanks for being patient everybody and I will fix this problem soon.

 

nooooo....joe i'm so sorry that all happened....that blows. Well, we all have faith that you will find a solution in no time. It was beginning to sound a lil too good. Anyways, I guess we'll quit bugging you about dyno data for now. Just keep us updated and we'll stay behind ya

 

Same damn problem w/ the lexus - computer learns. Damn smart cars nowadays. Good luck man - I want this kit!

I had the same problems...throttle would barely respond and then just not respond at all and die. Luckily all Ihad to do was leave the battery disconnected for like 15 min and it started again. Too bad Keep us posted, as usual.

 

LOL.

 

and think about trying to boost a car that drives itself in the future. Gm and toyota are researching this. Can't teach a new car old tricks?

 

I'm starting to really miss my Evo lol...

 

Hang in there, were all going to appreciate this kit once it's completed. Havent even been looking at any other kits lately in anticipation (no pressure Joe ). I love how you're trying to spec for street drivers and I can't wait to drive the fastest tC beater in the area.

Just for a mind break, been talking to a guy at local meets who has hit an incredible amount of problems while trying to get the lifters on the VVTL-i on the Corolla XR-S to rev lower (amazing little "pocket rocket" of a car, red's at like 8,200rpm). Finally got the thing working, and it's like a miracle for XR-S owners since the lifters used to kick in around 7,400rpm. Theres no piggybacking on the XR-S at all since their ECU learns even faster than ours and even profiles itself for driving styles (If you drive aggresive alot, it'll profile itself to that style. Your lightfooted wife steps in the car for a night and it'll drive like junk just because it's used to heavy footers).

 

I wonder what the new time frame will be with these damn issues. Makadameh toyota

Is it possible to ask ZPI how they overcame this problem? Or are tuners not friendly like that

 

See, thats the whole thing, I dont think ZPI has overcome the fuel problem...
I think the kit was just put out to shut everyone up

 

Man, that sucks bro. Well I guess that's what comes with aftermarket parts. Good luck with everything and props for you keeping us updated throughout everything and for following through will all your plans. Hopefully you'll have it up and running soon!

 

Been thinking about tackling a megasquirt lately and even that looks a little bleak. Heard about how people used megasquirt on the IS300 and all the gauges and most sensors don't work as they multiplexed all of the signal lines to simplify wiring and increase bandwidh. Aparently they did the same with the tC.

I'm an electrical engineer and I know how tough it can be to reverse engineering a multiplexed signal if you can't get ahold of the 'plexing scheme. These damn ECU's are taking over.

I think my next project will have to be an FD-body. Thatll take a megasquirt if it knows whats good for it.

But back on topic, Joe if you need any engineering help from an electronics side, let me know. Computers are my realm.

 

the solution is a reflash or standalone.

 

Thats what it was w/ the IS, I have a feeling the same way for this car.

Althought, www.turboeast.com / www.tbko.com has come out w/ a "fuel conditioner" that prevents learning - but its basically just a switch that turns power off to the ecu when you turn your car off. I don't think it would help in this case.

 

F-Con V and a small bankroll for being the guinea pig. Hopefully Rick and I will work out a deal with a friend of mine for integrating the F-Con so it will be reasonably affordable.

Joe, I'm really sorry you are having these issues. I'm also really sorry that what I expected is reality. Toyco's ECMs are special, contrary to the opinions of some, and they make it really hard to fool them. I have a lot of experience with TCCS's ability to learn, and it should never be underestimated. I can only imagine it's even more finicky since they put a wideband in the system.

I don't want to sound too much like a jerk, but has anyone tested the OEM throttlebody's current draw under boost? It is possible the throttleplate drive motor is burning out from trying to respond under more than atmospheric pressure?

 

Lo-bux i couldn't agree more...

The car even with an 11.5 AFR was running sparatically on the streets. The torque curve was PERFECT on the dyno, but then soon changed... We have a possible solution but I won't know more until tomorrow or tuesday. The tb could be weak... If you sit in a garage and in dead silence hit the gas, you can hear how slow and weak the plate actually sounds...

Time will tell.

 

AHhh I can't wait :biting nails smiley:

I hope whatever the route is, the price doesn't get to far off from target. I don't want to have my kids picking up bottles off the expressway

 

We're doing what we can.

 

Hrmm, with the TRD supercharger apparently available for order now, I have found the pdf instructions online:

http://www.trdsparks.com/install/PTR01-21050-90inst.pdf

Looks like they are including new injectors, and to manage all that you have to flash a new program into the stock ECU. Well, what if you order the kit online? Are you allowed to take your stock ECU into a dealer and have em flash it? If so, would that maybe take care of the fuel problems? From what i've read, the TRD kit will add somewhere from 60 - 80 hp. At the top end of that estimate, puts the hp figures around 240. Tho thats probably at the crank not the wheels. Hrmmm. Just pondering the current fuel problem... lol

 

I was reading my technical pdfs that i got off the toyota techinfo site, and came across the technical training doc for the electronic throttle control, AKA Electronic Throttle Control System - intelligence (ETCS-i). Apparently, the throttle control motor isnt directly coupled to the throttle valve, its connected through a magnetic clutch. Hrmm....

Prehaps the extra current required to operate the motor under boost is causing the ECM to go into limp mode? Uhg, damn computer controlled cars. Wonder if those settings are changed with the flash reprogramming of the ECM when installing the TRD supercharger kit...

 

We shall unite against our common enemy.... the ECU.