Writing racing rules - ECU tune checking?
Writing racing rules - ECU tune checking?
(OP)
Please excuse my basic questions, I'm not exactly a ECU tuning expert. I'm on a rules writing committee for an racing organization and trying to educate myself on our options regarding ECU tuning/checking for a class that's supposed to be close to bone stock. Our current rules don't allow any ECU modifications but the subject has come up regarding how to verify if one's been modded. If we can't ensure a stock ECU tune the argument is that we should just change the rule to allow tuning. But that will be perceived as a "must do" mod, especially for classes that include turbo cars, adding more costs to run.
Is the following plausible? Since each mfg has multiple ECU versions through the life of a car model, could we require that competitors run the latest version and then get that checksum to compare to? Or is it too easy to reprogram the ECU back to stock with the touch of a few interior buttons between the competition and tech/impound? I'm guessing there's no universal reader to use on all cars, correct?
Is there any other way to ensure a stock tune on modern cars?
Thanks for your help,
Jeff
Is the following plausible? Since each mfg has multiple ECU versions through the life of a car model, could we require that competitors run the latest version and then get that checksum to compare to? Or is it too easy to reprogram the ECU back to stock with the touch of a few interior buttons between the competition and tech/impound? I'm guessing there's no universal reader to use on all cars, correct?
Is there any other way to ensure a stock tune on modern cars?
Thanks for your help,
Jeff





RE: Writing racing rules - ECU tune checking?
I don't think you can require that competitors run the latest ECU in a car model even if it was compatible, that's basically a forced modification.
And yes you can change tunes with the push of a button, if the car is properly equipped.
RE: Writing racing rules - ECU tune checking?
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Writing racing rules - ECU tune checking?
The more I read about the subject it seems you can either fudge the checksum or just swap back the stock version before tech/impound.
Thanks for the info,
Jeff
RE: Writing racing rules - ECU tune checking?
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Writing racing rules - ECU tune checking?
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RE: Writing racing rules - ECU tune checking?
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RE: Writing racing rules - ECU tune checking?
#1. Your organization can own stock ECU's that are issued as the car leaves the pit and then collected when the car enters the pit again. This would be difficult if you're talking about stock cars vs say crate engines.
#2. You just allow modifications. There are so many variations between car models that it would be almost impossible to track them. There are often year to year and even within year programming changes to fix or improve a vehicles operation. A car model that has run 5+ years might have 100's of different factory ECU programs.
#3. You could have a claimer rule for the ECU. Not sure this would work when different makes and models are running though.
RE: Writing racing rules - ECU tune checking?
It's probably easier, fairer and cheaper in the long run to make ECU free or stock appearing ECU modifications are free.
Regards
Pat
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RE: Writing racing rules - ECU tune checking?
In my case, the entire ECU program would have to be downloaded, and compared byte-by-byte with the factory ECU's. For an engine that has been produced for ten years. And your standard reader won't work, it has to be a factory-certified and provided reader - which are rare. Which might be rented. . . At no doubt very high cost. . . And then, certification that my program is not one of the legal dozens or hundreds of programs.
I personally am not worried. "It's not stock? Oh my. I just bought the ECU, assuming that it was stock. <blink blink> Exactly what do the modifications do? Huh. And the factory never produced such an ECU? Heavens. And your proof of this? <blink blink>"
RE: Writing racing rules - ECU tune checking?
The most realistic solution is to allow ECU modifications enter as "stock" and expect that people are going to modify their tune.
You could require everyone to use a datalogger like dashdaq and watch their spark timing, etc. but the process begins to get expensive and cumbersome fast.