03-05 Evolution VIII TurboXS Utec System
When you open the box and remove the EVO UTEC from its packaging you will immediately appreciate the fact that it has clearly been designed for your EVO 8. The case is engineered to use the mounting location of the stock ECU (behind the glove box). Your stock ECU is protected by the UTEC case and everything hooks up using factory Mitsubishi connectors. There are no wires to splice, nothing to cut. You simply plug it in, bolt it up and go. Out of the box the EVO UTEC is one of the most powerful ECU's on the market. It combines a fuel computer, ignition timing computer, electronic boost controller, knock detector, data-logger, launch control/flat shift controller, immobilizer (with valet mode), nitrous oxide controller, water injection controller, water spray controller, all in one plug in box.
Ignition Timing Control
The EVO UTEC has its own injector and coil drivers. Unlike a pure piggyback, the EVO UTEC actually drives the car. When you decide that you want to run 10 degrees of timing advance at 4000rpm, the UTEC fires the coils at 10 degrees BTDC. This level of timing control is impossible with a pure piggyback. Most piggybacks "control" ignition timing by modifying the crankshaft and camshaft position sensor signals before they enter the ECU. You don't actually program a timing value but a timing offset value (positive or negative) that is than applied to the timing that the ECU wants to run. That works fine in a car with a static, unchanging timing map. Unfortunately, today's cars have highly variable ignition timing maps. So you are applying a static offset value to a changing timing map. The result is, you never actually know what timing you will run. The UTEC eliminates the guess work and gives you the control you need without making you jump though hoops.
Convenience
The UTEC has the ability to hold 5 different user definable map groups. Each map group can contain a different fuel, ignition timing, and boost map. All of these selections are available at the flick of a switch. One of the key benefits to this system is the ability to run different mapping strategies for different gas conditions. Typically, you'll setup your primary "daily driving" map in position 1. You can then use maps 2-5 for various levels of boost or for optimizing the motor to run on race fuel. It is not uncommon to see gains of 30-50hp on a motor using a race fuel tune. The UTEC allows you the flexibility to take advantage of every situation
Usability
The UTEC software is incredibly easy to use. It is engineered for compatibility with almost every laptop or PDA you can find. All you need is a spare communications port and windows 3.1 or higher. Once connected to the UTEC, the text menus are simple to understand and easy to navigate. All key strokes and their features are clearly explained on every UTEC screen. Editing the maps on the UTEC is as simple a reading the directions at the bottom of your screen. This ECU will not take you months of study just to learn to move around in the software. It lets you get down to the business of tuning your car quickly and efficiently. In fact, after a just a few uses making changes will becomes second nature.
Datalogging
Modifying your engine's performance requires the proper information. The UTEC provides that information in spades. You don't need a second laptop or an OBD2 logger system to know what's going on with your motor. The UTEC provides all the key parameters in its own simple to use logging interface With the addition of our TXS Tuner, the UTEC will even give you your air fuel ratio in the above log using a true wideband air fuel sensor. Armed with this information, you can tune your car with complete confidence.
Ease of Installation
Installing the UTEC should take an average enthusiast less then 30 minutes of work using only common hand tools. It comes with a highly detailed instruction manual that will walk you though the process and have you back on the road as quickly as possible. It is important to note that while using the UTEC is easy, the power and control it gives you takes some skill to harness. The UTEC is a powerful tool. To get the most out of it, you must spend time learning the basics of engine management. Installing the UTEC and learning the interface is far easier then the process of actually learning to tune an engine. The EVO UTEC is shipped with a base map. This base map is meant a starting place. You can plug it in and run this map and expect some decent gains over the stock ECU. However, there is quite a bit of horsepower left for a skilled tuner to extract. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to engine tuning. Our experience with WRXs from stock to 500whp has taught us that you will always benefit from tuning your car for your modifications. Don't let the ease of install fool you, this is a serious tool for serious users.
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