I'm currently working on my own ECU, but in the rules it's kind of fuzzy. As in it doesn't say anything at all about whether I can use my own or if I have to have it approved before I can run it. Maybe it's just me, but I have to use the factory type set-up in the instance of an aftermarket ECU. Does this mean I can't run a MAF sensor system in place of a speed density system? What about if the ECU has an active memory system to modify itself like the stock ECU's have? I'm sure someone knows the answer to at least one question.


[Modified by tzsir, 8:46 PM 2/6/2003]

 

I don't think there are any nhra regulations regarding computers in our cars. They don't allow traction control, but other than that I don't see any stipulations.

 

off topic but just wondering, in the sport fwd class, are wheel sensors allowed? if not then would that means cars that are abs equipped are automatically dqed?

 

Thanks Tony.

I don't know anything about ABS. I only drive one car with ABS. Not on the track either.

 

abs sensors can be used as wheel speed sensors so I don't know how they'll work around that. They'll probably just check to make sure the rear sensors aren't connected. If it's a true street with all the interior and everything, then it probably won't be fast enough to bring about any controversy anyways. After all, hardly any civics have abs, mostly integras. How fast is a full bodied, full interior integra going to be? I think they'll address it if it comes about. It wouldn't be too hard to check and see if it's hooked up or anything.

 

I looked into this when the rules first came out (Sport FWD). There is nothing in the rules that would make traction control illegal, so I called NHRA to find out.

It comes down to this, if running a stock ECU and the car came with traction control
from the factory (PT Cruiser Turbo for instance) you can run the wheel sensors
AND traction control. Aftermarket ECU's can not use them.

This saved me a ton of money on the standalone, it would have been killer with the
auto trans and limited traction these car are gonna have to deal with.

I think after NHRA gets aload of the times these cars are gonna run the rules
will be adjusted for next year. They want as far as asking me why I was putting
a full cage in my car, "do you really think it will be that fast". Jeez, these V8 guys
still don't get it!

Steve
95 Neon 2.5 auto Sport FWD

 

What sort of features will your ECU have?
What processor will you use? What types of injectors will it control? How will the interface work for programability? Will it have onboard coil drivers?
Will you be able to choose between MAF, and MAP load scaling? What about configuring it to different combinations, say like Individual Throttle Bodies?
Curiosity killed the cat, I guess?

 

I wound up with a Haltech E-11, this is a brand new unit and still has a few bugs
in it. I was looking at a another unit that had a full traction control program in it,
but agein if it isn't legal, no reason to spend the money on it.

The E-11 is pretty trick, it can control all kinds of stuff, as many stages of nitrous
as you want, VTEC, cooling fans, referanced boost (speed or rpm), tach output
for most stock and aftermarket tachs, rpm outs, shift lights (staged if you like)
2 stage antilag, on board datalogging (no need for a laptop to data log), narrow
band and wideband inputs, and the list goes on. The price is pretty good too $1500
retail.

This is only the first relese of this unit, from what I am told it will be upgradeable
to Motec specs in the years to come. Oh yeah, it's now Windows based so you can
get all the cool grafics, no more DOS.

No coil drivers, you need somthing like a MSD or Haltechs own driver box. As far as I can tell it's only Map based, no MAF. It will work on ITB's or turbo from 1 to 5
bar. It can control any injector, high or low inpedance.

Agein, these are new units WITH bugs in them, I'd wait a few mouths to get one
once it's all sorted out.

Steve

 

Thanks RacerStev, but I wa referring to the guy building his own ecu.