Got a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo that you want to transform into an absolute
stormer? Well, the latest ECU reprogramming software from EcuTeK makes this much
more achievable. Just take an Evo 6 Tommi Makinen with a few subtle mechanical
mods, give it an EcuTeK reprogram and watch power and torque shoot up by 18 and
20 percent respectively! And all of this comes while retaining full OE engine
management functionality and without the expense of an aftermarket programmable
system.
We talked to the Australian agents for EcuTeK – MRT (Middleton Rally Team) – to
get the full story on this Evolution revolution...
FlashEVO Software
EcuTeK’s software for reprogramming Lancer Evos is known as FlashEVO.
FlashEVO is very similar to the company’s popular Subaru tuning software (see EcuTeK Tech
for our dedicated article).
FlashEVO software enables the tuner to alter air-fuel mixtures, ignition
timing, boost pressure, rev limit, fuel cuts and various correction factors. All
values are presented numerically (rather than in hexadecimal code) and stored
data can be graphed. It also gives live on-screen OBDII data - though note that
relatively limited data is available through the Mitsubishi OBDII port. At the
time of writing, FlashEVO is available to tune Evolution 5, 6, 7 and 8
Lancers.
MRT tells us the Lancer Evo 8 ECU operates between two sets of fuel and
ignition timing maps – these are known as the ‘high octane’ and ‘low octane’
maps. High octane maps give relatively lean mixtures and advanced timing, while
the low octane maps give rich mixtures and conservative timing.
Engine performance is markedly reduced when running on low octane maps - and
here is part of the problem with the original Mitsubishi tune.
The Evo 8 uses a relatively crude boost control system that spikes to 1.3 –
1.35 Bar and oscillates before settling to around 1.1 Bar toward the redline. In
many instances, the factory ECU reaches an over-boost value that causes the ECU
to revert to its conservative low octane maps. And that’s when performance falls
away.
MRT says engine power can be maximised by fine-tuning boost control to avoid
over-boosting and reverting to those pesky low octane maps. MRT focuses on
smoothing the Evo’s boost curve and, where 98 RON fuel is widely available, peak
boost pressure is lifted slightly to 1.4 Bar. Note that this involves increasing
the over-boost fuel cut threshold to avoid reverting to low octane maps.
FlashEVO allows the over-boost threshold to be raised at specific rpm sites,
which gives the ability to tailor the boost-cut in relation to rpm.
Of course, FlashEVO also allows air-fuel ratios and ignition timing to be altered
at specific load/rpm sites. Typically, MRT alters only the high octane mixtures
and ignition timing and leaves the low octane mapping as is – this helps protect
the engine in worst case scenarios.
FlashEVO also has the ability to alter injector scaling, compensation tables
(such as intake air temperature correction) and, where fitted, speed limiters
can be changed. The rev limit can also be altered in 25 rpm increments to a
maximum of around 8500 rpm.
EcuTeK’s promotional literature outlines the benefits of their approach to
tuning. There is no wiring required, no need to remove trim panels, all of the
factory’s cold-start and idle mapping is retained and all failsafe strategies
are kept. You change only what you want.
Tuning Process
The process of tuning with FlashEVO is easy.
First, a laptop containing FlashEVO software is connected to a vehicle’s ECU
via the OBDII port. Note that the Australian-delivered Evo 6 Tommi Makinen is
fitted with an immobiliser that requires a small wiring modification.
Once plugged into the OBDII port, FlashEVO software interrogates the ECU and
determines which ROM file is stored. The tuner then selects the corresponding
set of maps from the EcuTeK database. These factory maps are the platform for
tuning.
At this point, it is recommended that the tuner runs the car on a chassis
dyno to log the OBDII data and air-fuel ratios that are specific to each car.
Then it’s a matter of altering the relevant maps and re-flashing the ECU to
permanently store the changes.
Note that maps cannot be altered in real-time with FlashEVO. This means the
tuner cannot hold the engine at constant load/rpm and adjust the ECU for optimal
output. Instead, the tuner must repeatedly re-flash and re-run the car on the
dyno until the desired result is achieved. MRT claims that any competent tuner
can achieve an excellent result with only a few re-flashes.
Tuning Results
MRT recently tuned an Australian-spec Evo 6 Tommi Makinen using FlashEVO
software. The car had already been equipped with a turbo-back aftermarket
exhaust, colder spark plugs and tweaks to the cooling system, blow-off valve and
boost control. Note that the fuel pump had also been upgraded to a MRT ‘500hp’
unit – we are told that the standard pump runs out of flow when pushed much
beyond standard output.
With these existing mods, the Evo 6 Tommi Makinen management system gives
excessively rich mixtures at full power – about 10.7:1 AFR. The standard
ignition timing is approximately 10 – 11 degrees at full power and boost
pressure peaks at around 1.3 – 1.35 Bar.
MRT’s tune with FlashEVO gives leaner mixtures and altered timing in the high
octane maps and particular focus on the area of boost control (to avoid
reverting to low octane maps). Peak boost is set to 1.4 Bar, gradually tapering
toward redline.
This graph – obtained from MRT’s 4WD Dynapack dyno - shows the improvement.
The green plots show a peak power increase from around 200 to 237kW at the hubs
– a handy gain of 18 percent.
The blue pots show the improvement in torque. Peak torque output is increased
by 15 percent but you’ll find a strong 20 percent gain at 4500 rpm. And note the
shape of the new torque curve – torque comes on stronger and holds near-constant
from 3800 to 5600 rpm.
And how much does all this cost, you ask?
Well, a FlashEVO reprogram will set you back AUD$1500 plus AUD$95 labour
(which includes a brief road test). Note that certain vehicles require more
in-depth tuning which adds to the price.
At present, MRT is the only Australian company with hands-on experience using
FlashEVO software. Other EcuTeK agents have purchased the software and will
become more involved as demand increases.
Certainly, FlashEVO opens the door to modification of late-model Evos – so
let’s get it all happening!
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