Jump to content
Volvospeed Forums

Ard Tune


husky

Recommended Posts

I would not hesitate to buy a Tune from ARD. Lucky knows what he's doing. He's programmed tunes for IPD, worked with the head TME programmer, seen many other maps that are out there plus he's a talented engineer and knows all the little tricks and details about Volvo to maximize the maps plus he is passionate about it. Through my communications with Lucky and ARD it's clear that his knowledge and level or expertise exceeds most others in the arena.

Kristian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 801
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Point of clarity, All Ipd tunes are from MTE. I was not the person that did the tuning, simply a technical liason at best. However I have been tuning cars for almost 9 years now, including BMW, VW, and Volvo.

As for future plans, the cats sort of out of the bag so I'll give a bit of info...

I kinda fell into tuning after I left Ipd, I had enough experience but no real intention of becoming a 'tuner'. BMW parts had my attention and I started with some hot rod type coils for later BMW models. Working with a friend locally to get them out in the industry. After some requests came in for custom Volvo tuning and hearing the stories about how no-one wanted to help them, especially after they had spent time/money building a car only to be left high and dry with no tuning help, I started to look into it. I had the basic DAMOS that had some info in it but the map definitions were wrong, half the time the checksum calibrations didn't work, and had limited control of the BIN files, and it wasn't really well suited for what I was looking to do.

I had a background in firmware programming so I spent about a month reading the comm protocols for Motronic systems and read datasheets till my eyes bled. I had a stroke of luck when an online user I knew from my days at Reynolds sent me a nearly complete comm protocol, that saved me weeks of time (thanks to Henry on that!). I wrote the DAMOS on VB6 based on my research and what he had provided as well as what I had seen in the software at Unitronics and their motronic versions including Me7 for other European models like VW/Audi/BMW. I confirmed my programming on my stage III 850, which was running a stock map at 14psi :o , and started making maps.

So here we are today, now with all that said I've uncovered some interesting information.

1. All M4.3 and M4.4 ECU's can be programmed through the OBDII port, live time, in the car. Takes approx 7 minutes to flash an ECU.

2. The subroutines in the ECU can be rewritten, meaning new logic can be implemented. For instance maybe you want the ECU to flash the check engine light when you reach redline, like a shift light, or take un-used I/O pins on the ECU to control water injection, nitrous, etc..

3. M4.3 can program at any voltage over 10v but M4.4 will only program above 13.8v

I've got some new programming languages to learn so I won't be providing all this to the community for a few months. So please do not ask when it will be ready.

Here's the order of what I'm planning on providing in the future.

1. Virtual Tuner (VT). A windows program that allows you to enter in your vehicle specifics i.e. year/make/model and engine configs including check boxes for all the common upgrades we tend to do to these cars (FMIC, RIP kit, 18T, etc..). The VT then assembles a build sheet for you and shows a predicted boost curve map so you can see what power delivery will look/feel like. Send the build map to us and we'll create it, program it to an ECU for you. For non turbo cars this will focus on the timing curve rather than the boost curve.

2. A.R.D.V.A.R.C. Upgrader. Active Research & Development Volvo Advanced Real-time Computer upgrader. This is step 2 to the Virtual Tuner but will be a few months out. This is effectively what the ME7 cars are doing but one step easier. You build your file in the VT, send it to us and we make a program for you. Download to you laptop and load to the car via the A.R.D.V.A.R.C USB cable. There's one wire in the harness that has to be moved in the ECU connector for this to work but otherwise all 1994-1998 cars are applicable. This should include non turbo as well but we'll start with the turbo initially.

I know this is a lot of info to digest so please read it and re-read it carefully before posting questions. Much of this has been tested so it's not just speculation but some will still take some time to sort out how it will ultimately work for the end user.

BTW, what tends to make ARD tunes so much more driveable is the nature of the boost curves. So many other tunes use exponential boost curves rather than linear so the throttle control of boost isn't all that smooth. That is what is ultimately responsible for Kit Vexxed experience, of course the adjustments for his injectors, fuel quality and environment all play a role as well it's really the difference in boost curve that makes the boost so much more controllable with the throttle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lucky, that bit about the subroutines has my interest. Would it be possible to introduce the control logic to drive two VVT solenoids from an ME4.4 ECU? More and more people are switching to the later style heads, and simply ditch the VVT for lack of a good way to control it. With proper manipulation, the VVT setup could be a pretty powerful tool in making an aggressively tuned well-rounded street car :ph34r:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll have mine in the car later this week. It will be an interesting comparison - lots of mods and external boost control, but I'm still on the stock tune! So this is mainly for fuel and ignition for me. I'll post up after I have some miles on it! I'm totally looking forward to it! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lucky, that bit about the subroutines has my interest. Would it be possible to introduce the control logic to drive two VVT solenoids from an ME4.4 ECU? More and more people are switching to the later style heads, and simply ditch the VVT for lack of a good way to control it. With proper manipulation, the VVT setup could be a pretty powerful tool in making an aggressively tuned well-rounded street car :ph34r:

Exactly, there's enough room on the chip to add in at least 3 more 16x16 256k maps. Similar resolution to boost map.

So a CVVt intake cam map and a CVVt exhaust cam map should be very doable. The last piece of the puzzle would be a inline power transistor since the extra i/o pins on the ECU don't seem to be able to sink more than 50ma which is a bit less than the CVVT solenoids consume. So an inline Tip120 would probably do the job. I've got a touch more research to do on the on-board circuitry before I'll know for sure on the amperage supply but the concept is certainly possible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Exactly, there's enough room on the chip to add in at least 3 more 16x16 256k maps. Similar resolution to boost map.

So a CVVt intake cam map and a CVVt exhaust cam map should be very doable. The last piece of the puzzle would be a inline power transistor since the extra i/o pins on the ECU don't seem to be able to sink more than 50ma which is a bit less than the CVVT solenoids consume. So an inline Tip120 would probably do the job. I've got a touch more research to do on the on-board circuitry before I'll know for sure on the amperage supply but the concept is certainly possible.

Thats roughly what I did for my manual VVT controller.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Auto to manaul is no problem, well even have 850 manual tunes WITH obdII compliance in the near future. ME7 is a little ways out yet, later this summer is my target!

Thanks for posting up with your experience!

Lucky, you are a god. I am in the process of finding the manual trans for my ME7 s60, I will gladly be a part of testing :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

could you make the CEL flash when knock is detected? a few of my friends have that in there subis/dsms.. and its extreamly useful

and im liking what ive been reading... i was planing on getting a custom dynotune after i put in my goodies from my t5m (fmic, meth, 20g)

but if you will have me7 tunable withen a few months.. i should prolby save up some money and redo my clutch setup first anyway.... im intrigued to say the least.. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Exactly, there's enough room on the chip to add in at least 3 more 16x16 256k maps. Similar resolution to boost map.

So a CVVt intake cam map and a CVVt exhaust cam map should be very doable. The last piece of the puzzle would be a inline power transistor since the extra i/o pins on the ECU don't seem to be able to sink more than 50ma which is a bit less than the CVVT solenoids consume. So an inline Tip120 would probably do the job. I've got a touch more research to do on the on-board circuitry before I'll know for sure on the amperage supply but the concept is certainly possible.

Sent you a pm... :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lucky, that bit about the subroutines has my interest. Would it be possible to introduce the control logic to drive two VVT solenoids from an ME4.4 ECU? More and more people are switching to the later style heads, and simply ditch the VVT for lack of a good way to control it. With proper manipulation, the VVT setup could be a pretty powerful tool in making an aggressively tuned well-rounded street car :ph34r:

awww snappp does marky mark want Volvo V-tec bro? That would be pretty sick because it could have the best of all cam timings without the headache of actually manually dialing in repeaditly to find the best overall setting providing what your interests are.

This is sweet and I love the fact that Lucky is setting up a interactive check list so that he can tune more individually per customer rather than a one size fits most situation. Cant wait for greatness !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


×
×
  • Create New...