Boost Controlling (MBC or ECMLink).

[PanZero]

So, I'm gonna start upgrading my car. The plan is to get an Evo III 16G, but as we all know, we have some stuff to do first. I'll get ECMLink Lite (as well as upgraded fuel system components), and reading through their wiki I saw that you can use it to controll boost, even with the stock BCS (or that other one which is still cheaper than a good MBC). So, seeing that it could save me a few bucks on a MBC, I started reading about it, though I couldn't find all the answers I wanted...

Which is better? Which gives more control over boost, and which makes the turbo spool up faster?

Even with all the instructions on their website, I noticed that boost controlling thru ECMLink is a lot harder and confusing than using a regular MBC. If anybody here controls their boost using ECMLink, could you give me some pointers on how to do it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DSMTyson]

Well, if you go with ECMLink V3 Full you can use the boost-by-gear function. Which IMO is a must for anyone with a modded GST. You can find the sweet spot of each gear where you don't get wheelspin.

Neither will help the turbo spool faster. The only thing that will help spool, is adjusting timing before spool up.

Its a very easy program to use once you get used to it. Don't be afraid of it.

 

[jacobbyrd]

That was one of the questions I was asking before I did my e316g upgrade about a month or so ago.

I ended up going with a MBC, becuase you cannot control boost with V3 lite, and it would have costed a lot more to go with the full V3 AND get the peice they sell to control boost too. It may not be as cool, but turning a knob under the hood isnt' so bad.

I'm running a constant 20 PSI and love it!

But I have a GSX so I don't have the issue you will with wheelspin, so that may weigh in on your decision more heavily than it did in mine as the previous poster has already pointed out.

 

[PanZero]

Not enough money now for ECMLink Full, maybe I'll upgrade later. How does it work? Is it a software or a hardware upgrade? Do I need to send it back to the guys?

Also, thought that there would be differences in spoolup times because they make the wastegate open differently from what I heard. ECMLink it goes like open/closed in a numerical way, whereas with the MBC it opens little by little. Probably not a big difference, but still... Correct me if I'm wrong.

Edit: Hadn't seen jacobbyrd's post when I posted. I had in mind to make my car with good handling so maybe going full is a good idea... If I go the MBC route and don't like it, can I upgrade ECMLink and use it for boost controlling putting the solenoid (stock or theirs) back in?

 

[Absit]

If you read through 'Link's FAQs they've got a write-up on it..
Or if you search for boost by gear or ecu boost control you'd find write ups as well.

 

[snowborder714]

Not enough money now for ECMLink Full, maybe I'll upgrade later. How does it work? Is it a software or a hardware upgrade? Do I need to send it back to the guys?

It's a firmware upgrade. No need to send anything back to them. Just send in your money and they'll generate a v3 full firmware version that you'll then flash your chip with, and you're ready to go.

 

[Calan]

Neither will help the turbo spool faster.

That's not exactly true. With the ECU/solenoid boost control in ECMLink, you can keep the gate closed completely until a specified set of parameters are met. With a traditional MBC, you have some leakage due it being an analytical system that is directly tracking boost pressure. It's not a lot of difference, but it is noticeable.

One advantage of ECMLink's boost control is that it lets you tailor the boost curve to best suit your turbo's characteristics... such as creating a large boost spike with a small turbo for maximum initial torque, for example.

 

[PanZero]

Cool, hadn't really thought about that. I'll give it some more thought.