Miata Mailing List: September 1995, Message #135
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From: Frank Brochoven
Miata.netters, Next month, BBR are coming out with a new ECU 'piggyback' computer (it's a whole lot more than that... read on!) for turboed and supercharged engines. I though some of you might be interested to read about it.=20 All the others press ctrl+d now! I've scanned it in and ran the text through an OCR program. Any typos that are left can be blamed on Mickeysoft's Word spellchecker! --included message-- Dear Frank, Thanks for your fax regarding our new interceptor. The rumours are all true! Initial development is now completed and production prototypes are under way with full scale production due to commence some time in October. The system is very versatile and not only can various vehicle functions be intercepted and controlled but by plugging in a PC, it is possible to view windows for diagnostics, data logging, 3-dimensional maps and software. Total price of basic unit will be pitched at =A3375 and the full soft and hardware package another =A3250. The system has to be tailored to suit each vehicle application. We would therefore need to know details of your vehicle before quoting a delivery= date. The first vehicles to be fitted with interceptor will be the Mazda MX5 (Miata) due to the USA market. Others will soon follow, depending on demand. Please keep in touch.=20 Best regards, Ken Brittain=20 Director, Engineering +-+-+-+-+-+-+ THE BBR INTERCEPTOR +-+-+-+-+-+-+ Interceptor is the future of tuning. Now you can access any engine management system, and tune it to suit your purpose, whether it be for power, economy, or other engine modifications such as turbocharger upgrades or performance camshafts. It can be fitted to any ECU, and is the only way to modify those ECU's which don't have replacement 'chips' Tuning is not it's only function, however. Using the information provided by the various displays gives the user sophisticated engine diagnostics which up until now have only been available to professional outlets. Anyone who is interested in either tuning their engine, or even just keeping a eye on it, will benefit from interceptor technology Technical Details ----------------- Interceptor is a small but highly sophisticated controller for ECU's. It allows the various functions of the ECU to be selectively overridden, without affecting the standard vehicle software, thus allowing engine tuning modifications to be made The engine does not have to be remapped - only those functions which need to be changed are modified Also incorporated is a comprehensive engine data logger and mapping system to enable the vehicle's performance to be analysed. The unit is configured for a particular car, just like a starchip. It contains a predetermined set of maps for the vehicle, which can be switched on or off by the user (to give 'back-to-back' operation) When in 'Normal' mode, the Vehicle functions exactly as standard When in 'intercept' mode, the new settings come into play, and small adjustments can be made to both the ignition and Fuelling of the Vehicle by means of 2 adjusters which are cockpit mounted in a small control unit, to enable full optimisation on-vehicle These allow 'fine-tuning' to be carried out by the owner, but will not allow settings to be changed in any drastic fashion. The interceptor is designed to run in conjunction with a standard PC (at least 286 CPU), which acts as the controller for the analysis functions. All necessary software and instructions are supplied as standard. In normal use, however, the PC is not required An upgrade is available giving high speed logging capability, without the need for a PC to be connected. Full mapping software is also available. What will it fit ? ------------------ The interceptor is designed to fit vehicles with electronic fuel injection, solenoid injectors, and electronic ignition. It has 12 channels. This means it will fit 8 cylinder engines with 1 injector per cylinder and 4 coils, or 6 cylinder engines with 1 injector per cylinder and 6 coils, or any 4 cylinder engine with up to 2 injectors per cylinder. In short, most engines ! Technically, it requires 5 volt pulse input levels and 5 volt analogue inputs. Adaptors are available for vehicles not meeting these requirements. The interceptor has its own fully protected power supply, and so does not degrade the ECU supply. Capability ---------- The capability of the interceptor in any particular application depends largely upon the functions of the vehicle ECU to which it is connected. Given the right input signals, the standard unit will measure : RPM, Speed, Fuel pulse width, ignition timing. Fuel timing. Lambda, Knock sensor ops. Engine Sensor inputs (Airflow, Throttle angle. Temperatures, Manifold= pressure) Further upgrades (which can be fitted to any interceptor), can give a combination of the following extra features : Speed and RPM limiter override, Power measurement. Traction control. Mapped Boost control, Auxiliary Injector control, idle speed control, Chassis data logging Interceptor Functions --------------------- Run This allows the standard maps for a car to be overridden by new maps in the interceptor. Adjusters allow small changes to be made to the interceptor maps. The interceptor can be switched out at any time, to enable the Vehicle to run 'as standard'. Dash This shows what the unit is 'seeing in the form of a graphical dashboard display on the PC, like a set of gauges. Unlike a dashboard. however, this data comes directly from the ECU. and therefore allows you to look at things not normally available, such as air flow, lambda, etc. On the basic unit, the data can be logged on disc for later analysis. Diagnostics This shows all the various readings from the vehicle on the PC screen, enabling in depth checks to be performed of the vehicle's functioning. There is also a fault memory which stores possible sensor= problems. Logger The basic logging function can be used if a PC is connected to the interceptor. Data is stored directly to a disc. far later analysis. Logger displays can be either : Multichannel stripcharts, Tables, or 'Action Replay' via the dash board: display on the PC Mapper On the basic unit, this allows the user to view the maps as they ale being used by the vehicle, using 3D graphics. No changes can be made to the maps. This facility is, however. useful for diagnostic purposes and for understanding how the vehicle operates. Fitting ------- Fitting an interceptor is not a DIY job! The exact type of fitment required depends to a large extenton the vehicle. Many different possibilities exist. Therefore the units will only be sold through approved fitting agents who have demonstrated a high degree of technical competence. High Speed Logger Upgrade (Code F15HSL) This consists of a separate board allowing the interceptor to function as a stand alone data logger. The sample rate is variable from 50 readings/second to 1 reading per second.=20 Extra controls are provided to: Start and stop the logger Stop the logger when full, or run as an endless loop Show when the log memory is full An extra 8 logger channels can also be provided when this board is fitted (primarily for competition applications) (Code F15HSL8) Real Time Mapping Upgrade (Code F15R) This is exactly the same set of tools that we use to develop interceptor applications. n consists of a Real Time Mapping Interface, and a suite of specialised software. It enables the engine to be run on a rolling road or a dyno and mapped as the engine is running, without having to stop and change chips, etc. The mapping is visually controlled. using 3D graphics and 'real'= units. +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ Frank and Bibi=20 from Antwerp, Belgium http://miata.rug.ac.be/~pruyss/miata/pics.html ftp://miata.rug.ac.be/pub/miata-pics