[Editor software not working]

Rolland

All looks good now thanks.

[Editor software not working]

Roland 

I just rechecked my emails and I did not receive it, however thanks for the quick response now I will do as you have indicated hopefully that will fix it.

[Editor software not working]

Problem getting PCMtec software to work , it appears this problem does not fall under PCMtec support.

Following is the issue can any of the forum members help with any advice?

Loaded the editor software onto my laptop per the download instructions.

The software opens, however the "Open' button is greyed out. the vehicle "info" and "read/write" buttons are highlighted.

Connected to the car, hit vehicle info and the vehicle information was downloaded from the car , hit the read/write button and it went to the"Flash Toolbox" screen both read flash and write flash on this screen are greyed out hence could not read the tune from the car.

Thanks

 

[how to upgrade]

Me also!

[Difference between workshop and professional]

The vehicle presented to me has been tuned by a workshop with the PCMtec workshop version, upgraded to boost by gear. The customer is installing a flex sensor and wants it re-tuned for E85. Will the professional version be able to access the boost by gear and be upgradable to flex fuel operating system then be accessible with the professional software?

[Difference between workshop and professional]

I do not meet the requirements to purchase a workshop package, is there a comprehensive list that covers what I cannot do with the professional package that can be done with the workshop package, so I can advise customers accordingly.

[Knock adder level]

Darryl,

5 hours ago, Darryl@pcmtec said:

Yortt, patent is a good read. You will see in what Roland has posted many knock sensor configuration parameters and there is a whole section that is not available in other software. This was done to give the tuner OEM level capabilities and with the software you can download any of the Ford calibrations we have (over 900 of them) and do comparisons to see where Ford tunes.

As no one has had such easy access to all these parameters it gives you, the tuner, a competitive edge.

I will be writing up an example of the how to identify what Ford did with the BTR 4 speed for their turbo Falcon. This shows you what Ford changed between the NA and the turbo with the BTR 4 speed. I was staggered by the number of tables tuned in but at least you can now investigate what is actually required to tune one of these transmissions. This guide will only be available on the workshop Forum section. 

I think Autocotane is a switch or a pin that can be enabled from the dealer. 

Darryl, No question about the the degree of access your software has given, which is superior to the alternate software and in particular the benefit of the development of boost by gear also the forum  support as indicated by the response to this post post. 

 

 

[Knock adder level]

6 hours ago, Roland@pcmtec said:

It is very sophisticated. Have a read of the patent that explains how it works. 

https://patents.google.com/patent/US4376429

There is a whole section of tables related to knock. When I'm in front of a pc I'll list the IDs for you. 

Here is the patent that explains the signal processing side of things

https://patents.google.com/patent/US5535722A/en

Rolland, thanks for the reference material links. I agree with you knock detection on the fords is very sophisticated, my comment was in respect of the sophistication level of ford when compared to the sophistication level of GM from an aftermarket tuning perspective.

[Knock adder level]

23 hours ago, Roland@pcmtec said:

They are all zero'd out and afaik are not used in the Aussie falcons. You could try enabling it by putting some timing values into the tables and seeing if it will adjust to the ignition you have entered.

Most people just tune them for 98 and then leave the stock 10-14 degrees of ignition retard on knock there. That way even 91 fuel will still be "ok" as the system will pull the timing. You will still kill the ring lands eventually though as the PCM will continue to try and add timing until it detects knock, this will happen regularly so the engine will be experiencing extremely mild knock fairly regularly. Instead of killing the motor with too much timing on boost, it will kill it by knocking at cruise and low load.

I'm unsure if enabling this functionality would result in a better outcome or not.

Thanks for the reply, re "They are all zero'd out" I cannot see the table you are referring to, I am looking at the demo version?

While I cannot find any detail information on how Ford handle knock and it is as you describe I am surprised it is not as sophisticated as the GM knock control particularly given it is forced induction.

[Knock adder level]

auF1456               Knock adder level to change from high octane operation to low octane operation  -5.5 -5.5  unitless. Knock adder level to change from high octane operation to low octane operation.

auF1671               Knock adder level to change from low octane operation to high octane operation  -0.25 -0.25   unitless Knock adder level to change from low octane operation to high octane operation

 

I have been going through the Demo editor and come across the above. This is the first time I have seen anything for Ford that resembles the GM vehicles Hi-Lo octane ignition maps,  does anyone have any detail on how these knock adder level settings function.

[Yortt]

3 hours ago, Darryl@pcmtec said:

Well any operating system can do gear based boost control now but that is the tip of the iceberg. How about gear based torque management as well?

This is a great leap forward, particularly given the original comment.......... ""All the workshops I ask say "it would be nice" but will never use it". 

So does this mean for a 2008 XR6T i would have to use a custom operating system?

 

3 hours ago, Darryl@pcmtec said:

 See the link here: 

 

 

[Yortt]

1 hour ago, Darryl@pcmtec said:

The priorities are ZF flashing on J2534 devices and PCM logging.

Assuming there is a demand for it we will look at ZF logging after these two are completed.  With over 2500 items defined for logging you would hope there is something to log which map is being used. 

Do you know if Eric ever put the logging information I got for him into HP Tuners?

To try and custom tune gear change points is extremely difficult without knowing which of the 51 maps is being  used, I assume this information is available in the data stream.

With respect to did Eric put the information you gave him, I don't know but the conclusion I have come to with VCM Suite is they have been very reluctant to apply resources for  Australian Ford development in the past and given the falcon has now finished,  any  resources they have will be put into other more potentially profitable areas.

[Yortt]

Darryl

1 hour ago, Darryl@pcmtec said:

Yortt, that can be achieved quite economically. If you are doing it for him then that will cost 3 credits ($150 + GST) and he will not need to purchase anything. If he wants to tune then he will need the Enthusiast version ($330 GST inc) and a dongle ($120 for something like VX DIAG Nano, approximately $300 for Tactrix, ...) unless he can borrow one for the flash process (we do not tie the dongle to the software).

I am currently using the VX DIAG Nano ($120 on eBay from Aus, took 2 days to get to me from Sydney) until my Tactrix is replaced. Slow but effective and it even comes with a "free" Ford IDS 

Darryl,  my mates car  has been tuned with VCM Suite and I do not believe  with his current mechanical set up there are any more power gains to be had with the exception of "boost by gear", we believe this is the final step left to refine driveability and performance and he is willing to pay for it which seems to be contrary to your workshop survey which is the point I was trying to make.

[Yortt]

With your logger, on an FG ZF with the 51 shift patterns does your scanner log which of the 51 maps are being used ?

Thanks

[Yortt]

"All the workshops I ask say "it would be nice" but will never use it". This might be different if we do it."

 

It would be interesting to see what  modified XR6T owners think!

Unfortunately my car is a series 1, if this function becomes available for the series 1 then I would buy it.

I have a mate with a Series 11 (modified) that we have tuned, the only problem now is the lack of traction, it is anticipated using "boost by gear" will make the car safer and and in line with what this is all about making the car accelerate as quick as possible particularly from stationary at WOT. And is willing to pay  for a dongle, PCMTec software and and the boost by gear tuning to achieve this. Not a cheap exercise but an indication of the potential.

[Yortt]

Another question, all my files I have are .hpt is there anyway I can convert them to .tec to view them in your editor?

thanks

[Yortt]

Darryl

Your detailed responses are appreciated thanks

[Yortt]

RE Can your software clone a back up PCM in case something goes wrong?

RE Yes . When you read the calibration and save the tec file then this can be used as a backup. You will need to license it to flash it back into the car so no different to HP Tuners in that respect.

Just to clarify I can save the tec file get spare PCM license it to flash it, flash the tec file into the spare PCM and I have a cloned spare PCM as back up?

email me the full name of the strategy.........  I have emailed it thanks

[Yortt]

2 hours ago, Roland@pcmtec said:

FYI being able to copy over differences yourself from the Compare viewer is not far off. ZF flashing is likely to be the new year, we can get you an editable (but not flashable) copy of your ZF trans into the editor in the mean time if you are curious what kind of parameters you will be able to view.

"The VCM license will only work with the original calibration assuming it is already licensed"

Whilst this is true there will be nothing stopping you from flashing the old non boost by gear file back into the car should you wish to use HPTuners again, you just won't be able to edit the Sprint OS with HPTuners unless you license it again.

Roland, understood thanks!

Another couple of questions

RE "No, not unless you change the VIN and/or the OSID, see Note"'........ does this include any future upgrades or additions?

So PCMTec tune files are not scrambled? are they in a bin file format?

Can your software clone a back up PCM in case something goes wrong?

Thanks

 

 

[Yortt]

Darryl

Thanks for the prompt detailed response  it answers my questions, this gives me enough clarification to make a decision .

 

[Yortt]

On 11/27/2017 at 11:00 AM, Darryl@pcmtec said:

Yortt,

This can be done now. The process would be to read the car but not license it, send us the file and we will put in the XR6 Sprint calibration and then you can license and flash it into the car. 

Sounds good but I have a few questions

My intention is to buy the professional version

Objective is to use the current tune with the ability to control boost by gear and maintain access with VCM suite through existing VCM suite license after upgrading and licensing with PCMTec.

1.       Will my existing VCM suite license still access and still work with the upgraded sprint calibration?

2.       Will the existing file I send you which is tune upgraded, will the upgraded settings still be in the new supplied sprint calibration?

3.       With the current ZF transmission settings can the sprint trans operating system be copied to the vehicle also or is it just a matter of copying across the sprint settings to the existing trans operating system?

4.       Is your current software able to compare engine and trans from one file to another?

5.       Is VCM Suite able to read a PCMTec tune file and vise versa?

6.       Once a PCMTec license is applied to a PCM tune file would any further licensing be required.?

Thanks

 

[Yortt]

Roland thanks for the information.

Now looking at upgrading a MK11 XR6T boost by gear , Darryl's comment "Customers have put this into their FG MK II XR6 Turbos with success including updating the ZF cal. PCMTec  will support this in the next release with the Workshop version directly and the Professional version on a per user request. " Any indication of a time frame for the next release ?.

[Yortt]

Darryl

Thanks for the informative explanation.  With upgraded power having boost control by gear it would appear to achieve a significant improvement in getting power to the road   looks like it is not going to be readily available anytime soon for the MK1.

Thanks

[Yortt]

Does the XR6T have in the operating system the ability to control boost by gear (or is this only in the sprint operating system)? if it does, does your editor include this function.

If not do you see any possibility of this function being available for XR6T in the future?

Thanks