Laptop+soft instead of ECU

[Professor Nimnul]

Well - it's just interesting - I have info from my friend about Ford Focus ST. He said that he had seen a configuration that used Laptop & special software INSTEAD of stock ECU.

I was surprised - 'cause it looks like POSSIBLE thing.

I do not mean CHIP or stock ECU tuning or smth else - but only a proper connector with high speed connection to the laptop + special software emulationg ECU.

Has anybody seen smth like this for a Cougar?

[freednighthawk]

Dude, if he did have it, it was a custom built setup. And custom written software.

[ov3n]

No reason to do that when you have tuners like the SCT Xcalibrator. The ford ECU is a great ECU, just get a good tune and reflash it!

What happens when your laptop crashes? Your car would be dead.

[freednighthawk]

Not to meantion that laptops hate high G's and rattling/shaking. So you'd pretty much be screwed if you're racing.

[cpapashley]

Originally Posted by Professor Nimnul

Well - it's just interesting - I have info from my friend about Ford Focus ST. He said that he had seen a configuration that used Laptop & special software INSTEAD of stock ECU.

I was surprised - 'cause it looks like POSSIBLE thing.

I do not mean CHIP or stock ECU tuning or smth else - but only a proper connector with high speed connection to the laptop + special software emulationg ECU.

Has anybody seen smth like this for a Cougar?

Interesting concept professor, can you find out a little more, if it works with the focus, then it may work with many other Fords.

If you can find out more, let me know.

[bensenvill]

Originally Posted by freednighthawk

Not to meantion that laptops hate high G's and rattling/shaking. So you'd pretty much be screwed if you're racing.

not to mention heat and cold [esp for russia]. your laptop is going to bake in the summer and run the risk of shattering the hard drive platters on startup in the cold.

are you sure it was INSTEAD of an ECU rather than in addition to an ECU?

[BigBalledOX]

Originally Posted by bensenvill

are you sure it was INSTEAD of an ECU rather than in addition to an ECU?

Yeah, I call BS on that too. I highly doubt Ford has millions of vehicles with an ECU and then one that just happens to not have one. ****, even if you could get the car to run without the stock ECU, I can only imagine the nightmare it would be to configure a laptop to run the car.

[Blackcoog]

Ahhh blue screen of death noooo!

I wouldn't recommend running Windows in that case. Linux might be the better option.

I'm curious.... why is it that our overseas members are so interested in tuning? You do understand that you won't gain anything from tuning unless you significantly change you current setup (different engine or forced induction)? On a stock or even slightly modified car it isn't going to be a major or even a noticable increase in power.

[BigBalledOX]

Originally Posted by Blackcoog

Ahhh blue screen of death noooo!

I wouldn't recommend running Windows in that case. Linux might be the better option.

I'm curious.... why is it that our overseas members are so interested in tuning? You do understand that you won't gain anything from tuning unless you significantly change you current setup (different engine or forced induction)? On a stock or even slightly modified car it isn't going to be a major or even a noticable increase in power.

I disagree. On my LS, for example, a tune on an otherwise stock engine gains about 17 HP and 17 ft-lbs of torque. The stock engine can definitely be tweaked for better performance.

[RuiNaToR_QC]

Would be great to have a Panasonic to act as a ECU

The only laptop that would survive as long as a stock ECU mounted into a car. If someone can find a way to do this. Im in

These Toughbook® computers are manufactured to endure 3-foot drops and to withstand violent shocks and vibrations. They are fabricated to operate at temperatures over 140° and below -20° Fahrenheit and function both at high altitude and under increased atmospheric pressure. See the incredible MIL-STD tests these machines pass in order to be Toughbook rugged.

MIL-STD tests