TEC3r software help

DonE · 09-24-2005, 05:16 PM

Is anyone familiar with the TEC3r software, v 3.3.9? Specifically, the idle page? Clewett is having a difficult time explaining how it works, so he is not a good source. Otherwise the car is back to normal.
Thx

edbaus · edbaus's Garage

Don,

How is your cold start. I can not get my car to start cold without touching the gas and taking the risk of flooding the car.

Mine does not idle right either.

Thanks

Ed

DonE · 09-26-2005, 10:39 AM

Cold start is fine.

I called Nick at Electromotive today about the new software. Here is what he said - " I haven't figured it out yet either". Nick is the tech support for Electromotive. He is a hell of a nice guy and helpful, but he said if I can't get his recommended settings to work, call back and we'll get the software designer on the phone with him who is responsible for that software upgrade.

You are welcome to call me so I can give you specific info I have learned lately about the new software. If interested, email me at 930turbo@mindspring.com

CEO · 09-27-2005, 06:11 AM

Are you happy with the Tec3r overall? Or would you recomed something else.
I am looking to go with a ITB setup and would like to know if there is anything else I sould look at.

Regards, Kenneth

DonE · 09-27-2005, 06:27 AM

Since I have only worked with the TEC3r, I can only tell you what I like and don't like about it. I can not compare it to other makes.

Likes:

> installation was easy - good instructions
> nice neat package (ECU, coils, harness, etc)
> good user interface - windows based, on the fly programming, tuning wizard, datalog capable
> price

Dis-likes:

> on-screen help for tuning is horrible - poorly written/explained
> tech support is OK, but they must not communicate internally since there is frustration about their product internally
> sensor problems - i've been thru 2 crank sensors - my cam sensor is a Hall Effect, but i have to set it as magnetic in the software....
> the ECU locked up the first week I had it - had to send it back
> the AMP connectors on the ECU did not mate properly, causing the car to die 30 min into a drive

The best piece of advice I could give you or anyone, is to find a good Porsche mechanic who is very familiar with a particular brand of EFI, and go with their recommendation. This way you have someone close by you can rely on to give guidance and advice. I completely recommend installing it yourself and tuning it yourself, as you learn a lot about your car and its performance. However, experience from the mechanic is invaluable and will save big money and lots of time- make sure you pay him/her for their time/experience.

In hindsight, I would probably go with an Autronic or Motec because so many more Porsche people use these units and assistance is easier to get.

edbaus · edbaus's Garage

Hey,

Thats funny, mine locked up too and I had to send it back too.

Ed

DonE · 09-30-2005, 09:03 AM

Well it locked up again today. I was at a gas station uploading a new table when the LED went red and there I was. I had to be towed and Electromotive said send it to them and our next unit (yet to be developed!) will not do that.

So, I am actively looking for a replacement for the TEC3r.

ANTONIO · 10-01-2005, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DonE
Well it locked up again today. I was at a gas station uploading a new table when the LED went red and there I was. I had to be towed and Electromotive said send it to them and our next unit (yet to be developed!) will not do that.

So, I am actively looking for a replacement for the TEC3r.

Don, give Wayne a call at DTA systems.,excellent efi.,cheers,Antonio.

TimT · 10-01-2005, 04:08 PM

We sell Haltechs

They seem to work very well, and the software is very user friendly

the "Tec" series always seemed to give us headaches

DonE · 10-01-2005, 04:49 PM

Thanks

I was told to consider FAST and DTA too.

Comments?

TimT · 10-01-2005, 04:54 PM

I cant comment on FAST or DTA, I have no experience with those systems

I do know Tec is not user friendly

Haltech powered car on a warmup lap

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

The TEC-3 is my choice for engine management systems. It's inexpensive (relatively), there is good support for it (through Rick), and it seems to have good support from Electromotive.

That said, this new TEC-3r system may be problematic - I know the older TEC-3 system was pretty much bulletproof.

-Wayne

David · David's Garage

All my research points to Autronic (if Motec is out of budget) which is what I'll be using.

Brother · 10-02-2005, 07:02 AM

So what I'm gathering is that the latest revision of the TEC3 is still a little buggy?

I was planning on going with this.

What is the biggest difference between Motec, Autronic, Haltech, and TEC3r?

David · David's Garage

Motec is pretty much the mac daddy of EFI. It has all the features (you can pay to activate them anyway) and can control just about anything. It's very reliable and very expensive. The only thing better is the super high dollar stuff like on CART cars. They have a good US website where you can get plenty of info. This would be my choice if money was not an option.

Autronic was created by an ex-Motec employee and is supposed to be reliable and easy to use. It also has lots of features. The standard SMC is about $2000. They have a pretty good website. I haven't heard anything bad about them.

Electromotive seems to be user friendly, but I keep hearing stories like Don's which make me wonder. It also seems to be less than reliable. The ignition ignitors which get hot are in the ECU may be cause for concern. Not on my list of options.

I haven't heard much about Haltech, DTA, etc which is why I took them off my list. I would like to hear from several people about an ECU before I would use it.

If you want to drive individual coils, make sure the ECU can do it. Same goes for A/C, boost, etc.

DonE · 10-02-2005, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brother
So what I'm gathering is that the latest revision of the TEC3 is still a little buggy?

Here are my frustrations with the TEC3r:

> software recognizes my cam Hall sensor as a mag sensor
> ECU locked up twice - one was my fault
> idle software does not work well, and help is poorly written
> decel software poorly written, inconsistent results
> acceleration fuel enrichment does not work in 1st gear (Nick at Electromotive said he has this problem on his in 3rd gear) - no fix
> AMP harness connectors did not mate properly to ECU

And last but certainly not least, there are NO good instructions or explanations on how the different components of the software work or work together.

If I can find a system that can use the Electromotive DFU's, the GM sensors and the Siemens injectors, while providing on the fly tuning, sequential injection, datalogging and windows interface, I will change the ECU.

DonE · 10-02-2005, 07:27 AM

No one mentions FAST ECU's. Is there a reason? I spoke to the company on Fri (while sitting in my car, waiting for a tow), and they said they cater to forced induction engines. In addition, the rep in the SE US, is their national turbo specialist.

dean · 10-02-2005, 06:41 PM

Hi Don,

So your ECU just locks up and you can't do anything but send it in? Wow.

Here is my take on the DTA Pro8.

I think it is a fine reliable mid priced ECU. There are some things that I don't like about it.

The idle control isn't very good. It might be that I have a defective idle control valve . My idle is low when cold.

The lambda control is screwy. It just doesn't work very well. It wants to lean the motor out more than it should.

I think the DTA is a great ECU for racing where you don't idle much or need lambda control.

The interface with Windows SUCKS. DTA blames Microsoft. Really now.

I will try Autronic next time to see if it does any better than the DTA.

BTW, I have had one failure. My POS Electromotive crank sensor ***** the bed and I needed a tow. I am going to replace the sensor with a Ford unit so that doesn't happen again.

I have heard that FAST is on a lot of Hondas and V8s.

Good luck
Dean

ANTONIO · 10-03-2005, 04:11 AM

I guess is a matter of tuning.'cause I haven't have none of these problems with my set up (993TT), I love the traction control feature of the DTA,that is why I decided to try it, also I use to have in this particular engine a TEC3r with no particular issues with it.,cheers,Antonio.

Jeff Alton · 10-03-2005, 06:11 AM

Wayne, no offense, but your comments fly in the face of a lot of stuff i have read about the Tec. Even this thread says that the original poster could not good help from Clewett. I have seen lots of other comments from others that electromotive is not very good with support either. I sure do not want an ecu that "Locks up".

I have been trying to decide between ITB's and PMO's for my 3.4 build and quite frankly the tunning hassles reported by folks here make me lean towards carbs. ....

Cheers,