Any automotive enthusiast looking to boost their vehicle’s performance probably knows the value of ECU tuning. That’s because ECU tuning allows owners to make significant changes to engine performance without the need to perform a major teardown and rebuild.
ECU upgrading, however, is the equivalent to what tweaking carburettors and adjusting distributor timing would have been a generation ago – with the difference that they allow finer, more efficient changes than ever. That inherently makes ECU upgrading safer, and ultimately less prone to costly problems than other types of power plant modifications.
Trust Haltech ECUs For Potent Aftermarket Performance
Let’s be honest: while there’s no lack of nostalgia for classic carbureted and point-timed engines, the fact is, they’re simply not as versatile as modern, ECU-controlled engines. This is especially true with high performance engines that have seen significant turbo or valvetrain upgrades, making investing in an upgraded aftermarket car ECU unit essential for maximising engine output.
They’re engineered to maximise all of a vehicle’s control sensors; and it’s no coincidence that when it comes to building standalone ECU controllers for the widest range of performance options, no one does it better than Sydney’s own Haltech. Unlike factory-installed car engine control units that are limited to managing only OE-installed systems and equipment, Haltech aftermarket ECU controllers are programmed to link an unlimited array of tuned aftermarket parts and accessories together with a vehicle’s other performance-related systems.
This gives auto tuners the ability to control a full range of powertrain and drivetrain components from a single, multi-functional car engine control unit, the benefits of which are unmistakable to the truly performance-minded. You get:
- A significant increase in torque and output. Even on high performance vehicles, OE ECUs are only engineered to produce the best balance of performance and economy. Aftermarket ECUs allow tuners to pull the biggest torque and output increases from any upgraded powertrain and drivetrain combination, ensuring they’re available precisely when needed.
- A fully customisable power curve. Not only do Haltech ECUs excel at ramping up and smoothing out upgraded engine power curves, they also allow tuners to adjust transmission shift-points and the amount of traction that’s available with various adaptive modes.
- Economy that matches performance. Fuel economy isn’t typically a concern with high performance engines. Haltech ECUs, however, make it possible for tuners to calibrate consumption rates at various speeds and engine outputs, while also saving equally costly wear and tear on turbos and other rotating assemblies.
Make no mistake: as exciting as it is bolting on the biggest and best flowing aftermarket accessories, the fact is, OE-equipped ECUs simply aren’t designed to fully utilise their potential. Haltech aftermarket engine ECU units support all of these aftermarket performance accessories, and tie them in perfectly with the complete host of standard throttle position, crank angle and pressure sensors.
And with a product line that covers everything from basic plug-and-play units for daily use, to premium standalone units that can even dial-in race suspension setups, Haltech is especially proud to manufacture car engine control units Australia knows it can trust for its most potent late-model performers.
Premium ECU Controllers To Suit Any Price or Performance Priority
With a product lineup that includes more than 300 unique aftermarket car ECU controllers and systems, Haltech isn’t just a manufacturer of standalone units. With 40 years experience in the electronic engine management field, they understand the need for specialisation within the aftermarket ECU space. That’s why they offer two types of rugged, IP-rated engine management systems, both formed around different price levels and performance priorities, which are:
- ELITE Series and ELITE PRO Series ECUs. ELITE Series ECUs are Haltech’s chief plug-and-play ECU adaptors that are direct replacements for factory controllers. They are available in basic and premium standalone configurations, as well as modified configurations for the likes of Subaru’s WRX, Nissan’s Skyline and Toyota’s 2JZ.
- NEXUS Series and NEXUS Rebel ECUs. The NEXUS is Haltech’s state-of-the-art Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) that combines an ECU, a Power Distribution Module (PDM) and a data logger. They’re designed for extreme custom and competition powertrain and drivetrain setups on engines up to 12 cylinders, or as many as 6 rotors.
Haltech also manufactures a complete selection of CAN (Controller Area Network) adapters, thermocoupler hub amplifiers and IO pinout expanders that allow tuners to integrate virtually any performance accessory they want. And Haltech backs up their adapters and other accessories with the wiring harnesses and digital dashboards to allow drivers to monitor their tuning parameters and engine sensors in real-time. The only challenge for drivers and tuners is deciding which aftermarket engine control unit is best suited to achieve the results they want.
How To Know When An ECU Upgrade Is Inevitable?
Whether it’s larger turbos with inter-cooling, or an aggressive camshaft package high performance injectors, drivers and tuners are usually of one mind when it comes to upgrades. Opinions can still vary widely as to whether the upgrade genuinely requires an ECU upgrade, as well as how extensive the upgrade should be.
While there’s no shortage of performance upgrades like lightened flywheels, high volume water pumps and even water injection, it’s important for both owners and tuners to recognise that there are thresholds where the use of aftermarket ECUs becomes unavoidable, and they include:
- When a newly installed turbo, or dual turbo setup is producing considerably more boost and airflow than the factory setup;
- When an engine has been upgraded to run with flex fuel, launch control or an Electronic Boost Control (EBC) relay;
- When an engine has been equipped with adaptive self-tuning hardware to automatically adjust fuel maps, shift points, and pedal sensitivity;
- Anytime an engine is equipped with a 5-sensor, MAP/MAF/TPS/ECT/O2 input configuration; or,
- When any combination of engine upgrades increases engine output more than 250kw above factory tune.
Ideally, anytime a car’s factory ECU isn’t able to gain the maximum benefit from a significant powertrain/drivetrain upgrade, it’s time to consider upgrading. Haltech ECUs have all the advanced features needed to get the most from those upgrades.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, while there are no substitutes for aftermarket upgrades, if a vehicle’s factory ECU can’t put them to use they can actually become a drag on performance. This makes upgrading the ECU mandatory, with real-time monitoring and data logging that can be viewed directly from the dashboard.
An upgraded Haltech aftermarket car ECU unit can manage all of a vehicle’s high performance upgrades with the ease of a factory-supplied unit. They allow tuners to get maximum output from every component and sensor, ensuring they’re all working together to put the most power to the tyres.
