Cool ECM/PCM Computer Idea

[scorpion_x9]

I was thinking and someone has most likely done it. N E way, I was thinking it would be cool if you could turn your laptop (if you have one) into a ECM/PCM instead of using the stone age technology in that little box under the hood. (Not like it needs anything more) Basically making something where you could have preset modes for engine management, like when it goes into Power Enrichment mode, you'd have a preset for like "Economy Driving" or "Drag Race Mode" and be able to do it on the fly. If I had skillz in circuitry I'd make a module (basically like a translator for your laptop to understand what the sensors are saying) that uses the plugs under the hood for monitoring sensors and all that. I bet for something like that would cost alot of money too, like $2 Gs or more. I'd be scared to use it in fear of Windows crashing and making your engine throw a rod, bend a valve or something!

 

Just a little thought (that already exists, i guess...) or something to discuss on!

 

L8R!

[brian89gp]

Problem lies in the fact the base OS is written. All DOS/Win/Unix is task driven, the ECM is interupt/time driven, not to mention the amount of slaved IO ports you would have to have connected to your laptop. Then what happens when you start your car? Let your laptop boot for a 1-2 minutes before you can even start it, the ECM does it in milliseconds.

 

Learn Motorolla assembly, then you could write the ECM whichever way you fancy.

[gp90se]

Im with brian, if ya learn motorolla and ecus are a piece of cake. I always wondered how hard it would be to run dual ECUs with a switch, 1 chipped for racing and 1 for econo, but then i actually looked at the wiring, LOL nope, not happining.

 

I understand what your saying, but not with our outdated cars, with OBDIII it might be a possibility.

 

-Jeff

[GnatGoSplat]

Reprogramming the existing ECM is a much better idea.

If you want a modern, more powerful ECM, get a P6 (OBD-II) PCM out of a 3100 car and learn how to program it.

[godofthunder]

you could always use a computer to just monitor it all, and do many other things.

 

There was a guy on slashdot last week i think, used a Mac, and it played DVDs, CDs, monitored mileage and gas usage, etc.

 

I dont know if that could be done in our cars...but i sure wouldnt mind having a computer built into the car to do a few special things

 

jon

[skalor]

First of all the OBDI GM computer is probably the best OEM computer there is in terms of reprogramming and support doing it. You should look at some of the ford units of the same years, they are in the stone-age. You can always run an emulator instead of the eprom and you can reprogram that on the fly. Xtronics has one for around $150 IIRC. Or you can always burn stacked bin files on 512KB chips. 8)