Date:         Mon, 1 Dec 2008 22:24:38 -0800
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      Haltec and other stand alone engine managment systems.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

  I dialed-in a Motec system on my racer.  These are pretty widely used
amongst racecars..though the one I had was an older model.
  Good for any engine configuration.  The 90's era Porsche V8 water pumper I
had was a Bosch EFI...Originally.  When we built the motor (6.5liter stroked
928 motor with a custom intake) we started from scratch with the Motec at
the dyno and within about an hour, we'd taken the HP from 300 on start-up,
barely running..to 585.  I didn't pop for the full data log capability..but
it would record every thing the motor did...Very versatile and about the
same cost as a new "brain", which would not have worked with the custom
intake anyhow.  The Motec was very useful to adjust the power curve during
dyno runs..we needed to reduce the torque in mid range to a level that would
allow the transmission to live..So these Dyno-wizards just played around
with the columns showing on the laptop...pushing some back and stretching
some out...Magic....

  Getting the computer (I used an old Dell notebook with windows..the Motec
program is a DOS) to talk to the Motec was iffy.  We had problems with the
wires to the laptop and the Port configuration, but eventually solved it
all. I looked at the Haltec, too, but as mentioned, it was an Aussie company
and not well supported yet in the US.   The import tuning crowd...they know
those aftermarket engine management systems backwards and forwards.  If you
go to a VW tuner shop..I'd bet they would have your van running perfect in
very short time...If you find the right guys.  I bet you could get a
significant improvement in performance from a van motor just by tweeking the
spark and mixture for best performance..You can also work up multiple
programs and initiate them with a key stroke..Say you were headed across the
Mojave and wanted mileage..that could be one program..then you came to the
Rockies and wanted more high rpm power...plug in, hit the keys and you can
change the whole way the engine manages itself..
  I think my Motec was about $2k when all done.  Came with instructions for
the motec wires, but you had to know where to cut into the vehicle harness
to get the proper signals.

  Don Hanson

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