Driven Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 What EMS is everyone using for their Zetec powered cars? We have a Superformance S1 which has Webcon ITBs and an Alpha EMS... but webcon's support for this setup is nil, was thinking of swapping out the EMS for something more user friendly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off Road SHO Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 What EMS is everyone using for their Zetec powered cars? We have a Superformance S1 which has Webcon ITBs and an Alpha EMS... but webcon's support for this setup is nil, was thinking of swapping out the EMS for something more user friendly. I'd be interested in another EMS also. I'll see if my local tuner guy with the dyno has any recommendations. On that same note, does WebCon sell the tuning software? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdl Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 On that same note, does WebCon sell the tuning software? Tom Webcon doesn't support the ECU any longer and NEVER sold the software and programming hardware to individuals. They now have the Alpha Pro 5 ECU, which is pin compatible to the old one and comes with software. I bought a used one 2 years ago for my Zetec with ITBs. It's expensive, has only few features and the hardware/software is poorly documented. Service via phone was ok and the hardware itself looks ok, but still: It seems Webcon doesn't want the end user to change anything on his own. I gave up on it and looked for a REAL alternative. I now have a Link G4+ Storm ECU waiting to replace the old Webcon, hopefully I have more luck with this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automoda Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Megasquirt II is what I'm using. Isn't this pretty much the standard out there for modifying a fuel injected engine? 650 bucks + a $100 ford EDIS unit and you're set. The main problem is too much documentation. As for the tuning though, you'll have to get it running and take it to a dyno shop or something. I have mine 'best guess' but I know it could do better with the help of an expert tuner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driven Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 I got an email from Webcon today basically saying the same. Nice to know, even in it's prime, Webcon was terrible for customer support I guess it's either, yank the drivetrain, sell it as with harness and ecu... and swap a F22c in it, because Honda user base. Now, to convince the SO to pull the trigger on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dallasdude Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 No reason not to use a modern, US supported ECU like the Megasquit. I use a Haltech Sprint 500 which is a little more expensive, but when I set this up 6 or 7 years ago Megasquirt had a reputation for not working well with EDIS. That has all changed. In either case you will need to build a custom harness, but these units can be made to work with the stock sensors. I use the Haltech with the stock (or stock type MSD) coil packs which require the Haltech igniter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driven Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 Megasquirt II is what I'm using. Isn't this pretty much the standard out there for modifying a fuel injected engine? 650 bucks + a $100 ford EDIS unit and you're set. The main problem is too much documentation. As for the tuning though, you'll have to get it running and take it to a dyno shop or something. I have mine 'best guess' but I know it could do better with the help of an expert tuner. Hadn't thought of that, although a quick google search doesn't show any simple plug and play options... while I wired up a K24 into my Noble, I don't feel like tackling ANOTHER wiring nightmare if there's a P&P option, but will do it if it means having more freedom and visibility on what the engine and EMS is doing. Would you happen to have any links that I should look thru? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Would it be practical to replace the stand alone with a stock Zetec ECU? It could then be tuned by someone like Tom at HPDYNO@aol.com. He is currently tuning my 1999 Zetec. A number of Elise/Exige owners have replaced their stand alone ECUs with stock Lotus ECUs. They were then tuned by BOE. Reading the forums, they tune the stock ECU to support about any combination of modifications including superchargers/turbos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rzempel Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 I, and others, use the Emerald ECU. Holds up to three separate maps, changeable on the fly. Runs open loop or closed loop. Easy to modify. Reasonable price. Randall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driven Posted March 23, 2017 Author Share Posted March 23, 2017 The Emerald looks promising... gotta do more research to see what other things would have to be changed to get it to work though. The car now has a MSD ignition coilpack, and the Alpha TPS... not sure if the Emerald harness will work with those, replace them with something that works with the ECU, or build plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 The Emerald looks promising... gotta do more research to see what other things would have to be changed to get it to work though. The car now has a MSD ignition coilpack, and the Alpha TPS... not sure if the Emerald harness will work with those, replace them with something that works with the ECU, or build plugs. One more vote for the Emerald. I have it for 12 years now, no problems and upgraded to their newer firmware a while ago. Easy to program and map, includes a data logger function. There is no Emerald harness that I know of. It comes with a big connector to be crimped or soldered to the various wires but has a good description what goes where. The TPS can be calibrated if the output is somewhere in the 0-5V range. It does need high impedance injectors and I suspect it can be used with any common coil pack or COP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Like Gert, I've had my Emerald for ~12 years, and have upgraded to later firmware. It's very user friendly, lot's of support from both the company and various UK se7en forums, and reasonably priced. They do make harnesses and can modify them to suit your needs. After developing some issues in the harness I built during the initial install in 2004, I bought a replacement from them this summer and had them prep it for some future mods I have planned. It's very well made. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driven Posted March 24, 2017 Author Share Posted March 24, 2017 Sounds like Emerald is the way to go. My trusted tuner doesn't like megasquirt, so it was another negative to that setup. thanks for the help everyone!! And if anyone knows of a place to buy a simple P&P setup, that'd be awesome. Would hate to cut up the harness I have for the Alpha EMS, but if it's the easiest way, then so be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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