mpaton wrote:
1) Everything decipha says is true. However, I think you need to ask yourself what it is you really want to do.
2) If you just want to tune your car, then you should see how much sailorbob or popsracing want for a def file, pay them, and get on with tuning. Even that is a lot of work.
3) If you actually want to lear how to make def files, then that's fine, you can do that, but it may well take you about 800 hours of learning.
4) My point, harsh though it may seem, is that you've been here a few months, and it's always been "What do I do next?" People who could make you a def file in 200 hours or less (because they've done a few before) don't really have the time to lead you step by step through the process of making a def file if they don't see you've been making some progress on your own. Or if you write a convincing post about why you really want t odo it all yourself, and how you plan to learn how to do it,
5) and how much you'll enjoy spending 800 to 1000 hours on it, before your engine ever starts.
Apologies if my "simple steps" are offending anyone or if I seem to be taking a long time with this, I just don't think I want to be rushing these steps, would rather check and double check to make sure for example that I am working with a decent uncorrupted Bin file, which we have now established.
Also I'm not working full time on this, and yes this is all very new and puzzling to me, but we all have to start somewhere ;)
To answer some of your points:-
1) What I really want to do is to be able to fine tune an ECU on an engine that already runs fairly well but would benefit from changing a few things.
Sadly, that means I need a def file for at least the RUTH ECU (the one the car is running on atm). This means realistically that I will have to do it myself, with help from others.
2) I have asked lots of people including the 2 you mention "How Much" and so far only one says he is prepared to do it, although atm he is tied up on another project.
One of the guys you are quoting says he don't do defs for money anymore.
I do understand exactly what a def file is and does, and also have a full working knowledge of the EECV strategies, and which parameters it is that I need to alter to acheive my goals.
3) I've been here a few months, and the slow progress is because I can only spend time on this "part time" and also I was laid up Ill for a while in the new year.
However in that time I have learned an awful lot and made far more progress than I ever thought I would.
The reasons I want to do it myself is that realistically no one has given me a price to do it for me, or has the time to do it all, and also I will be learning a new skill, rather than just "giving up" and using say Megasquirt, Emerald, DTA etc.
That is the reason I do most things "In House" learning new things along the way.
I have made a fair commitment by buying the equipment and software needed rather than simply saying "If I send you my ECU can you read the bin, disassemble it etc etc"
4) My car runs and starts pretty well now (2nd place out of 30 car entry last time out), however it will definitely benefit from some tweaking.
When I started to scratch build the car lots of folk said "It can't be done" (Ford Puma Stage Rally Car........4X4 Running gear, V6 Cosworth BOB, etc etc) yet apart from the final paintwork and the alloy fuel tank ALL work was done by myself including for example buying a decent tube bender and building the Roll Cage from scratch.
My point is if someone is prepared to create me a def file for the RUTH then I am happy to pay them a reasonable sum...........If not then I will have to do it myself, however long it takes, and however much I need to learn, or give up (not words that exist in my dictionary)............
I thought the purpose of Forums was to share info and learn.
I have certainly helped many folk out via Forums, step by step sometimes, on transmission builds, engines, PATS systems, EFI Wiring etc etc over the years..................so if anyone doesn't have the time to reply to my "simple posts" and help me out, then fine, I'll not be offended, but equally all and any help is gratefully received................
And a big thank you to Sailorbob, Adam and Decipha and any others who have all helped me out so far ;)
I have done some of what Decipha said above and will post up a reply soon, but am busy with customers work atm ;)
Cheers for now,
Dave