Introduction

This guide applies to RaceROM version 13 onwards for the original Gen1 BRZ  and for RaceROM on the Gen2 BRZ / GR86 platforms.

There may be minor differences on your specific model or version of RaceROM.

EcuTek RaceROM is a package of special software features that can be installed into the ECU of the supported vehicles. You simply open your ECU ROM file using EcuTek software, apply the RaceROM Feature File (Patch) to it, adjust the RaceROM maps as necessary, and then program the ROM file into the vehicle.

Please read How to: Add/Remove EcuTek Race Rom to your Vehicle. Feature File Guide for info on how RaceROM works, how to install and uninstall RaceROM feature files, and further hints and tips.

For Gen 1 BRZ with end user tuning, features marked ** are only available to trade customers, or retail customers that have purchased the optional RaceROM BRZ/FRS/GT86 upgrade.

Feature List

EcuTek RaceROM for Subaru BRZ currently includes the following features:

• Map Switching**

• Speed Density (BRZ Gen1 Only)**

• Flex Fuel**

• Boost Control**

• CAN Bus Input**

• CAN Bus Output**

• Closed Loop Fuel Control**

• Custom Maps**

• Launch Control

• Flat Foot Shifting

• Downshift Auto Blip

• Burble

• Per Gear Rev Limits
  
  

Auto Blip Feature

The Auto Blip feature applies a short burst of throttle when the driver is down-shifting under braking. This raises the RPM to keep the engine operating within its power band and provides a smooth entry into the lower gear by reducing engine braking.

AutoBlip Enable

AutoBlip Minimum Speed

Vehicle speed that must be exceeded for AutoBlip to be enabled.

AutoBlip Pedal Percentage

The x axis is time since Autoblip was triggered (described below). Autoblip ends when the maximum time on the X axis is exceeded. Be careful to avoid using too much Accel at low RPM as this will cause the car to push on aggressively.

How to Use Auto Throttle Blip

The Auto Blip feature is activated when all of the following conditions are met:

• The ‘Auto Blip Enable checkbox’ is ON for the current Map Switch Mode

• The vehicle is travelling faster than the Auto Blip Minimum Speed

• The driver presses the brake pedal, followed by the clutch pedal

The accelerator blip is immediately cancelled when one of the following conditions occurs:

• The driver releases the Brake Pedal

• The driver releases the Clutch Pedal

• The vehicle speed falls below the ‘Auto Blip Minimum Speed’ The Auto Blip timer reaches the end of the map

When the driver down-shifts while braking, the ECU will blip the accelerator. The amount of accelerator to apply and the duration of the blip is controlled by the ‘AutoBlip Pedal Percentage Map’ as shown in the diagram below, this is a 2D slice through the 3D map.

Boost Control  

The boost control requires there to be an appropriate boost target, which can be limited through multipliers for various temperatures and the ignition advance multiplier, and capped based on gear and mapswitch mode.

With the target set, a base wastegate duty is looked up from a base duty map, with a basic proportional correction from a table, and integral map which increments over time based on a table. This can be further corrected for gear and intake temperature before being sent over CANbus to a suitable device that will drive the solenoid base on the duty value it receives.

Custom Maps

Flat Foot Shifting Feature (MT Models Only

How To Use Flat Foot Shifting

• ‘The Flat Foot Shift Enable’ checkbox is ON for the current Map Switch Mode

• The vehicle is travelling faster than the ‘Flat Foot Shift Minimum Speed’

• The accelerator amount is greater than the value in the ‘Full Accelerator Threshold Map’

• The driver is pressing the Clutch pedal

As the Flat Foot Shifting feature activates, a temporary rev limit is set that is slightly higher than the current RPM. The ignition timing is retarded by a specified amount that reduces engine torque while preventing the RPM from rising too rapidly. When the driver completes the gear change, the temporary rev limit and timing adjustment are removed.

The Flat Foot Shifting Feature is cancelled when one of the following conditions occurs:

• The driver releases the Clutch pedal

• The driver lifts off the accelerator

• The vehicle speed falls below the value in the ‘Flat Foot Shift Minimum Speed Map’

An AFR adjustment is provided that allows you to enrichen the mixture during the shift. The richer AFR cannot be measured from the exhaust gas due to the operation of the rev limiter.

Flex Fuel

The latest BRZ and related RaceROm uses CANbus 

RaceROM Flex Fuel

Flex Fuel Ethanol Sensor Installation

In order to set up Flex Fuel properly you'll first need to purchase and setup an ethanol content sensor kit.  These kits typically include a sensor, module, and potentially replacement fuel lines depending on where it is installed.

After installation you'll need to setup the sensor in the Sensors section of the map list.

Launch Control

The Launch Control feature limits maximum RPM during launch to help control wheel spin and allow the fastest possible take off.

How to Activate Launch Control

1. Ensure the ‘Launch Control Enable’ checkbox is ON for the current Map Switch Mode

2. Engine must be running and Vehicle must be stationary

3. Press clutch pedal and move the gear stick to 1st position

4. Quickly press the accelerator all the way to the floor

5. Adjust launch RPM using the cruise control stalk

6. Release the clutch to commence launch

When Launch Control is active, the rev limit will be set to the ‘Launch Control Rev Limit’. This limit defaults to the

'Launch Control Rev Limit Base" value and can be adjusted up and down using the cruise control stalk. Select "Res/Acc" to increase the launch RPM and "Set/Cst" to decrease it. An alternative method of adjustment is available for vehicles without cruise control.

During the launch, the rev limit increases according to the 'Launch Control Rev Limit Delta, This 2D map, indexed by elapsed time, has multiple columns to allow you to set up a multi-stage system for best results.

Adjustments are provided that allow you to richen the AFR and retard the timing when the vehicle is stationary in order to create pops and bangs. This adjustment is removed as soon as the vehicle starts to move.

The Launch Control feature is deactivated when one of the following conditions occurs:

• The elapsed time exceeds the last column on the ‘Launch Control Rev Limit Delta Map’

• The driver lifts off the accelerator

• The driver performs a flatfoot shift

How To Adjust Launch RPM Limit

Vehicles without cruise control

Set the launch control rev limit as follows:

• Ensure the ‘Launch Control Enable’ checkbox is ON for the current Map Switch Mode

• Engine must be running and Vehicle must be stationary

• Turn on rear window demist switch

• Press clutch

• Rev engine and hold at desired launch RPM

• Turn off rear window demist switch

• Check engine light will flash to indicate that new limit has been saved.

Vehicles with automatic transmission

(Due to the operation of the automatic transmission, we do not advise you use the Launch Control feature) Activate the launch control as follows:

• Ensure the ‘Launch Control Enable’ checkbox is ON for the current Map Switch Mode

• Engine must be running and Vehicle must be stationary

• Press brake pedal and move the gear stick to a forward drive position

• Quickly press the accelerator all the way to the floor

• Adjust launch RPM using the cruise control stalk

• Release the brake to commence launch

Ensure that the launch RPM is below the stall speed of the torque converter.

Map Switching

Method of Operation

The Map Switching feature is enabled by the option buttons in the ‘Map Switch Options' map. Four modes are allowed by default, but this can be reduced if desired.  In “Mode 1”, the ECU will use the original ECU maps for Fuelling, Base Ignition Timing and Ignition Advance.  In the other three modes, the ECU will use the new Fuel, and Ignition Timing maps labelled Mode2, Mode3 and Mode4 as appropriate.

Switching mode using the cruise control stalk

1. Ignition must be ON

2. Ensure cruise control master switch is OFF

3. Pull the cruise lever towards you (i.e. cancel position) and hold for 1 second.

4. The tachometer will move to 1000, 2000, 3000 or 4000 rpm to indicate the currently active mode.

5. Move the cruise lever up (res/acc position) to increase the mode.

6. Move the cruise lever down (set/cst position) to decrease the mode.

7. Save the selected mode by pulling the cruise lever towards you (cancel position) or waiting 3 seconds.

Switching mode using the accelerator and defog switch

The driver can switch modes by turning on the rear window demist switch while holding the accelerator to the floor. Every time you do this, the mode increases by 1. After mode 4, it goes back to mode 1.

The check engine light will flash to indicate which mode has been set: One flash for mode 1, two flashes for mode 2, three flashes for mode 3, etc.

Switching mode using the traction and stability control switches

When this option is selected, the ECU maps are selected depending on the vehicle's traction and stability settings.

• Mode 1 - Traction Control on, VSC Normal

• Mode 2 - Traction Control on, VSC Sport

• Mode 3 - Traction Control off, VSC Normal

• Mode 4 - Traction Control off, VSC Sport

Switching mode using the Automatic Transmission Mode

When this option is selected, the ECU maps are selected depending on the Automatic Transmission setting.

• Mode 1 - Normal

• Mode 2 - Sport

• Mode 3 - Snow

• Mode 4 - Manual

Integration with Launch Control, Flat Foot Shifting and Auto Blip

The Launch Control, Flat Foot Shifting and Auto Blip features can be independently enabled in each of the four modes.

Logging

The “Mapswitch Mode” diagnostic parameter can be used to log the current map switch mode.

Speed Density

Only available for BRZ gen1 Racerom v13 and later. Speed density is not yet available for gen2 BRZ/ GR86

EcuTek RaceROM Feature Files (RRFF) offer a Speed Density tuning option for trade customers, or Retail customers that have purchased the optional RaceROM BRZ upgrade package. This is a MAP sensor based load input into the ECU (compared to the more forgiving factory MAF sensor based load input). 

In certain situations Speed Density is more suitable over a MAF based input, these are usually:

• The air speed through Large MAF tubes is too slow to accurately measure for a stable Idle
• Turbo compressor wheel cause reverberations up the intake pipe and upset the MAF sensor reading
• Turbo installs use Vent To Atmospheric Blow Off Valves (BOV’s) instead of preferred recirc designs
• Supercharger recirc valves cause reverberations up the intake pipe and upset the MAF sensor reading
• The stock MAF is flat lined at 5volts and cannot read any higher than the 5v limit (where ideally a slightly larger MAF tube should be fitted like 69 to 76mm)

In these situations the Speed Density or Hybrid Speed Density can be used.