I am getting ready to order some custom tunes for the Bullitt. Probably from Brenspeed. Lately I have heard that the "adaptive learning" feature of our ECM's can weaken these tunes depending on an individuals driving style. Some guys are re-installing their tunes to "freshen them up". Anyone have any experience with this? Can this feature be disabled within the new tunes?
Tunes and "adaptive learning"
- Thread starter Fishtale
- Start date
From Doug at Bamachips
(1)
"The ECU's adaptive learning feature does NOT affect the S197's performance during "Open Loop" operation(WOT, cold engine) if it has a CUSTOM tune. This is because the tuner turns off the ECU's ability to apply learned A/F corrections to the "Open Loop" tables. However, the stock tune has the ability to do this. Still, this isn't the adaptive feature you are looking for.
There are some values in the stock tune's Torque Management feature for automatics that can cause it to learn how to shift softly, which should be disabled in EVERY tune made. However, both this and adaptive learning are parameters that cannot be selected from either Diablo's or SCT's user options. They both have to be done in the custom tuning(Read: My) software.
Adaptive learning can be turned off, but this will limit the amount of learning the car can do for different situations. This can be a bad thing if you drive in different altitudes and different climates. The ECU must have some sort of learning ability to be able to adjust for different conditions. But this still shouldn't make a huge power difference while in the 'Closed Loop'(learning) mode, when the ECU is trying to keep the engine as close to a 14.64 A/F ratio as possible in order to maximize efficiency(mpg) and minimize emissions. This is where fuel trims come into play, since they tell the tale of how much correction the ECU is making to keep the engine as close to 14.64 as it can by using the readings from the front 02 sensors. Normally +/- 5% is well within Ford's factory specs. But if the A/F ratio gets outside that range, and the ECU cannot make any further adjustments to it, then the the system will run either lean or rich, and give either a P015X or P017X code.
So, in effect, there isn't a parameter that will completely turn off your ECU's learning ability, which you don't want to do anyway. I think that the loss of performance is caused by the new "Drive By Wire" system, which makes adjustments to the total amount of torque that the engine is allowed to make, since this is how the DBW system works anyway, i.e., it
commands a specific amount of torque as determined by the pedal position. And when the amount of torque is greater or less than what it should be, then the ECU goes into the fail safe mode. And the process by which tuners adjust these settings within the factory parameters determines how the engine gains and maintains maximum driveability. Turning the 'Torque Management' off is a good start, but having a tuner that knows what's going on is the best way to get the most from the car."
(2)
"The ECU's adaptive learning feature corrects fuel trims, and this in turn helps to keep mileage in check. When the gas pedal is in a position that is sufficient to make reasonable power, then you should be in 'Open Loop', and the fuel trims, or adaptive learning, is off completely anyway.
Now, this is my THEORY on what you guys are feeling. It's the PCM learning the throttle tables and adjustments, and on the auto's it's learning transmission pressures and slip times. This has nothing to do with what is referred to as adaptive learning.
The way that I combat that is to completely remap the DBW tables, and not only one but a few different ones. This in turn gives the ECU different tables to adapt/learn to and from, which gives the throttle a crisper response than it has with the stock tune. There are SCT dealers that don't have access to these tables, and the changes that they make to the
basefiles are not the same as mine. DiabloSport also makes nearly the same changes as those SCT dealers.
WRT the automatic features, I basically doing the same thing by adjusting different tables, times, and rates that give the PCM different base files to adapt/learn to and from, and hopefully not reduce. There are also a few switch positions that need to be changed, but without going into great detail I'll leave it at that.
Basically, to help get around this you should start with a custom tune from a custom tuning dealer with a good rep who will provide you with support after the sale should you need it. And not just some warehouse dealer who pushes them out the door with free overnight shipping, or a new shop that wants to save you $20 as compared to a reputable dealer."
(1)
"The ECU's adaptive learning feature does NOT affect the S197's performance during "Open Loop" operation(WOT, cold engine) if it has a CUSTOM tune. This is because the tuner turns off the ECU's ability to apply learned A/F corrections to the "Open Loop" tables. However, the stock tune has the ability to do this. Still, this isn't the adaptive feature you are looking for.
There are some values in the stock tune's Torque Management feature for automatics that can cause it to learn how to shift softly, which should be disabled in EVERY tune made. However, both this and adaptive learning are parameters that cannot be selected from either Diablo's or SCT's user options. They both have to be done in the custom tuning(Read: My) software.
Adaptive learning can be turned off, but this will limit the amount of learning the car can do for different situations. This can be a bad thing if you drive in different altitudes and different climates. The ECU must have some sort of learning ability to be able to adjust for different conditions. But this still shouldn't make a huge power difference while in the 'Closed Loop'(learning) mode, when the ECU is trying to keep the engine as close to a 14.64 A/F ratio as possible in order to maximize efficiency(mpg) and minimize emissions. This is where fuel trims come into play, since they tell the tale of how much correction the ECU is making to keep the engine as close to 14.64 as it can by using the readings from the front 02 sensors. Normally +/- 5% is well within Ford's factory specs. But if the A/F ratio gets outside that range, and the ECU cannot make any further adjustments to it, then the the system will run either lean or rich, and give either a P015X or P017X code.
So, in effect, there isn't a parameter that will completely turn off your ECU's learning ability, which you don't want to do anyway. I think that the loss of performance is caused by the new "Drive By Wire" system, which makes adjustments to the total amount of torque that the engine is allowed to make, since this is how the DBW system works anyway, i.e., it
commands a specific amount of torque as determined by the pedal position. And when the amount of torque is greater or less than what it should be, then the ECU goes into the fail safe mode. And the process by which tuners adjust these settings within the factory parameters determines how the engine gains and maintains maximum driveability. Turning the 'Torque Management' off is a good start, but having a tuner that knows what's going on is the best way to get the most from the car."
(2)
"The ECU's adaptive learning feature corrects fuel trims, and this in turn helps to keep mileage in check. When the gas pedal is in a position that is sufficient to make reasonable power, then you should be in 'Open Loop', and the fuel trims, or adaptive learning, is off completely anyway.
Now, this is my THEORY on what you guys are feeling. It's the PCM learning the throttle tables and adjustments, and on the auto's it's learning transmission pressures and slip times. This has nothing to do with what is referred to as adaptive learning.
The way that I combat that is to completely remap the DBW tables, and not only one but a few different ones. This in turn gives the ECU different tables to adapt/learn to and from, which gives the throttle a crisper response than it has with the stock tune. There are SCT dealers that don't have access to these tables, and the changes that they make to the
basefiles are not the same as mine. DiabloSport also makes nearly the same changes as those SCT dealers.
WRT the automatic features, I basically doing the same thing by adjusting different tables, times, and rates that give the PCM different base files to adapt/learn to and from, and hopefully not reduce. There are also a few switch positions that need to be changed, but without going into great detail I'll leave it at that.
Basically, to help get around this you should start with a custom tune from a custom tuning dealer with a good rep who will provide you with support after the sale should you need it. And not just some warehouse dealer who pushes them out the door with free overnight shipping, or a new shop that wants to save you $20 as compared to a reputable dealer."
