350Z UTEC IS HERE!

Altered Atmosphere’s Review

Many people have asked so we’d like to share our first hand experiences with the newly released 350Z/G35 UTEC (User Tunable Engine Computer). Altered Atmosphere had the opportunity to work with TurboXS in dynoing high horsepower 350Z’s in the final stages of the UTEC release. We have further tested the UTEC computer on our shop 350Z (GReddy Twin Turbo Kit, AAM Fuel System, AAM 3” Turbo Exhaust) and I am extremely pleased to report the UTEC ROCKS!

In short the UTEC out performs the GReddy E-Manage & E-Manage Ultimate, Unichip, Split Second, S-AFC, and all other piggy-back computers we’ve test.

Why?

Because the UTEC can be programmed under high load to act as a stand alone engine management system. The factory ECU can no longer randomly override or change the way the car runs under load and/or boost. This is paramount in terms of long-term reliability. Additional benefits include end user tunability, ability to switch between five different maps (ie. street, track, race gas, high boost), option to control boost, wideband a/f integration, optional knock light, advanced datalogging through a laptop computer, and the ability to increase air-flow into the motor by eliminating the stock MAF!

We are working on the following applications to provide base (startup) maps to our customers:

• NA setup w/ Intake, Plenum Spacer, Headers, Exhaust
• Turbonetics Single Turbo Mapping
• APS Single Turbo Mapping
• GReddy Twin Turbo Mapping
• Vortech Supercharger Mapping

and are planning to offer base maps for all currently available turbo/supercharger kits for the 350Z and G35. UTEC’s will be uploaded with one of these AAM base maps when ordered and we are in the process of creating a database for our UTEC customers where our base programming will be shared.

We are also looking for several more near stock forced induction cars to finalize these base maps. If you have a NEAR STOCK supercharger or turbocharger setup on your 350Z or G35 and would like a UTEC contact MikeM@alteredatmosphere.com for special pricing in return for allowing us to use your 350Z/G35 to create a base map! Altered Atmosphere has made special provisions to extend this one time offer and would like at least one more vehicle for each of the following setups: GReddy Turbo Kit, APS Single Turbo Kit, APS Twin Turbo Kit, Turbonetics Single Turbo Kit, Vortech Supercharger Kit, ATI Procharger, Stillen Supercharger Kit.

Altered Atmosphere is an authorized UTEC Distributor and Tuning Center. We are very familiar with the UTEC, its function, interface, and proper way to set up the tuning. We have experience tuning UTEC’s for over two years on other vehicles (ie. Subaru WRX/STI’s & Mitsubishi EVO’s).



We also had the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with TurboXS on two high horsepower VQ35 applications. This allowed us to have the necessary experience to tune both basic setups and heavily modified (500rwhp+) 350Z/G35’s. We are offering our custom tuning services to everyone (independent if you purchase the unit from us or another dealer) and if you’d like more information on our customer programming/tuning services please contact service@alteredatmosphere.com .

Following is a more in-depth description of the UTEC:

The Z UTEC is a Plug and Play Parallel Engine Management System. Designed to work together with your factory ECU.

The front UTEC Ports from left to right. The RJ-12 Adapter allows for Serial Port connectivity with the use of our adapter. The large connector in the middle is where you will connect the factory ECU. This is part of our plug and play installation, zero hardwiring is needed. Located on the far right is the UTEC On-board map selector. This used to switch between the 5 map locations, valet and security mode.


The rear UTEC Ports from left to right. The first port is the UTEC 9v power input. This is used to power the UTEC outside of the vehicle. The second input is the optional Map Sensor input. This is used when running a vehicle in Speed Density Mode. The optional map sensor has the ability to read up to 70 psi. The third input is to use a USB adapter to connect. The fourth is yet another form of connection to the UTEC, DB9 Serial port. The last port is to connect our Remote Map Selector. This allows you to remotely switch between the maps.

 

The UTEC gives you the ability to let the factory ECU drive the car under normal cruise conditions then take over when you are ready for the power in a flawless manor. This gives you like stock drive-ability with the advantages of a powerful stand-alone system. The UTEC allows you to maintain OBDII compliancy while remaining unnoticed to the OBD Scan process most states are adopting these days.

In basic form we allow control over Fuel and Ignition Timing. Each control gives you 250 rpm resolution from 500 rpm to rev-limit with over 10 different load sites.


The UTEC will ship with pre-programmed base maps to help get you up and driving right away. In addition to having a pre-programmed base maps the UTEC has provisions for 5 different map locations.


The multi-map capability allows you to use our remote map selector to switch between the 5 maps or stock mode on the fly.


Your tuning options are endless when you can have a race map and daily driving map at the tip of your fingers. The power is all yours!

The easiest way to visualize it would be to break down it’s components into separate systems.

Fuel Control

The UTEC has two fuel control modes. Each of them have a fuel map that allows the fuel to be adjusted at each of the 250 rpm resolution with over 10 different load sites from zero to rev-limit.

MAF Pull Up/Down

Allows you to intercept the MAF signal and add or subtract up to 50% of the signal. This form of fuel control works best for mild naturally aspirated modifications.

Speed Density Fuelling

Allows you to use your MAF for low load cruising situations. Under heavier load the UTEC will employ Speed Density Fuelling. The fuel map will allow you to enter Injector Pulse-Width X 10 into the table. This allows for precise fuel control. In the map you are now specifying millisecond on times of your injectors. This mode is a necessity for Forced Induction vehicles. The UTEC Map sensor is required.


Ignition Timing

The UTEC gives you complete control of timing. This is not done on the basis of offsets or altering the crank signal as some engine management systems use. The load reference we use is RPM vs. MAF or MAP which is optional. This allows the fuel map to be adjusted at each of the 250 rpm resolution with over 10 different load sites from zero to rev limit. When you enter a value into the Ignition Map you are actually typing in Degrees Before Top Dead Center. The UTEC fires the coils based on these values. No more wondering if the stock ecu is going to advance or retard timing.

Knock Control

This feature allows you to help keep your motor in one piece. The UTEC contains default knock thresholds but can be adjusted at 1000 rpm increments up to 9000 rpm. It also contains a Knock Count threshold that allows you to define how many counts of knock before the UTEC will respond with a Knock Retard Step. The Knock Retard Step is the amount of ignition timing that will be pulled per knock count to a defined Knock Maximum Retard. Knock Maximum Retard relates to the maximum degrees of timing the UTEC will retard per knock event. When a knock count is registered the UTEC will hold the retard for a set number of crank cycles this is called Knock Retard Duration. The UTEC also has the ability to apply a global Knock Correction to the entire map once a knock event is evident. This will help ensure that you keep your high power monster together. All of these features are the UTEC’s safety net. They should be used pro-actively not as a reactive measure.


OPTIONAL KNOCK LIGHT for monitoring on the fly:

 

Datalogging

The UTEC Datalogging function helps you to keep an eye on your engines vitals. Using the logger gives you all the information you want to know about your vehicle. You can take multiple logs of your vehicle whether it’s simple driveability or all out racing. You can be sure the UTEC is keeping an eye out when you can’t. The main logger (Number1) contains rpm, map, maf voltage, tps, load site, afr, ignition timing, injector duty cycle, modified fuel (fuel control) and more. Logs can be output into text files or csv files for easy comparison. When the UTEC is used with a TXS Tuner model it can also supply you with w/b afr readings in your logs as well. Giving you the ultimate tuning package.


The UTEC Datalogging function is unique in that it logs what the factory is outputting for timing (so you can read the value the computer would be delivering for timing if it was still in control) and allows you to know if the factory computer is taking out (retarding) timing! Great feature to aid tuning and a great learning tool to better understand how the factory computer perceives the running condition of you motor.

The Dashboard is a real time display of UTEC outputs and inputs including:

1. Tacho: RPM
2. Timing #1: Ignition timng as selected by the factory ECU
3. Inject #1: Injector duty cycle
4. MAP: Manifold Absolute Pressure (psi)
5. MAF: Manifold Air Flow sensor voltage (unmodified)
6. Knock: # of Knock Counts per crank cycle
7. TPS: Throttle Position Sensor %
8. Coolant: Engine Coolant Volatage
9. Air Temp: Intake Air Temperature voltage
10. 02: Front Oxygen Sensor current
11. AFR: Front 02 Sensor signal converted to Air:Fuel Ratio
12. CEL/MIL: Displays ‘ON’ if the ECU turns on the MIL/CEL light
13. MODS: Displays Map Number
14. SWITCH: Displays rotary switch setting Number
15. Ignition: UTEC programmed ignition timing
16. Boost: Programmed boost map valve (open loop/closed loop)
17. Spare Sol: Spare Solenoid Status (ON or OFF)
18. Knock Cor: shows current amount of knock correction
19. Launch: Displays ‘ON’ if launch control is enabled.
20. Fueling: UTEC % fuelling Correction
21. Mod. MAF: UTEC Modified MAF valtage
22. Load Site: UTEC Fuel and Timing Map Referenced Load Column
23. Knock: Displays KNOCK if detected
24. Knock event: Displays the last knock event recorded

Injector Scaling

Allows you to scale larger than stock injectors making coarse adjustment to your fuel map.

Remote Map Selector

The remote selector gives you the capability to switch between your UTEC maps. It also allows you to revert back to full stock ecu control on map 0 (when stock sized injectors are used). Maps 1 through 5 are your UTEC tunable map locations. Map 7 is your security mode, the car will not start. The car cannot be bump started or jumped when security mode is enabled.


Rev-Limit Control

This feature allows you to adjust your primary rev-limit on your 2003-2004 350Z.

Programmable Shift Light

The shift light function lets you set the 3 RPM points at which to turn on a the optional three color shift light.

Spare Solenoid Drivers

Allow you to activate devices in a 3D map like Water Injection, Nitrous, Water Sprayer etc.

Software Upgrade

The UTEC will have periodic software updates to further innovate it’s tunability and flexibility. The most current version of software will be available on our website in January http://www.alteredatmosphere.com/.

The Z UTEC works great in both Forced Induction and Naturally Aspirated applications.


Following are additional options available that really make the UTEC shine:

MAP Selector Switch ($79 retail) – allows you to switch between the five programmed UTEC maps on the fly


KnockLite ($129 retail) - The KnockLite will detect even minor, inaudible detonation and flash the multicolored LED to alert you to the knock. The KnockLite is a must-have product for anyone that is modifying their engine for more power. The KnockLite wires into either your factory knock sensor or into the UTEC. As an added bonus, the KnockLite also comes with a programmable shift indicator.


Tuner REG System ($399 retail) – A low cost high quality Widband 02 controller with LED display integrates with the UTEC for advanced air-fuel logging. Comes complete with Tuner REG unit, cables, Bosch LSU VW Wideband 02 Sensor, Serial Cable for use with UTEC, and 02 Weld On Bung. Auto-Dimming 3 digit LED display.


5-Bar MAP Sensor ($99 retail) – High pressure map sensor (45psi!) to run the UTEC speed density feature. A must for any boosted 350Z & G35. The additional of a future (expected spring release) air temperature sensor will allow the factory MAF to be removed out of the vehicle all together for maximum airflow possible.


To recap the UTEC fuel controller is the ultimate user tunable engine management system available for the 350Z and G35. The 350Z/G35 UTEC can be described as a piggy-back engine controller (ie. GReddy E-Manage Ultimate, Unichip, Split Second) under vacuum that becomes a stand alone engine management system under boost (full unrestricted control of fuel and timing). Basically the fuel computers we’ve previously used modify signals to manipulate the factory ECU into delivering different amounts of fuel and timing to the car. This does work but is not ideal as the factory computer can change its mapping = the car will run with different fuel and timing than setup on the dyno = different fuel and timing than wanted and needed = potential engine damage. Unlike the other piggy-back computers available the UTEC eliminates this problem by bypassing the ECU altogether under high load. At a user-defined point UTEC takes complete control and directly sends fuel and timing commands to the injectors and ignition coils – the factory ECU is taken out of the loop and therefore cannot make any adjustments!

So there goes Altered Atmosphere’s review! TurboXS has done their homework and the UTEC is a welcome and very promising addition to the many products available for the 350Z and G35. If you have any questions about the UTEC or would like to purchase the 350Z/G35 UTEC please give us a call 301.330.8835 or send us an e-mail Sales@alteredatmosphere.com .

 

My understanding from the last UTEC thread was that some brackets were being designed to make it fit in a G35... any update on this.

 

Definitely interesting. What kind of gains expected for NA engines?

 

MRC Motorsports is also an authorized retailer and distributer of these units.In fact one of the High HP cars that Mike refers to was our car with an APS TT set up..Great writeup mike and thanks for the mention

WWW.RACEMRC.COM

 

The UTEC produced a gain of ~11whp on my stock 05 G35 6mt cpe.

 

Thats a pretty good gain for a stock car.Who tuned it for you?Jermaine?Als do you have a Dyno graph to see what it did in the midrange,not just peak..