- Joined
- Jul 25, 2014
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- Location
- Austin, TX
- Vehicle(s)
- AT EcoBoost, MT PP EcoBoost
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- #1
One of the most developed ECUs we support are those of the Ford EcoBoost Platforms. These benefit from custom features on the Accessport such as Launch Control, Flat Foot Shifting, and 5-Way Map Switching. You’ve probably heard of these features before but how do they actually benefit you in the real world and on the track?
5-Way Map Switching
The EcoBoost platform is pretty versatile from the factory. It has the built-in capability to optimize different octane fuels. It can take advantage of higher octane fuel to make more power and can also prevent things from getting out of hand when using lesser quality fuel. This is done with the OAR variable in the factory ECU logic. COBB has taken this versatility a step further with the 5-Way Map Switching Feature. You can seamlessly switch between maps in real time using your Cruise Control buttons! A few instances where this can be beneficial:
Other Drivers – Whether it be a teen-aged child, an inexperienced friend, the spouse with too many accidents, or that valet guy with the grin that’s a little too big, you can use the 5-Way Map Switching feature to enable a more suitable map for specific drivers.
Changing conditions – If the weather turns for the worst, the road surface becomes poor, or any other reason your tires no longer inspire confidence, it comes in handy to have a map that offers less than the peak performance.
More MPGs – Optimal tuning will typically increase the miles per gallon you achieve. Even with our performance tunes, many report an increase in MPGs. BUT, it must also be paired with optimal driving. And let’s face it, it’s difficult with the added power to stay out of the smile inducing high boost zones. The Economy Mode map removes the driver’s ability to create excessive fuel demands by limiting the amount of airmass that can be generated. Additionally, fuel during Wide Open Throttle (WOT) conditions as well as ignition timing are optimized in Economy mode to aid efficient combustion. This results in minor gains in fuel economy, while preventing a heavy foot from robbing gas from the tank.
At the Track – If you’ve been to the drag strip, you know it’s not always who has the most power but who can get the most power to the ground. Using the adjustable maps to instantly change between different boost levels, fuel types, different Launch Control RPMs, or custom tunes that adjust boost by gear, ignition strategies and/or several other parameters provides limitless options; one of which will surely get you your best ET! For those concerned most with drag racing over daily driving, the switchable map feature offers better test and tuning sessions. Without having to constantly re-flash the ECU, you can get more passes in, and dial in your car much more quickly.
Launch Control
It’s tough to be a car person and not have the occasional drag race cross your mind. Whether it be at your local track, or a desolate road in "Mexico", lining up against a friend (or nemesis) to see who is faster never gets old. When those times come, we all want every advantage we can get! Launch Control (LC) is one of those advantages.
It can be difficult to hold the RPMs steady to get a good launch, especially in a manual transmission car. COBB’s Launch Control allows you to floor the gas pedal at the starting line and hold a specific RPM! This enables the potential to build boost off the line and allows for more consistent launches. This value can also be adjusted to adapt to the current surface, tires, power, or weather conditions! Spinning out of the hole? Lower the RPM! Bogging? Raise it up! A good launch is crucial for fast and consistent ETs. Having a couple of tenths advantage in the first 60 feet of any race can mean the difference in winning and losing even if your competition has more power.
Flat Foot Shifting
Technology has come a long way when it comes to transmissions and many super cars are now only being offered with an “Auto.” Even if these high-tech transmissions are capable of shifting faster than any human, many of us still prefer kicking in a clutch and slapping a shifter. In a race, are we giving up anything other than the timing it takes to shift when challenging an Auto driver? In turbo car, the answer is most definitely yes. But, Flat Foot Shifting (FFS) or “No-Lift to Shift” is a great way to overcome some of the disadvantages.
The graph above was done at WOT and inspects boost recovery after a shift under the two different conditions. Using FFS, boost never falls below ~10.5psi on the shift; on a regular shift, boost falls down to essentially full vacuum (-9psi).
This particular instance shows 3rd-4th gear rips first using a traditional hard and fast shift, and then again using COBB FFS. No tuning changes or otherwise have been made, simply disconnected after doing the first run, set FFS to 5500 RPM on the Accessport and went again.
Shifting with the throttle plate fully open allows for boost to be kept “up” and recover nearly instantaneously after engaging the next gear. This is as close to a DCT-style shift as any manual car will ever get!
The gist? COBB 5-Way Map switching, Launch Control, and Flat Foot Shifting flat out work. Use them and get the advantage!
Kyle@COBB
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