PCMTEC Custom OS

[mejohn50]

For the last few weeks I have been testing out the PCMTEC Custom OS. I have had full access to Multi-Tune, Launch Tune with rolling RPM limiter, User-Selected Power Blending, User-Selected Ethanol Content, and sensor-based CAN bus flex fuel. I have had a chance to test all the Custom OS functions except the sensor-based flex fuel.

Custom OS is a GAME CHANGER. It is worth the cost of entry all on its own. The features that come with Custom OS bring the OEM PCM functionality nearly on par with aftermarket stand-alone engine controllers. In my humble opinion, PCMTEC’s Custom OS is the biggest leap forward on the Coyote platform since the Coyote came out.

Multi-Tune gives you access to 3 tune slots on top of the base tune, plus a configurable launch tune, making 5 total tunes in one calibration. Nearly any tunable parameter available in the editor can be added to these tune slots to make them do whatever you want. You can then tune those parameters to make the different slots function completely differently.

A few configurations I have tested in the tune slots are ghost cam on the fly, enable/disable a “popcorn” tune, selectable power levels, a low power “valet” tune, and switchable 93 and E85 tunes. It works flawlessly and it’s fantastic to have the ability to swap tunes on the fly.

Here is my current favorite configuration to run on my car day-to-day:

Slot 1 (base tune) – lower power tune using LSPI load limits (I have a Whipple car) and reduced spark advance.
Slot 2 – full power tune removing all limiters from slot 1 and adding full timing back.
Slot 3 – same as slot 2 but with exhaust pops and bangs enabled.
Slot 4 – same as slot 2 but with ghost cam enabled.

I also have it set up for user-selected ethanol content so if I feel like putting some ethanol in the tank I can dial in the content and make some more power. Additionally, I have the launch tune set up as a rolling RPM limiter. The rolling RPM limiter lets me select an RPM limit, hold the cruise control off button, floor the gas pedal, then when I am ready to launch just release the cruise off button, and it goes WOT instantly. Great for roll racing events.

The ability to add nearly any tunable parameter to the tune slots means the possibilities are endless. It’s also very easy to take current individual tunes you have, like E85 or race gas tunes, and add them to the tune slots. You can export only changed parameters for your individual tune files and import them with settings into the tune slots making it very quick to build out the tune slots.

I have only used the user selected ethanol content and it works great, but the CAN bus sensor-based flex fuel works on the same principle while looking for the ethanol sensor. Many of the tables can be blended between the two selected fuels making it easy to set it up to change timing (and nearly anything else you could want) based on the amount of alternative fuel that is in the tank. This flexibility allows you to make it as simple or complex as you need based on your setup. It’s easy to setup if you have functioning pump gas and E85/alternate fuel tunes. Selecting the ethanol content is easy and it’s clear exactly what you have it set at. The ethanol sensor simply automates the ethanol content selection process and does it constantly based on the actual ethanol content in the line. I have started gathering the parts to add the CAN bus ethanol content sensor but I likely won't have it done until next spring.

I am a huge fan of the Custom OS capabilities, and I have only just scratched the surface of what it can do. I am constantly brainstorming new ways I can use this capability. Let me know if you have any questions about what it can do and how it works. I haven’t seen a ton of info on the forums about it yet so I thought I would share my experience.

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[mejohn50]

If you are into watching videos, here are a few that show off some of the functionality, and also how the configuration works inside the PCMTEC editor.

 

[HKusp]

Way above my pay grade, but if you are excited, then I am excited.

 

[mejohn50]

Way above my pay grade, but if you are excited, then I am excited.

I am pretty excited about it, and I think as more people get it in their hands (from a tuner or doing their own tuning) we will see some really neat stuff happening with it.

 

[HKusp]

I am pretty excited about it, and I think as more people get it in their hands (from a tuner or doing their own tuning) we will see some really neat stuff happening with it.

It really sounds that way. I am excited by your description, and knowing what you guys who tune can dream up, now you can do it, makes me very interested in the features you guys are going to come up with.

 

[offroadkarter]

While I'm sad over the death of the ngauge, reading about PCMtec over the past few months has been really exciting, I'm most excited about the add on flex fuel sensor so we don't have to rely on inferred logic anymore. I am hoping this keeps growing and growing.

 

[mejohn50]

While I'm sad over the death of the ngauge, reading about PCMtec over the past few months has been really exciting, I'm most excited about the add on flex fuel sensor so we don't have to rely on inferred logic anymore. I am hoping this keeps growing and growing.

There are some cars out there testing the sensor-based flex fuel with very positive results. I believe @stang17 said he’s been working with the ethanol sensor. I’m sure he can offer some real world feedback right now.

I’m piecing the parts together now for the CAN bus flex sensor but I may have new fuel lines made for the sensor adapter. That might push the project into December which is when I usually park the car for winter so it might have to wait until spring.

 

[Grimreaper]

I hope we will see some additional adoption of options the falcone guys get. Infered sd to sensored etc. Good stuff!

We need a tuning section to start demystifying self tuning. The tools are so cheap and readily available compared to decades past its nuts. Could easily sticky best practices, trans tunes, timing etc. These combos are so repetitive the variables become pieces of the whole picture vs true custom..

 

[mejohn50]

I hope we will see some additional adoption of options the falcone guys get. Infered sd to sensored etc. Good stuff!

We need a tuning section to start demystifying self tuning. The tools are so cheap and readily available compared to decades past its nuts. Could easily sticky best practices, trans tunes, timing etc. These combos are so repetitive the variables become pieces of the whole picture vs true custom..

That would be very cool to see more capabilities implemented. I think we are in the very early days of seeing what PCMTEC can do on this platform. Excited to see what else they might have in store.

 

[jjsotolongo]

There are some cars out there testing the sensor-based flex fuel with very positive results. I believe @stang17 said he’s been working with the ethanol sensor. I’m sure he can offer some real world feedback right now.

I’m piecing the parts together now for the CAN bus flex sensor but I may have new fuel lines made for the sensor adapter. That might push the project into December which is when I usually park the car for winter so it might have to wait until spring.

Sensor-based flex is something I’m trying to get on my car. Just makes things smoother. You can splice into the factory line for pretty cheap like I did. Just two fuel connectors, some clamps, and the line itself.

Measure carefully it’s and a simple swap with the same line in the engine bay. Now if you’re trying to make big power with a return system then yeah you need to make your own deal:

 

[mejohn50]

Sensor-based flex is something I’m trying to get on my car. Just makes things smoother. You can splice into the factory line for pretty cheap like I did. Just two fuel connectors, some clamps, and the line itself.

Measure carefully it’s and a simple swap with the same line in the engine bay. Now if you’re trying to make big power with a return system then yeah you need to make your own deal:

That’s a really simple setup, nice. I’ll be using the Radium flex fuel sensor adapter. I have a Whipple and I don’t want to risk the sensor being a restriction (probably won’t be on my current setup but just making sure).

How long have you been running the CAN bus setup? Whats the setup on the car?

 

[jjsotolongo]

That’s a really simple setup, nice. I’ll be using the Radium flex fuel sensor adapter. I have a Whipple and I don’t want to risk the sensor being a restriction (probably won’t be on my current setup but just making sure).

How long have you been running the CAN bus setup? Whats the setup on the car?

Thanks! Like you I have not completed the install yet. Planning on running the electrical Veteran’s day weekend. The setup is super basic: mostly stock with e85. I have a vert and don’t drive it too often so this is just a way to get a little more out of it without spending boost money yet. I figured this was good enough for a bit above stock power. It’s just a really clean way to do it in my opinion. Plus it’s cheap and super easy.

If I had boost like you I’d make my own lines from scratch with a bypass for the sensor

 

[mejohn50]

I’ll share another Custom OS configuration I’m working on.

If the weather holds I’ll be going drag racing this week. If the car is happy and it’s not seeing any knock, I’d like to add some timing in hopes of hitting a hero number on pump gas.

What I’m going to do is enable the user-selected power blend instead of user-selected ethanol content. It basically works the same way as user-selected ethanol content, it just doesn’t adjust the stoich value. It blends tables just the same though. Then I’ll add 2-3° to my borderline lambda modifier table and add that table to my power blend slot. Then I can blend in 2-3° more timing based on data logs without flashing the car.

If I add 2° to the lambda borderline modifier table then every 25% change in the power blend setting will change timing 0.5°. Should make it pretty easy for me to dial it in based on the current weather conditions but not have to actually flash the car.

I am also going to set one of the tune slots up to run the cooling fan at 100% no matter what. That way when I’m creeping along in the staging lanes I can attempt to control heat exchanger temps as much as possible, but switch it back to my normal fan schedule once I’m at the start line.

Now I just have to hope the weather holds this week so I can go racing.

 

[HKusp]

Let us know how it goes.

 

[mejohn50]

Let us know how it goes.

I will. Hope it all works out.

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