Wez Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Hey All, As some of you may already be aware I have been testing a new ECU for the MKIV application, the subtle graphics down the side of my car at TOTB may have been a little give away I am now running a Solaris S6GP. http://www.solaris-ecs.co.uk/s6gp.php These are developed from technology used at the highest levels of motorsport and the feature list clearly demonstrates this. As for my thoughts on it so far, wow, it rocks. Price wise they are aiming at the AEM market which is crazy, this unit is years beyond the AEM. Dont get me wrong I love the AEMs and still have my AEM unit here but the difference is insane. Where the AEM requires a DLI, wideband controller and k-type thermocouple amp for EGT the Solaris doesnt. The wideband and K-Type probes just wire direct into the ECU and a DLI isnt required as it has 6 ignition outputs and maintains the direct fire setup, I think this is great considering the retail is only £1249 +vat. It is configured via a 100Mhz Ethernet connection and also has a RS232 interface and a CAN Bus. A big thanks to Ryan who worked with the guys at Solaris and mapped my car, I am sure he will chime in with his views as I believe he is now a Solaris approved dealer. A PNP version is planned for the MKIV as the S6GP I have requires a loom adapter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob wild Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Sounds good and just when i was happy with my AEM Purely from an end user point of view; In what way is your car better with this ECU? I.e. in the sense of drivablity etc etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 You can download and play with the software here :- http://www.solaris-ecs.co.uk/software.php You need the setup exe file and the blank cal file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 Sounds good and just when i was happy with my AEM Purely from an end user point of view; In what way is your car better with this ECU? I.e. in the sense of drivablity etc etc? I am in no way knocking the AEM Its very very smooth, like stock, throttle response is instant, I know a well setup AEM feels great but it just feel crisper. One of the main features which is better for me is boost control, the AEM does speed based boost control which is great but the Solaris does gear based boost control. Also when used with an 8 position calibration switch you can have loads of combinations including boost levels. For example :- Position 1 - fuel map 1, ign map 1, boost low Position 2 - fuel map 1, ign map 1, boost medium Position 3 - fuel map 2, ign map 2, boost high, trac off (race fuel) Position 4 - fuel map 2, ign map 2, boost high, trac on (race fuel) Position 5 - fuel map 3, ign map 3, boost high, trac off (e85 fuel) And so on, other things that can be set on the calibration switch are levels of traction control, afr target (there are 4 target maps) etc etc etc etc. I would say download the software and have a play Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesG Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Interesting. I hadn't heard of Solaris. Took me a few minutes to work out what it really is! http://www.liferacing.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 Interesting. I hadn't heard of Solaris. Took me a few minutes to work out what it really is! http://www.liferacing.com/ Almost The Solaris range is built in association with Life Racing using their high level motorsport experience. However the Solaris range itself is uniquely tailored for the road car market. The S6 for instance was designed and produced as a Solaris only product. This is pro motorsport stuff chaps EDIT: its like the AEM being developed with GEMS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 How much discount are they giving people to pimp their products on the forums? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 How much discount are they giving people to pimp their products on the forums? Its a new product I am happy with and think could benefit the club, was the first person who ran a Motec or AEM called a pimp How else are people supposed to find out about new stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Good to hear a few details announced. Hopefully Ryan or yourself can explain some finer details How does it compare to the motec? How many injectors and packs can it manage without wasted spark? Number of inputs? Launch control? What is the fuel/ignition map resolution? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Its a new product I am happy with and think could benefit the club, was the first person who ran a Motec or AEM called a pimp How else are people supposed to find out about new stuff I wasn't knocking you, I was curious to see what was on offer for others, myself included, who might also want to adopt early and sing it's praises I'm sure it's lovely stuff and likely to become the next flavour of the month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 How does it compare to the motec? How many injectors and packs can it manage without wasted spark? Number of inputs? Launch control? What is the fuel/ignition map resolution? Ryan could prob answer that better as I am not a mapper, but from and end user perspective, when you get use to the software interface its much easier to use than a motec plus its loads cheaper. It has four fuel and igniton base maps, four antliag maps, four afr target maps, secondary injection maps etc the list goes on. Some of the map res :- * Engine speed breakpoints = 1-50 * Map breakpoints = 1-25 * Throttle breakpoints = 1-25 For the other stuff I can list some info from there site, different models have different specs but the S6 I am using has this as a basic break down. --------- RISC CPU 100 MHz full duplex ethernet for connection to PC for programming and data download 1 CAN 2.0B interface 16 general purpose analogue inputs: - 4 5V/bipolar, sensor/sync/speed, programmable trigger voltages - 4 5V/Thermistor, sensor/sync/speed, fixed trigger voltages - 4 5V sensor input - 4 Thermistor sensor input 1 NTK/LSU lambda circuit 1 K-type thermocouple circuit 1 knock input 16 low side driver outputs: -8 injection outputs (Max 10 amps) -8 ancillary outputs (Max 5 amps) 6 logic level ignition outputs (5 or 12v) 1MB Battery backed internal logging memory 6 to 26v input voltage range with reverse polarity protection 2 regulated 5V sensor supply outputs with protection Unregulated sensor supply output which tracks the ECU supply voltage 5 Seperately protected sensor and communication ground inputs ----------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 I wasn't knocking you, I was curious to see what was on offer for others, myself included, who might also want to adopt early and sing it's praises I'm sure it's lovely stuff and likely to become the next flavour of the month. I am guessing your best bet would be to contact Ryan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 I wasn't knocking you, I was curious to see what was on offer for others, myself included, who might also want to adopt early and sing it's praises I'm sure it's lovely stuff and likely to become the next flavour of the month. This is technical discussion Michael, so please keep the discussion to that only. Keep the sly posts out of here, consider yourself warned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan.G Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 (edited) Good to hear a few details announced. Hopefully Ryan or yourself can explain some finer details How does it compare to the MoTeC? How many injectors and packs can it manage without wasted spark? Number of inputs? Launch control? What is the fuel/ignition map resolution? The MoTeC unit has a good hardware setup but I feel the software lacks even compared to an AEM. Like no Knock control, Large changes cause the unit to reset due to memory allocation designs, Map Cut has a 1SEC delay as standard! which can be the difference between 1.4bar and 2bar of boost. (This is terrible), No ability to be able to change the map through graphical view. Interpolation tasks are basic… and many more which make them hard to work with. Now take the list of things I mentioned above with the S6 - Full active knock control or knock and retard ability. - Large changes are instant due to connection speeds and memory allocation setups. - Map cut severity can be changed to cut from 0-100% and works in milliseconds - Full graphic view support for any tables and ability to alter cells through image. - Full Math’s support and interpolation changes based on x and y angles. Extra Features - Full Traction control which is miles ahead of RLTC or Motec, Uses steering angle or Lateral G based sensor against road speed of each wheel to measure slip. Then retards timing to compensate. But in retarding timing it watch’s EGT levels and compensates for that if goes above preset. Levels of slip can then be changed in the cabin through Cal switch - Full DBW support with added blip features on changing down etc - Full VVTI control - Internal Datalogging (which you don’t have to pay extra for lol) - Full Closed loop feedback with sensor failure sensing. Can use NTK or LSU4 - Sensor failure or other parameters will causes limp home mode - Full nitrous or water injection table Couple of reasons the car will feel smoother and more responsive is due to the hardware on the unit. The asynchronous pulses of fuel react quicker with the S6 and having the ability to have more cells also creates a smoother car. I could go on for days but best to ask the questions and I will do my best to answer them all. Screenshots can be seen on the website below http://www.solaris-ecs.co.uk/software.php P.S Wesley mentioned that I found this unit easier to map than the motec. The reason for this is just down to a better GUI but by no means is this easy to setup. When you have looked at the software you will understand This is why Solaris will only allow certain people to sell and map them. Ryan Edited August 8, 2008 by Ryan.G (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 I've already spoken with Ryan about one of these and will be going ahead with it as the first VVTi car for the mapping. As such, I'll be putting my AEM unit (unopened) up for sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkR Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 I've already spoken with Ryan about one of these and will be going ahead with it as the first VVTi car for the mapping. As such, I'll be putting my AEM unit (unopened) up for sale. Damn you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 The MoTeC unit has a good hardware setup but I feel the software lacks even compared to an AEM. Like no Knock control, Large changes cause the unit to reset due to memory allocation designs, Map Cut has a 1SEC delay as standard! which can be the difference between 1.4bar and 2bar of boost. (This is terrible), No ability to be able to change the map through graphical view. Interpolation tasks are basic… and many more which make them hard to work with. Now take the list of things I mentioned above with the S6 - Full active knock control or knock and retard ability. - Large changes are instant due to connection speeds and memory allocation setups. - Map cut severity can be changed to cut from 0-100% and works in milliseconds - Full graphic view support for any tables and ability to alter cells through image. - Full Math’s support and interpolation changes based on x and y angles. Extra Features - Full Traction control which is miles ahead of RLTC, Uses steering angle or Lateral G based sensor against road speed of each wheel to measure slip. Then retards timing to compensate. But in retarding timing it watch’s EGT levels and compensates for that if goes above preset. Levels of slip can then be changed in the cabin through Cal switch - Full DBW support with added blip features on changing down etc - Full VVTI control - Internal Datalogging (which you don’t have to pay extra for lol) - Full Closed loop feedback with sensor failure sensing. Can use NTK or LSU4 - Sensor failure or other parameters will causes limp home mode - Full nitrous or water injection table Couple of reasons the car will feel smoother and more responsive is due to the hardware on the unit. The asynchronous pulses of fuel react quicker with the S6 and having the ability to have more cells also creates a smoother car. I could go on for days but best to ask the questions and I will do my best to answer them all. Screenshots can be seen on the website below http://www.solaris-ecs.co.uk/software.php P.S Wesley mentioned that I found this unit easier to map than the motec. The reason for this is just down to a better GUI but by no means is this easy to setup. When you have looked at the software you will understand This is why Solaris will only allow certain people to sell and map them. Ryan Don't suppose there's any chance of it running the autobox properly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLicense Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Having seen the software both off-line and whilst Wez's car was being mapped, I can honestly say this is a quality bit of kit. It really is a step above what the AEM has to offer. Back in the day when the AEM was not long released, I, along with Wez and Leon Green were amongst the only people in the UK to use the AEM. I was a big fan of the amount of functionality it gave over the products that were available at the time. It still is a quality bit of kit. The Solaris, is a similar step again. Have a look through the feature list and compare it to the AEM, you'll soon get the picture! The downside is that it is a lot more complicated to set-up, but then you get the additional functionality, so as an end user it's thumbs up. To those who think I'm jumping on the "discount fan-boi" wagon, you'll be more than pleased to hear that I'm paying full price for mine. For what I'm getting above the functionality of the AEM, I'm more than happy to. Seriously guys, this really does appear to be a decent bit of kit, but as most things in life, time will be the judge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 Here is a screen capture. http://www.zen85016.zen.co.uk/solarisecu/solaris-screencap-002.JPG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 It's great to see more choice in the marketplace IMHO, I love the AEM & believe it was the best choice at the time, if there are alternatives that offer more for a similar price that can only be good for the modified Supra community Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 - Full DBW support with added blip features on changing down etc SWEET! Worth the entry price alone! Non DBW Sup's eat your heart out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 - Full DBW support with added blip features on changing down etc SWEET! Worth the entry price alone! Non DBW Sup's eat your heart out. I wonder if we can retro fit the DBW throttle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 I wonder if we can retro fit the DBW throttle Now that would be a fantastic feat. Downshift blip Ryan, does the S8C offer the same functions as the S6GP? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan.G Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Now that would be a fantastic feat. Downshift blip Ryan, does the S8C offer the same functions as the S6GP? Yup but has double the amount of input and outputs for more sensor etc and comes in an armoured case Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 I presume "downshift blip" is for auto/tip only? How else would it know you were about to downshift? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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