VF Tuner for the Lotus Emira

[Tracked Emira]

Yea so our plan now is this
1. We will provide our unlocking (Stateside). Ship us your ECU, we will unlock it + provide our tool.
2. We are developing our own complete flash bootloader for our tool for this ECU. Entirely skipping the "original programming method"
3. Developing custom features.
For example, we have launch control releasing for the Lotus Evora here in a few weeks. Same code can be applied to the Emira.

It really just requires community backing to get things going. There are a lot of development costs involved.

I'm heavily considering buying another Emira. (first emira went poop, had tons of problems).

Many of us will be in once we see this be successful and as warranties expire many more will follow!!!
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the best of your ability!

 

[jamesbxxx]

I’m paid up and all in a few months ago. Just struggling with the lack of direct communication. @VF Tuner please contract me with instructions on where to send ECU please.

 

[ADC]

I'm going to be directly honest with you. There is on possibility that we will share this info. It will be stolen. It happens every time.

Yeah, fair enough. I can understand your perspective, and I appreciate you just talking straight.

Will just set aside a bit extra for a second ECU and deal with it

 

[NJemira85]

Something to be aware of guys: our ecu connectors are made out of tissue paper. They will fail after several swaps. Exercise extreme caution. treat it like a Chinese faberge egg.

 

[sbproducer]

Something to be aware of guys: our ecu connectors are made out of tissue paper. They will fail after several swaps. Exercise extreme caution. treat it like a Chinese faberge egg.

WTH is a Chinese faberge egg?

 

[cryptovince]

WTH is a Chinese faberge egg?

A knockoff of a Russian one, I'd imagine

 

[NJemira85]

WTH is a Chinese faberge egg?

Even more fragile

 

[VF Tuner]

I’m paid up and all in a few months ago. Just struggling with the lack of direct communication. @VF Tuner please contract me with instructions on where to send ECU please.

We aren't ready quite yet to take your ECU.


information for ECU shipping for our initial release ETA is end of this month, possibly sooner.

We've got everything here to do so now.

Last step is developing our own custom Bootloader (actively working on this), since Lotus original flash method cannot be done via the OBDII port.
It's just very slow going since we do not have an Emira here anymore. (we barely got 300 miles out of ours before it decided to off itself)

 

[NicolasB]

Buy an Emira and get 'er done.

 

[NJemira85]

I’m paid up and all in a few months ago. Just struggling with the lack of direct communication. @VF Tuner please contract me with instructions on where to send ECU please.

For what it’s worth I really think it’s in your best interest to wait until there’s a way to flash via the OBD two port. I know waiting sucks but this bench flashing process is a nightmare with our paper Mâché connectors

 

[VF Tuner]

Buy an Emira and get 'er done.

would love to, again. Considering it honestly.

 

[VF Tuner]

Here is my commitment to you guys.
We get initial tuning working, prove it works, show off what it can do (we already have proof of rev limit and such)
We get a buy in of 25-30 guys, we will go buy a V6 and i4 (both emiras) and develop all the cool stuff like we have been on the Evora.
Launch control, Flex Fuel, Fast Flashing, etc.


Anyways, some updates on this coming this week

 

[Rayjoedef]

Very fair in my book.....any gut on turbo hp/tq numbers?

 

[VF Tuner]

Very fair in my book.....any gut on turbo hp/tq numbers?

The i4? It's a standard M139. What we have seen on the mercedes side from several customers should be *expected*

We already have the M139 "every map" so tuning those is cake. Just like the M177. Mercedes code simply caps overboost controls and torque. Modifying those releases so much more power.


As an example, Aston martin uses a M177 with mostly mercedes tuning. Modify like 5 tables, + 150 horsepower. Zero issues with reliability at all. (the engine does 700+ in OEM trim already)

 

[Rayjoedef]

So ecu sent to you for unlock and map, then I reinstall. Sorry, im sure this was covered at nauseum....catching up

 

[VF Tuner]

So ecu sent to you for unlock and map, then I reinstall. Sorry, im sure this was covered at nauseum....catching up

Our plan is this:
1. ECU sent to us for unlock
2. ECU returned to you in unlocked status (no tune) OR optional pre-install tune
3. VF Tuner kit > tune via OBD for further refinements later.

that's the plan.

We are building our own complete coded bootloader for flashing over OBD and reprogramming areas that are usually not allowed via standard lotus programming (required for custom features)

After learning with our test guy that the ECU connectors are made of ....less than what could be considered long term reliable...we don't want you guys to take your ECUs out any more than absolutely necessary.

 

[Rayjoedef]

Cool....are you comfortable with oem cooling if we bump 150 hp?

 

[VF Tuner]

Cool....are you comfortable with oem cooling if we bump 150 hp?

During daily / casual / spirited driving? yes.

Extended heavy track use? no.

 

[Rayjoedef]

Clear as a bell.....ty

 

[finny76]

During daily / casual / spirited driving? yes.

Extended heavy track use? no.

So what would the the solution for that? Upgraded IC?