THANAS RACE ECU Tune for the MQB EA888.3 SIMOS18.1 ECU

The THANAS/RACE platform is our own in-house development for the Continental Simos18.1/6 ECU equipped cars, supported vehicles include:

• VW Golf MK7 GTI
• VW Golf Mk7.5 GTI
• VW Golf Mk7 Clubsport
• VW Golf Mk7 Clubsport S
• VW Polo 6C 1.8T
• Audi S3 8V.1
• Audi S3 8V.1
• Audi A3 8V 1.8T (With SIMOS18.1 ecu swap)

This platform is applicable to any level of hardware (even completely stock!) We have divided the RACE platform into 3 different level:

RACE|1: Stock Turbo with no/minimal hardware upgrades

RACE|2: Small Hybrid with all bolt-on upgrades

RACE|3: Large Hybrid / Full Frame Turbo with all bolt-on upgrades

We have rewritten the base function coding (firmware) of the ECU, to include additional functionality:

Mapswitching:

Certain key calibration tables are replicated and allow for on-the-fly adjustment (even while driving) between maps. What each map is intended for is calibrated to the vehicle in consultation with the owner. If the vehicle already has our integrated flex fuel mapping, this negates the need for maps for different fuel types as the flex adjustment is global.

What is adjusted in each map is:

• Ignition timing 
• Fuelling 
• Boost level
• Boost per gear

An example for Map Switching Maps is as follows:

• Map 1: 95 Octane
• Map 2: Wet Weather (Low Torque)
• Map 3: High Octane (NF) / 98 / E15
• Map 4: High Octane (NF) / 102 / E30

For Flex Fuel Active vehicles (With Ethanol Integration):

• Map 1: Normal Street
• Map 2: Wet Weather (Low Torque)
• Map 3: Track / Race (Optimised for launch)
• Map 4: Water-Methanol Injection Disabled

Maps can be changed on the fly/while driving. The selected map is kept in memory even if the ignition is turned off, battery is removed or codes are cleared.

All tuning is custom for each map to the individual vehicle being tuned.

Integrated Flex Fuel:

The continental ethanol content sensor is electronically integrated into the stock ECU. The SIMOS18 ECU is a flex-fuel native ECU, which means that it is designed to handle ethanol based fuels, however this feature is normally disabled in the stock calibration. Even when enabled it is limited to fueling and engine smoothness adjustments and is not capable of adjusting boost or timing levels.

However, the developed solution that we offer for this ECU is one that is able to, in real-time, sample the ethanol content, analyse it, and adapt:

• Target Boost Level
• Ignition Timing 
• Fueling control parameters (Injection timing, etc)

The driver is able to monitor the flex-fuel/ethanol content level through a custom coded function that displays the ethanol content on the dash when the Cruise Down button is pressed.

Boost by Gear:

This allows for different boost pressure levels to be run in each gear, for example:

• 1st Gear: 0.6 bar
• 2nd Gear: 1.2 bar
• 3rd Gear (and up): 1.5 bar

This feature allows very high powered cars to still be drivable in the lower gears at full throttle. Without boost by gear, the only way to limit power in the lower gear is to pedal the throttle or only go half throttle.

No-Lift Shift (Flat-Foot Shifting):

On manual vehicles, especially those with larger turbos, a lot of momentum is lost on the shift, as the accelerator pedal has to be released to change gears. This causes the throttle to close, the diverter valve to open and the turbo to lose boost (and speed). There is a delay when getting on throttle again while the turbo spools. Automatic vehicles, especially DCT/DSG cars do not have this issue as there is no throttle closure and torque is reduced without affecting the air-flow.

We have mimicked this process with our RACE platform by reducing torque in a safe manner during the gear shift, allowing the driver to remain at full throttle and only operate the clutch during a gear change. While the clutch is depressed, the engine will cut torque, preventing the engine rpm from climbing. This results in a much faster shift and without any respool needed. It also gives a DSG-esque sound ;)

Launch Control:

We have added our own launch control into the ECU as well, allowing the engine to build boost, while the vehicle is stationary and the clutch is depressed / full throttle. This builds boost by retarding the ignition timing and reducing torque to allow boost to build without engine rpm increasing. The driver is able to set the launch rpm with the vehicle off, by pressing the (Cruise +) button and adjusting launch rpm with the throttle pedal. Additionally the driver can adjust the launch rpm while launch control is active by pressing the (Cruise + or Cruise -) buttons. This feature also replaces the DSG launch control on DSG equipped vehicles.

Rolling Antilag:

Similar to launch control, this feature allows boost to build while driving, by holding the (Cruise +) button and going full throttle. During the procedure, the engine will build boost but without the vehicle changing speed, once boost has built, the (Cruise +) button is released and the vehicle begins to accelerate. This is particularly useful for roll-racing.

Pricing:

Pricing is divided into two parts:

1. Base cost for tuning (Depending on the level of hardware i.e RACE|1 to RACE|3)
2. Add-on cost per feature:

• Adjustable Launch Control
• Map-switching
• Flex-Fuel
• No Lift Shift
• Rolling Antilag
• Boost By Gear

This allows the driver to spec and pay for only the features they like with the overall price scaling according to the hardware setup. We also offer a substantial 40% discount to existing THANAS clients. There is a further 20% discount on the total feature cost if all of the features are chosen.

All tuning is custom, implying that the tune is data-logged and revised in-house, at the time of tuning, until all parameters are at a consistent and reliable level. This is done for each map slot to ensure performance and reliability.