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DigiMatrix Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2010 Posts: 450 Location: Up North Canada
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Posted: Wed May 19, 2021 9:47 pm Post subject: WBX Emulator - real time data, onboard diagnostics and tuning |
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I have been working with a friend who developed an emulator for tuning his car. He developed it for the digifant ECU used in the 1.8L supercharged engine. After spending some time with him, we were able to implement changes to make it work with the Vanagon "D" version ECU. The emulator plugs into the chip socket and only requires one wire to be soldered in the ECU to get it to work. It looks like this:
The emulator currently has the following features:
This board can replace old EEPROM chip permanently
can load and store 3 banks (3 chip files)
is powered by the chip socket
works with ADLDdroid (low cost android application)
works with TunerProRT (windows application)
outputs engine data in real time via Bluetooth (needs custom TunerPro ADX file)
allows data logging and playback
allows easy and quick checking of ECU inputs like O2 sensor, temperature sensors, AFM voltage, throttle switch etc.
Shows data with just the ignition on for trouble shooting
can show GPS speed in ALDLdroid
Can be used to tune/adjust chip tables like timing and fuel etc. in real time if engine modifications warrant it.(needs TunerPro XDF file)
*** Update: Immobilizer feature that is settable to cut fuel and spark is now available***
Future features:
Here is a picture of 3 ADLDdroid screenshots with the engine running
Is this something that people would be interested in for their WBX?
Thinking $150 US for diagnostics version and $175 US for the tuning and diagnostics version. ALDLdroid app and TunerProRT and shipping are not included in the price.
Last edited by DigiMatrix on Sat Jun 12, 2021 2:18 pm; edited 8 times in total |
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valvecovergasket Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2018 Posts: 1492 Location: pnw
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Posted: Wed May 19, 2021 9:59 pm Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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I think this would be a game changer for guys doing any troubleshooting on the wbx. _________________ MegaSquirt resource - SpitfireEFI.com
gone, but not forgotten: '83 tdi westy - swap thread |
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dart330 Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2004 Posts: 454 Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 6:28 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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Very cool, would be great to have!
I would pay to ship in an ECU to have it installed if there was a compatible iOS app. _________________ Driving a 90 Carat since 2014
Previous Buses: 59 Westy, 60 Westy, 74 Bus, 82 Westy, 85 Westy, 87 Syncro
Checkout my Syncro Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JSWhLS7jLY |
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dabaron Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2018 Posts: 2561 Location: Philly, mang
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 7:06 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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i have a spare ECU, where can i get one of these jawns? _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo
BiWerks Design, LLC |
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hans j Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 2715 Location: Salt Lake City UT
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 7:23 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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I'd be interested _________________ 1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181 |
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DigiMatrix Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2010 Posts: 450 Location: Up North Canada
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 7:31 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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dart330 wrote: |
I would pay to ship in an ECU to have it installed if there was a compatible iOS app. |
Sorry, no plans for iOS, Android device or windows only. |
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DigiMatrix Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2010 Posts: 450 Location: Up North Canada
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 7:44 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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dabaron wrote: |
i have a spare ECU, where can i get one of these jawns? |
Trying to judge interest, I need to order parts and begin building some units. I think I will start with 20 units as I'm not sure how much interest there will be. Requires "D" version ECU and a WBX motor. The price range will be $150 US for the diagnostic version, a little more if you want to be able to tune your chip as well. |
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DanHoug Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016 Posts: 4791 Location: Bemidji, MN
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 7:52 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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Count me in!!! I'd love one with tune ability. What a great development! _________________ -dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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bobbyblack Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4351 Location: United States, Iowa
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 7:55 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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I'm in! I'll want the tunability version for "a little more" Thanks!! _________________ '87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 3048 Location: MD
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 8:01 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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That's legit cool. _________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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SyncroHead Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005 Posts: 1145 Location: Northern Nevada
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 8:06 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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Very cool! I'm in for one too.
Jim Davis _________________ "A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"
Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org
sphet wrote: |
I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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dabaron Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2018 Posts: 2561 Location: Philly, mang
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 8:09 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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DigiMatrix wrote: |
dabaron wrote: |
i have a spare ECU, where can i get one of these jawns? |
Trying to judge interest, I need to order parts and begin building some units. I think I will start with 20 units as I'm not sure how much interest there will be. Requires "D" version ECU and a WBX motor. The price range will be $150 US for the diagnostic version, a little more if you want to be able to tune your chip as well. |
i'd splash out for the tunable version, i mean, once everyone else comes up with the best tune, i can simply copy it _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo
BiWerks Design, LLC |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17154 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 8:17 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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So this would communicate with a windows pc as long as it has bluetooth capability? Mark me as impressed. Is the "D" the suffix on the OE part number? _________________ ☮️ |
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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 3048 Location: MD
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 8:19 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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dabaron wrote: |
i'd splash out for the tunable version, i mean, once everyone else comes up with the best tune, i can simply copy it |
Unfortunately that rarely works better than the stock tune. Old electronics, different cylinder psi, different AFM reading.. etc. _________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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dabaron Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2018 Posts: 2561 Location: Philly, mang
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 8:47 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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4Gears4Tires wrote: |
dabaron wrote: |
i'd splash out for the tunable version, i mean, once everyone else comes up with the best tune, i can simply copy it |
Unfortunately that rarely works better than the stock tune. Old electronics, different cylinder psi, different AFM reading.. etc. |
wait, you mean tolerances matter hahaha _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo
BiWerks Design, LLC |
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DigiMatrix Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2010 Posts: 450 Location: Up North Canada
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 8:54 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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MarkWard wrote: |
So this would communicate with a windows pc as long as it has bluetooth capability? Mark me as impressed. Is the "D" the suffix on the OE part number? |
Yes, windows pc needs bluetooth and TunerPro. Works with any one of these 3 ecu's - 1986 and newer I believe
Last edited by DigiMatrix on Mon May 24, 2021 7:43 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6833 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 9:45 am Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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I'd be up for one! _________________ This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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CessnaJon Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2008 Posts: 677 Location: Senoia,GA
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Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: Emulator for tuning and onboard Diagnostics |
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I’ll take one. _________________ 1973 Westy (shared birthday)
1990 Westy Multivan
2015 Passat TDI 6sp
2015 Sportwagon TDI 6sp
LR-JET, Gulfstream 159 |
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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