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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Old School Buell » Archive through November 09, 2007 » Converting your stock ECM to a race ECM with ECM SPY « Previous Next »

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Whosbeenfartin
Posted on Friday, September 07, 2007 - 03:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I don't know how many people know about ECM SPY, if you don't and a interested search the KV for ECM SPY or go to ECMSPY.com

Short description: it is an open source (free) program that lets you reset error codes, reset the TPS, AFV, change fuel maps (tune the fuel curve) and do some other functions, for the cost of a cable (about 10-30 dollars).

I have found that most cell data cables for older cell phones will work as the requisite cable (the are either rs232 TTL level converters or USB to TTL level RS232 cables) so I was able to make one essentially for free by putting a differnt plug on it.

One of the things the software is capable of doing is fully reflashing the EEPROM, with a different EEPROM. Which means you can effectivly use it to convert your stock ECM to a RACE ECM.

I think the only real limits are that the ECM's must be of the same series, as I have allready tried flashing my US (99) x1 with a euro Race ecm flash, and that did not work.

With that said, does anyone have a race ecm in the san diego area, that would let me see there bike for a few minutes to download your EEPROM?

I would make it available to anyone that wants it. (assuming that it works).
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Homebrewed1
Posted on Monday, September 10, 2007 - 03:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have a 1999 S3 that I would like to get some software for to work on it. Will this setup work with that vintage ECM? Also, what phone cables would you recommend for make the connection cable with? I have some old Palm USB cables that connected the Palm to the PC that are laying around my house now. I would like to be able to use my Palm to do most of the work, if it is fully functional software. Also, I have both a stock ECM and a Race ECM for this bike.
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Steveshakeshaft
Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 01:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have a 1999 S3 that I would like to get some software for to work on it. Will this setup work with that vintage ECM?

ECMSpy will work with tube frame ECM's. Bear in mind this is still developing. If you find problems please make sure Gunter, the ECMSpy bloke in Germany knows about them. HTH.
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Homebrewed1
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 11:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Great. Now, what about making a cable. Did you use the information from their site? I have plenty of cables sitting around that have a USB connector on one end that can be hacked up into a connector cable. I really don't know were to start on that one though. Thanks.
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Slaughter
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 12:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

There are some really great detailed discussions on the British Buell board: http://www.ukbeg.com

Search out ECMspy
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Steveshakeshaft
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 12:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I really don't know were to start on that

I'm sure you'll get the help you need here, but if not, then there is a couple of active threads where you can get help at the www.ukbeg.com Forum. HTH.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 01:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Homebrewed... I was asking the same question, and somebody pointed out the obvious...

You only need the fancy deutcsh connector if you want a completely non invasive solution.

I could care less about non invasive, so my winter project is to get this up and running between an old Palm Pilot and my 9sx. I will just tap into my existing wiring, probably putting in an RJ-45 crimp on jack (I have a pile of both male and female RJ45 ends).
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Homebrewed1
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 02:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just to confirm, I don't need any fancy circuit boards like I have seen on the ECMSpy website? All I need is a USB cable, cut it and splice it to the matching deutch connector? That would be pretty slick. I think I have one of those connectors laying around the show anyway.
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Whosbeenfartin
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 03:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ok no a standard USB cable will not work, you need a TTL level serial cable preferably a 5 volt cable (I used a 3.3 Volt cell phone cable and it worked just fine).

TTL level serial cables or rather USB to TTL level converters can be found in several USB to palm or USB to cell devices.

I used a USB data cable for a samsung cell phone. Basically I hacked the cell phone end off and connected it to the buell connector. It worked strait off.

Do not take a plain USB cable and connect it to your bike, you could possible damage something.

To test if something is a TTL level cable you are looking for 5 volts between TX and GND and and either 0 or 5 volts between rx and ground (or 3.3 volts if using a 3.3 volt cable).

If you don't allready have something to canabalize might I suggest that you purchase a cable from mouser electronics or a similar dealer link:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Products/EvaluationKits/TT L-232R.htm

you should get a 5v TTL cable with or without a connector (the sterio audio connector makes a good replacement for the buell connector and is available at any radioshack)

Everyone should also realize that the palm software can only datalog and perhaps read error conditions and possible set the TPS, it can't re map the ecm and I don't think it can copy the eeprom off the ecm.
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Wile_ecoyote
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 04:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Have you tried asking Al at American Sport Bike? Easily accessed and has always been there for me. He's a busy guy so be patient, why not email him?
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Whitj
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 04:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I made myself one, use it all the time and it works better than VDST IMHO. My VDST-STD is going on e-bay when I get time. ECMspy does everything VDST does & goes way beyond. Plus.... its 1/3rd the cost, no dongle, USB PNP and it has very user friendly software. I would be willing to make a mess of them if enough guys would like to have one. It's not worth my time and trouble for less than ten kits. Yes it works w/ Win2000 and XP as well. I don't have Vista but see no reason why it would not work on Vista either.

$60 for the following kit.
1) USB to Buell ECM cable interface
1) ESMspy with diagnostic software and EEPROM tool.
1) CPU to USB to ECM software patch
1) Detailed user / tune guide

I am a controls engineer and live in Phoenix AZ for any local Buell riders.

Ten orders and I'll make them.

For sale: one VDST-STD kit. $150 takes it.

Send me a PM for interest in either ECMspy or VDST.

John
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Reepicheep
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 06:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My understanding is that if you use it with a PC, you need a voltage converter. If you use it with a Palm Pilot, it works direct connection.
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Whitj
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 07:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Reepicheep
Not true. The power comes in the form of PC to USB to TTL 5vac conversion. No need for power converter. Thats what TTL level conversion is.
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Whosbeenfartin
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 07:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

All of my posts deal with using it with a PC.

The USB to cell "datacables" I am speaking of are infact TTL level usb to serial converters.

as is the link I posted above.

Just for some contrast a good cable can be made from new parts for 34 24 (shipped) to mouser for the TTL USB converter cable, and 10 (shiped) to ebay for a DUESTCH connector.

The software is all free and open source and available for download in various places.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 10:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Right, I think we are saying the same thing.

An RS232 serial port on a PC will not work, the voltages are wrong.

The "serial" port on a palm pilot will work, as it's not really a serial port, its already TTL voltages.

A "usb to serial converter" will work on a PC, as, like the Palm Pilot, it is cheating and was really just putting out TTL levels all along.

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong... I am still trying to figure this out.
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Whitj
Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 11:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A PC serial port will work as well. That needs to be converted to a MAX232 level. A PC serial or USB both will work. If you really want to get crazy, a modem or nic card could be used. Believe me, the USB port is by far the easy way to go.
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Mmmi_grad
Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 08:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Has anyone got the experience doing what the title says.....converting a stock ecm to a race ecm? Id like to talk about doing that.
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Homebrewed1
Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 09:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'll have to root through the pile of old palm to USB cables I have. I think my old Palm Vx may have the right setup. If not, I used to have a Samsung Palm based phone a few years ago that would probably fit the bill. I'll double check the voltages prior to hacking it up and making a buell cable out of it. Thanks for all the tech help. I have a race ECM sitting new in the box in my garage just waiting for the TPS to be reset. If someone can answer the original post question, maybe I'll just be able to re-flash my existing ECM with a RACE version. That would be nice too.
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Whosbeenfartin
Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 03:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I know the re flashing works, I have talked with someone in Europe that did it. It would seem that for it to work properly the ECM's need to be the same firmware version, and must be supported by ECM spy, at this point not every possible combo is supported, although they are adding more all the time.

In my case my ECM is a very early 99 (maybe manufactured 98) X1 that was possibly recalled. The Race map didn't work on it, as it was for a much newer ECM. In any case I came across a deal for some X1 parts from a bone yard which included a race ECM. When I get it I will post the the full eeprom along with the firmware version info.

If you find that you have a new unsupported ECM, then send the files to Gunter as per the instructions on the ecm spy website and he will add them to the mod file when time permits.
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Mmmi_grad
Posted on Friday, September 28, 2007 - 12:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Come on more talk about this I want a cable!!!
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Homebrewed1
Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 03:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I purchased an aftermarket sync cable for my Treo 650 phone on Ebay and was able to make a cable from that with a Duetch connector I purchased at www.deutschconnector.com . I found out that you cannot use the OEM cable due to the configuration of the phone connector pins. The aftermarket has a phone connnector that comes apart and allows you to de-solder the current connections, and re-solder the wires to the correct pin connectors. The whole process was way more intimidating that it sounded. Look up "EcmSpy palm cable" in the search and you will find a post that tells you which pins you need to use. Plugged into my bike, worked like a champ with my Palm based phone. Kind of nice having a diagnostic tool that I already always carry with me anyway. The cable will always stay on the bike from now on. The EcmSpy software so far look impressive. I am looking forward to exploring it, and setting my TPS tonight.
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Mmmi_grad
Posted on Saturday, October 06, 2007 - 04:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I want the $60.oo kit whitj has for sale.

More people should pm him if your interested!!
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Mmmi_grad
Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 11:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Bump for Whitj to sell me a kit.
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Mmmi_grad
Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 06:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Going to keep bumping this for the kit Whitj.
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Blake
Posted on Friday, October 26, 2007 - 05:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The privilege of selling stuff here is reserved for sponsors. If Whit is providing the cables at cost then that is fine, but we need copies of receipts to verify that first.

Thanks for understanding.
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Mmmi_grad
Posted on Friday, October 26, 2007 - 05:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well he wont sell anything because I cant find 9 more people to spend 60 bucks. OK maybe I he can post in the classified.

thanks Blake
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Whitj
Posted on Friday, October 26, 2007 - 05:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Blake
Don’t worry. The cables are all spoken for and I’m not going to bother w/ anymore. Too many people are worried I may be making a profit of $5 on each cable for my time and trouble to make them. As for the receipts, it does not take a professor to figure out what time and materials would cost to make the cable when one buys them in such a small quantity like I did. $60 was a bargain, especially if one does not know how to source and or assemble the cable.
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Blake
Posted on Saturday, October 27, 2007 - 01:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

<sigh> The rules here are simple. If anyone wants to sell stuff, they gotta sponsor the site. If anyone wants to help folks out and provide stuff at cost (no charging for their "time"), that is wonderful and we applaud such efforts, but we need to verify each such scenario.

It's not a policy put in place to shame anyone. It's a policy that has been in place for years in order to best defend the integrity of the site. It ain't personal at all.
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