Wolf 3D Controller

[Scotty_Rah]

I'm after a AEM Wolf 3D controller

 

like the one pictured. I'm hoping someone has one spare perhaps..

[MichaelT]

Not able to hook up a laptop and use the PC software? I went this way and it makes life so much easier. Especially when you can sit it on the passenger seat and tweak it as you go. What ECU do you have?

[Scotty_Rah]

the ecu came with the car and i know nothing about it and the manufacturer offers no help what so ever..

 

looks like the below. I've down loaded the program from their website but dont have the cable to connect so that's another thing i need to source..

[MichaelT]

Thats the one I have. It's best to hook up a laptop rather than use hand controller. The cable can be purchased fairly easily. But you need to buy a 15 to 9 pin RS-232 cable: http://www.wolfems.com.au/products/v4-pc-link-cable (there are some available from eBay for $7  but I didn't know my way around these cables so coughed up the money. I have no idea if this will work the same : http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-4M-VGA-HD15-15-Pin-Male-to-DB9-9-Pin-RS232-Male-Adapter-Cable-Lead-Converter-/400953982153

 

 

Then you have to buy the USB adapter cable from Wolf - available online. It's bloody pricey. You can buy other cables with the same chipset but some people have had trouble with "non-OEM" ones and WOLF wont offer technical support if you don't use theirs.  http://www.wolfems.com.au/CatalogueRetrieve.aspx?ProductID=9561935&A=SearchResult&SearchID=1740981&ObjectID=9561935&ObjectType=27

 

Its about $175 otherwise. Massively overpriced. But their setup works and I saw forums where others bought "non-OEM" cables and had problems. I considered it relatively cheap access to my ECU.

 

Either way. The hand controller looks like the worst invention possible, and using your laptop is so much easier. I can alter cells on the ECU map while driving and upload new maps, again while driving. Obviously you want to optimise your ignition and fuel base maps on a dyno but for accel enrichment etc, you need to be out on the road.

 

I consider the cables a worthy expense. I bought mine under duress because my crank sensor broke and I had no idea about how the EFI worked (came with car when i bought it an worked well). So buying the cables was cheaper than towing it to the nearest WOLF specialist. But once it dies...that access is very good for diagnosis.

 

P.S. interested to know your experience with the WOLF people. I've found them very helpful a lot of the time. Their website is not too helpful though.

 

Michael

[Scotty_Rah]

Thank you Michael

 

This is very good information! I think it might be best to go for the OEM cable/adaptor. I've checked out eBay and the stuff there looks cheap and nasty.. 

 

I'm currently in the process of changing my water temp sender. the old one got stuck in real good and wouldn't come out, so i'm having to drill it out and tap in a new thread... uhhhh its ugly but necessary. I just need to know that the ecu is picking up the water temp and its not going to over heat. I need to also wire in the dash gauge somehow too. 

[MichaelT]

Bugger about the water temp sender. My car has separate guages so none of the original are used. I want to change that one day. But I have other fish to fry at the moment.