ESM Chips - Information & Help

[ESM]

Regarding the switcher kit.

The theory is that a bad earth on the cable that goes between the switcher and the daughter board was the issue that fried the ECUs (two out of the last three kits sold were cookers). The cable from Moates certainly was different in the version that caused the issue (it was round rather than a ribbon cable). However, the remote switch also changed so there is another potential source.

So far, with a new ribbon cable, I've been running a switcher with no problems. I'm going to put another kit on for the next few days, just to make sure I didn't get (un)lucky and put on the only harmless one. If all goes well with that then I'll put them back on at the shop.

I've got more than £1000 tied up in stock of this stuff so believe me I want to move them as much as you want to buy them. However, I don't want to sell ten and then hear about six dead ECUs... I stumped up for the two ECUs my kit fried and I can't afford more failures.

[G UK]

I'm also after a V5 switcher for JPS which I believe Paul had already fitted the O2 sensor to. I'm happy to go without the switcher unit and change on the board for now if you want to move some stock.

After having the V5 in my old Elan dropping back to the V4 just doesn't feel right!!

[tomhumbug]

Been mulling over getting a chip for a while now, so tonight I had a lood at my ECU and found it has already been chipped!
It has an Everest V4.2.
What is the difference between this and the latest V4.4?

[max and andy]

Where you getting 0.9bar when you put your foot down? A & M

[lotos]

Been mulling over getting a chip for a while now, so tonight I had a lood at my ECU and found it has already been chipped!
It has an Everest V4.2.
What is the difference between this and the latest V4.4?

This may not be entirely accurate, but I've read the ESM threads completely and I gather that he's basically keeping the max boost the same across the versions (so all Kilimanjaro are about .08, all Everest will be about .9, etc), but he modifies and refines the fuel and boost maps as he gets feedback from the chip users. I've read also that for a fee plus shipping he'll update the chips or change the program on it (if you for some reason wanted to downgrade to Kili). Someone'll correct me if I'm way off here.

[RichardK]

Any update on the V5 switcher kit?

Keen as mustard!!!

[baldyash]

I have a Everest chip in a recently purchased car but dont seem to be getting 0.9 bar Max on the gauge is about 0.75 if I really rev the car . Can someone point me at which parts are the likely problem areas--Thanks Stuart

[HJ2]

2 things:
1. boostgauge is inacurate, try Elanscan for more acurate measurements of boost
2. Max boost is only obtained by not just revving he engine high enough, but also the position of the throttle is taken in account and the engine needs to be on operationtemperature (not cold)

So: Connect Elanscan Drive till engine is on normal operating temperature, start Elanscan and floor down the accelarator and keep it there till 7.000 rpm or so.
Then you have a better indication of true boost levels.


Ejoy!

HJ2

[ektrolleyboy]

I don't understand the benefits of having a switcher!

When you want to use power, surely you want as much as you can get or regulate using the accelerator pedal?
Why switch from 155 Bhp or 165 Bhp to 200 Bhp and back again? Am I missing something?

[HJ2]

Yes, You miss the trade off: Power vs. lifetime
High power means high stress and excessive wear on all components...


greets,
HJ2

[ektrolleyboy]

Okay. I understand that. But 40 Bhp won't make a difference to wear and tear that you're ever likely to notice.
But most importantly. When do you decide when you need big power or standard? I'd be far too tempted by the big power!

I've just been reading up on the subject and it seems the Elsyium is for lunatics and you're ever likey to increase the potential of your engine going pop if things go wrong. But the Everest has all the original saftey parameters if something goes wrong with your engine. I am correct here, yes?

[HJ2]

Yup...
But read a bit further on the ESM webpage... If there's a hiding failure waiting to happen, the performance upgrade will increase the chance that it WILL happen.

So 40 Bhp will not show on the wear/ tear of the engine? I think you're wrong here... This may be true with a new car, but not with a car thats as old as our elan combined with routine maintenance. Rubber goes hard and tends to rupture (hoses!) Seals are old an degraded etc etc...

As i am tempted by big power as well, I have an Everest, but also a brand new set of hoses... and lots of preventive maintenance that's not in the manuals!

[ektrolleyboy]

So you'd reccommend getting all of the hoses replaced too then?
I do fancy a cosmetic upgrade to the engine bay! What colour hoses is my next quandry?...

[Elanlover]

Okay. I understand that. But 40 Bhp won't make a difference to wear and tear that you're ever likely to notice.
But most importantly. When do you decide when you need big power or standard? I'd be far too tempted by the big power!

I've just been reading up on the subject and it seems the Elsyium is for lunatics and you're ever likey to increase the potential of your engine going pop if things go wrong. But the Everest has all the original saftey parameters if something goes wrong with your engine. I am correct here, yes?

All of Alan's chip programs are "safe" in that they do not exceed any safety margins. The V5 is no more likely to ruin the engine than the V4 provided, of course, its in good tune. The reason Alan created the switcher was to support the V5's slimmer margin of safety. Alan wanted to make sure that, due to the fact that the V5 pushes the envelope pretty far (but doesn't burst it), that you could switch the chip back to a V4 setting with a greater safety margin if needed. "Pushing the envelope" is not to be construed as exceeding any safety margins - it's not exceeding what the engine can handle. And don't forget that you're not likely to be using the V5's higher boost maps all the time. Its only when you're on full throttle that any of the chips really kick in. I doubt anyone's driving with their foot to the floor all the time

The everest is available in V4 or V5 version and the elysium only in V5. You can run the V4's without any switcher Alan will only provide V5 programs with a switcher (likely with some V4 programs on it) so you can switch to a V4 setting in the event you do have problems. (Alan to jump in if I've said anything here that's not correct)

So you'd reccommend getting all of the hoses replaced too then?
I do fancy a cosmetic upgrade to the engine bay! What colour hoses is my next quandry?...

Replacing the intake hoses from throttle body to the intercooler is a good idea. The extra boost can expand an older hose like a balloon. There are a number of aluminum pipes that have been fabricated over the years to replace it like this.

[ektrolleyboy]

V4?
V5?
What's the difference? I'm a little bamboozled by all of the numbers on the 'shop' site...

[rip]

V4?
V5?
What's the difference? I'm a little bamboozled by all of the numbers on the 'shop' site...

Blair (Elanlover) just explained it.

[Elanlover]

V4?
V5?
What's the difference? I'm a little bamboozled by all of the numbers on the 'shop' site...

Blair (Elanlover) just explained it.

And Alan's site explains it well. Just look at the difference in the boost maps. I did notice more power with the V5 elysium over the V4 everest.

[max and andy]

I like the idea of being able to switch back to standard just to see and feel the increase in power when you switch back to Everest mode or which ever mode you want. We are going to get one just for that facility. When they become available again. A&M

[dapinky]

There are numerous reasons to go for the switcher version, many of which have been covered on the last few posts.

In addition, other reasons could be to suit the particular driver or driving style on the day - Angie has it on 'factory' settings and finds that to be sufficient - as do I for the daily commute to work.

However, when i go out for a blast, I'll push it up a few stops. And when it goes on the track, it gets wound up again (as that is when you may well find yourself using full throttle and high revs in sufficient quantities to get the most out of it.)

But would you really want a valet parking attendant, or MOT road tester to have it on anything other than the lowest setting? I wouldn't!

[MPx]

Any update on the V5 switcher kit?

Keen as mustard!!!

My turn to convey the fortnightly poke Alan. Appreciate this may be annoying, but we live in the 24hour news society and we all want to be kept up to date with what's happening as it occurs. So.....any news on th V5 Switcher....?