VVTuner Standalone Programmable VVT Controller
Introduction
An old hot rodding trick is to change the amount of cam advance to produce
small changes in the way an engine behaves. Advancing the cam can add low RPM
torque at the expense of high RPM power. Retarding the cam often has the
opposite effect: It adds power at high RPM and takes it away at low RPM.
This cam adjustment is always a compromise, improving power at one point in the
rev range and hurting it elsewhere.
Eventually, engine designers came up with a way to allow the cam timing to
change while the engine was running. That way, the cam can be advanced at low
RPM, where it helps power there, and then retarded as the RPM comes up,
eliminating any compromise. Moving the cam can also help with horsepower and
emissions.
The first variable valve timing systems used a simple on/off switch. It
wasn't long before these gave way to more sophisticated systems that could move
to any position between two stops. While an on/off variable valve timing
system is a snap to control with aftermarket electronics, the continuously
variable systems are a lot harder to deal with. You can just control the
current running to the hydraulic valve, but at best this would result in cam
timing that changed with your oil pressure and temperature. To get proper
control over continuously variable valve timing takes a system that can monitor
the cam advance in real time and use this feedback to make sure the cam is where
it's supposed to be.
Our first released model of VVTuner Camshaft Control Module allows the tuner to
implement full control over the continuously variable intake camshaft found in the 2001-2005 Mazda Miata. By way of an interpolated 12x12 table referencing engine speed versus
engine load, the user can accurately set the desired camshaft angle throughout
the engine's entire operational range. The camshaft angle is accurately
rotationally positioned via closed loop control. The result is full user control
over the Miata VVT system. Get all the area under the curve without
compromise!
VVTuner is available 2 different ways:
- VVTuner-C. This comes ready to rock, assembled by the pros at
DIYAutoTune.com
- VVTuner-K. This is the exact same ECU, however sold in a
simple-to-assemble kit for the tuner to assemble themselves.
Currently, the VVTuner is available for the 2001-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Other VVTuner applications are likely to be added with firmware and/or
hardware updates in the future.
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