Chevy Cruze ECU Upgrade - Is it Worth the Money?

[@johtapia1]

Bro. Our tuning shop is on 59N/8. I follow you because i saw your name in one of the units there.

[@cmattdabrat]

Dude! Yeah, had my screen print shop over there for 5 years. Do you have a dyno? I'm in that area every once in a while.

[@johnmoore7902]

Appreciate all the info you have showed us. you are one of the first youtubers to inspire me to just get out there and do it all the work myself. keep the videos coming

[@cmattdabrat]

That is awesome! Glad they're helpful and you continue to watch the videos. More to come.

[@jimhiscott2918]

Man. You totally listened to me. You did good! Excellent! The 550 is far better then my 450. You have full sequintail firing and injection. I don't have enough inputs/outputs. I have waisted spark 😢and batch injection 😢

[@cmattdabrat]

:) Just seemed like the best option for the price! I had thought about the FT450 to save a few bucks, but figured might as well get what I want and need. Hope your project is going well! Can't wait to see that beast going.

[@Savoke]

about to do this on my 1.4, over the last year and a half ive been doing a build solely inspired by you, not doing anything cosmetic just a sleeper cruze.

[@cmattdabrat]

That’s awesome!

[@802Garage]

Called it. Good choice! FuelTech offers a lot of capability and features for the money. It is really interesting how every ECU manufacturer really does have different feature sets and price points to meet various needs. I'm working with Link ECU now and I have definitely been impressed, but hard to knock a lot of the options out there. They definitely should have sponsored you with how much value you offer, but hopefully they'll notice you after this. Are you considering wiring to a connector to plug into the stock ECU location? I can help you find the connector if you want. Basically making your own plug n play adapter harness instead of rewiring the entire bay. Excited to see you put this baby to use!

[@cmattdabrat]

You did! I replied to you on the community post, but that's the plan. I'll go into more detail in the next video, but you're spot on. Just need to study the wiring diagram some. I want the stock relay and fuse box to stay, and then basically unpin the harness going to the ecu, make a connector that'll shoot it to the FT550, and back to the stock harness I'll unpinned / install a connect. Perhaps you could help me dig up a couple simple weatherproof connectors that will accept the stock pins, so that way all I have to do is pop them into the connector, and pin the FT550 accordingly. I'l have to dig into the Link. I've heard good things about them. So many options... I dug into quite bit of their interfaces and they all seem pretty easy to understand, although some approach the math slightly different.

[@802Garage]

@@cmattdabrat Awesome I'm def looking forward to seeing your work. That's a cool approach I hadn't thought of for some reason. Unpin the stock connector that leads to the ECU and put just the pins you need in another connector. I'll see if I can dig up which pins they use and the connector series. Can be a real pan sometimes. Yeah the different tuning software for all the companies is a big differentiator. I've heard good things about the FuelTech software. One thing I will say for Link is that the documentation and help files are awesome. I know other companies do a good job, but I think Link is one of the best in that respect. Otherwise I find the software pretty easy to navigate. ECU Masters wasn't bad either, though I only messed with it briefly. HP Tuners has a basic feel, probably on the easier side, but can be a bit hard to find things. I haven't tried Haltech or FuelTech yet. It probably helps me that I have a lot of tech and programming experience.

[@802Garage]

@@cmattdabratAny idea if your ECU is 2 or 3 connectors? Shouldn't make a big difference.

[@802Garage]

@@cmattdabrat No idea why my replies aren't posting other than I've mentioned the picture platform. Check your comments filtering and your inbox other places. Hahaha.

[@johnbryner9052]

Glad to see u got Fuel Tech. Fuel Tech is the shit! We did so long for the new content now I hope your videos get longer and good luck.

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks! I’ll be posting regularly again.

[@802Garage]

Wow that cost breakdown at the end really does put buying a standalone into perspective. Sure, different solutions for different needs, but yeah after all the spending to get features it's often worth it to just go full send. We are spoiled for options now, after all!

[@cmattdabrat]

Tell me about it! Thought HP Tuners was going to be the solution along with the AEM bits, which it's fine for the first boost levels I was running. 8psi. Not so much the case now. I think this ECU will make tuning a breeze and a joy. Tuning with HP Tuners, although I learned a lot, definitely a lot of work arounds and trickery that goes into going from NA to boost.

[@AdinSLaboy]

Hell yeah that's the fun think about wiring something and make it work that's dope I personally wire a apexi AFC piggy back on a Tercel and the car make more HP also some pops and bro that's the best feeling ❤❤

[@dylangrant6890]

Haha, I was right!! I have the ft550 for my project as well. Boosted 1nzfe!!! Great video and much love from Barbados 🇧🇧.

[@cmattdabrat]

That's awesome! Looking forward to putting this thing to use. FT makes some cool stuff.

[@technicallyeco.2751]

Man, I'm way excited to see this bit move 🤙

[@cmattdabrat]

Me too!

[@w.r.1356]

Nice, right on brotha. Can't wait to see its full potential. Doing awesome man

[@cmattdabrat]

You and me both!

[@george230]

FuelTech best choice. Money well worth spent. Great choice. Be so exciting to watch u do the install.

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks! Looking forward to finally having complete control over the engine and it finally doing what I'm commanding it to do instead fighting the stock ECU.

[@RazoE]

They're gonna learn tonight! She'll finally run at full power 💪🏼

[@cmattdabrat]

Heck yes!

[@julioherrera3554]

Nice upgrade

[@cmattdabrat]

I think so too!

[@victorwilks88]

Super fancy 😮

[@cmattdabrat]

Lol, right!

[@Jack-im2wd]

I'm interested to see how good this Fueltech unit works out. Specifically, the wiring and installation. It's definitely gonna take some time to integrate all the stock sensors and outputs with this ECU. Also, the touchscreen is sick! Overall it looks like a very capable unit. I'm curious to see how it performs once you get it tuned and installed in the Cruze. Looking forward to the updates on your progress! Good luck with the build.

[@cmattdabrat]

You and me both! Have already been doing some digging and the crank and cam sensors / triggers are pretty standard counts, although they look different at face value. So shouldn't be much of an issue. I'll report back though as I go through the process and share the ease, or hangups of the install.

[@mastercricket7626]

Heck yeah bro , i been curious on fueltech since boosted boiz put one in there mr2 , and it look like its bad azz for what it can do so deff look forword to your overview and opinion on it and to see it run the ecotech ... peace and love bro keep it rad stay safe and build on l8z

[@cmattdabrat]

Me too! Actually used their promo code to get another $100 or so off. It'll do everything I need it to do. Fuel, spark, VVT, throttle body, fuel pump, radiator fans, fuel level, speed, etc.

[@modeverything1]

Cruze race car comming soon!

[@cmattdabrat]

Yes! We'll get the engine doing it's thing finally and putting some decent times down. Then weight reduction and safety equipment upgrades.

[@matthewgeorge4650]

But no problem 1.8 does well

[@199rocks94]

Does fueltech support the stock crank and cam trigger?

[@cmattdabrat]

It does. The crank trigger, after some research, is a pretty standard pattern. 60-2 or 58x. Their software allows you to also read the camshaft trigger pattern so it can learn it's phasing. Pretty cool stuff.

[@badass96ta]

hell yeah. Do you follow the fueltech channel? They have some awesome content

[@cmattdabrat]

Definitely! Lots of mind blowing power going on over there.

[@johnsnow1355]

Can u explain why going with the turbo 1.4 ecu wouldn't work for your under 30psi build? You have been messing around with your NA ecu right?

[@cmattdabrat]

Many reaons. :) I have been tuning the stock ECU. So some of the reasons messing with a 1.4 ECU wouldn't be idle is I would put a bunch of time, money, and effort into changing the specs within another computer, just to have to battle the same issues. The 1.4 has 3 ins and out vs 2 on my current. My plan is to push the engine as far as it'll go. 30psi would still be a limit. There's also calculation limitations in stock ECU's. From calculated torque, control over the throttle, speed limiters, acceleration limiters, fuel limiters, boost limiters, traction limiters, fuel injector limitations (You have to scale and trick the maps and stoich scaling), etc. With the aftermarket ECU I regain control over all of that almost like having a carb'd engine, but with a lot more control and ability to dial it in.

[@johnsnow1355]

@@cmattdabrat thanks 😊 I am glade you didn't give up 🥳

[@matthewgeorge4650]

It's better to mod and tune the chevy Cruze 2.0 eco bost 2012

[@cmattdabrat]

We have the 1.8, 1.4 and diesel option. None came with the 2.0 ecotec that I know of in the states.

[@danzamp9761]

Fuck yeah i was right. I've got an ft450 in my garage waiting to go into my rsx. Hit me up man. I would love to come help you wire that up.

[@cmattdabrat]

That's awesome! What side of Houston are you on?

[@danzamp9761]

@@cmattdabrat magnolia

[@danzamp9761]

@@cmattdabrat I sent you a couple messages on FB

[@danzamp9761]

Just let me know when your available I'll come to wherever you are

[@MichaelD429]

Ugh those screens 🫣

[@cmattdabrat]

Lol, yeah. Is what it is. Guess at least it comes with a screen. Touch at that.

[@technicallyeco.2751]

Next big move mid plate and honda ppg transmission 🤘

[@cmattdabrat]

Can't forget some stronger axles too! We'll get the ECU going, and then upgrade as I'm sure I'll run into that being the next weak link. Only money $$$ lol

[@thomasnoyd5766]

First

[@generiley355]

I was right !!!

[@cmattdabrat]

You are!