Full throttle Electric Supercharger Build Thread

[HunterGreene]

Originally Posted by Pug

And here's the system installed and working! I'll have to watch it closely for the next week to make sure everything's OK.

Here's a picture after the first drive test showing more normal 60C temperatures. Note that it wasn't a long drive, so I expect much higher than that in real operation.

Looks great! Now we just need to get better packaging than an old SD card case

[Thatruth2001]

Over the weekend I entered the next phase of my build and testing by moving from the greddy sp elite to perrin's 3" exhaust and wow..... When the ESC is engaged the car sounds like a beast!

[Gary in NJ]

Just wanted to give a status of my ESC system. I was told that the two 12V batteries that make up the 24V system would need time to condition; about 50 cycles. I must have about that number of engagements of the ESC.

I have also followed Fenton's advice to always drive with VSC in Sport Mode (in dry conditions) otherwise I'll be engaging the traction control.

Twice this weekend while engaging the ESC the traction control kicked in (or tried to kick in). It happened the first time after a 1-2 shift where the ESC was not used in first gear, but I went FT in second at 3000 rpm. I was on a slight incline and when I went full throttle I noticed the amber TC warning. Curious if something strange had happened I went back to the same exact spot a did the same exact thing...and got the same exact result.

I'm just shocked how much power the ESC makes. A second gear run from 3000 rpm to 7000 rpm is quite the amusement ride. Keeping the ESC engaged through 3rd is just a fast track to a ticket.

[bfrank1972]

Very cool! Are you running stock or custom tune?

[fenton]

Originally Posted by Gary in NJ

Just wanted to give a status of my ESC system. I was told that the two 12V batteries that make up the 24V system would need time to condition; about 50 cycles. I must have about that number of engagements of the ESC.

I have also followed Fenton's advice to always drive with VSC in Sport Mode (in dry conditions) otherwise I'll be engaging the traction control.

Twice this weekend while engaging the ESC the traction control kicked in (or tried to kick in). It happened the first time after a 1-2 shift where the ESC was not used in first gear, but I went FT in second at 3000 rpm. I was on a slight incline and when I went full throttle I noticed the amber TC warning. Curious if something strange had happened I went back to the same exact spot a did the same exact thing...and got the same exact result.

I'm just shocked how much power the ESC makes. A second gear run from 3000 rpm to 7000 rpm is quite the amusement ride. Keeping the ESC engaged through 3rd is just a fast track to a ticket.

Yes you have to be careful especially around corners. Before without the charger 1st and 2nd gear around corners would never cause the backend to come out.

Now with the charger it will come out at about 4000 rpm and if you have traction control fully on it kills the fun.

I find vsc sport is much better because it uses the brakes to keep you in line instead of cutting the throttle violently.

You have toma's tune installed correct? If you dont have toma's tune installed and your CEL is on, the TCS light indicates that the CEL has been "activated" again due to the manifold over pressure specification.

[Gary in NJ]

I have no tune as of yet...I just haven't had time. This week for sure. I'm very tired of looking at the CEL. I can't imagine what the BRZ/ESC will feel like after a proper tune.

[fenton]

Originally Posted by Gary in NJ

I have no tune as of yet...I just haven't had time. This week for sure. I'm very tired of looking at the CEL. I can't imagine what the BRZ/ESC will feel like after a proper tune.

Thats why you are getting the TCS light then. It is saying that you are getting another "CEL"

Happened to me too when i was on a stock tune.

[Thatruth2001]

Originally Posted by Gary in NJ

Just wanted to give a status of my ESC system. I was told that the two 12V batteries that make up the 24V system would need time to condition; about 50 cycles. I must have about that number of engagements of the ESC.

I have also followed Fenton's advice to always drive with VSC in Sport Mode (in dry conditions) otherwise I'll be engaging the traction control.

Twice this weekend while engaging the ESC the traction control kicked in (or tried to kick in). It happened the first time after a 1-2 shift where the ESC was not used in first gear, but I went FT in second at 3000 rpm. I was on a slight incline and when I went full throttle I noticed the amber TC warning. Curious if something strange had happened I went back to the same exact spot a did the same exact thing...and got the same exact result.

I'm just shocked how much power the ESC makes. A second gear run from 3000 rpm to 7000 rpm is quite the amusement ride. Keeping the ESC engaged through 3rd is just a fast track to a ticket.

I had the exact same set of lights come on prior to the tune. Eventually you will throw the check engine light and produce code P0918 - Atmospheric and Manifold High Input. When you do not go WOT for a while the ECU will reset the light. At that point the ESC will seem a little sluggish as the ECU is trying to make sense of what's happening and attempt to limit the units output. Once the CEL trips again everything should be good.

Other Observations - I know the following might not make sense, but do not panic.
1. When driving in full, partial or no traction control the traction control light will start intermittently flash around 5-7,000 RPM. I chalked it up as the ECU is confused.

2. If you trip the CEL then attempted to set the car in cruise control, the function will become in operable and cruise control symbol will become amber. Cruise control is inoperable until the CEL is reset manually or by the ecu.

3. Wait till you get comfortable with the unit and WOT in 1st, it might make you shit your pants.

Last your fuel mileage is going to suck big time until you back off playing with your new toy. I have been averaging 21.9 to 23 mpgs. I guess I am heavy footed.

[fenton]

Originally Posted by Thatruth2001

1. When driving in full, partial or no traction control the traction control light will start intermittently flash around 5-7,000 RPM. I chalked it up as the ECU is confused.

This intermittent flashing is the car's way of telling you that the "CEL" light is being turned on again.

In some cars the CEL light flashes but in our car the CEL stays lit and the TCS light flashes.

[zc06_kisstherain]

good going!!! I want to check it out in person as well. Gary should arrange for some meets for checking out ESC. haha

[bfrank1972]

Originally Posted by zc06_kisstherain

good going!!! I want to check it out in person as well. Gary should arrange for some meets for checking out ESC. haha

I'm in!

[Thatruth2001]

Originally Posted by fenton

This intermittent flashing is the car's way of telling you that the "CEL" light is being turned on again.

In some cars the CEL light flashes but in our car the CEL stays lit and the TCS light flashes.

This was in reference to the traction control light blinking at certain times during esc engagement. The traction control light would blink on and off when the ESC was engaged.

My CEL light would reset if the unit was not engage for 20 to 30 minutes of driving.

[Gary in NJ]

Originally Posted by Thatruth2001

1. When driving in full, partial or no traction control the traction control light will start intermittently flash around 5-7,000 RPM. I chalked it up as the ECU is confused.

OK, that's what I was seeing Saturday while hooning...er...testing the ESC.

Originally Posted by Thatruth2001

2. If you trip the CEL then attempted to set the car in cruise control, the function will become in operable and cruise control symbol will become amber. Cruise control is inoperable until the CEL is reset manually or by the ecu.

Discovered that yesterday. I merged into highway traffic with a healthy dose of boost, saw my speed and decided Cruise Control made sense until my brain recalibrated...only to find it was InOp.

Originally Posted by Thatruth2001

3. Wait till you get comfortable with the unit and WOT in 1st, it might make you shit your pants.

I've done a few 1st gear pulls, but from 4000 rpm. When I get the tune I look forward to punching it around 2500.

Originally Posted by Thatruth2001

Last your fuel mileage is going to suck big time until you back off playing with your new toy. I have been averaging 21.9 to 23 mpgs. I guess I am heavy footed.

Yes, I've sucked down fuel like a drunk at $0.25 beer night.

Originally Posted by fenton

This intermittent flashing is the car's way of telling you that the "CEL" light is being turned on again.

In some cars the CEL light flashes but in our car the CEL stays lit and the TCS light flashes.

Got ya.

A friend of mine got in my car on Sunday. Looks at the Phantom Arm/Indicator and says "what's that?"

I say "it's the flux capacitor. you ready for a little time-travel?"

[bfrank1972]

Neat, glad to hear you're enjoying - sooo aside from "hooning" and tripping CEL's what your general impression? Rough around the edges/needs some refinement (i.e. how it installs, fit/finish, any hiccups other than the CEL etc)? Or do you feel like it's pretty near prime time? How does the transition feel from part throttle to ESC engaged? I know you're sans tuned - I'm just curious how well the system integrates on a non-tuned car (know CEL issues aside). Gracias!