When you open the box and remove the EVO UTEC from its packaging you will immediately appreciate the fact that it has clearly been designed for your EVO 8. The case is engineered to use the mounting location of the stock ECU (behind the glove box). Your stock ECU is protected by the UTEC case and everything hooks up using factory Mitsubishi connectors. There are no wires to splice, nothing to cut. You simply plug it in, bolt it up and go.

Out of the box the EVO UTEC is one of the most powerful ECU's on the market. It combines a fuel computer, ignition timing computer, electronic boost controller, knock detector, data-logger, launch control/flat shift controller, immobilizer (with valet mode), nitrous oxide controller, water injection controller, water spray controller, all in one plug in box.

Ignition Timing Control
The EVO UTEC has its own injector and coil drivers. Unlike a pure piggyback, the EVO UTEC actually drives the car. When you decide that you want to run 10 degrees of timing advance at 4000rpm, the UTEC fires the coils at 10 degrees BTDC. This level of timing control is impossible with a pure piggyback. Most piggybacks "control" ignition timing by modifying the crankshaft and camshaft position sensor signals before they enter the ECU. You don't actually program a timing value but a timing offset value (positive or negative) that is than applied to the timing that the ECU wants to run. That works fine in a car with a static, unchanging timing map. Unfortunately, today's cars have highly variable ignition timing maps. So you are applying a static offset value to a changing timing map. The result is, you never actually know what timing you will run. The UTEC eliminates the guess work and gives you the control you need without making you jump though hoops.

Convenience
The UTEC has the ability to hold 5 different user definable map groups. Each map group can contain a different fuel, ignition timing, and boost map. All of these selections are available at the flick of a switch. One of the key benefits to this system is the ability to run different mapping strategies for different gas conditions. Typically, you'll setup your primary "daily driving" map in position 1. You can then use maps 2-5 for various levels of boost or for optimizing the motor to run on race fuel. It is not uncommon to see gains of 30-50hp on a motor using a race fuel tune. The UTEC allows you the flexibility to take advantage of every situation

Usability
The UTEC software is incredibly easy to use. It is engineered for compatibility with almost every laptop or PDA you can find. All you need is a spare communications port and windows 3.1 or higher. Once connected to the UTEC, the text menus are simple to understand and easy to navigate.
All key strokes and their features are clearly explained on every UTEC screen. Editing the maps on the UTEC is as simple a reading the directions at the bottom of your screen. This ECU will not take you months of study just to learn to move around in the software. It lets you get down to the business of tuning your car quickly and efficiently. In fact, after a just a few uses making changes will becomes second nature.

Datalogging
Modifying your engine's performance requires the proper information. The UTEC provides that information in spades. You don't need a second laptop or an OBD2 logger system to know what's going on with your motor. The UTEC provides all the key parameters in its own simple to use logging interface
With the addition of our TXS Tuner, the UTEC will even give you your air fuel ratio in the above log using a true wideband air fuel sensor. Armed with this information, you can tune your car with complete confidence.

Ease of Installation
Installing the UTEC should take an average enthusiast less then 30 minutes of work using only common hand tools. It comes with a highly detailed instruction manual that will walk you though the process and have you back on the road as quickly as possible. It is important to note that while using the UTEC is easy, the power and control it gives you takes some skill to harness. The UTEC is a powerful tool. To get the most out of it, you must spend time learning the basics of engine management. Installing the UTEC and learning the interface is far easier then the process of actually learning to tune an engine.
The EVO UTEC is shipped with a base map. This base map is meant a starting place. You can plug it in and run this map and expect some decent gains over the stock ECU. However, there is quite a bit of horsepower left for a skilled tuner to extract. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to engine tuning. Our experience with EVOs from stock to 500whp has taught us that you will always benefit from tuning your car for your modifications. Don't let the ease of install fool you, this is a serious tool for serious users.

Free software upgrades from Turbo XS.

UTEC FAQ

How does the UTEC increase EVO engine performance?

By allowing the user to tune more aggressive ignition timing, air fuel ratios and boost curves. With 36 RPM sites from 250 RPM to 9000 RPM and 10 load sites, the UTEC gives you 360 possible map points for fuel, ignition timing, and boost.

How much extra power can I expect from the UTEC?

This really depends on the other modifications you have done to your EVO. The UTEC will let you get the most out of whatever hardware you have on your EVO. On a stock EVO, power gains of 30-40 horsepower at the wheels are easily and safely obtained. Adding a freer flowing exhaust, a larger turbo, an upgraded fuel system, etc. will allow even larger power gains. Our staged upgrades will allow you increase horsepower from between 40hp to over 120hp more than stock. We have used the UTEC on our personal EVOs to make even more power. Ultimately, how much power your EVO makes with the UTEC will depend on how well you have prepared the cars power train and how well the car is tuned.

Is the UTEC a piggy-back computer or a stand alone engine management system?

The UTEC is a really a bit of both. It acts as a stand alone system in that it gives you complete control over ignition timing, fuel and boost under load. The factory ECU is also used to manage some of the more mundane functions that are necessary to keep a car drivable on a daily basis. Some examples are cold start, hot start, and closed loop fuel control under cruise conditions.

Do I have to start from scratch and do all the tuning myself?

No. The UTEC comes pre-programmed for various sets of modifications like exhaust, turbo chargers, fuel system upgrades, etc. Although these maps may not be a perfect fit for your exact modifications, they will get you close. However, you will need to fine tune the setup. If you stick to our staged upgrades, you may not have to do any tuning at all if you do not want to.

Can I blow up my engine with the UTEC?

Absolutely! If improperly tuned, the UTEC will give you the ability todestroy your engine in short order. However, as long as yourmodifications match our kits, our pre-programmed maps offer a good,safe starting point.

What are some of the ad vantages of the UTEC over other engine management systems?

The UTEC comes pre-programmed for a given set of modifications so youcan simply plug it in and drive away, yet it is also user tunableallowing you to take full ad vantage of your modifications. It alsoallows you to create and store up to 5 different programs that can beused at the turn of a dial. There is no need to drive around with yourlaptop simply to change from one map to another. Maps are easily sharedwith others via e-mail. You can go back to stock setting with the turnof dial. Data logging is included. The list goes on and on.

Does the UTEC modify the original factory engine control unit?

No. The factory engine control unit is not altered in any way. Removingthe UTEC puts all engine management control back in the hands of theunaltered factory ECU.

How do I install the UTEC and how long will it take?

The UTEC simply plugs in to the factory ECU using OEM connectors.Installation takes no longer than 30 minutes and requires no cutting ofwire or soldering. Most of the time is spent simply gaining access thefactory ECU that is under the carpet in the passenger foot-well.

Who can tune the UTEC?

With a little practice and patience, our belief is that anyone can.

What octane gas should I use with the UTEC?

We suggest you tune your car on the best gas that is readily available inyour area. Weve created our street maps using 93 Octane unleadedgasoline. If you run a lower Octane gas, you will have to modify theprograms appropriately.

What else do I need to effectively tune the UTEC?

While tuning can be done solely on the road, tuning is most effectivewhen done on an AWD dyno combined with road tuning. For the mostaccurate fuel tuning you will need a good wideband O2 sensor that isaccurate down to at least 10:1. The UTEC logs AFR from the front O2sensor, but it is only accurate down to about 12:1, which is too leanfor normal pump gas. Narrow band AFR gauges that work off of 1V O2sensors are useless for accurate fuel tuning. For accurately tuning theUTEC's Knock Correction system, some form of knockamplification/detection hardware is required.

What is the warranty on the UTEC?

There is a one (1) year warranty on all UTECs.