MaxxECU Race install
I have finally upgraded my old and no longer supported AEM Ininity EMS to a MaxxECU Race and could not be happier.
The Infinity was the sh_t when it came out in 2012. DBW, CAN support, knock, WBO2 controller, TC, antilag, onboard logging and many other premium features only available in more expensive motor sport stuff.
But it had questionable quality (replaced main board twice) and basic things like idle, VVT boost was hard to get consistent compared to other EMS’s I have worked on.
I started a write up back in 2016 but lost motivation:AEM Infinity parallel install part 1
Why the MaxxECU Race ?
Well, I DYOR’ed quite some time before deciding based on some minimum requirements:
- DBW control
- Knock control
- Proper CAN Bus support and integration
- Large user base
- Lots of I/O
- Traction Control
- Internal logging
- Less than 30K NOK ($3K)
Candidates at the time were Link, Haltech, ECUMaster and MaxxECU. I did download the ecu software for each to have a look but it’s hard to get any real experience just browsing a demo tune/log.
What ultimately made me choose the MaxxECU was the integrated ZF8HP control and the fact that there is a huge user base in Scandinavia with a local supplier in my region here in Norway.
I was a bit surprised that I had to go for the Race versions to get knock control though, But the extra I/O will probably come in handy.
Install and wiring
The hardware and harness( I bought the Premium + fuse box) is of very good quality. Also the wiring schematics is just pure genius. So much information packed into only two pages.
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I had planned to mount the ECU in the OEM location in the engine bay. However the install doc specifically says this is only supported for the H2O versions of the ECU. Pretty sure it would work as the OEM location is well shielded and have it’s own cooling duct.
After much back and forth I ended up mounting it in the glove box:
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It’s very tight behind the dashboard for routing the wires.
Work in progress:
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Due to the size of the pass trough wire grommet there is not a lot of locations to choose from. Also access for a hole saw is sub-optimal.
The location is not fully flat so I had some initial problems with getting it air tight.
If I was to do it again I would route the cables directly into the cold side of the transmission tunnel instead and have the ECU mounted behind the passenger seat.
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Compared to the previous parallel EMS install I now run almost all wires from the MaxxECU directly to sensors and accessories including injectors, coils, OEM sensors, DBW++.
The part of the OEM loom that goes to the engine all terminates to one of the OEM ECU plugs and can be removed without any cutting which is good for reversibility. Wiring is work in progress until all sensors and the 8HP stuff is finalized. Will replace some of the plastic tubing with more OEM like windings.
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Since the OEM ECU i all gone so is the plastic tray/heat shield and ecu cradle which improves flow trough the radiator as well.
There is still some interaction with the OEM relay box as well as OEM CAN bus and the E-pedal sensors.
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All in all I’m very happy with how this has worked out so far. I’m in the process of tuning so I might revisit that part later.
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