DeTomaso Mailing List: April 2001, Message #102

There has been a lot of discussion recently about electronic fuel
injection (EFI) systems.  For those folks that are thinking about
implementing an EFI system or a total engine control (TEC) system that
integrates EFI and ignition, I would suggest you down load the
Electromotive TEC II manual.

The manual gives a good overview of a TEC system and how it works, a
review of the specific components needed, how to design and implement
one, and additional information that is applicable to any manufacturer's
equipment.  The manual can be down loaded at:

http://electromotive-inc.com/resources.htm#manuals

Additionally, you can "see, feel, and understand" what it is like to
program and monitor a TEC system by down loading Electromotive's WinTec
II software from their site as well.  Along with the manual, the WinTec
software demonstrates the incredibly control you have over the operating
characteristics of your engine using a modern engine management system
and a PC.  This is not a demo version of their software, but the exact
copy of the Windows program that is used to program their unit if you
buy their hardware. It is located at:

http://www.electromotive-inc.com/downloads/

In my case and aside from the obvious reasons to install a TEC system, I
wanted to protect the investment I had in my engine.  The original turbo
engine I installed in my Pantera in 1976 used the current technology
available at that time, with little in the way of safeguards for knock,
fuel mixture, or rev limits.  With the new setup,  every parameter that
effects engine performance can be controlled.  Also, other devices can
be controlled based on specific engine criteria that are set up, such as
nitrous, waste gates, water injection, etc.

All engine data can be monitored and/or logged while running, with the
capability to analyze the data later.  There can be multiple "engine
profiles" set up that can be loaded depending on different driving
scenarios - street or track.

As an aside, once I get the engine installed and the Pantera back on the
road, I plan to put an LCD display on the dash that displays the engine
parameters real time, driven by the video out port of an onboard PC that
will be running all the time.

That "monitor" screen will display those parameters in analog
instrumentation format, allowing me to monitor every facet of the engine
systems.   The monitor function is provided by the WinTec software's
"monitor" function.  If you want to visualize the screen, think of a
modern commercial jet with the CRT that displays analog instruments for
the pilots.

By the way, if anyone has a source for a color 8" x 4" LCD display that
can be driven by the video out port (or some other means) of a PC, I
would appreciate your input.  To get an idea of the size of the screen
for which I am looking, refer to the new Sony Picturebook portable
computer at:

http://www.sonystyle.com/vaio/picturebook/index.html

For those of you that are interested, there are several pictures of my
engine scattered though Mike Dailey's ongoing dairy of my rebuild on his
web site at:

http://www.panteraplace.com/page33.htm

For companies that design, assemble, and install EFI and TEC systems,
there are plenty to be found through the internet.  I have listed a few
examples below:

http://www.ccsmotorsport.com/wintec2system.htm
http://force-efi.com/
http://electromotive-inc.com/dealers.htm

A TEC system, whether from Electromotive or some other vendor can give
you the ultimate control over you engine by using new or existing
sensors and replacing the manufacturers computer.  Whether it is a
custom job like mine, the excellent conversion that Thomas Tornblom just
completed, or a  new out of the box engine, you can have total control
over your engine.

Dick Koch - Atlanta