ECU Remapping - Possibilities?

[Hotwire]

OK guys,
I have read through numerous threads on here and ozvr4.com, and the summary I have so far is:

1) NO Its not possible YET (in English speaking countries anyway - Russians have done it)

2) The ECU's found in the legnums are from two families of processor (as posted by Valmes )
1. From start until mid 1996г. - processor MH7201FS(MR16Core) - stock ecu image ЕМ0005;
2. Mid 1996-1997 г. - processor MH7202(H8/500Core) - stock ecu image and re-tunned one ЕМ2005;
3. 1997 onwards - processor MH7202(H8/500Core) - stock ecu image ЕМ2428.

3) ECU Flash has the capability of reading the ROM from the H8/500 Core ECU's from version 1.31 onwards, but NOT reflash capability (The H8 Core MCU is the same as used on the Evo V & VI's)

4) The programECUEdit has the ability to edit the ROM, and definition files (.xml) are available from CVR4, as are edited maps as posted by Valmes

I have a tuner here in South Australia who is looking into it for me.
My tuner has the capability to re-map EVO V's and VI's (H8 Core).
He uses a Mitsubishi propietry unit which he was given by Mitsubishi Japan when he worked Mitsi Australia in the 90's in the Magna development area. He has 1 of only 2 units in Australia, and Mitsubishi have the other. We tried reading the ROM on my car, however it wouldnt work so I suspect my car has the MH7201 core but I have to get the ECU out to find out (which I havent had time to do)

Does anyone have a spare ECU with the MH7202 they might be willing to donate/sell cheap to determine if we can in fact re-flash the Legnum ECUs?

Cheers
Lee

[Nick Mann]

Sounds like you are making some progress, top marks for the effort. I hope you can find a soution.

[Davezj]

yep i will be keep an eye on this thread for updates

Kenneth might have ECU's from his previous work on the subject.

give him a shout.

[Kenneth]

I haven't checked the ECU that is currently in the Legnum (2001) but neither the 1996 Galant ECU and my old 2002 Legnum ECU are MH7202 (MH7201 and MH7203 respectively)

As such, they are of no use in this particular instance.

[Hotwire]

With the help of Lee(butts) on ozvr4.com seaching CAPS for me, I have come up with the following ECU part numbers for each year/type of Legnum:

1996 pre-facelift manual - MD340288
1996 pre-facelift auto - MD340289
1997 pre-facelift manual - MD340288
1997 pre-facelift auto - MD340289
1998 pre-facelift manual - MD340288
1998 pre-facelift auto

1998 facelift manual - MD340288 (MH7202 chip)
1998 facelift auto - MD362895
1999 facelift manual - MD340288
1999 facelift Auto - MD362895
2000 facelift manual
2000 facelift auto - MD340288
2001 facelift manual - MR578135
2001 facelift auto - MR578137

The cars I'm missing are above in itallics. If anyone has these models and wouldn't mind sharing their chassis code via PM to me, then we can complete the list to determine what part numbers match which year ECU.

From this list, I'm fairly certain that it is the 1999/2000 facelift cars that have the MH7202 ECU which has the ability to be re-mapped, HOWEVER until I can access an ECU with the right chip I can't say for certain.
The only ECU part # i have is MD362895 to go by at this stage, so if anyone else can help out please let me know.

Cheers
Lee

[Davezj]

1996 pre-facelift auto MD340289 and that has the MH7201 processor



(don't worry the bubles on the pic are in the conformal coating of ther board ,i haven't just washed it in fairy liquid.)

it also has this under the Mitsi part number on the label on the outside.

E2T66886
6904 F1

but that is a very late DEC 96

you might want to take note of the little white screen print section on one of the edges of the ECU PCB that has number in a little box like 6 7 8 as this i think is the either revision level of the board or the Mod status. mine is 6 7 8 . . . . . 2 (the . . . . . 2 is in the white box next to the other one).

i will put a pic up when i get home, i need to resize it to upload it.

[Nutter_John]

md3400288 from a 1998 facelift manual it has a MH7202f

[shaun1978]

I know its a mess about but could the processor not be swapped from an evo and then reflashed?

[Davezj]

depends on the pinout/package of the processor, it is not difficult to swap if evrything correctly matches up, eg same pin out and package on both processors.

and no it is not a daft idea shaun.

however you would have to be quite lucky if mitsi track out the re flash pins to a processor that can't be re flashed.

but you never know!!

[Hotwire]

Cheers guys, list updated including some more from ozvr4.com. Hopefully I can get a full list of part numbers, then for anyone searching to buy a second hand ECU can know what part # they need

[Nutter_John]

if i get chance at the weekend i will take my ecu out which is a 2002 auto

[PaddyB]

What's that header (CN102??) connected to pins 41-47 ??

Does anyone have the datasheets for these devices ??

Unless they've blown fuses on processor the I'm pretty confident this can be done. I'm interested in assisting but pretty swamped workwise until next year.

[shaun1978]

I would like a 2nd hand ecu

[CANDEE]

My 1998 Facelift Auto is MD362895.

J

[scocia]

1999 Facelift Auto is also MD362895. When I get back home I'll crack it open and take a look at the chip.

This is very intersting...
As far as I understand it it might mean that if a workshop has the ability to remap an EVO VI, then potentialy they could also be able to remap a VR4 without the need for a piggy back ECU/standalone?

Very intersting.

[Hotwire]

scoia - that's the theory I'm working on.
Although EVO V's and VI's aren't supported with the openECU ECUFlash (Free) there is one workshop here in South Australia that can remap Evo VI's, so i'm hoping with the right Legnum ECU he'll be able to work something out If he can then flash the Legnum ECU I'm hoping to coax his knowledge of how he does it to see if he will share with the rest of the world...

[Davezj]

What's that header (CN102??) connected to pins 41-47 ??

Does anyone have the datasheets for these devices ??

Unless they've blown fuses on processor the I'm pretty confident this can be done. I'm interested in assisting but pretty swamped workwise until next year.

well spotted mate i had not clocked that (pardon the pun).

yes it does look like a header place!

i will have a look at the rest of the pics i have of the ECU to see if there is anything else like that.

EDIT:- there doesn't seem to any other un populated head places.

i have look for data sheets for this device before. but only the pay to look sites have come up with anything.

[Ghost_2008]

Surely the processors are available blank, more than likely from a supplier in Japan, China etc............. that being the case it would be a simple (which in practice would not be so simple) programme the blank processor with uprated maps and replace the existing chip.......... obviousley we would require someone with ability to read the original map, modify the programme and apply that to the blank chip and voila re-programmed ECU........ or is this all waffle????????

[Turbo_Steve]

Swapping the chip itself isn't a task for the uninitiated.
Programming the blank will require knowledge of how to completely read and write the new one.

Assuming that these ARE programmable in the Evos (and it certainly seems that way) then why replace it if you can reprogram in situ.

CN102 looks VERY interesting to me, and I'd like to see the VR-4 board up against a similar Evo model!

[Davezj]

i will post a few pics of the MD340289 when i get home.

but some of them are not very good but it gives a gist of whats on there.