craigyp

iTrader: (5)

Think I'm gonna have to do some more home work before parting with my cash. It's alot of money at the end of the day to get it wrong for my use
Any one in mansfield area with one of the ecu's so I can see what there like on the cars??

MartynJ

And are you saying that a good mapper couldn't get an Alcatek to do the same ?
I'm up for the challenge if you are ?

banny sti

iTrader: (68)

No thanks Im happy with my mapper and the ecu

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Your probably right, a good mapper could more than likely get the Alcatek to do the same.

Who you gonna use to map the Alcatek in this challenge ???

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Martyn

How many people have problems with SimTek just here on the SN?

And how many people have problems with Syvecs here(speaking for myself,we have problem with CANbus,but this ECU have been replaced for free of charge)?

About the charging for mapping,tweaking agreed

Datalogging,real advantage is logging what you want if you want with simple Ethernet cable and for no extra cost,at standard form will allow you datalog all sort parameters which are useful like for road car or track car.

Sensors is good thing in many ways(like for datalogging or just get rid of the gauges and use Toucan),but we are went with this only because we are running Race Technology DASH2 where can be displayed all those parameters(we are removed all gauges due this) via CANbus like on DASH2 or Toucan,plus datalogging is just plus for us

Forum and website will be nice for end users of AlcaTek or SimTek,but we will see


Jura

craigo

iTrader: (1)

I have a car running Alcatek that could use a tweak

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Thought you had a Simtek buddy ???

craigo

iTrader: (1)

Hasnt that transformed to alcatek ?

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

https://www.scoobynet.com/trader-ann...ouncement.html

craigo

iTrader: (1)

Yea i understand its not a direct evolution of simtek. But needs a flash upgrade to fully up-date to alcatec spec. Am i picking this up all wrong ?

MartynJ

You need to define problems.

From what I have seen over the last 5 years, most (Baring in mind that there are over 1500 units out there) are very happy with their ecus.
A few have owners have had "Idle issues" which have far more to do with the mapping of them than the hardware itself. As it now has Closed loop idle control (which is superb) it should help those that struggled to get them to idle nicely.

I've had maybe 2 actual hardware issues in over 5 years with Alcatek ecus.
As it turned out one of them was caused by a previous mapper allowing a small piece of metal wire found in Classic carpets, to jump across 2 tracks on the ecu causing a short. Both were repaired FOC.

I've also had one Syvecs hardware failure to do with the AVCS drivers on an S6GP, replaced FOC.

I have said this before on another thread, "You pays your money, you takes your choice" but with the Alcatek you'll have some left

MartynJ

No you are quite correct.
When the time comes to upgrade, the first time will be a RTB flash upgrade with any subsequent Firmware upgrades to be available through your mapper.

Alan Jeffery

As usual the point is being missed. Particularly by Matty.
The Syvecs is a very good ECU. Martyn has mapped a large number, very successfully, despite Matty's crude attempt at a smear.
The clever part about the Alcatek package is the fact that those who already own the earlier version of it can bring it up to date, within a whisker of the much more expensive Syvecs in fact, for what amounts to peanuts.
Those who don't already own one can take the benefit of a great deal of development.
Andy (Alcatek) was always entirely responsible for the Simtek ECU in any event. As I've said before now, when it first came along it was a breath of fresh air, and siezed upon by just about everybody who maps Imprezas, once they cottoned on how good it was. If it was no good, how come AndyF, JGM, Bob Rawle, etc jumped on the bandwagon?
Martyn was amongst the first to map the Simtek on a regular basis and the first to set up a customer version of the new age, which incidentally, is still running perfectly five years later, needing no further work to make it's 450 bhp. He also suggested, and helped instigate, a great number of the very useful features found in it.
Despite some early users having difficulty with setting up the non closed loop idle control, Martyn made a damn sight better job out of it than some I could mention. The new system is superb, and properly sorted.
There is a case to be made out for retaining the OE ECU, and we don't attempt to flog something when it isn't appropriate. There is also a time when the benefits of a plug and play can't be ignored.
Matty, the mapping is what really matters. If both ECU's are delivering the correct timing, fuelling and boost, what's the tuning issue?
My advice is to take a good long look at both the Syvecs and the Alcatek then choose based on your specific requirements. You won't be disappointed with either.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Just so I'm clear, the Simtek is not an Alcatek right ? Although it can be updated to adopt the benefits of an Alcatek.
But they are different ECU's right ????

My comment on Martins mapping was tongue in cheek sir, hence the smiley face. I was merely trying to lighten the mood a touch as I could feel the heat building and another in depth Syvecs vs Simtek fight starting. Apology if my comment was taken wrong.

As mentioned above, you pays your money you take your choice. If it was my choice Id go with a Syvecs. Not only because of its track record but after long chats with my mapper it was agreed that a Syvecs would be a better option for me, but at the minute I'm very happy with my Motec.

I've no doubt that the new Alcatek can do what it says when installed and mapped by a good mapper but I don't tend to modify cars on a tight budget, hence I wouldn't be tempted by a few hundred quid saving. For those who are watching the pennies then yes, maybe an Alcatek is the right ECU for them.

With regard to the OP's needs, why would you say he needs a Alcatek over his OE ECU. What benefits would HE (soley a road car) see ???

MartynJ

No. The old SimTek sold up until the early part of this year, was always an Alcatek ecu in all but name.
They are the same ecu but have had months of development done on the software to add many features that mappers and owners alike wanted to have.

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

From what I have heard from various people in the know the alcatek is without doubt hot on the heals on syvecs now so spending hundreds more is a bit pointless in my mind

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Be interesting to see a few more comments from experienced mappers.
Simon, Bob, Andy, Paul etc etc etc....

What are your thoughts ??

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

I think it will be very hard to get some honest answers on the forum Matt given most are batting for both sides and won't take side's one way or the other.....
I also feel it is wrong to get them to do it either given it could effect trade.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

And that's the problem with this place in my opinion.
Traders are quick enough to jump in and offer their services/products and spout prices etc etc but when asked to post some honest opinions they go quiet.
Surely it's in our best interests to hear some honest thoughts on different products by guys who actually use them on a daily basis. And not only with ECU's, all products.

So what if it effects the sales of a certain product, the customer deserves the best possible product for their money. If that means another 'lesser' product loses some sales figures then so be it.
The same can be said in any business, paint for instance in your own profession. If there was another painter on here offering their services at a cheaper rate than you but you knew their paint was of poorer quality wouldn't you want the customer to have all the facts ???

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

In all honesty Matt there is plenty of times where I would love to make a comment about this or that but all it ends up doing is causing a ruckus especially when people who know next to nothing start churping in with experience they don't have.
In reality it's business and I should imagine most of the mappers wished it was as easy to just air there true thought's about the products being spoke about here but like I said it never ends well on these's public forums unfortunately so they just stay quiet to keep the peace.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

I see your point buddy, it is easier to 'just keep the peace' and not being a business owner I can't comment as its easy for me to sit here and spout this and that.
Maybe it's just me but I always air my honest opinions, if that makes me a bad person or gets me some enemies on here then so be it, I can live with that.

I am not a mapper and have zero experience with Simtek/Alcatek so I'm genuinely interested to hear varied opinions on it.
If its as good as Martin says than hats off to you sir, sounds like a great product for the money. But without hearing the wide and varied knowledge from guys who use it every day how can anybody know it's true quality.

Alan Jeffery

Just to feed a bit more clarity in here.
Andy Leech owns Alcatek. Alcatek made the Simtek ECU and marketed it with Steve Simpson. That partnership is now dissolved and Andy now markets the ECU under the name Alcatek.
Yes, it's complicated, but that's how it panned out.

Matty.
As a trader, I resent the implication that I won't reply honestly to a question, either on a forum or directly.
A couple of examples;
We recently built a high end 2.35 engine for a Midland based client. He intends to track the car. He asked me if I thought that it would be ok for him to use a Syvecs ECU, and to have it mapped by Paul Blamire, or should he be looking at the Alcatek. I told him that his original choice was perfectly in order, and that I'd expect a top result from that choice.

I was approached two weeks ago by a customer with a V5 STi. He had no intentions of taking the car any further than a "stage one" decat and remap, other than a slight upgrade of top mount ECU. He asked me about the Alcatek, having been recommended by a friend. I carefully explained the differences in approach, we discussed the options and I came to the conclusion that a remap using Ecutek was the best for his needs.

Yes I run a business, but I just tell it like it is.

FYI Martyn has huge experience of mapping most management systems available out there, and with a wide range of cars. He is one of very few mappers who has full time access to his own dyno. I'd say he knows as much about mapping the Simtek/Alcatek as anyone else, and more than most, having been responsible for a great deal of the testing and development now going on.
I'd say you'd be more knowledgable if you spent more time listening to him.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

So in your opinion Alan, does the OP require an Alcatek ECU or would having his OE ECU mapped be a better option for him ??

sonic93

iTrader: (16)

how much is the toucan with sensors ect and fitting to a classic already have a sim tec?

Maz

iTrader: (34)

Are you saying Steve Simpson's involvement was merely with the marketing side of things? I was under the impression Steve was heavily involved with the software side of things and the general developement of the ECU. Indeed going back almost ten years Steve was developing his own ECU which I presumed evolved in to the Simtek.

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

PM JTINNOVATIONS for a price

Alan Jeffery

He's already at 430 bhp, which is getting near to the point where you'd prefer live mapping. If he's going to radically move on from that position, and he'd have to if he wants to scare his passengers even more, he'd do well to take a look at those options.
He might be able to get away with the OE ECU, but is that what he wants?
If he called me directly, I'd cross examine him first, before offering a specific opinion.

Alan Jeffery

You have a remarkable gift for offering words for people's mouths.
I said that Alcatek made the Simtek ECU. I said Alcatek marketed it with Steve.
That's all I said!

Maz

iTrader: (34)

No need to take umbrage Mr. Jeffrey. Your assertions are the stuff of legends
Years ago I had a long chat with Steve about mapping and during our conversation he intimated that he was developing his own ECU. I presumed (wrongly or rightly) that it was this ECU that became the Simtek. It's just your reference to his involvement was dismissive to say the least. That's the impression I got. I apologise if I caused offence.

craigyp

iTrader: (5)

Like I've said will be ringing around to speak to people about my options. It seems to me to be a bit of a minefield and closely reading the posts it's hard to sway to one without actually speaking to them in person.
I didn't mean or want to start slagging matchs or who's got the best product, just want some honest advice which is best for me
Thanks
Craig