Beams redtop or blacktop TSB's

mr220v · 12-31-2007, 08:54 PM

Just a thought.

A lot of newer toyotas, with beams style ecu's, have had various toyota service bulletins. Some of them come with ECU reflashes. For example, there was a bulletin for 03 Avalons to reflash the ecu to fix the transmission shifting pattern.

Since the beams shared a transmission with a lot of usdm motors, I'm thinking that there are JDM bulletins for the beams redtop or blacktop.

Since we've found that newer Toyota ecu's are all pinned similarly, or the same, I'm thinking it may be possible to apply one of these updates to a common usdm ecu.

From talking to toyota techs, these are full reflashes, kind of like reflashing a motherboard bios.

Anybody close to a Japanese toyota tech?

PHOENIX · 01-03-2008, 11:11 PM

So what your getting at, is being able to take a usdm ECU, and having it flashed here in Japan so it essentially becomes a Beams ECU?

Oteck · 01-03-2008, 11:47 PM

thats the idea... then ppl wouldn't have to worry about finding those rare beams m/t ecus or heck make your own map based off it

Roman · 01-04-2008, 06:50 AM

Or more to the point, would it be possible to find and decipher the information that they 'flash' the ECU with... and alter it slightly before uploading it onto the ECU?

aka being able to reprogram the factory ECU with new settings, how sweet would that be?!

mr220v · 01-04-2008, 10:03 AM

If it's possible to get a copy of the beams tsb reflash, even better would be to take the update to a toyota dealer over here and have them reflash a 1zz ecu.

Ecu availability has been the main obstacle I've encountered in getting beams swaps done. If something like this worked we could look forward to sub $1500 beams swaps.

A reflashed 1zz ecu coulld be packaged together with my pnp wiring harness for beams mr2 swaps. Basically, it would make the cheap Caldina beams motors swappable.

mr220v · 01-04-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roman

Or more to the point, would it be possible to find and decipher the information that they 'flash' the ECU with... and alter it slightly before uploading it onto the ECU?

aka being able to reprogram the factory ECU with new settings, how sweet would that be?!

Edophus purchased a 1zz apexi power FC. For a full standalone, it was pretty inexpensive. I think he said $650.

canadam · 01-04-2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr220v

A reflashed 1zz ecu coulld be packaged together with my pnp wiring harness for beams mr2 swaps. Basically, it would make the cheap Caldina beams motors swappable.

Interesting, you can also find Rav4 Greytops for fairly cheap

mr220v · 01-04-2008, 10:45 AM

Yeah, my goal all along has been to make the beams a viable/inexpensive swap option.

But it's all a theory until I get some sort of beams reflash to try.

I may attempt to reflash my 1zz ecu with a 2zz update just as an experiment.

Roman · 01-04-2008, 05:07 PM

Where can you get the update from though, and how is it done? Through the diagnostic terminal or something?

It would be interesting to see how the information is stored, if anyone had access to a 'flash' file.

Also, edophus bought a 1ZZ powerfc.... to use on his 3S? That's gonna be interesting, because if that works, it's gonna be freaken awesome news for people wanting a cheap ECU.

I dont suppose anyone has the 1ZZFE pinout?

mr220v · 01-04-2008, 05:25 PM

^Remember my other post where I used a stock 1zz ecu to run the beams? It cruised pretty well. Everything worked except WOT.

The 1zz pins are almost identical to the beams.

Roman · 01-04-2008, 06:24 PM

Yep, I sure do. Awesome stuff!

But I'm still curious as to how similar they are, because you can actually run an engine without quite a few of the required sensors etc...

For example if the knock sensor pin was different, the engine would still run.

If Edophus isnt already taking on the role of ginea pig for the 1ZZ powerfc+3S, I might give it a go once my car is up and running.

Edophus · 01-04-2008, 06:50 PM

Yup saw the 1zz power fc at a good price so i thought why not

If it doesnt work out i'm sure a mr-s owner will take it off my hands, but looking at the pin map there almost identical.

I've ordered a wideband and I hope to get a datalogit setup aswell to make tweaking it easier, the power-fc should be able to adjust for the differences between the engines.

Roman · 01-05-2008, 05:10 AM

Ahahah, awesome!

Hey do you know what might be even better?

I've got all of the settings/numbers/tables/etc from the Altezza powerfc, that you could input into your 1ZZ one, to give it a better base ignition/fuel/VVTI/etc map for the 3S, which might save a bit of tuning on your end...

Edophus · 01-05-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roman

Ahahah, awesome!

Hey do you know what might be even better?

I've got all of the settings/numbers/tables/etc from the Altezza powerfc, that you could input into your 1ZZ one, to give it a better base ignition/fuel/VVTI/etc map for the 3S, which might save a bit of tuning on your end...

Your a legend! that would be unbelievably awsome

will save a lot of time and effort.

mr220v · 01-05-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roman

Yep, I sure do. Awesome stuff!

But I'm still curious as to how similar they are, because you can actually run an engine without quite a few of the required sensors etc...

For example if the knock sensor pin was different, the engine would still run.

If Edophus isnt already taking on the role of ginea pig for the 1ZZ powerfc+3S, I might give it a go once my car is up and running.

That's the thing, nearly every sensor was the same. The only thing that I thought would cause a problem was the MAF since it was the earlier style, but this didn't seem to cause any issue. I may try the 1zz specific sensor to see if it makes a difference at WOT.

I didn't get a CEL, which means all of the major stuff was the same.

lander · 01-23-2008, 04:55 AM

Any news?

Lander

mr220v · 01-23-2008, 10:56 AM

Nope, the idea of altering a stock 1zz ecu with a beams tsb has kindof stalled.

On the other hand, Edophus has his 1zz power fc at this point. It looks like a small alteration will need to be made for the igf signal, but it looks like the 1zz power fc might be a viable option.

I'm also working on a reliable source for used beams ecu's. I should have some pricing ideas later this week.

We'll see.

rgraciano · 01-23-2008, 03:29 PM

all i can say is you guys are crazy, in a good way.

12-31-2007, 08:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
mr220v Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,529 Thanks: 13 Thanked 176 Times in 147 Posts iTrader Rating: (11/100% )	Beams redtop or blacktop TSB's Just a thought. A lot of newer toyotas, with beams style ecu's, have had various toyota service bulletins. Some of them come with ECU reflashes. For example, there was a bulletin for 03 Avalons to reflash the ecu to fix the transmission shifting pattern. Since the beams shared a transmission with a lot of usdm motors, I'm thinking that there are JDM bulletins for the beams redtop or blacktop. Since we've found that newer Toyota ecu's are all pinned similarly, or the same, I'm thinking it may be possible to apply one of these updates to a common usdm ecu. From talking to toyota techs, these are full reflashes, kind of like reflashing a motherboard bios. Anybody close to a Japanese toyota tech?

01-03-2008, 11:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Oteck Eye'm the Str⑨ngest Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Burnaby B.C. Posts: 4,947 Thanks: 11 Thanked 172 Times in 157 Posts Blog Entries: 3 iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	thats the idea... then ppl wouldn't have to worry about finding those rare beams m/t ecus or heck make your own map based off it __________________ [Oteck's] Project car Garage Pending Projects 1mz/3mz VVTI Hybrid V6 \| LS430 Big Brakes \| Rotary Climate Control \| Power steering Commander \| Power Tilt & Telescopic Steering Column \| Completed Projects Stainless Door Sills \| Power Folding Mirrors \| Motorized/Steering Fog lamps \| Pedal Conversion \| LED Gauges \| Lexus Door Cover \| Sway bar Relocation Tab \| RFID Push Start

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01-03-2008, 11:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
PHOENIX Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On Hiatus....... Posts: 9,266 Thanks: 92 Thanked 292 Times in 224 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (49/100% )	So what your getting at, is being able to take a usdm ECU, and having it flashed here in Japan so it essentially becomes a Beams ECU?

01-04-2008, 06:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
Roman Beams OCD Support Group Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 946 Thanks: 23 Thanked 56 Times in 36 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Or more to the point, would it be possible to find and decipher the information that they 'flash' the ECU with... and alter it slightly before uploading it onto the ECU? aka being able to reprogram the factory ECU with new settings, how sweet would that be?!

01-04-2008, 10:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
mr220v Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,529 Thanks: 13 Thanked 176 Times in 147 Posts iTrader Rating: (11/100% )	If it's possible to get a copy of the beams tsb reflash, even better would be to take the update to a toyota dealer over here and have them reflash a 1zz ecu. Ecu availability has been the main obstacle I've encountered in getting beams swaps done. If something like this worked we could look forward to sub $1500 beams swaps. A reflashed 1zz ecu coulld be packaged together with my pnp wiring harness for beams mr2 swaps. Basically, it would make the cheap Caldina beams motors swappable.

01-04-2008, 10:45 AM	#8 (permalink)
mr220v Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,529 Thanks: 13 Thanked 176 Times in 147 Posts iTrader Rating: (11/100% )	Yeah, my goal all along has been to make the beams a viable/inexpensive swap option. But it's all a theory until I get some sort of beams reflash to try. I may attempt to reflash my 1zz ecu with a 2zz update just as an experiment.

01-04-2008, 05:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
Roman Beams OCD Support Group Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 946 Thanks: 23 Thanked 56 Times in 36 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Where can you get the update from though, and how is it done? Through the diagnostic terminal or something? It would be interesting to see how the information is stored, if anyone had access to a 'flash' file. Also, edophus bought a 1ZZ powerfc.... to use on his 3S? That's gonna be interesting, because if that works, it's gonna be freaken awesome news for people wanting a cheap ECU. I dont suppose anyone has the 1ZZFE pinout?

01-04-2008, 05:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
mr220v Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,529 Thanks: 13 Thanked 176 Times in 147 Posts iTrader Rating: (11/100% )	^Remember my other post where I used a stock 1zz ecu to run the beams? It cruised pretty well. Everything worked except WOT. The 1zz pins are almost identical to the beams.

01-04-2008, 06:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
Roman Beams OCD Support Group Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 946 Thanks: 23 Thanked 56 Times in 36 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Yep, I sure do. Awesome stuff! But I'm still curious as to how similar they are, because you can actually run an engine without quite a few of the required sensors etc... For example if the knock sensor pin was different, the engine would still run. If Edophus isnt already taking on the role of ginea pig for the 1ZZ powerfc+3S, I might give it a go once my car is up and running.

01-04-2008, 06:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
Edophus Beams Owners Group Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 370 Thanks: 8 Thanked 17 Times in 15 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Yup saw the 1zz power fc at a good price so i thought why not If it doesnt work out i'm sure a mr-s owner will take it off my hands, but looking at the pin map there almost identical. I've ordered a wideband and I hope to get a datalogit setup aswell to make tweaking it easier, the power-fc should be able to adjust for the differences between the engines.

01-05-2008, 05:10 AM	#13 (permalink)
Roman Beams OCD Support Group Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 946 Thanks: 23 Thanked 56 Times in 36 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Ahahah, awesome! Hey do you know what might be even better? I've got all of the settings/numbers/tables/etc from the Altezza powerfc, that you could input into your 1ZZ one, to give it a better base ignition/fuel/VVTI/etc map for the 3S, which might save a bit of tuning on your end...

01-23-2008, 04:55 AM	#16 (permalink)
lander Beams Owners Group Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 24 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Any news? Lander

01-23-2008, 10:56 AM	#17 (permalink)
mr220v Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,529 Thanks: 13 Thanked 176 Times in 147 Posts iTrader Rating: (11/100% )	Nope, the idea of altering a stock 1zz ecu with a beams tsb has kindof stalled. On the other hand, Edophus has his 1zz power fc at this point. It looks like a small alteration will need to be made for the igf signal, but it looks like the 1zz power fc might be a viable option. I'm also working on a reliable source for used beams ecu's. I should have some pricing ideas later this week. We'll see.

01-23-2008, 03:29 PM	#18 (permalink)
rgraciano Some Skills Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 71 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	all i can say is you guys are crazy, in a good way.