There is virtually 0 info online in relation to tuning the petrol version (diesel can be tuned quite easily).

The most affordable solution that I found so far was to use MMCflash software to read the rom and then write with Openport 2 cable. For the software to work it requires a key (encrypted usb dongl - $30US plus a module which is specific to the processor used, in this case module 25 - $130US. The module will work with ecu.s which run MH8115F processor, at the moment it is Outlander 2013 +, ASX 2013 + and the new mirage, all petrol.

In Europe they still kept 4b11-12 motors for the Outlanders, so i took the risk and bought the module anyway in a hope that it will work with the ECU running 4J11-12 engines.

We were successfully able to read from the ECU yesterday (rom is 1.2mb in size), and Merlin is now working on writing an XML definition for the ECUflash. Unfortunately the existing XML from CJ lancer running 2.4 4b12 proved only to be of limited assistance as things have been moved around.

I hope to tune in few weeks time and will keep on updating this thread.

UPDATE: Looks like a lot of things are quite different, cant seem to find spark maps and found a bunch of weird Mivec maps, perhaps the valve lift control maps

UPDATE: Looks like a lot of things are quite different, cant seem to find spark maps and found a bunch of weird Mivec maps, perhaps the valve lift control maps

You would expect that, as the MIVEC mechanism in the 4J engine is completely different to that of the 4B engines.

So what parts of the map do you want to 'tune'? Expecting a lot of extra power or improved economy to be lurking in there somewhere? Or just change ignition timing maps under certain conditions so the engine becomes a '98 RON only' machine?

4b12 motors respond really well to Mivec map tuning, especially in mid range (my main goal as im not chasing top end power as such), i would expect this one to be similar, and yea most definitely going for 98 ron for high octane maps (if we find them that is!)

So Merlin found the spark maps alright, all 30 of them, yes 30 spark maps! It appears that eco mode, cruise control, all have several sets depending on low/high octane fuel and who knows for what else. Getting through them will be fun....

Few interesting notes so far.

Idle/low rpm spark is very aggressive
Injectors are 330cc (that's 2.4)
Throttle enrichment is much leaner when compared to lancer, which explains not so vivid response

Generally this Rom is nothing like Mitsubishi has ever done before....

So far 30 spark maps
4 Mivec maps
50 thottle maps
several fuel maps
Lots of CVT maps

Does the 4j engine you are looking at have a knock sensor and would it benefit from running 86?

it has got hi/low octane map so I would say yes, but will confirm....

yes it has a a knock sensor, so it will be possible to tune for high octane, even e85 with an option of using plain unleaded if needed.

The amount of maps in the ecu means the seeing which one does what will take a VERY long time. I will start doing some data logging to try to identity which maps are use in day to day driving.

The amount of maps in the ecu means the seeing which one does what will take a VERY long time. I will start doing some data logging to try to identity which maps are use in day to day driving.

I imagine the ECU will use input from a lot of sensors to jump from one map to another to maintain best fuel economy and performance under different conditions. Same for the other maps. (4 MIVEC maps? Mmmmm . . . )

Have fun!

Did some logging, few very interesting observations so far:

1, Eco mode - the difference between thottle position vs the accelerator is much greater then in normal mode, thats is you have to push the accelerator harder for the throttle to open

2. Even in normal mode at 98% engine load, the target AFR is 14.7 it is not only after the throttle is past 65% when it runs richer, ECU is tuned to keep the car in closed loop as long a possible and while it helps fuel consupmtion it will also mean it will be completely gutless (which it sure feels like)
3. Low rpm high load timing feels a bit conservative 8-11 degrees

By prioritizing fuel economy Mitsubishi made the car very unresponsive, first goal would be to fix that. For instance up until the accelerator is pushed to 40% and higher the throttle lags about abut 10-15% behind

power run in 3rg gear 101kw at the wheels. Stock 98 octane

http://i1012.photobucket.com/albums/af244/e363ma78/Dyno%20run%20stock_1.jpg (http://s1012.photobucket.com/user/e363ma78/media/Dyno%20run%20stock_1.jpg.html)

"By prioritizing fuel economy Mitsubishi made the car very unresponsive"

To be expected, carting a 1,400+ Kg body around yet achieve such excellent fuel economy has to show compromises somewhere.

I've noticed the same on the 4B10 Lancer engine, it is very sleepy around town at less than 3,000 rpm. Doesn't really start to pull hard until you hit 4,000 rpm. Best technique for some performance is to keep the revs up, slam the throttle pedal down at 3,000 rpm - the throttle body is under ECU control anyway, and the ECU will decide how far to open the butterfly - then wait for the power to kick in at 4,000 rpm.

Having said that, normal driving sees the Lancer change gears (manual) at 2,200 rpm for satisfactory progress in traffic. And there is that excellent fuel economy of 7 to 8 L/100 Km around town, so no complaints from me.
Sounds like the Outlander (2.0L manual) is pretty much a similar deal.

Magna drivers used to some grunt and instant acceleration low down need not apply. lol

It does take a while to readjust your driving style going from a 3.5L auto Magna to a 2.0L manual Lancer though. I imagine the CVT hides a lot of this low down lack of action and makes the Outlander easier to drive.

my parents just bought Forester 2.5 CVT 2014, kerb weight is virtually identical but the car feels a lot more responsive but yes you do pay for it, it uses 1 litre per 100 more. good thinkg in outlander there is always ecomode (with its own set of maps) you can fall back on if you desire better economy.

If eco mode makes the bus even more lethargic, it's going to lead to a lot of full throttle behaviour from drivers to get some performance out of the engine, so how beneficial it is, is yet to be seen.

Some tuning to make the throttle response more satisfying to the driver at lower rpm may not be a bad idea, and not affect fuel consumption too much.

Perhaps tuning the 'eco' maps could turn the switch into a 'performance' switch instead?

hmmmm not a bad idea! given that ecomoode drive is just dreadful

hmmmm not a bad idea! given that ecomoode drive is just dreadful

Even more 'dreadfuller' than standard mode? Sounds useless, but I'm glad you like my idea of turning it into a 'performance mode' instead.
Should reduce the number of maps for fuel etc you need to concentrate on, anyway.