MaxxECU Audi Master Thread & Registry

[A1 A2 German]

Currently working on thread.

6-24-2020

I've elected the B5 S4 forums for the master thread as appears the most active & dedicated to aftermarket. There will be multiple Audi platforms here, to share information. In an attempt to streamline the thread please keep general comments to a minimum, if you're a wealth of information post away. I'll attempt updating this 1st post, opposed to ~4 pages of questions. Please use the following format in bold when posting so we as a community know what platform you are

2008 B8 A4

Bla, bla, bla, bla....


Audi MaxxECU Registry: PM me only & I'll update the thread,
opposed to pages of people informing me they're using it clogging up the thread : Username, year, platform, brief engine description, duration of usage

MaxxEcu Registry:
1) A1 A2 German, '97 Audi A4 B5, Comp 5152 2008cc 1.8t stroker, 0 time of using kit.
2) Mikeb17, '00 Audi S4 B5, fully built 2.8 heads, top mount GTX2860RS, fully built bored 2.8 motor, 830 whp & 750 ft lbs torque. Using since November 2017.
3) Meow, '00 Audi S4 B5, 2.7t with rods only & custom single turbo, 0 hrs run time.
4) Xdewaynex, '99.5 A4 B5, built 1.8t HX35, 0 hrs run time.
5) SlowrideBC, '00 Audi S4 Widebody, GTX2867R, R32 GTR diff, DSS axles, dog box, caged, e98) couple of hours on the dyno. AiM Power Distribution Module + AiM 10" dash + 12 button canbus keypad.
6)

MaxxEcu is an extensive engine management system, in my case thee biggest change possible, going from narrowband maf to wideband map, all plug and play. You use a bluetooth tablet to run an Android app called MDash giving you live data, and a laptop to change values. Laptop must be tangibly plugged into the car via a supplied USB to change values, no bt.

Website: https://www.maxxecu.com/
You Tube: https://youtu.be/OK3PIEB1YWE



Update 7-1-2020: Car related tablets/laptop

For a digital dash read out I went: Dragon Touch Notepad K10 10" ($89)

For a mini laptop, for it's sole purpose for tuning went: Asus EEE 1001PX 10" ($75)




Update 7-15-20





FITTING YOUR MAXX ECU INTO ECU BOX INFO

Per a stock ecu box, the provided picture is the only layout that works, even down to the way the Maxx harness lays.

Shoving the Maxxecu plug through the car to have the ecu housed inside the cabin: Not ~possible currently, with out major cutting to enlarge the hole, unless you installed it during a full tear down and could get behind and under the dash rats nest to place the brain before the stock wiring is there. Even enlarging the ecu hole, there's no way to clip that connector to the Maxx ecu brain as the rats nest is there.

I enlarged the ecu box hole, it was still difficult to get the connector through because just below the hole lays a ~5" long strip of electrical box connectors. The problem is there's not enough pig tail to drop the brain connector down the hole to reach past the inside rats nest to clip it onto the brain.

But, I had a modified ecu box with a corner missing as I have control arm strut tower boxes welded in and wouldn't fit...I re plastic welded it days ago to see by sheer chance it'd fit into the ecu box...if it didn't...I would of had to lengthen the entire harness out ~18" so I could mount it under the pedals..but by the skin of my chiny chin chin it JUST fits. Funny, as the Maxxecu acutely pokes out and above the ecu box, yet the lid has a ~deep roof which allows for more space.




7-17-20 Current issues: TBA Error (right outta the box). Mechincal tb/tps.

TB closed butterfly value: .009%
TB open butterfly value: .009%
Throttle pedal position value: Flickers as fast as possible between 0% to 100% back and forth
No change in values operating the pedal

However! TB is recieving ~5v measured at the plug, tried a second tb same results, before Maxx car started and drove into the garage just fine on a flashed OEM ECU. After the errors, I reinstated the OEM ecu, no tb errors, proper voltage, and tba came out perfect on VCDS vagcom. Reinstalled Maxx, all the same issues.

[mikeb17]

1) What Android unit shall I source?

I am using a generic Samsung Galaxy 8" tablet. Its held to my windshield via a suction mount. I have it hooked up to power in the car so it stays charged. I have the tablet setup so I can monitor any information from the car. Its also setup to swap boost maps, turn on anti lag, and other misc settings. A tablet or any other android unit is a must to be able to read error codes and clear them.

2) For tuning tablet vs mini-lap top, what shall I look for?

I highly recommend picking up a laptop for tuning. I personally just use my gaming computer. I have to pull over to use edit the tune so size doesnt really matter. I dont store my computer in the car. If its tuned right then you shouldnt need to store a computer in the car. I think this comes down to personal preference more than anything.

3) Helpful advice from long time user

When installing I recommend putting the ECU above the kick panel area (b5 s4). Its a tight squeeze but the wires can make it up through the ecu box from inside the cabin. Join the FB groups because there are a lot of knowledgeable people there. This ECU is as complicated or as simple as you want it to be. The deeper your build, the deeper you can go into utilizing everything this ECU offers. From traction control to individual egts and widebands. The base file is exactly what its called... a base file. It is meant to get the car started and ready for tuning. Its not meant for going out and ripping on things. If the car doesnt run perfect on the start up, dont fret, contact a tuner (not me). Im happy to help as much as I can! let me know if there are any other questions I can address.

[narth327]

any recommended vendors to purchase this from?

[Silverex]

any recommended vendors to purchase this from?

I know Blake has em on his site but for whatever reason it’s more expensive than msrp that Max’s list on their site, so I’d reach out to Max and see if you can purchase straight from them

[A1 A2 German]

Where to buy & answers:

I recieved a qoute straight from Maxxecu before I was ready to buy, their qoute was higher then their advertising price, after insurance, shipping, and exchange rate (maybe) the price increases a bit. However! When I inquired again ready to buy, also wanted a longer main harness made, they informed me they no longer ship to the US and to go through a US dealer:

The main guy appears to be (where I bought mine):
Aussie Imports, Steve Nichols, 1-859-983-4966

US dealer directory

Alamo Autosports
Brice +001-(817)-860-4300

ANCLA INC
Andres (Andy) Lamus +001 786 264 1706

Aussie Imports LLCDistributor
Steve Nichols +001 859 983 4966

Auto Authority
Rafael Fuentes +001-(203)-752-0683

DAS Performance
Eric Paquette +001-(978)-453-0807

DME Racing
Andy Sawyer +001 336 785 4845

DUDMD Tuning
Dmitriy G +001 253 315 1515

European Tuning Specialists
Blake Beadle +001 619 438 0289

Exoticycle Motorsports, Inc.
Johnny Dorbin +001 941 360 3278

Fast Enough Performance
Chris Kopitzke +001 859 258 2015

Great Lakes Racecraft
Andy Leslie +001 616 325 5571

Leash Electronics
Randy Westmoreland +001 501 515 1693

LPS FAB
Justin Linder +001-(509)-308-3146

Motorcycle Performance Specialties, Inc.
Dan Rudd +001 321 972 8282

Odum Specialties
Rick Odum +001 618 695 9400

Pito Tuning Performance

Pure Power Performance
Harvey Grissett +001 (803)-731-5993

RC Performance
+001-(910)-276-4942

SCHNELL ENGINEERING
+001 6474788121

ShorTuning
James Short +001-(859)-583-8948

Stotz Racing
Kent Stotz +001 847 352 9292

Willettrun Automotive LLC
Brett Willet +001 409209 9659

Win Racing
Brian +001-(630)-978-8856

Xtreme Motorsports
Allan Abrams +001-(251)-209-3030

[xdewaynex]

When installing I recommend putting the ECU above the kick panel area (b5 s4). Its a tight squeeze but the wires can make it up through the ecu box from inside the cabin.

How did you manage to fit the connectors through the slim opening of the ecu box, assuming the opening for the S4 is the same for the A4.

[okkim]

I have modified the ECU box. I added the "extra" corner, then the ECU and PnP adapter fits inside.

[aaronamerica]

How are you guys enjoying the MaxxEcu so far, I'm seriously debating on getting this for my B5 A4 project.

[Silverex]

How are you guys enjoying the MaxxEcu so far, I'm seriously debating on getting this for my B5 A4 project.

Have you looked into the Ignitron? Seems really popular for the 1.8T guys.
http://www.ignitronecu.com/

Check out their FB page it has tons of good info in there plus the developer is on there often answering any questions.

Once they have everything for the 2.7T running smoothly that’s what I plan on running, for the price, support, and options I feel like it’s the best deal.

[Fattyalx]

Can add me to the list! I just ordered one

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Audizine Forum mobile app

[qu4ttro_drew]

Where to buy & answers:

I recieved a qoute straight from Maxxecu before I was ready to buy, their qoute was higher then their advertising price, after insurance, shipping, and exchange rate (maybe) the price increases a bit. However! When I inquired again ready to buy, also wanted a longer main harness made, they informed me they no longer ship to the US and to go through a US dealer:

The main guy appears to be (where I bought mine):
Aussie Imports, Steve Nichols, 1-859-983-4966

Same, I got mine from Steve. He's in Kentucky I think.

Do we have an archive setup for basic config settings yet?

[qu4ttro_drew]

crickets...

[B5carl]

Subscribed. I'm gonna be using this sometime in the near future on my 1.8t

[A1 A2 German]

I can share base files for my 1.8t, the base was supplied live remote tuning via remote access per my laptop by Steve Nichols.

Currently up and driving.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

crickets...

The Base map for 2.7T is included with Mtune - just load it up if you're using their plug in solution.

[A1 A2 German]

The Base map for 2.7T is included with Mtune - just load it up if you're using their plug in solution.

Clarification on my part, Steve went a little more in depth on mine, above the above statement holds trues with just about every motor/combo. Every person should be able to tangibly install it and drive per picking which file/blend/combo of goodies you have with pre-written files.

[hibiscusS4]

I’m actually debating going stand-alone. However I was looking at ecu master. Does this offering work better with our cars?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NOTORIOUS VR]

I’m actually debating going stand-alone. However I was looking at ecu master. Does this offering work better with our cars?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maxx is miles better than ECUMaster in just about every regard.

[hibiscusS4]

Maxx is miles better than ECUMaster in just about every regard.

That is good to know. Do we know if Max ecu has the potential to work with the oem cluster?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[A1 A2 German]

The cluster, Vagcom and cels work perfectly.

I use a tablet as it tells me everything, plus more, which allowed me to remove all kinds of previously installed hardware like my boost guage, L2 Innovative Wideband, shift light set up, etc...as this is all of that. It was kinda nice to pull 50 yards of wiring and gizmos out from under the dash. You don't need to do anything to make the oem cluster to work, it's automatic, you also do not need a tablet up and running to drive.

[hibiscusS4]

The cluster, Vagcom and cels work perfectly.

I use a tablet as it tells me everything, plus more, which allowed me to remove all kinds of previously installed hardware like my boost guage, L2 Innovative Wideband, shift light set up, etc...as this is all of that. It was kinda nice to pull 50 yards of wiring and gizmos out from under the dash. You don't need to do anything to make the oem cluster to work, it's automatic, you also do not need a tablet up and running to drive.

Wow! That sounds really nice. This is important to me because the car still needs to pass emissions and I’m assuming max ecu can’t help me with that.

So keeping the cluster and having that adapter harness is key for putting the oem ecu back in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NOTORIOUS VR]

^^ Correct, standalone ECU's will not have or set necessary PID's for the OBD protocols - so no emissions compliance. This is the case for any standalone.

Someone recently even made the OEM (euro) IMMO work with the MaxxECU - so OEM keys, cluster, etc.

The flexibility of the Maxx is very impressive - if there is something you want to do that it can't do you're able to do it yourself if you like.

[Silverex]

^^ Correct, standalone ECU's will not have or set necessary PID's for the OBD protocols - so no emissions compliance. This is the case for any standalone.
.

I’m pretty sure with the Ignitron ECU, after its configured, passing inspection is possible.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

I’m pretty sure with the Ignitron ECU, after its configured, passing inspection is possible.

That would be ballsy on their part - I'm sure the EPA would have a field day with them if they allowed that.

[RMode]

Passing inspection is all down to how you wire it in. Wiring things in parallel should keep things happy. As a full standalone, probably not. But you're also coming to a point of age in the car where many of those inspections wouldn't be required in many states too. All depends where you live

[Silverex]

That would be ballsy on their part - I'm sure the EPA would have a field day with them if they allowed that.

Yea EPA has been going nuts recently, even to small companies. Hopefully they wake up and realize sometimes these products are actually helping the environment.
FWIW Ignitron doesn’t advertise it being able to and has the typical disclaimers. I found out from a user and was told you would have to configure it, so not like they ship them out like that. End user would have to make the adjustments

Does make me wonder why Cobb doesn’t get hassled with selling a similar product like their Accessport? That’s a pretty big company with lots of $$$ to go after.

[A1 A2 German]

Per the above content:

With 100% fully running MaxxEcu, the transition back to ~oem spec is..........~25 mins.

Bare in mind that's ME, being the largest conversion possible going from narrow band maf to wideband map...so I'm converting back to narrow band ecu's and a slap on maf housing intakes (along with the normal, injector swap to normal sized, ~oem ecu, etc). Aka, my swap back to and from MaxxEcu involves more work (yet still nominal).

In other words, at 1 p.m. you could drive into your garage being ~oem, swap in Max, drive, pull back and reinstall oem....all before 2 p.m. I did this to work out a couple bugs, as I knew my oem setup was dialed in.

EDIT: I want to be clear, if starting from 100% scratch it may take you ~2hrs to install Max the first time (they give you ~wideband raw 02 pigtails to make custom length harnesses) and you need to find a vacuum source for the Max brain. However, if already there the first time, it take very little effort to swap back and forth as the little things are done.

[hibiscusS4]

Per the above content:

With 100% fully running MaxxEcu, the transition back to ~oem spec is..........~25 mins.

Bare in mind that's ME, being the largest conversion possible going from narrow band maf to wideband map...so I'm converting back to narrow band ecu's and a slap on maf housing intakes (along with the normal, injector swap to normal sized, ~oem ecu, etc). Aka, my swap back to and from MaxxEcu involves more work (yet still nominal).

In other words, at 1 p.m. you could drive into your garage being ~oem, swap in Max, drive, pull back and reinstall oem....all before 2 p.m. I did this to work out a couple bugs, as I knew my oem setup was dialed in.

EDIT: I want to be clear, if starting from 100% scratch it may take you ~2hrs to install Max the first time (they give you ~wideband raw 02 pigtails to make custom length harnesses) and you need to find a vacuum source for the Max brain. However, if already there the first time, it take very little effort to swap back and forth as the little things are done.

Ya this makes a lot of sense. My idea would be to get a base map on my hardware when it’s done and dial it into a good pump tune.

My real reason for wanting to go stand alone is due to wanting to run e85 on a flex fuel setup so I don’t have to worry about map switching or fuel content. Now being so close to the emissions cut off I might just wait and switch once I don’t have to worry about it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NOTORIOUS VR]

Does make me wonder why Cobb doesn’t get hassled with selling a similar product like their Accessport? That’s a pretty big company with lots of $$$ to go after.

Pretty sure they have gone after all the big guys like Cobb, APR, Hondata, etc. Actually I've seen cases of the EPA going after the resellers of Hondata and the like and not just Hondata itself!

[Silverex]

Pretty sure they have gone after all the big guys like Cobb, APR, Hondata, etc. Actually I've seen cases of the EPA going after the resellers of Hondata and the like and not just Hondata itself!

Yea I saw that PFI got sued but pretty sure they don’t even know why yet. Hopefully RPM act gets passed and the epa chills out some.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

Hopefully RPM act gets passed and the epa chills out some.

That would be good for everyone for sure!

[qu4ttro_drew]

That would be great...

- - - Updated - - -

I can share base files for my 1.8t, the base was supplied live remote tuning via remote access per my laptop by Steve Nichols.

Currently up and driving.

vwms16v(at)gmail(dot)com

[julex]

Does the software/ECU support NWS (equivalent of vanos/vvti)?

[jibberjive]

Does the software/ECU support NWS (equivalent of vanos/vvti)?

You thinking of going MaxxECU? Still have the allroad?

[julex]

You thinking of going MaxxECU? Still have the allroad?

Yup and yup

[NOTORIOUS VR]

Does the software/ECU support NWS (equivalent of vanos/vvti)?

yes on/off style (like on the 2.7T) and fully closed loop VVT as well

[aaronamerica]

Finally got the maxxecu race plugin installed in my b5 A4 big turbo e85 setup, I had issues with tps as well but that was resolved by getting the voltage to it. The issue I have now is I can't get the car to start up.

[rockcandy]

Just to throw my name in the hat. I put the maxxecu in my car and it’s running on wastegate at 20psi. I’ll keep an eye on this thread or add if I can.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

Finally got the maxxecu race plugin installed in my b5 A4 big turbo e85 setup, I had issues with tps as well but that was resolved by getting the voltage to it. The issue I have now is I can't get the car to start up.

That's pretty vague - that said contact who you purchased the Maxx from - all distributors are required to support you directly with technical issues

[xdewaynex]

Bumping this up, has anyone purchased a longer USB cable for the ECU so you can have the ECU in the factory location and laptop in the car?

Sent from my LG-H931 using Tapatalk