Background:
The sourcing and distribution of the ELF has always been handled directly through BR Perofrmance. Since the aquisition of BRP by Barker Products, I'm in the process of setting up the ELF supplier as a vendor for us.

Currently:
I personally am not very up-to-date on the ELF (but I figure that will soon be changing ). It is my understanding that the programmer was doing some testing during the end of this last week, as well as this weekend. I hope to hear an update from the programmer early next week so that I'll know where we stand.

I know there are several customers with either ELFs with issues, or with new ELFs on order. My hope is that this thread can serve as a good communication exchange to help with both customer's needs. I'll update as I learn and have more info. to share.

My ELF has never delivered the fuel necessary (to lean even with Pot 3 on the max setting) at 5900 ft.

The ELF PC programability might do the trick but it is vaporware currently.

Either way, I think whoever makes this ELF should figure out why it cannot adjust for altitude like promised. You would think that the feature would have been tested previous to release?

Hope this helps.

James,
Thanks for the update. Looking forward to hearing more on Monday.

I’ve had the hesitation problem since I installed the kit Jul 23. I started with the recommended pot settings of 5-2-8, but had a severe hesitation: going from closed or part throttle to full throttle, the car would either bog or feel like there was no fuel at all, then after a second, it would take off. I’d usually get a hiccup or two at around 4k and 5k.

I tried various P1/P2 settings, going from 10-0-8 to 0-10-8. The hesitation never really changed, and the car was very difficult to drive smoothly. After a few days, I completely unplugged the ELF from the harness. The hesitation was gone, but without added fuel I didn’t want to thrash it too much. There was still a slight flat spot between 3-4K rpm, but the car was like that before the SC.

Currently, the belt is removed, the ELF is unplugged, and I'm driving my other car. I'm hoping the new ELF will be ready soon so I can finally enjoy the SC.

Has anyone thought that the hesitation is because of the need for an o2 clamp? How does the ELF o2 clamp work since it taps into the wire? The FM version intercepts the signal this is not possible with the ELF since it t-taps into the wire.

Glad to hear you are on top of this James.

I have not tried the O2 clamp on the elf yet, but I plan on playing around with it as I get the hesitation mentioned.

CHUCK: That's a really good question. The wire that the Elf taps into is the same wire that I used for my narrow band 02 gauge (i.e. the narrow bands output). Are you saying that the ELF is affecting the voltage on that wire? I always assumed that it would affect the fuel delivered at the injectors. A little different than the FM, which would trick the ECU into thinking the engine is running lean. If the ELF is truely supposed to work the same as the FM (i.e. by modifying the 02 signal to the ECU), then it would have to use the same wire as FM. Do we know what wire the FM clamp uses? I guess it is possible that the ELF is just using the 02 output and is controlling the stock injectors, then perhaps it just needs some tuning to deliver more fuel at the right time... Can anyone confirm how the ELF o2 clamp works?

Rod

Thanks for the heads up James... I too have an ELF that doesn't deliver the fuel. In fact, this is my second ELF- my first ELF at least allowed my car to drive okay, despite running way lean beyond 3000 rpm. But this current one doesn't even let me leave my driveway! I haven't hooked up the o2 sensor yet, but then I didn't on my first ELF and it was at least driveable. Man, I haven't driven my Miata yet this summer.

-Hamid

I too have had problems with the ELF. With my Split Second A/F meter which is just a set of dithering lights, The ELF showed lean even without boost. P3 was already at 10 which was done with a dyno tune. All other settings were at 5. I fiddled with every setting and finally concluded that it could not supply enough fuel. I do have a Walbro 190 LPH and a Split Second AIC on the car as well. Decided to pull the ELF and go back to the Powercard I had from a previous install, instant rich. Only issue with the PC is a bit of tip in but I'm no longer concerned with lunching the motor. I do believe the ELF has an issue so I can only recommend anyone running it to get some way to check your A/F. Mine did not knock or ping but the plugs showed lean as well.

I've not had any serious problems with the ELF on my '94. I took it to the dyno and it was crazy rich above 4000 rpm. I turned the fuel almost all the way down and finally got the A/F curve to stay on the chart. It's still down in the 10:1 to 11:1 range. Below 4000 it was quite lean, as I did not have the O2 clamp hooked up. I didn't have any driveability problems, though. This past weekend I hooked up the O2 clamp and everything still works fine. I don't have a wideband O2, though, so I don't know if the low-rpm leanness has been fixed. I also installed a Bipes ACU and I'm about to install a 110mm pulley (up from 95), and then I need to take it back to the dyno.

Kevin

Response from programmer today:

"No status updates at all at this time."

quote:

Originally posted by cmetz:
Has anyone thought that the hesitation is because of the need for an o2 clamp? How does the ELF o2 clamp work since it taps into the wire? The FM version intercepts the signal this is not possible with the ELF since it t-taps into the wire.

I replaced a PC with an ELF this spring. I figured I might as well get rid of any extra stuff so pulled the FM O2 clamp, reconnected the wires that had to be cut for its installation and Teed in the ELF's clamp. It bucked and sputtered and was undrivable in boost. Went back to the FM clamp and it smoothed out a lot. One issue that seems make the 3k -3550 low boost stumble more prevelant is altitude. This all occured at 7800'.

I've talked to Brant and he knows they do not have the altiude correction factor correct. It will be user changable with the PC programmable chip. I will be doing a significant dyno tune when I get it, including a bunch of part throttle pulls to get that set correctly. This will be at 5200' and if I get a decent map made I will provide it to Brant for his review and distribution.

Leo

I too have had problems with the ELF ever since I installed the system in late July. I have the same hesitation others describe since the install. The car is currently parked and is basically undriveable thanks to my new BRP SC.

Has anyone thought of trying to pick up a similar fueling unit from JR or FM? I'd love for BRP to fix this, but I really can't just let the car sit indefinitely.

James,

Sorry, wrong button. I understand the programmer not making changes to correct minor issues, but what about equipment that flat doesn't work right now. Who do we speak with to get either a replacement or get the existing one fixed. If I didn't have the powercard from the last install I'd be like others here being unable to drive tha car unless I disconect the blower. New programming aside, fix the ones that are defective.

James,
How can there be no status updates at all? Does that mean "no progress?" If the programmer was doing testing last week and over the weekend, he has to have some kind of results.
Lucien

I have a ELF with my MP62 Coldside to installed in few weeks from now. Are the settings for this setup stabilized and optimal ? I plan to go with WI in a near future too.

Good work !

Yanick

And since I'm getting an ELF with my Stage One, is it safe to assume that the units being shipped are all sorted out?


Tom

That's a good question Tom. I think that the only ELFs that work properly are the originals. My brother's doesn't work that he got 5 months ago, and neither of mine have worked. I wish I had a quick fix for now (Powercard) because my car has been sitting as well. I suppose I can unhook the belt and ELF, but everytime I would drive it, I would be really pissed off!

-Hamid

Well, I have a Powercard already. And an Olderguy O2 clamp.

My question would be, how many ELFs are out there, how many don't work, how many do? And is it just an altitude issue? I'm sure it's being worked on, but it's also important to know.

Aside from the recent troubles, every time I've asked Brant a question about a product and he's felt that it hasn't been right, he's told me. I spoke with him yesterday about using the ELF vs some other sort of engine management, and he stood behind the ELF. I didn't directly ask him about units being shipped, but I called him and left him a voice mail and I'm sure he'll call me back when he gets a chance.


Tom

Hey James,

Any updates on the idle droop/stall fix for the ELF? I know Brant was working on it, but haven't heard much progress in the last couple of weeks. Thanks

FWIW I've got an early ELF unit with a single injector AIC. Right now everything is working great except for the idle droop problem mentioned above. I'll be happy to share my map, once I get a laptop hooked up to my car and can download the file.

Jeff

I received my ELF in May and have the chip update to keep it out of test mode. Mine is working fine although I will be interested in the fuel fix as I was getting 12.8 to 13.1 A/F ratio, which is acceptable, but a little richger would be nice.

With all these posts on the elf not working, I too would like to know who is having issues and specifically what is there problem.

The only problem I am aware of is not enough fuel delivery at altitude.