M54. Let the foolishness begin.

[hoveringuy]

Closed loop!

I've been working on little sections of the VANOS controller at a time. First, identify the missing tooth and count the teeth to maintain crank angle. Add in the cam shaft trigger and read camshaft phase. Add basic PWM output and see how the cam reacts to different signals. Next, add a PID function to try to make the cam match a command position.

It's been one obstacle after another, the latest being the PWM solenoid switching inducing noise into my cam signal, throwing the board off.

So I finally got all that working and am able to move the cam to intermediate positions. Hurray for me!

It's a lot like balancing an upside-down pendulum, the cam really likes being at one extreme or another.

I have more PID tuning left and then I will start making an RPM-throttle position-cam advance map. I also need to see how it reacts at different RPMs and oil pressures.

Some of the issues I will need to overcome include, How to I give the 413 a "vote" in positioning the cam? I can't completely usurp its will because it switches maps internally. Plus, I've found that standard VANOS isn't even on that often. Not on when the motor is cold, at very low RPM's, high RPM's, low throttle settings or anytime you are decelerating (low throttle setting).

It's only on when you mash the pedal on a warm motor.

Maybe in another month I will have a mapped controller with the 413 controlling my MOSFET drivers.

[himizoli]

Vanos

I am 1/2 done with my VANOS controller. I have an issue that has halted work for a few weeks, my programmer is having problems and I've lost a few chips.

Are you saying that the Whistler doesn't do the VANOS control?

Not yet. It will be similar to the intake, only the phase will be different. I will measure it when I get to that point.

Whistler doesnt publised the Vanos controller for public yet. It is basicly done.
Only the GUI is missing and some calibration (it will be down on my car :) ) missing.
I am running a simulator for calculate the VANOS values.

I still have to build a exhaust system before the engine will run.

Are you using PID conroller for the Vanos?

[hoveringuy]

Thanks!

I am using Whistler ECU (http://www.whistlerracing.hu/ecu)
I know the programer guy and we making the Vanos controller together.



Do you have Oscilloscop measurement of the Exhaust cam sensor?

I am 1/2 done with my VANOS controller. I have an issue that has halted work for a few weeks, my programmer is having problems and I've lost a few chips.

Are you saying that the Whistler doesn't do the VANOS control?

Not yet. It will be similar to the intake, only the phase will be different. I will measure it when I get to that point.

[himizoli]

Beautiful engine bay!

Which standalone will you be using?

Thanks!

I am using Whistler ECU (http://www.whistlerracing.hu/ecu)
I know the programer guy and we making the Vanos controller together.

Here is the ECU :)





Do you have Oscilloscop measurement of the Exhaust cam sensor?

[hoveringuy]

Hello

Congratulation your works!
I also building a E21 with a M54b30. I almost done with the installation of mechanical part. It will come the electrical work. I will go with stanalone ECU with dual VANOS controller.

Beautiful engine bay!

Which standalone will you be using?

[himizoli]

M54b30 in E21

Hello

Congratulation your works!
I also building a E21 with a M54b30. I almost done with the installation of mechanical part. It will come the electrical work. I will go with stanalone ECU with dual VANOS controller.

[hoveringuy]

Power Steering!

I now have 500 miles on the swap and finally got power steering. I'm really excited and don't fear parking lots anymore.

Anyway, I'm using an X5 ZF pump and e46 mounting brackets. An E46 Luk pump will work fine, too. The only significant note I have is that the E36 pump to rack line won't work because the banjo fitting is one size larger on the new pump. I had to graft a new fitting onto my existing line. I could also have bought the E46 hose.

After 500 miles I can say I really like this motor. Even with OBD1 only driving the intake VANOS and the excessive advance (for now) the motor really scoots. Idle is super smooth. VANOS is very quiet. It just seems more refined. Day to day commuting is perfect.

I am very close to having the PWM module on my control circuit working and I should have it tied to the position measurement within a month. As an interim milestone, I hope to have it limit advance to a fixed 13 degrees through the PID loop and then I will work on a variable control map.

[matt]

Man, that's funny. I wish you had told me you were looking for one of those, because I've had one sitting in my closet 100% unused for about 5 months because it doesn't work with BMWs over the K-line (OBDII protocol).

If you're only using it to log analog data and AFRs I'm sure it's fine.

I'm now working on my own solution for OBDII BMW logging.

[e30polak]

Guess what Santa brought me...

I have a dyno in my center console now. It logs A/F, RPM and throttle position.

So far it backs up my previous dyno readings. I'm mostly around 14.3 to 14.9 except at WOT and higher RPM's, when it gets to around 15.5.

It should really help Matt create my custom chip when I get the VANOS controller working (hint, hint).

Wow that's sick! Your build is so badass, much respect for all your effort! :up:

[hoveringuy]

Innovate LM-2

Guess what Santa brought me...

I have a dyno in my center console now. It logs A/F, RPM and throttle position.

So far it backs up my previous dyno readings. I'm mostly around 14.3 to 14.9 except at WOT and higher RPM's, when it gets to around 15.5.

It should really help Matt create my custom chip when I get the VANOS controller working (hint, hint).

[matt]

If you're running OBDII and want a cam position gauge, I will have one that reads the data directly out of the ECU very shortly. A couple of months.

[Drew325is]

More awesome work Steve!!! Hmmm...next Hoveringguy project a cam position gauge???

[e30polak]

Correct. I'm using a Microchip dsPIC30F4011 which was designed for motor control. It runs at 40Mips and has 1k of EEPROM as well as a raft of cool built-in features.

Now that I can read the cam position, I will need a lookup table to say where I want the cam position. A PID controller will drive the onboard PWM generator to control the cam.

I will definately be able to display command position and actual position of both cams, I'd love to be able to change the set points on the fly.

Think of this.... what if the e36 VANOS could be modified to expand it's range of motion to more than 12.5 degrees?

One thing I will need to take into consideration is that I can't completely usurp cam control from the ECU. It is still switching tables based on whether or not whether or not it has VANOS engaged. So, I need to give the ECU a "vote" or force it to use a single table somehow.

Dude you are a fucking genious! More info on this Vanos controller!

[hoveringuy]

anymore details on your vanos controller? sounds really interesting. dual vanos right? so i'm guessing pwm circuit with some lookup tables?

very impressive project!

Correct. I'm using a Microchip dsPIC30F4011 which was designed for motor control. It runs at 40Mips and has 1k of EEPROM as well as a raft of cool built-in features.

Now that I can read the cam position, I will need a lookup table to say where I want the cam position. A PID controller will drive the onboard PWM generator to control the cam.

I will definately be able to display command position and actual position of both cams, I'd love to be able to change the set points on the fly.

Think of this.... what if the e36 VANOS could be modified to expand it's range of motion to more than 12.5 degrees?

One thing I will need to take into consideration is that I can't completely usurp cam control from the ECU. It is still switching tables based on whether or not whether or not it has VANOS engaged. So, I need to give the ECU a "vote" or force it to use a single table somehow.

[bender]

anymore details on your vanos controller? sounds really interesting. dual vanos right? so i'm guessing pwm circuit with some lookup tables?

very impressive project!