The MAF software chip/board itself is a neat feature. Vitesse uses in-house hardware, using the chip/board in place of the generic EPROM chip inside the DME. The chip/board can house up to 16 individual images, whereas the original EPROM chip houses only one. The multiple-image setup is beneficial for customers planning to upgrade in the future.
Vitesse also offers its PiggyBack unit for even more custom tuning. "We have yet to see two cars that are 100 percent identical. Our MAF software gets on target, but our PiggyBack is used to customize the system to the customer's unique application. Many customers use only the Vitesse MAF kit without this, but the PiggyBack will offer even more flexibility," says John Joseph.
10. Getting to work on the software tuning. In this picture, I'm playing with the fuel mapping a bit and I have the idle close to where I want it, per the AEM air/fuel gauge.
11. On House of Power's Dynojet 224x dyno. Without a boost controller, it's stuck at 14 psi (17 psi on the street). We saw 280 wheel-hp at this boost level to start, but we'll see more boost and power with a boost controller next time.
12. A while back, the good people at Umnitza sent these lights. While they don't deal with HID retrofit kits, they can help you obtain them from authorized distributors (where it's legal to do so).
13. The 6000k bulbs in Umnitza's xenon kit really light up the road at night.
Vitesse's PiggyBack is a computer that connects to the engine sensors, modifying their output prior to reaching the DME. By manipulating the signals, it's possible to alter the output of the DME. The range of modifications is kept to a minimum in order to keep the signals within an accurate range. Much like a standalone engine management system, it features two- and three-dimensional control over fuel and optional ignition, data logging, and externally selected dual settings. "The data logging feature is a great tool, it simplifies tuning and allows us to assist remote customers as if we were on site," says Joseph.
Back at Precision Motion, owner Don Kravig spent the time soldering and heat-shrinking the wires for a clean installation of the Vitesse kit. When the car was fired up, it ran fairly well from the get-go. That was impressive, given that Vitesse made the fuel maps just by looking at a dyno sheet I had sent them. Using my AEM gauge-type, wide-band oxygen sensor, I was able to dial in the ideal air/fuel ratio within minutes. I had to do this because we had a new cam and a slightly reworked cylinder head since that dyno graph.