Zeitronix Ethanol Content Analyzer Installed and Reviewed by TTP!

TTP Engineering · 2009-07-30 21:03:33

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/dsm95hybrid/ECA_GAUGE1.jpg Zeitronix had released an ethanol content analyzer gauge sometime last year and has displayed it at SEMA 2008 as well as Performance Racing Industry convention here in Orlando. They were sure to have me check out their new ECA gauge they have produced in both blue and red LED displays. Currently only available in the rectangular gauge, their digital electronic display is designed to show the viewer the precise percentage of ethanol contained in their fuel mix. Not only does this gauge work on standard gasoline which contains ethanol contect of up to 10% in today's fuel, but it also will also work with standard E85 stations, E98 mixes, home brewed mixes of 100% and anything in between. http://wpty.img.cdn.dayport.com/img/dp_thumbs/thumb_1214263050647_0p13532482688779068.jpg It is a standard practice for Ethanol stations to periodically change the exact mix of the fuel being brought from the supply tankers available at the pump. On the Ethanol pumps you will notice a sticker indicating a minimum rating of 70% Ethanol content, much like the 10% content labels on standard gasoline pumps today. http://www.e85fuel.com/images/promo_item_graphics/mandatory_pump_sticker_item25.gif Aside from slight variances in actual ethanol content, in many locations there is a "winter blend" major change in the content at E85 stations that take it down to the minimum 70%. They do this for improved cold start performance of the engine. Problem is if you have been custom tuned to the edge of performance at 85% ethanol and all of a sudden got less ethanol and more gasoline, your car would no longer be tuned for the fuel content you had originally been set up to use. On flex fuel N/A cars, these changes in content can be handled by the front O2 sensor which can adjust the fuel trims automatically. However on a high performance turbocharged engine like the 4g63 Evo at 35psi or so of boost pressure, a 15% change in alcohol content can have a serious impact on performance and octane level. This is where the Zeitronix Ethanol Content Analyzer comes in handy. http://ttp-engineering.com/catalog/images/flexsensor%20copy.jpg The ECA in conjunction with the Siemens Ethanol sensor sending unit can display the exact % of ethanol contained in the fuel being provided to the engine "real time" so that you can be certain that the E85 you are pumping in your car actually contains the alcohol content your vehicle needs in order to perform safely and at it's best. http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/dsm95hybrid/ECA_x775_c10.jpg When the seasonal ethanol % changes to a winter mix, you will know it as soon as you pump it and can take the necessary steps to recalibrate your engine mapping for the lower content ethanol fuel. This will insure your car runs safely for the fuel and octane being used at the exact time of consumption. We had the pleasure of installing this unit in our 2005 Evo VIII MR this week and its working great! http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/dsm95hybrid/ECA_SENSOR_ALONE.jpg It was a pretty easy install of the sending unit. http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/dsm95hybrid/ECA_SENSOR_MOUNT1.jpg With a self tapping screw, we were able to mount the sending unit on the firewall. http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/dsm95hybrid/ECA_SENSOR_MOUNT2.jpg With the PNP harness available from us, we clicked it into place and ran the three wires back through the fender to the stock ECU for power, ground and sensor out to ECA display green wire. http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/dsm95hybrid/ECA_SENSOR_MOUNT2final.jpg Once wired up, we took the fuel return line off the rail and connected it to one port of the ethanol sensor. Using a short piece of fuel line we connected the other port of the sensor to the outlet of the fuel return line from the fuel rail. Once the display was mounted we were done and it was time to test it all out. Here is a video: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/dsm95hybrid/th_DSCN0997.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/dsm95hybrid/?action=view&current=DSCN0997.flv) There has always been ONE PROBLEM with the Siemens ethanol content sensor needed in order to connect to the Zeitronix ECA. What is it? PRICE! At over $700, the retail pricing on the GM ethanol sending unit makes it a bit out of reach for most, being that you also need the pigtail harness and ECA display as well to make it all work together. Well we have some great news this week. We were able to get a custom run of Siemens GM sensors at an affordable price FINALLY! At about half the price of the dealer, a regular person can get them without breaking the bank. If anyone is interested in putting together an Ethanol Content analyzer display, here are the parts you will need. All of which are available from us and in stock! ZEITRONIX ETHANOL CONTENT ANALYZER GAUGE (http://ttp-engineering.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=56_77&products_id=354) ETHANOL SENSOR PNP HARNESS (http://ttp-engineering.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=428) SIEMANS GM ETHANOL CONTENT SENDING UNIT SENSOR (http://ttp-engineering.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=427)

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Jul 30, 2009, 02:03 PM

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Zeitronix Ethanol Content Analyzer Installed and Reviewed by TTP!

Zeitronix had released an ethanol content analyzer gauge sometime last year and has displayed it at SEMA 2008 as well as Performance Racing Industry convention here in Orlando.

They were sure to have me check out their new ECA gauge they have produced in both blue and red LED displays. Currently only available in the rectangular gauge, their digital electronic display is designed to show the viewer the precise percentage of ethanol contained in their fuel mix.

Not only does this gauge work on standard gasoline which contains ethanol contect of up to 10% in today's fuel, but it also will also work with standard E85 stations, E98 mixes, home brewed mixes of 100% and anything in between.

It is a standard practice for Ethanol stations to periodically change the exact mix of the fuel being brought from the supply tankers available at the pump. On the Ethanol pumps you will notice a sticker indicating a minimum rating of 70% Ethanol content, much like the 10% content labels on standard gasoline pumps today.

Aside from slight variances in actual ethanol content, in many locations there is a "winter blend" major change in the content at E85 stations that take it down to the minimum 70%. They do this for improved cold start performance of the engine.

Problem is if you have been custom tuned to the edge of performance at 85% ethanol and all of a sudden got less ethanol and more gasoline, your car would no longer be tuned for the fuel content you had originally been set up to use.

On flex fuel N/A cars, these changes in content can be handled by the front O2 sensor which can adjust the fuel trims automatically. However on a high performance turbocharged engine like the 4g63 Evo at 35psi or so of boost pressure, a 15% change in alcohol content can have a serious impact on performance and octane level.

This is where the Zeitronix Ethanol Content Analyzer comes in handy.

The ECA in conjunction with the Siemens Ethanol sensor sending unit can display the exact % of ethanol contained in the fuel being provided to the engine "real time" so that you can be certain that the E85 you are pumping in your car actually contains the alcohol content your vehicle needs in order to perform safely and at it's best.

When the seasonal ethanol % changes to a winter mix, you will know it as soon as you pump it and can take the necessary steps to recalibrate your engine mapping for the lower content ethanol fuel. This will insure your car runs safely for the fuel and octane being used at the exact time of consumption.

We had the pleasure of installing this unit in our 2005 Evo VIII MR this week and its working great!

It was a pretty easy install of the sending unit.

With a self tapping screw, we were able to mount the sending unit on the firewall.

With the PNP harness available from us, we clicked it into place and ran the three wires back through the fender to the stock ECU for power, ground and sensor out to ECA display green wire.

Once wired up, we took the fuel return line off the rail and connected it to one port of the ethanol sensor. Using a short piece of fuel line we connected the other port of the sensor to the outlet of the fuel return line from the fuel rail. Once the display was mounted we were done and it was time to test it all out.

Here is a video:

There has always been ONE PROBLEM with the Siemens ethanol content sensor needed in order to connect to the Zeitronix ECA.

What is it? PRICE!

At over $700, the retail pricing on the GM ethanol sending unit makes it a bit out of reach for most, being that you also need the pigtail harness and ECA display as well to make it all work together.

Well we have some great news this week. We were able to get a custom run of Siemens GM sensors at an affordable price FINALLY! At about half the price of the dealer, a regular person can get them without breaking the bank.

If anyone is interested in putting together an Ethanol Content analyzer display, here are the parts you will need. All of which are available from us and in stock!

ZEITRONIX ETHANOL CONTENT ANALYZER GAUGE

ETHANOL SENSOR PNP HARNESS

SIEMANS GM ETHANOL CONTENT SENDING UNIT SENSOR