Yaris Stage Rally

[Jason@SportsCar]

Originally Posted by ZPERO

Hello everyone,

I'm ZPERO and I'm new to the forums.
I'm a mechanical engineering student and it's about time I buy a car of my own and stop driving other people's cars

After looking into many vehicles, I've decided I want a Toyota Yaris! It's inexpensive, it sips gas, and I like the way it looks.

I have an interest in getting into stage rally. Or at least RallyX at first. I would love to take a little Yaris with me when I go RalliX-ing, but I have a few questions:

In my understanding, the 1NZ-FE engine has a very difficult ECU to reprogram. Cracking it seems to be impossible. Simply replacing it with one that is programmable probably isn't an option, and Rally America rules specific ecu must be the stock unit (can be reprogrammed) or with a piggy back.

The 1NZ-FE's ecu also limits the revolutions, I read somewhere that the engine is actually capable of surprisingly high rpm's with upgraded internals and no limiter.

Getting rid of this limiter would be preferable for HP gains, as it isn't necessary to use as much pressure to reach the same HP.

So, since the ECU is kind of... A difficult obstacle, should I get a 2016 Yaris? The 2016 has a different engine as an option, the 2NR-FE (with dual vvt-i).

Anyone know if that engine has a more "workable" ecu?
Anyone know of anyone with a tuned car running some boost, and actually running an ECU tune? (piggyback that actually works, flash, whatever...)

Well thanks in advance!

2016 has a different engine? Never heard that before. In the US from 2007 to current the cars should only have a 1NZFE.

Toyota ECUs are always a bugger, and the tuner market is so small for the brand almost none of its vehicles have a hack.

Best solution, if you want control and a higher rev limiter, will be a custom "piggy back" setup. An AEM EMS series 2 or 4 will work for your application. Use the OE ECU for the drive by wire and idle, the AEM will do the rest.

Does Rally America allow you to play with the trans/diff? I believe you would gain way more speed off-road with a diff and final drive change - and it will cost less than the ECU.

Would help to know what class you are building for. A 2ZR swap with an LSD and shorter final drive would be a rocket our there - even with a stock ECU.

Ryan Millen is out there being competitive with a completely stock drivetrain in a Rav4, its not all about power. Significantly smaller diameter tires helped his gearing, and a welded diff helps it dig out of turns.