Standalone Ecu Tuning
Recommended hardware
For smooth and efficient tuning, it is not only the control unit itself that is crucial, but also the peripherals used.
On this page, you will find tried-and-tested recommendations for cables, laptops, tablets and software –
based on practical experience gained from tuning work and motorsport projects.
Please note:
Some of the linked products are referral links. Purchases made via these links support SaxoRacingTeam. There are no additional costs for you. Recommendations are selected independently and based solely on practical usability. All links marked with an asterisk (*) are affiliate links.
Required for tuning:
- Reliable connection between the control unit and computer
- Stable software
- A suitable end device (laptop/tablet, if applicable)
- Fully functional cables and adapters
🔧 VEMS – Versatile Engine Management System
Connections & Cables
- USB-to-serial adapter with FTDI chip (proven & stable)
- Recommendation: Delock adapter USB 2.0 Type A plug > 1 x serial RS-232*
- Short, high-quality USB cables (no cheap or extension cables)
- Direct connection, no USB hubs
Why it matters:
Unstable adapters are one of the most common causes of connection problems
Laptop
Recommended:
- Windows laptop
- Stable USB ports (USB-A or USB-C)
- Good battery life so you don’t have to rely on an external power supply
- No extremely old devices
Examples of proven solutions include:
- Lenovo ThinkPad
- Dell Latitude
- HP ProBook
- Acer Travelmate
Recommended: Acer TravelMate Spin B3*
Software
- VEMSTune – Software for accessing the ECU, data recording, etc.
- Download:
last version – VemsTune 2018-01-04
Tablet & display solutions
- Full functionality only possible with Windows-based tablets
Recommended: Microsoft Surface Go 3* – 10,5″, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD - Android tablet with Bluetooth adapter for the VEMS control unit
Recommended: Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5* – rugged 8″ tablet with very bright display- VEMS Display App – official app from VEMS
- RealDash – Speedometer app with VEMS support
- Small displays for installation:
Recommended: CANchecked-Displays - Dash solutions for motorsport:
In short:
For VEMS control units, we recommend a Windows laptop with good battery performance and a stable USB port, an FTDI-based USB-serial adapter, and a direct connection without USB hubs or extensions.
🔧 Megasquirt – MS-I / MS-II variants (UMC) / Microsquirt (with RS232-port)
Connections & Cables
- USB-to-serial adapter with FTDI chip (proven & stable)
- Recommendation: Delock adapter USB 2.0 Type A plug > 1 x serial RS-232*
- Short, high-quality USB cables (no cheap or extension cables)
- Direct connection, no USB hubs
Why it matters:
Unstable adapters are one of the most common causes of connection problems.
Laptop
Recommended:
- Windows laptop
- Stable USB ports (USB-A or USB-C)
- Good battery life so you don’t have to rely on an external power supply
- No extremely old devices
Examples of proven solutions include:
- Lenovo ThinkPad
- Dell Latitude
- HP ProBook
- Acer Travelmate
Recommended: Acer TravelMate Spin B3*
Software
- TunerStudio – Software for accessing the ECU, data recording, etc.
- Download & info:
TunerStudio – Download
Tablet & display solutions
- Full functionality only possible with Windows-based tablets
Recommended: Microsoft Surface Go 3* – 10,5″, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD - Android tablet with Bluetooth adapter for the Megasquirt control unit
Recommended: Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5* – rugged 8″ tablet with very bright display- Shadow Dash MS – official app from EFI Analytics
- RealDash – speedometer app with Megasquirt support
- Small displays for installation:
Recommended: CANchecked-Displays
In short:
For Megasquirt control units, we recommend a Windows laptop with good battery performance and a stable USB port, an FTDI-based USB-serial adapter, and a direct connection without USB hubs or extensions.
🔧 Megasquirt – MS-II variants (K-data KdFi, EFIgnition 46) / MS-III variants (K-data UAB, MSLabs Mini MS3) with USB-port
Connections & Cables
- USB-A to USB-B cable with good shielding and ferrite (proven & stable)
Recommended: Delock Kabel USB 2.0 Typ-A Stecker > USB 2.0 Typ-B Stecker 2 m transparent*
Alternatively: Delock Kabel USB 2.0 Typ-A Stecker > USB 2.0 Typ-B Stecker gewinkelt 2 m* - Short, high-quality USB cables (no cheap or extension cables)
- direct connection, no USB hubs
Why it matters:
Unstable adapters are one of the most common causes of connection problems.
Laptop
Recommended:
- Windows laptop
- Stable USB ports (USB-A or USB-C)
- Good battery life so you don’t have to rely on an external power supply
- No extremely old devices
Examples of proven solutions include:
- Lenovo ThinkPad
- Dell Latitude
- HP ProBook
- Acer Travelmate
Recommended: Acer TravelMate Spin B3*
Software
- TunerStudio – Software for accessing the ECU, data recording, etc.
- Download & info:
TunerStudio – Download
Tablet & display solutions
- Full functionality only possible with Windows-based tablets
Recommended: Microsoft Surface Go 3* – 10,5″, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD - Android tablet with Bluetooth adapter for the Megasquirt control unit
Recommended: Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5* – rugged 8″ tablet with very bright display- Shadow Dash MS – official app from EFI Analytics
- RealDash – speedometer app with Megasquirt support
- Small displays for installation:
Recommended: CANchecked-Displays
In short:
For Megasquirt control units, we recommend a Windows laptop with good battery performance and a stable USB port and a direct connection without USB hubs or extensions.
🔧 EMU Black & EMU Classic with USB-port
Connections & Cables
- EMU Black (current) – USB-C port
Recommended: Delock USB 2.0 Kabel Type-C zu Type-C 2 m*
Alternativ: Delock USB 2.0 Kabel Typ-A zu Type-C 3 m* - EMU Black (old) – Micro USB port
Recommended: Delock Kabel USB 2.0 Typ-A Stecker > USB 2.0 Micro-B Stecker 2 m transparent* - EMU Classic – USB-A port
Recommended: Delock Kabel USB 2.0 Typ-A Stecker > USB 2.0 Typ-A Stecker 2 m transparent* - Short, high-quality USB cables (no cheap or extension cables)
- direct connection, no USB hubs
Why it matters:
Unstable adapters are one of the most common causes of connection problems.
Laptop
Recommended:
- Windows laptop
- Stable USB ports (USB-A or USB-C)
- Good battery life so you don’t have to rely on an external power supply
- No extremely old devices
Examples of proven solutions include:
- Lenovo ThinkPad
- Dell Latitude
- HP ProBook
- Acer Travelmate
Recommended: Acer TravelMate Spin B3*
Software
- Ecumaster Downloads – current software and firmware versions available for download
Tablet & display solutions
- Full functionality only possible with Windows-based tablets
Recommended: Microsoft Surface Go 3* – 10,5″, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD - Android tablet with Bluetooth adapter for the EMU control unit
Recommended: Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5* – rugged 8″ tablet with very bright display- Ecumaster eDash – Android & iOS App from Ecumaster
- RealDash – speedometer app with EMU support
- Small displays for installation:
Recommended: CANchecked-Displays - Dash solutions for motorsport:
- Ecumaster ADU – 5″ & 7″ display for motorsport
- PLEX SDM-330® Dash Display – 4,3″ display for motorsport
In short:
For EMU control units, we recommend a Windows laptop with good battery performance and a stable USB port, a shielded USB connection cable, and a direct connection without USB hubs or extensions.
🔧 MaxxECU Mini, MaxxECU Street, MaxxECU Sport, MaxxECU Race & MaxxECU Pro with USB-port
Connections & Cables
- MaxxECU Gen2 Race – USB-C port
Original: MaxxECU GEN2 communication cable (USB-C to USB-A)
Recommended: Delock USB 2.0 Kabel Type-C zu Type-C 2 m*
Alternatively: Delock USB 2.0 Kabel Typ-A zu Type-C 3 m* - MaxxECU Street, MaxxECU V1, MaxxECU Sport, MaxxECU Race – USB-B port
USB-A to USB-B cable with good shielding and ferrite (proven & stable)
Recommended: Delock Kabel USB 2.0 Typ-A Stecker > USB 2.0 Typ-B Stecker 2 m transparent*
Alternatively: Delock Kabel USB 2.0 Typ-A Stecker > USB 2.0 Typ-B Stecker gewinkelt 2 m* - MaxxECU Race H2O & MaxxECU Pro – IP68 mini USB-B port
Recommended: BULGIN USB-Kabel – IP68 Stecker, gerade USB A/Mini USB B 2m* - MaxxECU Mini – Micro USB port
Recommended: Delock Kabel USB 2.0 Typ-A Stecker > USB 2.0 Micro-B Stecker 2 m transparent* - Short, high-quality USB cables (no cheap or extension cables)
- direct connection, no USB hubs
Why it matters:
Unstable adapters are one of the most common causes of connection problems.
Laptop
Recommended:
- Windows laptop
- Stable USB ports (USB-A or USB-C)
- Good battery life so you don’t have to rely on an external power supply
- No extremely old devices
Examples of proven solutions include:
- Lenovo ThinkPad
- Dell Latitude
- HP ProBook
- Acer Travelmate
Recommended: Acer TravelMate Spin B3*
Software
- MTune PC-software – current software available for download
Tablet & display solutions
- Full functionality only possible with Windows-based tablets
Recommended: Microsoft Surface Go 3* – 10,5″, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD - Android tablet with integrated Bluetooth or Bluetooth module for the MaxxECU control unit
Recommended: Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5* – rugged 8″ tablet with very bright display- MDash Android app – Android App from MaxxECU
- RealDash – speedometer app with MaxxECU support
- Small displays for installation:
Recommended: CANchecked-Displays - Dash solutions for motorsport:
- Ecum & 7″ display for motorsport
- PLEX SDM-330® Dash Display – 4,3″ display for motorsport
In short:
For MaxxECU control units, we recommend a Windows laptop with good battery performance and a stable USB port, a shielded USB connection cable, and a direct connection without USB hubs or extensions.
Manifold absolute pressure sensor (MAP)
The MAP sensor measures the absolute pressure in the intake manifold and is highly sensitive to pulsations, resonances, and hose routing. In practice, poor signals often lead to:
- Unstable load values
- Unstable injection
- Unstable ignition angle
- Difficult tuning—especially with regard to boost pressure control in turbocharged engines
Hardware-based filtering – useful & provenHardwareseitige Filterung – sinnvoll & bewährt
In addition to software smoothing, hardware filtering of the MAP signal has proven its worth in many projects.
Typical measures:
- Small buffer tank (filter/damper) in the vacuum line
Recommended: small Bosch fuelfilter* - Restrictor (e.g., small bore or nozzle) in front of the filter in the MAP hose
- Intake manifold –> Restrictor —> Filter –> ECU or map sensor
Advantages:
- More stable MAP signal
- More reproducible measured values
- More straightforward tuning
- Lower filter requirements in the software
Practical tip
A properly filtered MAP signal is often the key to reliable tuning.
Software filters can help, but they are no substitute for a clean signal output.