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How it works

19th August 1999, Page 16
19th August 1999
Page 16
Page 16, 19th August 1999 — How it works
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Modern diesel engines are controlled by a computer—and anything that can be programmed can be reprogrammed. The ECUs fitted to 340,380 and 420hp versions of the FH12 are fundamentally the same, so it should just be a question of changing to the appropriate program. Naturally, Volvo keeps Its programs to itself, and it takes a specialist to reprogram the ECU.

Enter Superchips, a Buckingham-based company which started out by uprating Ford Sierra Cosworth engines. Since 1983 it has diversified, and now produces modified ECU chips for petroland diesel-engined cars, motorbikes, vans (it can uprate a Ford Transit turbo-diesel) and now trucks. The original research and programming on the Volvo engine was carried out by Danish fuel injection specialist Dansk Off-Road Techniek.

Milton Keynes Traction takes a blank, programmable EPROM memory chip (which costs just 25p) and places it in an EPROM burner. This is connected to a conventional desktop PC, in turn connected (via a modem and a phone line) to Superchips' computers; the new program Is "burnt" permanently into the chip when it can be inserted into the truck's ECU.

To prevent a fleet or a rival firm copying the new programming, it is encrypted, or "scrambled". The EPROM chip is placed into a custom-made Superchips chip which unscrambles the code, and this circuit replaces the original ECU memory.

Once MKT has removed and opened the Volvo's ECU box (which sits on the side of the engine, cooled by the fuel) a fitter can simply take out the original memory chip, replacing it with the EPROM and the Superchips device.

Mark Allam is keen to emphasise that his firm's conversions are safe and will not adversely affect the longer-term performance of the Volvo engine.

He is careful to check for himself when apparently different parts are used—for example, on 340hp and 380hp FH12 engines.

"There are some changes to the 4204 unit," says Allam, including a different turbocharger, but here he ensures the appropriate item is specified.

The Danish converter has proved the 12-litre engine can be taken up to 475hp or more, but above 475hp it is advisable to fit the heavier S81900 gearbox, and component life is likely to be somewhat shorter.

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Locations: Buckingham

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