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The Steeda ECU kit includes...
The Steeda ECU kit includes the flash-programmed ECU, 30-lb/hr injectors, an 80mm mass airflow meter, and a dual-fuel-pump assembly. The Dual Pump fuel pump is not a production '03 Cobra unit, even though it looks as if it is. The Dual Pump is actually part Ford, with Visteon-sourced housing parts, and two Bosch vane-style fuel pumps built to Steeda's specifications. For serious road racers that see high-cornering g's, Steeda suggests upgrading to the production baffled '03 Cobra fuel tank, a $260 option. So, we'll be making that change to the 3g GT in the near future.
Horse Sense:
When we asked Steeda's Dario Orlando about the Technology Transfer program and where the company was headed next, he had one word for us-"Focus." The Steeda Focus program will get a shot in the ECU soon with the same attention to detail the company has put into its Mustang programming. Look for more news on the Steeda Focus and the Technology Transfer program in the upcoming year.
When Ford announced its Powertrain Technology Initiative at the '99 SEMA show, the idea was to work with leading aftermarket companies in engine-management calibration upgrades for the 4.6 modular in supercharged applications. Steeda was the first-and so far is the only-company to knock on Ford's door. Although interested in working with Steeda, Ford wasn't about to hand out its calibration code to just any company, for fear it would go straight into the wrong hands. Steeda front man Dario Orlando had to show Ford that his company has real credibility and that it has seen unmatched stability in the Ford aftermarket. An initiation of sorts, Dario says.
Once accepted, the Steeda crew got to work building two identical supercharged 4.6 Mustang GTs. One of the twins was sent to an independent lab in Michigan and the other stayed on Steeda's Pompano Beach, Florida, campus. With these cars available to both the Steeda engineers and the suits in Michigan, calibration work and testing commenced. Working with Ford supplier Cosworth, Steeda shared the extensive fuel and spark curve corrections made to its No. 20 race car (which uses FAST engine management) to create the base calibration.
Steeda engineers also worked closely with Ford and Team Mustang to ensure the modified tables in the ECU didn't affect driveability and other features. Dario emphasizes that Steeda's ECU calibration, which carries a CARB EO and is 50-state legal, leaves everything "turned on" in the ECU, unlike some computer chips that turn off OBD-II sensors to make everything seem squeaky clean. Dario gave us an example, stating that more than 2,000 calibration changes alone were made on the '01 ECU.
The stock ECU has to be removed...
The stock ECU has to be removed for shipping, but if you go to Steeda, the flash reprogramming can be done with the ECU in the car. Remove the right kick panel to access the ECU. Back out the ECU connector by turning the retaining bolt counterclockwise.
When we asked Dario why no one else was working with Ford in the same manner as his company, he said it boils down to two things-either they are getting their cars or ECUs "back-door calibrated" or they feel working with Ford on the Technology Transfer program is just too much work-an "I don't want to deal with it" mentality. We hope this will change, but for now Steeda's close work with Ford and the Technology Transfer program is something to be thankful for, especially if you own a supercharged 4.6 Mustang!
To obtain the Steeda calibration, your ECU is sent to Steeda, where it will be flash-upgraded and then shipped by FedEx back to you within 24 hours. Or, if you live close by, you can bring your ECU or Mustang directly to Steeda. The ECU cannot be sold by itself, however. To maintain the CARB status, it's sold as a kit with the new Steeda Dual Pump fuel-pump assembly, 30-lb/hr injectors, and a new 80mm mass airflow meter. The Steeda ECU kit was certified together, and that is the only way the CARB EO will be granted. You can purchase the Dual Pump, injectors, and mass air upgrades individually (they're in the Steeda catalog now) but not the ECU.
Not only does the Steeda ECU provide emissions-legal performance, but it also can be diagnosed and scanned by any Ford dealer with an NGS tester, so you needn't be nervous about taking your Steeda-equipped 'Stang to the dealer to diagnose a problem. While you're there, the technicians can even adjust timing tables and rear gear ratio information, which they can't do on stock ECUs. Furthermore, as a precaution for Steeda and your blown Mustang, the dealer cannot reflash the Steeda ECU with a stock program, nor can the Steeda program be downloaded or transferred to another Mustang.
 With the ECU connector out...  With the ECU connector out of the way, remove the one retaining bolt for the ECU. Snake out the ECU from the kick panel area so it can be shipped to Steeda. |  Once at Steeda, the ECU is...  Once at Steeda, the ECU is connected to a special harness system to allow it to be read and flashed by the Steeda technician. To the left of the ECU is Ford's NGS (New Generation STAR) tester. This device, used by dealer technicians everywhere, can access multiple systems on Ford vehicles. |  After our ECU (along with...  After our ECU (along with the rest of the kit) was FedEx'd back to us, we were ready to continue with the 3g's upgrades. The mass airflow meter on the 3g resides in the right front fender as a blow-through installation. A couple of hose clamps on the ATI intercooler and ductwork allow the meter to be freed. |
 You can see here the differences...  You can see here the differences in the two air meters. The 90mm version on the right is what we were running, but to maintain the CARB OE exemption of the Steeda ECU kit, we had to run the smaller 80mm meter provided, though it will still flow plenty of air for our application. |  When assembling the Steeda...  When assembling the Steeda mass airflow meter into the blow-through intercooler tubing, we were careful to maintain the proper orientation of the meter's electronics. ATI's Chris Spies told us during the initial install of our P-1SC that the position of the meter could cause surging. We had good success with the old meter in this position (rotation-wise), so we installed the new meter in the identical position to prevent any problems. |  Swapping the injectors for...  Swapping the injectors for the Steeda 30-lb/hr units is relatively straightforward and actually a bit easier when compared to the 5.0s of the past. Remove the four fuel-rail mounting bolts and carefully remove the injectors from their pockets in the intake manifold. A blast of compressed air before removal of the injector will blow any dirt out of the pocket area and prevent it from entering the engine when the injector is removed. |