Beyond Engine Management: Advanced Motorsport Applications Using Haltech ECUs

From The Workshop

I'm Adrian Stratford, owner of Adrian Stratford Motorsport.

Over the years I've worked on everything from performance street cars and Barra conversions through to dedicated rally cars and motorsport projects. One thing I've learned is that most people only use a fraction of what a modern ECU is capable of.

While Haltech is widely known for fuel and ignition control, I've spent countless hours exploring how its inputs, outputs, CAN devices and programmable logic can be used to solve real-world motorsport challenges.

Many of the examples in this article come directly from vehicles I've built, wired, tuned or competed in myself. Whether it's creating closed-loop anti-lag strategies, automated intercooler sprays, brake cooling systems or reducing wiring complexity through CAN expansion modules, these are practical solutions that have been developed and tested in real motorsport environments.

That's one of the reasons I'm passionate about Haltech products. They give builders and tuners the flexibility to think beyond traditional engine management and create smarter, more capable vehicles.

Beyond Engine Management

One of the biggest advantages of modern Haltech systems is that they can be used for far more than simply controlling an engine.

Many enthusiasts are familiar with fuel, ignition and boost control, but Haltech's flexible inputs, outputs and CAN capabilities allow builders to create advanced control strategies normally reserved for high-level motorsport applications.

Through the use of custom tables, generic sensors and programmable outputs, we've implemented a variety of unique motorsport solutions including:

• Closed-loop air bypass anti-lag systems
• Closed-loop brake cooling water spray control
• Closed-loop intercooler spray strategies
• Automatic thermal management systems
• Driver warning and protection systems

By monitoring temperatures, pressures, vehicle speed and other sensor inputs, Haltech can make real-time decisions to improve reliability, consistency and performance.

Using CAN Expansion To Simplify Wiring

Another powerful feature is the ability to distribute inputs and outputs throughout the vehicle using CAN-based expansion modules.

For example, we've used Haltech IO16 modules in engine bays to control factory electrical systems including:

• Headlights
• Indicators
• Horns
• Windscreen wipers
• Washer systems

Instead of running large numbers of wires from the cabin to the front of the vehicle, only power, ground and two CAN wires are required to communicate with the IO16 module.

This dramatically reduces wiring complexity, simplifies installation and improves serviceability, particularly in motorsport and custom vehicle applications where clean wiring is essential.

For rally cars and competition vehicles, reducing wiring weight, simplifying fault diagnosis and improving reliability can make a significant difference over the life of a build.

About Adrian Stratford Motorsport

At Adrian Stratford Motorsport, we supply genuine Haltech products backed by real-world experience. As both a competitor and vehicle builder, I understand the demands placed on performance and motorsport vehicles and enjoy helping customers get the most from their combinations.

Whether you're building a street car, race car, drift car, burnout car or rally car, we're happy to help you choose the right Haltech components and share practical advice gained from years of hands-on experience.