Check this out!!! (ECS control module)

[Ceramic_GT2]

Hello everyone. I’ve read up a little on this and am interested in this. I’ve got a few questions (probably will have more later) which are probably somewhere in this 20+ page thread but don’t exactly want to read through all of it.

1, I'm planning on getting front and rear sway bars, would getting Mando be better the better approach or the other way around?
Or would having both be the best?
In other words which would be the best to have if you could pick one? As I'm seeing that when someone adds Mando to a car that has sways already won't notice much difference.

2, If I bring my car into a dealer do I need to unplug the unit every time? As I fear they'll find the unit with their own eyes or when scanning the car which could lead to warranty issues. If yes do I just need to take out the box or box and wiring?

For example I go in due to a faulty sensor associated with the ECS. All I need to do is to remove the box (no need to take out any of the wiring) or could I get away and leave the unit in still?

3, For someone who has a dashcam hardwired into the fuse box can I still use add a fuse still or would using positaps be better in this case?

4, Does anyone have an install video?

 

[itguy61]

I have both and imho the sway bars are the biggest difference and improvement you can make with one mod. That being said I like both and would recommend both. You don't have to unplug it unless you have a problem with your electronic suspension and they would be looking around that system to fix it. You can still use a fuse tap on another fuse, there are instructions here in some of the threads about this.

 

[Hacksaw907]

Do you have a custom drive mode option with a suspension choice?

Huh... Didn't see this post before, for some odd reason. Yeah, I do. I can pick between comfort and sport.

 

[D.J.]

Hello everyone. I’ve read up a little on this and am interested in this. I’ve got a few questions (probably will have more later) which are probably somewhere in this 20+ page thread but don’t exactly want to read through all of it.

1, I'm planning on getting front and rear sway bars, would getting Mando be better the better approach or the other way around?
Or would having both be the best?
In other words which would be the best to have if you could pick one? As I'm seeing that when someone adds Mando to a car that has sways already won't notice much difference.

The sway bars physically affect the cars roll and lean characteristics..
The Mando ECS can be setup to stiffen the damping.
They are similar but different.
The sway bars once installed work all the time.
The Mando ECS once installed does not work until you connect to it each time with your phone, each drive cycle. Yes it's a minor pain I'm the ass.

2, If I bring my car into a dealer do I need to unplug the unit every time? As I fear they'll find the unit with their own eyes or when scanning the car which could lead to warranty issues. If yes do I just need to take out the box or box and wiring?

For example I go in due to a faulty sensor associated with the ECS. All I need to do is to remove the box (no need to take out any of the wiring) or could I get away and leave the unit in still?

The ECS 10 reverts back to stock with each drive cycle. You would likely not have to ever touch it, even if you are having a related sensor diagnosed. If you do not connect to the ECS10 during the current drive cycle, it is inert.

3, For someone who has a dashcam hardwired into the fuse box can I still use add a fuse still or would using positaps be better in this case?

I used the same fuse tap to power both my dashcam and my Mando ESC10.

Both combined draw less than 1 amp when in operation

 

[redtrack]

The ECS 10 reverts back to stock with each drive cycle. You would likely not have to ever touch it, even if you are having a related sensor diagnosed. If you do not connect to the ECS10 during the current drive cycle, it is inert.

that's not my understanding...you turn off the car and next time, it's the same setting, connected the phone or not....the module it's like a piggy back to the system....I'll remove it before going to the dealer......just my 2 cents....

 

[itguy61]

The sway bars physically affect the cars roll and lean characteristics..
The Mando ECS can be setup to stiffen or soften the compression damping characteristics. (Front and rear independent and speed independent)
They are similar but very very different.
The sway bars, once installed, work all the time, there is no on/off switch.
The Mando ECS, once installed, does not work until you connect to it each drive your cycle with your phone. Yes it's a minor pain I'm the ass, it doesn't even auto connect once you open the app.

I am using the beta version 1.05 of the app, and still does not have any auto connect features.


The ECS 10 reverts back to stock with each drive cycle. You would likely not have to ever touch it, even if you are having a related sensor diagnosed. If you do not connect to the ECS10 during the current drive cycle, it is inert.


I used the same fuse tap to power both my dashcam and my Mando ESC10.

Both combined draw less than 1 amp when in operation

Where did you get information that you have to set the Mando setting every time you get in the car? This is the first I have heard of this. Mine seems to hold the settings until changed.

 

[Hockster]

Where did you get information that you have to set the Mando setting every time you get in the car? This is the first I have heard of this. Mine seems to hold the settings until changed.

Kinda wondering if it's connected to a switched power source and loses the settings at power off.

 

[D.J.]

Where did you get information that you have to set the Mando setting every time you get in the car? This is the first I have heard of this. Mine seems to hold the settings until changed.

I made a custom setting of 100% firm for all speeds. I selected this setting and parked the car. (With Mando connected to constant power).

I moved my phone far enough to lose connection and then restarted the car.

Car was back to stock damping

Once I reconnected my phone, on the next drive cycle, the car went back to my custom 100% test setting.

 

[D.J.]

Mine seems to hold the settings until changed.

When you say "seems to".
How have you confirmed this?

Mine does not hold the setting at next drive cycle.

 

[D.J.]

Here is the translation to English, for those interested...


****************************
Download the app to your phone and operate it all with one touch. If you do not run the app, the original operation of the car will remain the same. It only works if you run the app.

This translation implies the application must be running and connected for the ECS10 to operate.

Post #57 in this thread.

 

[D.J.]

Ok guys I have some more info.

1. You have to turn on the app and connect to the module if you want to apply the settings, otherwise it will remain stock.
2. Once you apply the settings, you can turn off the app, they will remain until the car is turned off.
3. The module leaves no trace so nothing to worry about the warranty.
4. They considered making a tuning module for the EPSS(steering system) but the level of safety is not the same as the suspension and it is harder to get autorized.

Just quoting this to bring to the front so those who obviously didn't read the thread (it's very long) can find this quickly.

The ECS 10 does not auto start on the next drive cycle.

The 4 custom settings are remembered, but you have to "ACTIVATE" one of the settings with your phone each time you want to enjoy that setting.

Park overnight, next day, stock settings are used until you reconnect the phone to the ECS10.

 

[Marc Collins]

Just quoting this to bring to the front so those who obviously didn't read the thread (it's very long) can find this quickly.

The ECS 10 does not auto start on the next drive cycle.

The 4 custom settings are remembered, but you have to "ACTIVATE" one of the settings with your phone each time you want to enjoy that setting.

Park overnight, next day, stock settings are used until you reconnect the phone to the ECS10.

This was clarified by the vendor from Day 1. And, the reason I stopped being interested in getting one.

 

[Gtecko]

Just quoting this to bring to the front so those who obviously didn't read the thread (it's very long) can find this quickly.

The ECS 10 does not auto start on the next drive cycle.

The 4 custom settings are remembered, but you have to "ACTIVATE" one of the settings with your phone each time you want to enjoy that setting.

Park overnight, next day, stock settings are used until you reconnect the phone to the ECS10.

I guess I must have misread this all along ... kinda defeat the purpose if you need to connect on every single drive...

 

[D.J.]

I guess I must have misread this all along ... kinda defeat the purpose if you need to connect on every single drive...

Which is exactly why I detailed this in post #423.

the ECS10 is good, but is not a replacement - nor should it be compared to a sway bar.

Check this out!!! (ECS control module)

 

[itguy61]

I wonder what the facts are about applying one of these settings on the Mando and it sets that same setting regardless of where the setting on the car is set at the time. I wonder if you push the sport button on the Mando if it sets that on the suspension even if the suspension dial is set to comfort? Information is kind of hard to get on this unit.

 

[D.J.]

I wonder what the facts are about applying one of these settings on the Mando and it sets that same setting regardless of where the setting on the car is set at the time. I wonder if you push the sport button on the Mando if it sets that on the suspension even if the suspension dial is set to comfort? Information is kind of hard to get on this unit.

I can tell you.

While the MANDO ECS10 app is connected and active, you can set the native drive mode to sport or comfort - it does not matter at all. The MANDO settings override whatever setting you have the car set to (there are only 2 damping settings built into our cars).

As an example:
If you are using MANDO custom setting 2 - that is what you are using.
While using MANDO custom setting 2, no matter what you do with the drive mode dial, the MANDO custom setting 2 will be active on the current drive. If you disconnect your phone or close the APP, the MANDO settings will remain active for the current drive cycle.

The next drive cycle, if you do not reconnect the app to the ECS10, the stock settings and drive mode dial will be in effect and active. The ECS leave no trace that it was ever installed.

Detailed version:

• Without the MANDO APP connected, our cars have 2 suspension damping modes only:
  1. Comfort (default each drive cycle)
  2. Sport (selectable each drive cycle)

• With the MANDO APP connected and enabled, 1 of the 6 options you have selected in the app will be applied.
  • There are 6 options/profiles within the MANDO app:
  1. Comfort (re-tuned comfort mode - MANDO claims this is more comfortable than OEM Comfort mode - I agree)
  2. Sport (re-tuned sport mode - MANDO claims this to be more sporty and better than OEM sport mode - I agree)
  3. Custom 1
  4. Custom 2
  5. Custom 3
  6. Custom 4

All 4 of the custom modes include either basic or advanced (you can have 2 basic and 2 advanced):

• Basic allows for:
  • Ride damping control in 1% increments (0% to 100%)
  • Handling damping control in 1% increments (0% to 100%)
  • Front and rear adjusted independently for ride and handlng
• Advanced
  • adds 8 speed ranges of adjustability for "Ride"
  • adds 5 speed ranges of adjustability for "Handling"
  • the speed ranges are adjustable, for extremely fine speed based damping adjustments

Lastly, what is the difference between ride and handling within the MANDO app?
It IS NOT compression and rebound.
Our shocks are only adjustable for compression damping. The rebound damping is fixed rate in our shocks.
To the best of my knowledge thus far:
Ride = how shocks react going straight
Handling = how the shocks react when an event has occurred such as a turn (there are yaw sensors, steering input angle sensors, four G-sensors etc)

 

[Hockster]

I'll probably get one, but further down the road than I initially thought. Probably use it for the long drives, select a setting and let it go back to default afterwards.

 

[itguy61]

Awesome info, thanks! There was a lot of misinformation at first. This goes with what I am feeling in the car.

 

[TecNicker]

If you disconnect your phone or close the APP, the MANDO settings will remain active for the current drive cycle.
The next drive cycle, if you do not reconnect the app to the ECS10, the stock settings and drive mode dial will be in effect and active. The ECS leave no trace that it was ever installed.

Sorry, but I had o contradict you in this case...
I own one of the first ECS10. It´s powered by a IGN-Fuse and the Mando-settings (once stored by the app) always override the stock-settings. For month. As long as the ECS10 is shut off by App or IGN-power off...

...maybe a problem of power-sequence?

 

[Gtecko]

so it is possible to have it run at all time ?? how is your install different than D.J ?

Sorry, but I had o contradict you in this case...
I own one of the first ECS10. It´s powered by a IGN-Fuse and the Mando-settings (once stored by the app) always override the stock-settings. For month. As long as the ECS10 is shut off by App or IGN-power off...

...maybe a problem of power-sequence?

 

[UltraCow]

Sorry, but I had o contradict you in this case...
I own one of the first ECS10. It´s powered by a IGN-Fuse and the Mando-settings (once stored by the app) always override the stock-settings. For month. As long as the ECS10 is shut off by App or IGN-power off...

...maybe a problem of power-sequence?

I can confirm this. Mine is installed on a switched power source as well. The only time reconnecting from the app to the unit is needed is if you want to change the setting.

Also, from my research and personal R&D, ride *does* control bump damping while handling affects rebound damping. It can take a bit of reading and experimenting before you start to get an idea of what and how each of the settings changes things.
I was going to post a link to a good suspension tuning and dynamics guide that continues to be useful in my development, but apparently I’m still not allowed to post links even though I’ve been registered for quite a while now. The hazards of being an infrequent poster I suppose.

One additional thing I’ve observed - whatever you set within the ECS10 serves as a static, base calibration where the two different suspension modes act as behavior modifiers on top of that; likely within their own set ranges. Not everyone may notice the difference, depending on road surface, but it is distinct and repeatable.