Tech Note

Getting Started with the R4 Software

The R4 software is the user interface for all programmable Split Second products. There is a
complete R4 data sheet which goes into great detail about how the use the software. This
application note is intended to give you a step-by-step procedure to follow in order to begin
using the software. It is strongly recommended that you also look over the R4 data sheet, the
product data sheet and installation instructions before getting started.

The R4 program is used to program the PSC1, AIC1 and FTC1 families of products. Before you
go any further, be sure that you know the family and specific version of the product that you are
working with. Most products will have a label on the bottom that indicates the complete part
number. There are specific System Settings that you need to select depending on the product.
You will also have to know how the specific product you are using makes use of the map tables
and the Output Settings.

To help you get started, here are some of the critical steps when using the R4 software.

1) Install the R4 program by running the setup.exe program. On the R4 disc the setup.exe file is
located in the folder labeled R4 Software. Follow the prompts and install the program in the
default location under program files on the C: drive.

2) You can find the file under Program Files and R4 Controller. If you want to have an icon on
your desktop, right click on the desktop and click on New and Shortcut. Browse to the R4
Controller located under My Computer, Local Disk (C:), Program Files and R4 Controller.
Highlight the R4 Controller and click OK and follow the prompts. Double click the R4
Controller icon on the desktop to launch the program.

3) A splash screen will be displayed for 5 seconds showing the version of the program. The
current version is 1.5.0.

4) When you first open the R4 program, most of the features are inactive. To do anything with
the program, you have to open a file to work in. You will have to open an existing file or create
one. If you are connecting to a Split Second box for the first time and it already has a map, it is a
good idea to save a copy of that map on your hard drive so you can reload it in the future if
necessary. In order to do that, create a new file.

5) To create the file, click File and New Customer. Type in an appropriate file name. Choose a
name for the file that is descriptive like start map, base map, etc. You can put the file in the My
Documents directory or the same location as the R4 program. Use the navigation tools to
navigate to the directory where you want to create the file. After you type in the name and
define the location, click Save.

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6) Open the file you have created by clicking on File and Open Customer. Navigate to the
directory where the file is located if it is not already pointing to that location. Find the file you
created and click it to highlight it. Click Open to open the file.

7) The main screen of the R4 program should now be displayed with the name of the file shown
in the colored bar at the top of the window.

8) Whenever you open a file for the first time, you need to set the System Settings. Click on
Options and System Settings. Select the settings that match your hardware. The correct settings
are usually noted in the installation instructions for the particular product you have. Typical
settings are Vacuum/Pressure and Programmable Signal Calibrator.

9) To establish a data connection, you will need either a straight-through, 9-pin serial extension
cable, or a USB-to-serial adapter cable. Note that a 9-pin null cable looks just like a straight-
through cable, but will not work. If you are using a USB-to-serial adapter, make sure that you
install the correct software driver for it on your computer. It is a good idea to look under Ports
(COM & LPT) in the Device Manager to see what COM port setting the computer chose for the
USB-to-serial adapter. If it is not between COM 1 and 8 you will have to change it.

10) Turn on the ignition on the vehicle to power up the Split Second box.

11) Select the correct COM port from the pull-down menu on the main screen and plug in the
cable.

12) Click the Connect to ECU icon on the main screen.

13) If the program is able to connect, the icon you just clicked will become inactive and the
Disconnect from ECU icon next to it will become active. This is how you will know that you
have a data connection. If you are unable to connect, double check to make sure the unit has
power. If you are using a serial cable, make sure it is a straight-through cable. Make sure the
COM port setting in the Device Manager is between 1 and 8. Finally make sure that the COM
port selection in R4 matches the COM port shown in the Device Manager. For more information
about adapter cables refer to the Split Second application note titled "Making a USB-to-Serial
Adapter Work".

14) Once you are connected, click on Maps and Fuel Maps to go to the Map Table screen.

15) Click on the icon all the way to the left which is Read Data from ECU. The label for the
icon will appear when you position the cursor over it. If the icon is not active, you do not have a
data connection.

16) The program will ask - Are you sure? Make sure that the program is going to overwrite the
file data with the data from the ECU then click Yes.

17) The program will read the configuration data, and the contents of maps A and B. When it is
done, you will see the cell values appear on the map table.

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18) If you intend to make changes to the programming, it is best to close the file to save it in its
current state. That way you can always open that file and write it to the ECU in order to get back
to the original tune. To do that, close the map table screen, disconnect from the ECU and click
File and Close Customer.

19) If you would like to make changes, create a second file and repeat the instructions starting at
step 5 above. Give the file a descriptive name like initial tune or tune1. Go though all the steps
again until you have the ECU data in the second file. At that point you can make changes to the
cell values in the map tables to change the tune.

20) To change the mapping in the Split Second box, click the Write Data to ECU icon on the
map table screen. The program will ask - Are you sure? Make sure that it is going to overwrite
the ECU data with data from the file and click Yes. In order to write the file the ignition has to
be on and the engine off.

21) Tune the engine by making progressive changes to the mapping, writing the file and
evaluating how the engine runs. As you make progress, periodically close the file you are in and
create a new one. Use descriptive names for the files like tune2, tune3, etc. That way you can
go back to a previous tune if you want to by writing that file to the ECU.

22) Use the Notes field on the main screen to record information that is specific to that tune such
as 50 psi fuel pressure, 10 psi boost, etc. When you have several files that were done under
different circumstances your notes are a good way to keep your files straight.

These steps will get you going with the R4 program. There are a number of other features in the
R4 software that may or may not be used by a specific product. Refer to the R4 data sheet and
product specific documentation for more information.

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