“ We combine the knowledge from different forms of motorsports to understand what the future will be ,” Dick says . “ We ’ re also racers , and have daily cars on the dyno . We have a close relationship with so many clients and the most diverse applications . There are FuelTech ECUs in just about every single form of motorsports .”
For current FT600 users , updating to the FT700 series is a plug-and-play installation as the FT700 and FT700 Plus both utilize the same main harness as the FT600 . The VisionFT series adds another three connectors , however , providing additional inputs for high speed channels . Not only that , but it also incorporates a media connection for video / audio inputs that can be synchronized with the datalogging feature of the VCU .
“ Incorporation of multimedia is a big thing with cameras and microphones hardwired into the car ,” Dick says . “ You could create a channel for suspension angle on the four-link and the angle can be calculated through video , which could then send an input to make a change or correction .”
The FT700 and FT700 Plus feature new , more advanced software that is fully compatible with Windows / Apple operating systems , as well as current tablets and cellphones , but some may not even need those as the new displays offer a much more capable interface with access to all of the VCU ’ s tuning features available through the touch screen now .
With the FT700 and FT700 Plus having onboard WIFI and Bluetooth , FuelTech made sure to protect the new VCUs with advanced data encryption to secure the data for the tuner and / or client .
“ It ’ s important to assure the client that their data is secure ,” Dick says of the security measures .
One thing about the company ’ s PowerFT product line that many might not know of is that the FT450 , FT550 , and FT600 were all given electric vehicle control through a software update , and the VisionFT series continues that control option for internal combustion , hybrid , and electric vehicles .
From a physical standpoint , the VisionFT series offers the FT700 with a 7-inch screen for vehicles where space is at a premium or where the instrument panel was built to fit previous FuelTech ECUs . For other vehicles that don ’ t have a limitation in this regard , or perhaps is a new build designed specifically for it , the FT700
Plus offers a 12-inch screen to display more of the VCU ’ s information . And while both VCUs come equipped with great bezels , they can be removed and the VCUs can be flush-mounted into a dash panel for a custom finish .
We have touched on just a small amount of the upgrades and features of the VisionFT series , and you ’ ll want to contact the folks at FuelTech to determine if they are the right choice for your racing program . The FT700 has a suggested retail price of $ 3,999 and its big-screen brother comes in at $ 4,999 . FuelTech will be shipping both of these VCUs during the first quarter of 2024 . DI
November / December 2023 DragIllustrated . com | Drag Illustrated | 191