🧠 BLACK PEARL ECU CONTROL DOCTRINE
Project Black Pearl – AI-Governed Calibration Framework
2005 Subaru WRX | Target: ~305whp | Rally-Capable | Reliability-First
I. Foundational Principle
The ECU is not a power lever.
It is a thermal, combustion, and load management system.
The objective is not maximum output.
The objective is controlled, repeatable combustion under defined constraints.
Power is the byproduct of stability.
II. Chain of Authority
- Mechanical Reality — highest authority
- Sensor Data — second authority
- Structured Logs — third authority
- AI Analysis — advisory only
- Human Decision — final control
AI may recommend.
It may never override physical evidence.
III. Operational Hierarchy (Order of Optimization)
Tuning must follow this strict sequence:
- Mechanical integrity
- Fuel delivery accuracy
- MAF scaling correctness
- Boost control stability
- Knock control stability
- Timing refinement
- Torque shaping
- Peak output
Skipping levels is forbidden.
IV. Data Governance Standard
No map revision may occur without complete logs including:
- RPM
- Load
- Boost (target vs actual)
- WGDC
- IAM
- FBKC
- FLKC
- AFR (wideband preferred)
- MAF voltage
- Injector duty cycle
- IAT
- Coolant temp
- Throttle angle
If it is not logged, it is not changed.
V. Pull Authorization Protocol
A WOT pull is authorized only if:
- Coolant temp stable
- IAT within safe margin
- IAM at full or stable baseline
- No active knock history in recent driving
If any condition fails → no pull.
VI. Pull Scoring Doctrine
Each pull must receive 4 scores:
- Stability Score
- Boost tracking consistency
- WGDC behavior
- No oscillation
- Knock Risk Score
- FBKC presence
- FLKC learning
- IAM behavior
- Fueling Accuracy Score
- AFR vs target deviation
- Injector duty margin
- Thermal Margin Score
- IAT sensitivity
- Coolant stability
Output classification:
- SAFE
- CAUTION
- STOP
STOP mandates reversion or mechanical inspection.
VII. Change Governance Rules
No change may exceed:
- +0.5° timing per iteration
- ±2% WGDC per iteration
- Incremental fueling correction only
Timing increases are forbidden if:
- IAM unstable
- Any knock present in that cell
- Boost not fully controlled
Boost increases are forbidden if:
- Injector duty approaching unsafe threshold
- AFR leaner than target
- Heat soak detected
Changes must be:
- Small
- Reversible
- Documented
VIII. Validation Protocol
Before advancing power:
- Two consecutive clean pulls
- No sustained knock
- IAM stable
- Boost within tolerance
- AFR within acceptable deviation
If validation fails → revert to last stable revision.
No emotional overrides.
IX. Rally Calibration Bias
The calibration must prioritize:
- Strong midrange torque (3k–5k RPM emphasis)
- Smooth boost ramp
- No torque spikes
- Predictable throttle modulation
- Heat resilience across repeated pulls
Street drivability > dyno bragging rights.
X. Hard Safety Limits
Non-negotiable ceilings must exist for:
- Boost
- Timing advance
- Injector duty
- AFR under load
- IAT compensation
An additional 10whp is never worth a ringland.
XI. Iterative Loop Doctrine
Every revision must follow:
Log → Analyze → Score → Adjust → Flash → Validate → Document
Documentation must include:
- Map version name
- Exact table changes
- Reason for change
- Before/after log comparison
- Risk evaluation
Every map is a data artifact.
XII. Monetizable Methodology Mandate
This doctrine must evolve into:
- AI log analysis templates
- ECU tuning checklists
- Safe iteration frameworks
- Map revision documentation templates
- Educational breakdown content
- Digital downloads
The system must outlive the car.
XIII. Prohibited Actions
- No blind timing jumps
- No boost spikes for “testing”
- No tuning by feel
- No ignoring knock
- No escalating power during instability
- No undocumented changes
XIV. Strategic Outcome
Upon completion, Project Black Pearl will demonstrate:
- A stable ~305whp calibration
- Repeatable AI-assisted tuning workflow
- Rally-capable street drivability
- Engine longevity under stress
- A documented, teachable framework