What the heck is load?
Modern fuel injected engines are controlled by a sophisticated engine computer (ECU). The job of the ECU is to take in information from the driver and the environment, crunch the numbers, and calculate the load placed on the engine. This load information is sent to the fuel injectors in the form of a pulse width (length of time the fuel injector is held open) and a frequency (how often the fuel injector is opened). The PowerCard's sophisticated microprocessor and proprietary algorithms are able to decipher the ECU's fuel injector output signal's information, back-calculating the load in order to determine how much fuel to add and when to add it in order to get maximum performance from your modifications.

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Why does PowerCard only add fuel?
It is true that PowerCard only adds fuel. We designed it that way to keep it simple and affordable. Our belief is that in almost every situation, addition of fuel is what modern fuel injected vehicles need. In order to meet stringent emission standards, fuel systems are mapped by the factory to be lean in cruise and everyday driving conditions. If you decide to modify your vehicle with intake, header, exhaust, cams, and so on, these upgrades often increase your engine's volumetric efficiency and lean out the fuel system even more. PowerCard gives you the ability to add fuel exactly where you need it.

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You say it is easy to adjust, but fuel injection seems complicated. Can you explain?
You're right in believing that fuel injection is complicated. Factory engineers and technicians spent thousands of hours "mapping" your car's engine computer (ECU). Your ECU includes numerous fuel maps to deal with a wide variety of load and environmental situations. The signals sent to your fuel injectors are the result of all this knowledge. Rather than pretend we can create a better map, we let your ECU calculate the load, and temperature, and price of coffee at Starbucks. Based on your airflow modifications, we use our proprietary algorithms to calculate how much additional fuel is needed. The "heavy lifting" is still in the hands of your stock ECU.

PowerCard installation couldn't be easier, one wire for each fuel injector, plus a power and ground for the naturally aspirated (NA) PowerCard. Most installations take 30 minutes or less. PowerCard is also completely self diagnostic. If it is installed incorrectly, it will show you.

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If the PowerCard is so smart, why does it only have 6 modes?
Although the PowerCard has only 6 different modes that correspond to different performance parameters - Low Load (Cruise) Fuel, Transition Fuel, High Load Fuel, and the transitions between them, the PowerCard adds fuel based on the factory ECU’s fuel map, effectively creating an infinite number of modes. You pick how much fuel to add and when to add it and the PowerCard does the rest.

Low Load Fuel - A light load situation where little or no additional throttle is required such as idle, cruising at a constant speed and so on.

Transition Fuel - This is the area where you are transferring from a light throttle to a heavier throttle and need a proper shot of fuel instantly to accelerate.

High Load Fuel - This is where you are asking for sustained and maximum acceleration.

Transition Points – Where you determine when the PowerCard changes between the three fuel settings. There are three transition points; Low Load Fuel on, Low Load to Transition Fuel, and Transition Fuel to High Load Fuel.

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What is Stealth?
Stealth is a patent pending technology available from PowerCard which allows the PowerCard to modify your fueling without your engine computer knowing. This feature is currently available on the PowerCard Pro and comes standard on many of the JacksonRacing supercharger kits.

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Can PowerCard be used on Boost Applications? Can it do more?
If you have a Jackson Racing Supercharged Miata you can upgrade your current fuel management to PowerCard (click here). Boosted applications will require PowerCard Pro. PowerCard Pro is a highly configurable system designed to meet the needs of professional tuners - it can be programmed to work with boost, supplemental injectors, and Nitrous as well. It has additional channels that can be used for clamping voltage, altering signals, interrupting signals and so on. For more information (click here).

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What if I install and tune my car with PowerCard and then go up to a higher altitude?
Our product attaches directly to the trigger wires of the fuel injector and only modifies the length or duration of the fuel signal. That way, all of the factory-specified and required settings for altitude, barometric pressure, and temperature adjustment are totally unaffected and continue to function as originally designed. For boosted applications, PowerCard measures relative pressure, resampling atmospheric (zero boost) pressure at each startup.

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What if I install other performance mods after I have my PowerCard installed?
With PowerCard, all you have to do is retune for your updated mods. It is that simple.

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What is the difference between Batch and Sequential Fire and how do I know what I have?
Modern Fuel injection systems are classified as either Batch Fire or Sequential Fire. In a batch fire system the injectors are batched together in pairs and fire as pairs. In a sequential system each injector fires independently. View the "Sequential or Batch Fire" page for further explanation and how to tell what kind of system is on your vehicle.

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What do the lights mean?
The lights have a number of meanings. When you install the PowerCard, they are used as a diagnostic, a flashing green and red light indicates improperly connected fuel injector leads - see instructions. Please note - many modern vehicles cut off fuel injectors during deceleration, so you may indeed see the first green light and the last red light flashing on deceleration.

When tuning, the lights indicate the fueling mode:
Green=Low Load Fuel
Yellow=Transition Fuel
Red=High Load Fuel

Green-Blue=Low Load Fuel transition point
Yellow-Blue=Transition Fuel transition point
Red-Blue=High Load Fuel transition point

While you are driving, the lights indicate both the fueling mode as well as the fuel injector duty cycle. The light color indicates the mode while the number of lights present indicates the fuel injector duty cycle. This duty cycle information is pretty unique to the PowerCard, and can be useful in tuning, as when you reach 100% duty cycle (8-lights), you know that the existing fuel injection system is inadequate for your modifications. Most stock ECU's command less than 70% duty cycle, leaving ample room for increased fuel.

On boosted applications, the blue light indicates boost pressure.

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I’m used to tuning carburetors, help!
No problem, both the PowerCard and TFI interfaces are designed to mimic carburetor tuning. The Green/Yellow/Red light settings are akin to the three major tuning variables in a carburetor (if you need a refresher on the lights, see the previous question and answer). The Green fuel is like to the idle circuit or pilot jet on a carburetor, managing light throttle operation and highway cruising. Yellow fuel operates like the accelerator pump, adding fuel as the throttle is opened. And Red fuel functions like the main jet, adding top-end fuel.

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Gen2 vs. GenIII, huh?
Gen2 refers to the second generation controllers. Gen2 units are available as TFI boxes, and come standard in many Jackson Racing supercharger kits. They are load based and contain the patented Stealth Technology. Gen2 controllers are user adjustable via familiar dash-pots.

GenIII controllers are the latest offering, building upon the success of the Gen2 units. All PowerCard TC² and Pro units use GenIII hardware, with the familiar load based tuning and patented Stealth Technology, in a new credit-card sized package. The main difference you will notice is the button interface for adjusting your fuel curve. Inside, GenIII can be packed with many more features, such as the ability to control NOS, O2 sensors, and other ECU voltages.

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Anything else I should know?
The main problem we face is when customers try our product after they have been disappointed by the results they got from using other modification systems, or from re-mapping their own system. Because our unit relies on the stock factory fuel maps, it cannot function effectively if any other manipulation has already been entered into the existing system. You must remove any other form of fuel map modifications, chips, PC's, etc. before using our product. Also, our product cannot fix mechanical issues that may already be present. For example, Mazda Miata's are notorious for failed ignition wires causing misses and hiccups. While using our product, if you find that your fuel system is not responding as we suggest, there may be some underlying mechanical issues already present that you need to address before you can achieve maximum performance.

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