Link ElectroSystems
Encyclopedia
Link ElectroSystems Ltd. is a New Zealand company, specialising in the design and manufacture of automative
engine management systems and instrumentation. Based in Christchurch
, they were established in 1992.
Link's earliest engine management products was the "EMX", which was used to control fuel and ignition
. This came in a blue & grey enclosure and required a separate "Smart Lead" depending on the triggering requirements of different engines. It was adjusted via a tuning module which had a two digit LED display, two buttons and a 16 position rotary knob.
In 1995 Link introduced the LEM. This had a green and white case, and a replaceable internal "sub-board" to replace the Smart Lead. This was highly popular, due to its price and its ability to control fuel, ignition and boost or idle. As with the EMX, it was initially controlled using a tuning module, although later versions could be tuned via a PC.
The LEM went through five major revisions including processor upgrades and was discontinued in November 2006, giving a product life of over 11 years.
1997 saw the introduction of the PossumLink, a plug-in engine control unit
(ECU) for the Impreza WRX
, developed in conjunction with Possum Bourne Motor Sport. This was used with great success by Possum Bourne during his time competing in the Australian Rally Championship
, and raised Link's profile considerably.
Other plug-in systems of the time included; GTR / GTSLink, MiataLink, EVOLink, Civic / IntegraLink and the VLLink for the Australian market.
In 2001 the LinkPlus was introduced, with eight fuel and eight ignition drives, plus dedicated outputs for boost and idle speed control. In order to configure and tune this ECU PCLink software was released to enable tuners to control their ECU's via a PC.
The third generation of Link ECUs, based on the ST10 microprocessor, and with a silver and black colour scheme, was released in April, 2007. This included new versions of the LEM and the LinkPlus, along with plug-in solutions for the Subaru WRX and the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO
In 2008 the G3 range of ECUs were discontinued. This led to the release of the G4 range of ECUs. The LEM G3 was replaced with the G4 Storm and the LinkPlus was replaced with the G4 Xtreme. The G4 range also includes plug-in ECUs for commonly modified Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Holden, Honda, Mazda and Toyota engines.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
engine management systems and instrumentation. Based in Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, they were established in 1992.
History
Combustion
Combustion or burning is the sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat and conversion of chemical species. The release of heat can result in the production of light in the form of either glowing or a flame...
. This came in a blue & grey enclosure and required a separate "Smart Lead" depending on the triggering requirements of different engines. It was adjusted via a tuning module which had a two digit LED display, two buttons and a 16 position rotary knob.
In 1995 Link introduced the LEM. This had a green and white case, and a replaceable internal "sub-board" to replace the Smart Lead. This was highly popular, due to its price and its ability to control fuel, ignition and boost or idle. As with the EMX, it was initially controlled using a tuning module, although later versions could be tuned via a PC.
The LEM went through five major revisions including processor upgrades and was discontinued in November 2006, giving a product life of over 11 years.
Engine control unit
An engine control unit is a type of electronic control unit that determines the amount of fuel, ignition timing and other parameters an internal combustion engine needs to keep running...
(ECU) for the Impreza WRX
Subaru Impreza WRX
The Subaru Impreza WRX is a turbocharged version of the Subaru Impreza, an all-wheel drive, four-door passenger vehicle. It is available as a sedan or wagon....
, developed in conjunction with Possum Bourne Motor Sport. This was used with great success by Possum Bourne during his time competing in the Australian Rally Championship
Australian Rally Championship
The Australian Rally Championship is a 6 Round National motorsport Championship run in forested countryside throughout Australia.-Current Competition:...
, and raised Link's profile considerably.
Other plug-in systems of the time included; GTR / GTSLink, MiataLink, EVOLink, Civic / IntegraLink and the VLLink for the Australian market.
In 2001 the LinkPlus was introduced, with eight fuel and eight ignition drives, plus dedicated outputs for boost and idle speed control. In order to configure and tune this ECU PCLink software was released to enable tuners to control their ECU's via a PC.
The third generation of Link ECUs, based on the ST10 microprocessor, and with a silver and black colour scheme, was released in April, 2007. This included new versions of the LEM and the LinkPlus, along with plug-in solutions for the Subaru WRX and the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO
In 2008 the G3 range of ECUs were discontinued. This led to the release of the G4 range of ECUs. The LEM G3 was replaced with the G4 Storm and the LinkPlus was replaced with the G4 Xtreme. The G4 range also includes plug-in ECUs for commonly modified Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Holden, Honda, Mazda and Toyota engines.
External links
- Link Engine Management - official site
- Possum Bourne Motorsport