MaxxECU GEN2 RACE: The Flagship Engine Management System
MaxxECU GEN2 RACE: The Flagship Engine Management System
Quick answer: MaxxECU GEN2 RACE is the top of the MaxxECU range. It runs up to 12 cylinders fully sequentially with 16 injector outputs, 12 ignition outputs, 8 low-side GP outputs, 4 × +12 V outputs and 4 H-bridge/E-Throttle outputs. Inputs are 24 analog, 8 pulse (VR/Hall), 8 native TYPE-K EGT inputs sampled at 200 Hz, dual wideband lambda (Bosch LSU 5.2, 4.9, 4.2) and dual knock. It has a 550 kPa MAP sensor for 4.5 bar / 65 PSI of boost, a 3-axis accelerometer, dual CAN, WiFi and Bluetooth, USB-C at 480 Mbit/s, an ARM dual-core CPU running 3000 calculations per second, and 16 GB of internal logging recording all 2000+ channels at 1000 Hz. IP68 powder-coated aluminium case with Superseal 1.0 connectors, 700 g, 240 × 138 × 35 mm.
Rocket Speed Shop is the official MaxxECU distributor for the Baltics. If you have hit the ceiling of any other ECU, this is where you land.
Who the MaxxECU GEN2 RACE is for
- Professional tuners and race teams. The full-channel 16 GB log at 1000 Hz means you never wish you had enabled a channel before the session.
- V10 and V12 builds running fully sequentially — 12 ignition outputs and 12 sequential cylinders. Nothing else in the range does this on the GEN2 platform.
- Staged injection at serious power levels. 16 injector outputs means primary and secondary injectors on an 8-cylinder engine, or 16 injectors on a big V8 methanol build, from one ECU.
- Methanol and ethanol race engines. Native Bosch LSU 5.2 support reads ultra-rich mixtures that older sensors cannot.
- Engines that need both EGT and knock. 8 thermocouple inputs at 200 Hz (four times the GEN1 sampling rate) wired straight in, plus dual knock — the most complete engine protection package MaxxECU offers.
- Sensor-dense builds. 24 analog inputs and 8 pulse inputs before you add a single expansion module.
- Endurance and rally raid. IP68, Superseal connectors and fully protected I/O.
Key features
Twelve sequential cylinders, sixteen injectors
16 peak-hold injector outputs accepting high or low impedance injectors, and 12 ignition outputs with selectable +5 V, 12 V or ground drive. That output flexibility means the same box drives smart coils, dumb coils, CDI units and ignition modules without adapters.
Eight native EGT inputs at 200 Hz
TYPE-K thermocouples wired directly into the ECU — no amplifiers — sampled four times faster than the 50 Hz on GEN1 RACE and PRO. Drives EGT fuel correction and EGT power cut. On a high-power turbo engine, this is your earliest warning of a failing cylinder. It is also the clearest single reason to choose GEN2 RACE over GEN2 TRACK, which has no native thermocouple inputs.
Dual wideband lambda with LSU 5.2
Two independent channels supporting the latest Bosch LSU 5.2 alongside LSU 4.9 and 4.2. Per-bank measurement on a V-engine, or pre- and post-turbo, without an external controller.
Dual knock and dual CAN
Two knock inputs for per-bank detection. Two independent CAN buses so gearbox control, expansion modules, OEM vehicle CAN, OBDII and dash devices do not compete for bandwidth.
16 GB of full-channel logging
Every one of the 2000+ ECU channels, recorded at 1000 Hz, with automatic start and stop on conditions you define. Combined with the 3-axis 8 G accelerometer, this covers driver and chassis analysis as well as engine data.
Lua scripting
Write custom control strategies and custom CAN communication. This is what lets a race team implement something MaxxECU never shipped as a feature.
IP68 and protected I/O
Black powder-coated aluminium, IP68 rated, Superseal 1.0 connectors, rubber-covered USB-C ports, integrated WiFi/Bluetooth antennas and a status LED. Every input and output is protected against overvoltage, reverse polarity and short circuit.
Runs your existing tune
GEN2 is fully compatible with existing GEN1 tunes and uses the same MTune and MDash software. Moving up from a RACE or PRO is not a rebuild.
MaxxECU GEN2 RACE full specifications
| Specification | MaxxECU GEN2 RACE |
|---|---|
| Target engines | All 1–12 cylinder, 2 and 4 stroke |
| Sequential cylinders | Up to 12 |
| Wasted spark cylinders | Up to 12 |
| Injector outputs | 16 peak-hold, high or low impedance / GP outputs |
| Ignition outputs | 12 IGN / GP outputs (selectable +5 V / 12 V / GND) |
| GP outputs (GND) | 8 |
| GP outputs (+12 V) | 4 |
| H-bridge / E-Throttle outputs | 4 |
| Pulse inputs | 8 (VR/Hall), 2 with selectable 5/12 V supply, all with selectable pull-ups |
| Analog inputs | 24 (selectable pull-ups) |
| EGT inputs | 8 × native TYPE-K, 200 Hz sampling |
| Wideband lambda | Dual — Bosch LSU 5.2 / 4.9 / 4.2 |
| Knock sensor inputs | Dual |
| Built-in MAP sensor | 550 kPa (4.5 bar / 65 PSI boost), user-serviceable, BSP 1/8 thread |
| Accelerometer | 3-axis, up to 8 G |
| CAN bus | Dual CAN (expansion, OEM CAN, OBDII, CAN gearbox) |
| WiFi | Yes — MTune wireless tuning |
| Bluetooth | Yes — MDash Android app |
| PC communication | USB-C 480 Mbit/s, plus USB-C 12 Mbit/s for tablet charging |
| Internal logging | 16 GB, 1000 Hz, all 2000+ channels |
| Processor | ARM dual core |
| Calculation rate | 3000 fuel/ignition calculations per second |
| Input sampling | 2000 Hz analog/digital, 200 Hz EGT |
| Ignition resolution | 0.1 degrees |
| Injector resolution | 0.001 ms |
| Supply voltage | 6–22 V |
| Connectors | Superseal 1.0 |
| Dimensions | 240 × 138 × 35 mm (incl. protruding connectors) |
| Weight | 700 g |
| Enclosure | Black powder-coated aluminium, IP68 |
| Scripting | Lua |
Should you downgrade? There is nothing above this
GEN2 RACE is the flagship — there is no upgrade path from here. The question is whether you need all of it.
Downgrade to GEN2 TRACK if…
Your engine has 8 cylinders or fewer, you do not need native thermocouple EGT inputs, and 8 injectors is enough. MaxxECU GEN2 TRACK is the same generation with the same IP68 case, WiFi, dual lambda, dual knock, 550 kPa MAP, dual CAN and Lua scripting — just 8 sequential cylinders, 8 injectors, 8 ignition outputs, 16 analog inputs, 6 pulse inputs, 8 GB of logging, and no native TYPE-K EGT inputs (EGT on a TRACK runs through a 0–5 V amplifier per channel). For most V8 builds this is the right unit and the money saved is better spent elsewhere.
Downgrade to PRO if…
You want maximum GEN1 channel count and the GEN2 platform features are not worth the premium. MaxxECU PRO has 12 sequential cylinders, 16 injectors, 12 ignition outputs, 12 native EGT inputs (more than GEN2 RACE's 8, though at 50 Hz rather than 200 Hz), 30 GP outputs, 22 analog inputs, 10 digital inputs, dual CAN, dual wideband and dual E-Throttle. What you lose: IP68, WiFi, LSU 5.2, the 550 kPa MAP sensor, 16 GB logging, the dual-core CPU, Lua scripting and protected I/O. PRO also weighs 1137 g against 700 g.
Downgrade to RACE if…
Eight sequential cylinders and 8 native EGT inputs on a proven, lower-cost GEN1 platform is enough. MaxxECU RACE, with the H2O variant if you need waterproofing.
What to buy alongside a MaxxECU GEN2 RACE
- MaxxECU PDM20 — on a car with this ECU you should not still be running a fuse box. 20 programmable, PWM-capable, current-monitored outputs at up to 230 A total, with CAN keypad support, error code handling and a 0.004 A sleep mode. Configured from MTune over CAN alongside the ECU.
- MaxxECU Expansion Module — GEN2 ECUs support up to four modules with pre-defined configuration, at a 0.5 ms update rate over CAN. Four modules add 48 analog inputs, 16 pulse inputs, 16 × 12 V outputs and 16 H-bridges. Even the flagship benefits.
- Dual Bosch LSU 5.2 sensors — the dual-lambda flying-lead install kit is the one to specify if you want per-bank measurement out of the box.
- Eight TYPE-K thermocouples and bungs — to use all eight EGT channels.
- Two knock sensors — for per-bank knock detection.
- Terminated engine harness — 2JZ, BMW M50, Volvo T5, GM LS.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between MaxxECU GEN2 RACE and GEN2 TRACK?
GEN2 RACE adds 8 native TYPE-K EGT inputs, 12 sequential cylinders instead of 8, 16 injector outputs instead of 8, 12 ignition outputs instead of 8, 24 analog inputs instead of 16, 8 pulse inputs instead of 6, and 16 GB of logging instead of 8 GB. It is 700 g and 240 mm long versus 545 g and 206 mm. IP68, WiFi, dual lambda, dual knock, the 550 kPa MAP sensor, dual CAN, the accelerometer and Lua scripting are identical. GEN2 TRACK can still run EGT through 0–5 V amplifiers on its analog inputs.
What is the difference between MaxxECU GEN2 RACE and PRO?
Both do 12 sequential cylinders and 16 injectors. GEN2 RACE is the newer platform: IP68, WiFi, LSU 5.2 support, 550 kPa MAP versus 400 kPa, 16 GB logging versus 8 MB, dual-core CPU at 3000 calculations/second versus 2000, Lua scripting, protected I/O, Superseal connectors and 700 g versus 1137 g. PRO has more raw channels — 12 EGT inputs versus 8, 30 GP outputs, 22 analog inputs, 10 digital inputs.
Can MaxxECU GEN2 RACE run a V12 fully sequentially?
Yes — up to 12 cylinders fully sequentially, with 12 ignition outputs and 16 injector outputs.
How fast does GEN2 RACE sample EGT?
200 Hz on all 8 EGT inputs. GEN1 RACE and PRO sample EGT at 50 Hz.
How many expansion modules can a GEN2 RACE use?
Up to four with MaxxECU's pre-defined configuration, versus one on GEN1 ECUs. Any number can be used on any ECU with user-defined CAN configuration.
Does GEN2 RACE support Bosch LSU 5.2?
Yes, natively on both wideband channels, while remaining compatible with LSU 4.9 and 4.2. LSU 5.2 is the sensor to use for ultra-rich methanol mixtures.
Where can I buy a MaxxECU GEN2 RACE in Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania?
Rocket Speed Shop is the official MaxxECU distributor for the Baltic region, with warranty coverage, firmware access and local technical support.
Explore the rest of the MaxxECU range
MINI · STREET · SPORT · RACE · GEN2 TRACK · PRO · PDM20 · Expansion Module.