MaxxECU SPORT: Drive-by-Wire, Bluetooth and Peak-and-Hold in One Box

Quick answer: MaxxECU SPORT is the mid-range unit and the first model in the range with E-Throttle drive-by-wire control, built-in Bluetooth and peak-and-hold injector drivers. It runs up to 6 cylinders fully sequentially (up to 12 in wasted spark) with 6 injector outputs at 8 A each accepting 1–2 high or low impedance injectors, 6 ignition outputs, 7 general-purpose outputs, 2 dedicated motor outputs, 6 extra 0–5 V analog inputs, a built-in Bosch LSU 4.2/4.9 wideband controller and a built-in 400 kPa MAP sensor. It weighs 590 g. It does not have knock sensor inputs or EGT inputs — those start at RACE.

Rocket Speed Shop is the official MaxxECU distributor for the Baltics. This guide explains exactly what SPORT adds over STREET and when it is worth the difference.

Who the MaxxECU SPORT is for

SPORT exists for builds where the engine itself is more modern or more demanding than the STREET's hardware can serve. It suits:

• Any engine with a drive-by-wire throttle body. Modern BMW, Audi, VAG, Toyota, GM and Volvo engines almost all use one. SPORT drives it natively with two dedicated motor outputs. This is the number one reason people buy a SPORT.
• Builds with low-impedance injectors — high-flow injectors, older motorsport injectors, big single-cylinder units. Peak-and-hold drivers rated 8 A per output handle them without resistor packs, and each output can drive one or two injectors.
• Anti-lag using the throttle body rather than a solenoid — much more controllable and much kinder to hardware on a rally or time-attack car.
• Sensor-heavy builds. Six spare 0–5 V analog inputs and 7 general-purpose outputs mean fuel pressure, oil pressure, oil temperature, gearbox temperature, fuel level and more can all be logged and used for protection strategies.
• Anyone who wants a wireless dashboard. Built-in Bluetooth pairs with the MDash Android app for live gauges and logging without a laptop in the car.
• Big-cylinder-count wasted spark builds — supports 1–6, 8, 10 and 12 cylinder engines, up to 12 in wasted spark.

Key features

E-Throttle (drive-by-wire) control

Two extra motor outputs (GPO 11 and 12, 2 A) drive an electronic throttle body. Beyond simply replacing a cable, this unlocks throttle-based idle control, torque management, traction control that can actually close the throttle, throttle-based anti-lag and cruise-style speed limiting.

Peak-and-hold injector drivers

Six outputs, 8 A each, taking one or two injectors per output in either high or low impedance. This is a genuine hardware difference from STREET's high-impedance-only drivers and it removes the resistor-pack workaround entirely. Injector staging and per-cylinder fuel correction are supported.

Built-in Bluetooth and MDash

Connects to Android devices running MaxxECU's MDash app for a configurable live dashboard, warning display and logging. A tablet on the dash replaces a set of analog gauges.

Built-in wideband lambda and MAP sensor

Bosch LSU 4.2 or 4.9 wired directly to the ECU, and a 400 kPa MAP sensor reading to 3 bar / 43.5 PSI of boost. Both are internal, so closed-loop lambda control and boost control work out of the box.

Two trigger inputs on a separate processor

VR or digital with automatic level detection, processed independently of the main CPU for interference immunity. VANOS and VVTi variable valve control are supported.

Full logging and gearbox control

8 MB internal logging at up to 1000 Hz with condition-based auto start/stop, 20 Hz PC logging over USB. CAN control of BMW DCT, VAG DSG and GEN1 ZF 8HP; direct solenoid control of GM 4L60E/4L65E/4L80E/4L85E and Toyota A340E/A341E/A650E; sequential gearbox control with shift-cut.

MaxxECU SPORT full specifications

Should you upgrade or downgrade?

Downgrade to STREET if…

Your engine has a cable throttle and high-impedance injectors, and you do not need a Bluetooth dashboard. MaxxECU STREET gives you the same 6 sequential cylinders, the same built-in wideband and the same 400 kPa MAP sensor for less money. You lose E-Throttle, Bluetooth, peak-and-hold drivers, 4 analog inputs and 3 general-purpose outputs. For a classic swap with mechanical throttle linkage, that is often a sensible saving.

Downgrade to MINI if…

You are on 4 cylinders or fewer, physical size is critical and you already run an external wideband. MaxxECU MINI is the entry point — 245 g, 4 injector and 4 ignition outputs, no internal wideband.

Upgrade to RACE if…

You need any of the following, which SPORT cannot do:

• Knock detection — 2 knock sensor inputs on a dedicated processor.
• EGT monitoring — 8 TYPE-K/N inputs up to 1200 °C, sampled at 50 Hz, with EGT-based fuel correction and power cut.
• 8 cylinders fully sequentially — 8 injector and 8 ignition outputs.
• A properly waterproof unit — the RACE H2O variant.
• More outputs — 9 low-side, 2 × +12 V sourcing and 4 motor outputs (dual E-Throttle capable).

Read the full MaxxECU RACE guide.

Upgrade to GEN2 TRACK if…

You want the newest hardware generation rather than a wider GEN1 unit. MaxxECU GEN2 TRACK gives IP68 waterproofing, WiFi tuning, a 550 kPa MAP sensor (4.5 bar / 65 PSI), dual wideband lambda with Bosch LSU 5.2 support, dual knock, 8 sequential cylinders, 16 analog inputs, 8 GB of full-channel logging at 1000 Hz, Lua scripting and 8× larger tables. Existing GEN1 tunes are compatible, which makes the jump less painful than it sounds.

What to buy alongside a MaxxECU SPORT

• MaxxECU PDM20 — 20 programmable outputs at up to 230 A total, replacing the fuse box and relay bank. It is configured from MTune over CAN, so your ECU and power distribution live in one piece of software. On a car being rewired for E-Throttle anyway, this is the natural pairing.
• MaxxECU Expansion Module — 12 analog inputs, 4 pulse inputs, 4 × 12 V outputs and 4 H-bridges over CAN. The H-bridges can drive a second throttle body or other bidirectional motors, effectively extending the SPORT's drive-by-wire capability.
• Terminated engine harness — 2JZ, BMW M50, Volvo T5 and GM LS harnesses with OEM connectors pre-fitted.
• Plugin ECU adapter — many of the supported cars (Audi S3/A4 ME 7.5, BMW M54, Ford Focus RS, Mitsubishi EVO) are exactly the drive-by-wire era SPORT was made for.
• An Android tablet — to actually use the Bluetooth MDash dashboard you paid for.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between MaxxECU SPORT and STREET?

SPORT adds two E-Throttle drive-by-wire motor outputs, built-in Bluetooth, peak-and-hold injector drivers that accept low-impedance injectors at 8 A per output, 6 extra analog inputs instead of 2, and 7 general-purpose outputs instead of 4. Cylinder count, wideband and MAP sensor are the same on both.

What is the difference between MaxxECU SPORT and RACE?

RACE adds 2 knock sensor inputs, 8 EGT inputs, 8 sequential cylinders instead of 6, 8 injector and 8 ignition outputs instead of 6, 4 motor outputs instead of 2, 4 extra digital/VR inputs, and an optional fully waterproof H2O variant.

Can MaxxECU SPORT run two drive-by-wire throttle bodies?

SPORT has two motor outputs, which drive one throttle body. Dual E-Throttle requires RACE (4 motor outputs), PRO (dual E-Throttle) or the GEN2 models (4 H-bridge outputs). An Expansion Module adds 4 more H-bridges over CAN.

Does MaxxECU SPORT have knock control?

No. Knock sensor inputs are available on RACE, GEN2 TRACK, GEN2 RACE and PRO.

Can I use low-impedance injectors on a MaxxECU SPORT?

Yes. The peak-and-hold drivers accept one or two high or low impedance injectors per output at up to 8 A. No resistor packs needed.

What does MDash do?

MDash is MaxxECU's free Android app. Over the SPORT's built-in Bluetooth it gives a configurable live dashboard, warning and error display and logging — so you can run a tablet in the car instead of a laptop and a set of gauges.

Where can I buy a MaxxECU SPORT in Estonia?

Rocket Speed Shop is the official MaxxECU distributor for the Baltics, covering Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with warranty support and technical assistance.

Explore the rest of the MaxxECU range

MINI · STREET · RACE · GEN2 TRACK · GEN2 RACE · PRO · PDM20 · Expansion Module.

Shop MaxxECU SPORT at Rocket Speed Shop →