HKS EVC 6 Boost Controller - Import Tuner Magazine

HKS celebrates the 24th anniversary of the original Electronic Valve Controller (EVC) with an all-new EVC Boost Controller model. The HKS EVC 6 Boost Controller is the latest version of the popular EVC lineup and is considered by many as one of the best boost controllers currently on the market. The original EVC released in ’87 was the first commercially available electronic boost controller that helped revolutionize turbocharged vehicles.

During the late ’80s, the HKS M300 twin-turbo Celica was the first Japanese car to break the 300km/h record with a top speed of 301.25 km/h at the oval course in Yatabe, Japan (5.5km oval with huge bank on the corner). At the time, Yatabe was known as the longest and only track for measuring top speed. While attempting to set a new domestic top speed record, HKS engineers found boost stability under high engine load and high speed a major concern. In order to maintain stable boost, HKS began the development of the world’s first electric boost controller. The EVC continued to evolve throughout the years with the release of the newest and most current sixth-generation model by incorporating additional features into the all-new EVC 6.

The latest HKS EVC offers improved boost stability for maintaining pressure at high rpm providing increased top end power and retaining the same mapping feature as the previous generation, allowing boost pressure to be precisely tuned for throttle +/- rpm (or vehicle speed). It still allows users to set a desired target boost setting, a selectable kPa or psi unit of measure, and a unique warning feature, where if over-boosting occurs, boost pressure can be programmed to drop to a user preset level. In addition, the EVC features additional improvement from the previous models including, LCD color monitor, smaller physical stepper motor, faster processor, and third boost setting. The new version can also be oriented in two different ways: buttons on the right (traditional) or buttons on the left, and data-logging capability to monitor parameters such as boost, engine speed (or speed), and throttle opening for additional data.

EVC Four-Button Control

HKS engineers have managed to simplify the use of the EVC further, by designing it with a four-button user interface, which makes setup and tuning intuitive and simple. These buttons do not have a directional control sequence that needs to be toggled up or down; rather they simply work by a simple one-touch push. This design was implemented specifically to accommodate drivers to input settings as quickly and efficiently as possible. How simple are the functions, you ask? Pressing the number one (top button) activates the “main” scramble boost while the screen is displayed. Boost can be switched between modes by pressing the second button from the top. The third button controls the screen brightness, while pressing the button on the bottom allows the end user to toggle though the menu. Yes, it’s that easy.

HKS TFT LCD Full-Color monitor

Visually stunning, the design of the new EVC features a sleek black case with a clear acrylic faceplate often overshadowed by the debut of its new color screen display. The EVC has changed significantly with its adaptation of a TFT color LCD. The 320x240 LCD panel allows additional information to be displayed under any lighting condition. The full-color display makes the new EVC easier to read and navigate through the menu’s color display warnings and scramble boost settings. Compared to the older EVC models, including the EVC 5 model, the monochrome LCD display in black and white was only capable of displaying certain shapes, numbers, or characters. The EVC 6 possesses a completely different layout and number of items, as the new screen allows you to display multiple pages in easier-to-read graphs.

EVC Stepper Motor

The first thing you’d notice different on the new EVC is the stepper motor system, which is more compact, about two thirds in size than its predecessor, and comes in a more durable housing. The new solenoid has also undergone major changes, including a new valve system that significantly improves the performance of the controller. HKS’ traditional stepper motor is controlled by the flow of air into and out of a hole in the solenoid orifice by a shaft driven by a stepping motor. HKS has maintained the stepper motor design since the first-generation EVC, continually making improvements throughout generation models. HKS engineers claim that the newest EVC speeds up the reaction rate and efficiency of the stepper motor by three times compared to previous models.

The valve unit of the new EVC was designed with a new-generation CPU system controlled with a feature called “EVC Hyper engine”. The Hyper Engine CPU allows the new EVC to dramatically improve boost response time. Compared to its predecessor, boost pressure swing is more stable at target boost levels and can be changed more quickly, with more responsive boost response under full throttle.

Easy Writer Software for HKS EVC 6

The latest HKS EVC Boost Controller incorporates many new and advanced features, such as boost pressure correction mapping, allowing boost levels to be fine-tuned for various engine and vehicle dynamics. The optional EVC Easy Writer software allows tuners the ability to setup and monitor the features of the EVC via a laptop computer.

HKS EVC Boost Controller Timeline

1987

EVC 1
The first EVC offered three simple modes of boost setting that included low, high, and manual with no other functions, and was the most expensive model, costing 90,000 yen (approximately $900).

1992

EVC 2
The EVC 2 introduced a full digital display along with more modern features, including scramble and peak boost warning.

1997

EVC 3
The EVC 3 evolved from previous versions with the ability to achieve a more stable boost control, digital control technology and the resurrection of a dial knob for ease of use.

1998

EVC 3
Pro The Pro model (never offered in the United States) was designed for use primarily in drag racing applications. Although the housing is similar to the EVC 3, the Pro model offered the ability to set boost to a higher setting as well as adjusting boost correction maps.

2001

EVC 4
The larger display of the EVC 4 for improved visibility along with a separate controller unit to independently operate the stepper motor revolutionized the newest EVC in the early 2000 era.

2007

EVC 5
HKS 20th Anniversary EVC 5 resurrected the correction map feature that was adopted by the EVC 3 Pro. The EVC 5 most noticeably features a larger-sized heads-up display along with incorporating many of the popular features found in previous models.

2011

EVC 6
Features
TFT Full-Color Monitor:

• Clear and high level of visibility

Stepping Motor:

• Improved technology utilized to the valve unit; the stepper motor size is reduced to two thirds of the conventional valve

“EVC Hyper Engine”:

• New generation CPU; processing speed is significantly improved over previous models

Three-Mode Boost Setting:

• Additional mode enables more useful boost pressure settings, appropriate for multiple tuning levels; different offset values can be entered to each mode

Switchable Button Position:

• Control button position can be switched from left to right by flipping the monitor vertically

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