Product ↔ vehicle compatibility

Top Tier Tune builder — how filtering actually works, certainty by category, and why accessory lists must not read as “fits your car.”

Source: ecu-shop · Fitment certainty report · Jul 2026 · From ecu-fitment-compatibility.canvas.tsx

Accessory vehicle-fit ~10–30% ECU electrical match ~70–90% Source: ecu-shop · Jul 2026
Core finding Choosing a vehicle mainly locks the plug-in ECU. Configure-step copy that says options “fit this car” overstates certainty for sensors, injectors, boost, and similar accessories. Those lists are ECU-gated catalogs, not vehicle fitment matrices. False confidence drives support load.
~90%
Vehicle → plug-in ECU
~75%
Essentials / loom vs ECU
~10–25%
Injection / sensors vs car

How comparison is made (one product)

Worked example: Bosch EV14 1000cc ×4 on a Chaser/Soarer build after a plug-in ECU is selected.

StepDetail
Vehicle shownToyota Chaser / Soarer (1990–1996) — typically 6-cyl
SKU shown101-0052 Bosch EV14 1000cc injectors (×4)
What code comparedECU/path visibility — not vehicle make/model/engine
Cylinder mismatch×4 pack vs common 6-cyl — no quantity/engine gate
Missing checksConnector style, rail fit, flow vs HP/duty, fuel pump, return
Honest labelAvailable for custom builds — not a suggested direct-fit part
Vehicle-fit certainty~10%
Verdict on this SKU Do not present as matched or recommended for the vehicle. Treat as an optional customization part that typically needs research, adapters or other-supplier hardware, fabrication, and professional install/tune.

Filter layers (what code actually checks)

getGroupItems() never reads build.vehicle for accessory groups. Vehicle is used earlier to pick the plug-in ECU and to note harness options on plugin path.

LayerCompared fieldsCertainty %Note
Vehicle → plug-in ECUbuild.vehicle vs plug-in catalog rows90High when year range matches a published Link application
ECU → essentials / harnesspath, platform, canConnector, ecuOnly, bundle includes75Strong ECU-side match; some install notes (e.g. G5 CAN repin)
ECU capability gatesmeta.diCapable, ethrottle, needsBLoom, needsELoom, onboardWideband85Correct for “can this ECU drive it?” — not chassis fit
Accessory catalogsAlmost no build.vehicle fields — only ECU/path filters20Availability for customization, not verified vehicle fitment

Estimated vehicle-fit certainty by filter layer

Vehicle → plug-in ECU
90%
ECU → essentials / harness
75%
ECU capability gates
85%
Accessory catalogs
20%

Certainty = confidence that “this part is a correct direct fit for this chassis,” not that the SKU exists or works electrically with the ECU.

Certainty by configure category

CategoryExampleVehicle-fit %What is filteredSupport risk
Plug-in ECU (vehicle step)Toyota Chaser / Soarer → matching plug-in~90%Make / model / year fitment tableLow if year is in published range
Essentials / harnessA/B loom, CAN Lambda, expansion~70%path + platform + connector (+ vehicle note for harness on plugin)Medium — electrical match, install still shop work
SensorsMAP, E85 content, oil pressure~25%Walkthrough + ECU capability onlyAdapters, bung location, calibration — not OE fit
Boost control3-port / 4-port solenoid~20%Listed for any compatible ECU pathPlumbing, wastegate style, tune required
Injection & ignitionBosch EV14 1000cc ×4 (101-0052)~10%Catalog visibility only (no cylinder count check)Critical — connector, count, duty cycle, fuel system, rail
E-ThrottleExternal controller / TB kit~15%requiresEthrottle on ECU metaPedal, TB, wiring not vehicle-validated
Displays & dataMXS Strada, CAN gauge~30%CAN path / splitter promptsMount + CAN config; electrical OK-ish
Power & controlsRazor PDM, keypads~20%Shown with build ECUFull custom electrical architecture

Vehicle-fit certainty by configure group

Plug-in ECU
90%
Essentials
70%
Sensors
25%
Boost
20%
Injection
10%
E-Throttle
15%
Displays
30%
Power
20%

Why this triggers emails

Copy problem

“Matched to your vehicle” + “Only showing options that fit this car and ECU” implies chassis validation for every listed SKU.

Customers reasonably expect injectors/sensors to be application packs. They are not.

Data problem

No per-vehicle accessory matrix at runtime. accessory-compat style data is unused for these groups.

Injector packs lack cylinder-count, connector, and duty-cycle gates — easy to show a ×4 pack on a 6-cyl platform.

Recommended product language

Section heading

Soften to vehicle context + honest split: ECU/harness matched where we have data; accessories are customization options, not direct-fit guarantees.

Uncertain categories (sensors, boost, injection, e-throttle, display, power)

Disclaimer (shipped in builder) Available for customization — not a verified direct fit for this vehicle. Expect adapters, parts from other suppliers, fabrication, and/or professional installation and tuning. Research fitment, flow, and duty cycle before ordering (especially injectors and coils).

Meeting follow-ups

Cite more SKUs/vehicles in a working session to decide: hide vs warn vs require “I understand” acknowledgment; whether injectors stay in the builder at all; and priority for a real accessory fitment table.