FuelTech
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive electronics • Motorsport technology |
| Founded | April 23, 2003 |
| Founder | Anderson Frederico Dick |
| Headquarters | Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul , Brazil |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Anderson Dick (Global CEO) Leonardo Prianti Fontolan (CEO Brazil) Luis de Leon (COO) |
| Products | Engine-management systems (ECUs), ignition modules, software |
Number of employees | ~200 (2023)[1] |
| Website | fueltech |
FuelTech is a Brazilian manufacturer of high-performance engine-management and motorsport-electronics systems. Headquartered in Porto Alegre, the company designs standalone engine-control units (ECUs), ignition modules and software for drag-racing, stock-car, drifting and other competition vehicles.[2]
Founded in 2003 by electrical engineer Anderson Frederico Dick, FuelTech pioneered one of the first ECUs with an integrated touchscreen interface.[2] After dominating the Brazilian performance market in the 2000s, the firm expanded abroad, establishing FuelTech USA in Georgia and building a dealer network on six continents.[3] Its PowerFT line (e.g., FT500, FT600) and next-generation VisionFT line (FT700 family) power numerous championship-winning drag cars and, since 2025, the entire Stock Car Pro Series grid.[4]
History
[edit]Founding and early years (1999–2006)
[edit]FuelTech traces its roots to 1999, when Dick—then an engineering student at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul—built a turbo-fuel controller nicknamed TurboPro.[5] Working from an 8 m² dorm room, he hand-assembled TurboPRO-1F units that managed only fuel injection.[5] FuelTech was registered on 23 April 2003. Early “FT” ECUs included a built-in LCD and keypad, allowing laptop-free tuning.[2]
By 2007 the firm held an estimated 70 % share of South America’s high-performance ECU market and employed about 25 staff.[6]
Expansion to international markets (2007–2014)
[edit]Dick began visiting U.S. drag-racing events in 2007.[2] Satellite offices (2009–2011) produced few sales as racers doubted the all-in-one design.[7]
A 2012 meeting with Pro Line Racing led to joint development of the FT500 (launched 2014) and the opening of FuelTech USA in Ball Ground, Georgia.[8]
Product evolution (2015–2020)
[edit]- FT600 (2016) — waterproof 68-pin ECU, higher I/O and processing.[9]
- FT550 / FT450 — mid-range models completing the PowerFT family.
PowerFT units share the FTManager Windows suite and an on-unit touchscreen that integrates data-logger, dash, boost and traction control.[10] By 2020 FuelTech had dealers in 20+ countries, growth achieved without outside investors.[3]
Recent developments (2021–2025)
[edit]- VisionFT platform (2023) — introduces FT700/FT700 Plus VCUs with Wi-Fi and the FuelTech Vision software.[11]
- 2023 — 7 400 m² headquarters opens in Porto Alegre for manufacturing, R&D and training.[12]
- April 2024 floods submerged the facility; operations resumed after a global relief drive.[13]
- May 2025 — FT700 Plus becomes the spec VCU for Stock Car Pro Series.[4]
Products and technology
[edit]Engine-management line
[edit]| Generation / family | Model(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TurboPRO-1F | TurboPRO-1F | Fuel-only controller (c. 2000 – 2003)[14] |
| PowerFT | FT200 · FT250 · FT300 · FT350 · FT400 | 1st-gen LCD/keypad ECUs (2004 – 2013) |
| FT500 · FT500 LITE | Colour touchscreen; launched 2014 | |
| FT450 · FT550 · FT550 LITE · FT600 | Waterproof 68-pin, expanded I/O (2016 – 2022) | |
| VisionFT | FT700 · FT700 Plus | Wi-Fi, 12.3-inch display (Plus), new Vision software (2023 – ) [15] |
Ignition & spark energy
[edit]- FTSpark CDI (4-cyl, 6-cyl, 8-cyl, 12-cyl modules)
- FTCoil (high-energy smart coils)
- IGN1A Smart Coil (Motorsport-style coil-on-plug)[16]
Wide-band & lambda
[edit]- WB-O2 Nano (1-channel)
- WB-O2 Nano PRO (dual-channel with CAN)
- WB-O2 Slim (sensor + gauge)
Sensors & ancillary modules
[edit]- EGT-8 CAN (8-channel exhaust temperature)
- Peak-and-Hold injector drivers
- Fuel pressure, oil pressure, flex-fuel, coolant-temp, shaft-speed sensors
- Wheel-speed and driveshaft sensor kits
CAN expanders & power control
[edit]- NanoPRO I/O (expands 8 inputs / 8 outputs)
- FTRelay (8-channel solid-state power module)
- EBX-2 (electric water-pump & fan controller)
Dash displays & switch panels
[edit]- FTDash (digital dash/logger)
- FTLCD Basic (legacy 2-line display)
- FTRPM Switch Panel (eight back-lit buttons via CAN)
- Steering-wheel CAN keypad (6- and 10-button variants)
Wiring & harness solutions
[edit]- Plug-and-play engine harnesses for GM LS, Ford Coyote, VW EA111/EA113, Toyota 2JZ, Honda K-series
- Universal unterminated harness kits (24-way & 68-way)
- FT600 / FT700 bulkhead firewall connector kits
Software suites
[edit]- FTManager (v4.x) – Windows, for PowerFT ECUs
- FuelTech Vision (v1.x) – multi-platform, for VisionFT; imports FTManager maps
- Log viewer, drag-sim replay, and dyno mode utilities (bundled)
Testing & dyno equipment
[edit]- Mainline 4000 Pro hub dynamometer (US HQ)
- Engine dyno cell (Brazil HQ) with 2 000 hp water brake
FuelTech Electric (EV systems)
[edit]- FTE-200 Inverter/Controller (200 kW traction inverter)
- FTE-BMS-16 Battery-management master & slave boards
- HVIL-ready contactor box and DC-DC converter[17]
Motorsport involvement
[edit]- Drag racing — ECUs powered NHRA Pro Mod champions in 2015, 2017, 2021 and 2022; since 2022 the series has been titled the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Series.[18]
- Stock Car Pro Series — FT700 Plus VCU in every car from 2025.[4]
- FuelTech electronics appear in drifting, time-attack, off-road and sand-drag events, leading to the slogan “#FuelTechEverywhere”.[19]
Community and sponsorships
[edit]The company backs events such as Radial Outlaws, “Lights Out” and “No Mercy”, runs a FuelTech Education programme, and raised funds for employees after the 2024 floods.[20]
Leadership
[edit]- Anderson Dick — Founder & Global CEO
- Luis de Leon — Chief Operating Officer
- Leonardo Prianti Fontolan — CEO, FuelTech Brazil
FuelTech remains privately held; manufacturing is centred in Porto Alegre with U.S. distribution and tech support in Ball Ground, Georgia.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "FuelTech Fact Sheet". FuelTech.net. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d Jacobs, Ainsley (15 May 2018). "Master of Disruption: FuelTech's Anderson Dick is Fueling the Future". Drag Illustrated.
- ^ a b "Meet Anderson Dick of FuelTech". VoyageATL. 3 October 2017.
- ^ a b c "Novo carro da Stock Car estreia com central eletrônica FuelTech". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 4 May 2025.
- ^ a b "FuelTech, 18 anos: curiosidades e bastidores da nossa história!". FuelTech Brasil (in Portuguese). 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Mercado de injeção programável no Brasil". AutoData (in Portuguese). 12 June 2008.
- ^ "PRI Show recap". Race Pages. 2011.
- ^ "FuelTech USA Opens Doors" (Press release). FuelTech. 5 March 2014.
- ^ "FT600 Product Sheet".
- ^ PowerFT Architecture White-paper (Report).
- ^ "FuelTech Launches VisionFT". 8 December 2023.
- ^ "FuelTech inaugura nova sede" (Press release) (in Portuguese). 2 May 2023.
- ^ "Empresa gaúcha se recupera de enchente histórica" (in Portuguese). 20 May 2024.
- ^ "FuelTech Unveils State-of-the-Art Headquarters – A Milestone in Innovation and Expansion". FuelTech.net. 12 Jan 2024. Retrieved 8 Jun 2025.
- ^ "FT700 ECU System". FuelTech.net. Retrieved 8 Jun 2025.
- ^ "Ignition Systems, Coils & Wiring". FuelTech.net. Retrieved 8 Jun 2025.
- ^ "FuelTech Electric catalogue" (Press release).
- ^ "NHRA Announces FuelTech Title Deal". 22 April 2022.
- ^ "About the #FuelTechEverywhere Campaign".
- ^ "FuelTech Flood Relief Update". 1 July 2024.