more measurable variables > more assumed/estimated variables.
a good example being barometric pressure.... especially with boosted applications, instead of having a single MAP sensor that is only allowed to update barometric readings when known to not be in boost(or in the case of stuff like 8F, only before cranking the engine), you can run a 1BAR MAP solely for baro updates while you have a 2/3 BAR for manifold pressure (or a MAF, if you don't like speed-density).
want to have the ECM calculate the compressor and intercooler efficiency and have desired boost get dialed back if temps get too high? need a couple of temperature and pressure sensors for that alone.
track things that normally wouldn't be connected to the ECM, like oil pressure, fuel pressure, transmission line pressure(instead of assuming the main PCS table is 100% perfect, you can use it to verify/calibrate it even more accurately), fuel level, maybe even go so far as tilt sensors to compensate shift points for driving angle, etc.... the sky is the limit with inputs and it's hard to have too much information.
outputs are also precious... they're always the first thing i run out of. intelligent control of everything is something i like.
while you can reasonably control an engine with nothing more than coolant and air temp, engine speed/position, TPS, manifold pressure(or MAF), injectors, spark output.... it just won't be the same as something that can measure and calculate anything that could effect how the engine will react to any given situation.
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