Is TVR Power's MBE Knock ECU a worthwhile investment?

Is TVR Power's MBE Knock ECU a worthwhile investment?

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Discussion

chris watton

Original Poster:

22,477 posts

259 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
Before my car had its 6k mile service, it ran quite sweet and on song throughout the rev range, even when starting up.

Since the service, the engine feels a lot more 'lumpy', even stalling if enough throttle isn't given when starting up.

I don't want to take it back to where it was serviced, but want to take it to someone who knows the S6 inside out.

With that in mind, I was thinking of having the S6 throttle spindle bushing (plus media blasting):

http://www.powersperformance.co.uk/machining/slug/...

Followed by an engine tune up - perhaps even tappet adjustment (I didn't have the tappets done the last time because they were done on the previous service - but that was a couple of years ago..)

I was also toying with the idea of having TVR Power's MBE knock ECU fitted at the same time:

http://www.powersperformance.co.uk/store/slug/mbe-...

Thinking that, when I eventually do have the 4.3 upgrade, I shall already have this new ECU installed. But for now, I am wondering if it would benefit my stock 3.6, and allow it to run sweeter than it does now.

Or, would a simple tune up of the standard ECU achieve more or less the same results?

Cheers smile

MPoxon

5,329 posts

172 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
Last time I was up at Power I had a chat with Dom about his new MBE ECUs and I was very impressed by the quality of the packages he is offering, they have a quality OEM feel to them.

It might be worth sending a PM to the guy who started this thread as he has one fitted...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

alex_gray255

6,313 posts

204 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
I have it installed on mine. Offers interesting features.

I haven't pushed it too much as I've only run in the engine.

chris watton

Original Poster:

22,477 posts

259 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
Cheers. I may have to go for it. I was going to have the CF airbox, but I think this ECU may be a better investment for now.

At £3k, it's a little hard to swallow, but I guess it does include full installation and bespoke re-map, so hopefully, the engine should be as good as it can be, which is what I want.

s6boy

1,613 posts

224 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
Surely if the engine was running fine before a service at a non S6 garage and is now running badly, the first thing to do is take it to a specialist to identify what they've done wrong?
If it's just the case a sensor hasn't been reconnected properly you could save your £3000.

chris watton

Original Poster:

22,477 posts

259 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
s6boy said:
Surely if the engine was running fine before a service at a non S6 garage and is now running badly, the first thing to do is take it to a specialist to identify what they've done wrong?
If it's just the case a sensor hasn't been reconnected properly you could save your £3000.
I know...

But it's something that was already on my 'to do' list anyway.

I just wondered if anyone had had it fitted and was worth the outlay. smile

SergSC

508 posts

161 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
My guess is that if tb balancing was part of the work, they buggered it up.

chris watton

Original Poster:

22,477 posts

259 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
SergSC said:
My guess is that if tb balancing was part of the work, they buggered it up.
Not sure what was done, TBH, all I know is that it is worse after the service than before - first time I have ever had that with a Tamora (used to use SP, but they're gone)

glow worm

5,796 posts

226 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
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My experience is it's very smooth with a 4.5 , but I think you need to evaluate your requirement and Why you want it .

glow worm

5,796 posts

226 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
alex_gray255 said:
I have it installed on mine. Offers interesting features.

I haven't pushed it too much as I've only run in the engine.
How long has that taken ? smile

chris watton

Original Poster:

22,477 posts

259 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
glow worm said:
My experience is it's very smooth with a 4.5 , but I think you need to evaluate your requirement and Why you want it .
In essence, what I want is for my 3.6 to run as smooth as it can be. If I have the throttle bodies done at the same time, and providing the rest of the engine is in good order, that is what I am hoping for - the best my 3.6 can be.



glow worm

5,796 posts

226 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
Maybe try a bespoke mapping first and see what your 3.6 is achieving? Do you want Wideband Lambdas sensors ? Increase processor speed obviously means the ECU can handle more data and respond quicker. I'm not bothering with ABS and launch control, since I drive like a pensioner ... OH ...I am a pensioner smile .
Do you want more Torque or more BHP ? Do you like to rev a car till it screams ? Do you go for useless pops and bangs ? or flames ? Do you like to draw attention to yourself with the loudest car in the street ?
I must get on to Dom and get the S/w and OBD lead he promised me , since the 3 pin lead and TVR s/w is now obsolete. smile



Edited by glow worm on Thursday 10th July 21:47

Andy_mr2sc

1,223 posts

175 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
glow worm said:
Do you want more Torque or more BHP ?
Both
Do you like to rev a car till it screams ?
Yes!
Do you go for useless pops and bangs ? or flames ?
Yes & Yes!!
Do you like to draw attention to yourself with the loudest car in the street ?
Yes!
Come on I can't be the only one...

chris watton

Original Poster:

22,477 posts

259 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
Andy_mr2sc said:
glow worm said:
Do you want more Torque or more BHP ?
Both
Do you like to rev a car till it screams ?
Yes!
Do you go for useless pops and bangs ? or flames ?
Yes & Yes!!
Do you like to draw attention to yourself with the loudest car in the street ?
Yes!
Come on I can't be the only one...
hehe

I like all of the above!

I know some don't like to bounce off the limiter, but I do - I love the S6 when it's on song and screaming like a banshee on heat. I just like to be safe in the knowledge that I can do that without breaking the engine.. hehe

Andy_mr2sc

1,223 posts

175 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
quotequote all
All of the above are part of s6 ownership.
I agree about the safety aspect though. These engines are too expensive to be blowing up regularly!

billynobrakes

2,675 posts

264 months

Friday 11th July 2014
quotequote all

Thinking that, when I eventually do have the 4.3 upgrade, I shall already have this new ECU installed. But for now, I am wondering if it would benefit my stock 3.6, and allow it to run sweeter than it does now.

Or, would a simple tune up of the standard ECU achieve more or less the same results?

Cheers smile
[/quote]

Stop messing about smile, get the 4.3 put in and get Powers MBE put in at the same time as it will save you money getting the MBE set up for both engines, you know it makes sense and you will not be disappointed

chris watton

Original Poster:

22,477 posts

259 months

Friday 11th July 2014
quotequote all
billynobrakes said:
Stop messing about smile, get the 4.3 put in and get Powers MBE put in at the same time as it will save you money getting the MBE set up for both engines, you know it makes sense and you will not be disappointed
If I didn't have a corp tax bill and accountant to pay soon, I probably would!

As it stands, though, I don't have a spare £12k+, have already spent £10k on the car since buying it, and I promised my wife I'd concentrate on renovating our house (which we haven't really touched since buying it because of my car...)

I am thinking of having the 4.3 next year. I know I will spend another £20k on this car in the long run (engine, cooling system, clutch flywheel, CR box and diff)- I just can't do it all at once.. hehe

At the very least though, I want my throttle bodies re done, and the MBE is something I could put on my Visa for now....

It would be great if when it comes to the 4.3, the 4.3 is all I need to pay for, with all the other extras already in place.






Edited by chris watton on Friday 11th July 10:12

glow worm

5,796 posts

226 months

Friday 11th July 2014
quotequote all
Why stop at a 4.3 when you could get a 4.5 or 5 litre ? idea

chris watton

Original Poster:

22,477 posts

259 months

Friday 11th July 2014
quotequote all
glow worm said:
Why stop at a 4.3 when you could get a 4.5 or 5 litre ? idea
hehe

Would be wasted on me - I am one of the few that has always been happy with the 3.6 performance, as it is used mainly on the twisties. For me, I think the 4.3 would be perfect - as long as I can still take it to the red line in the first couple of gears..

Anyway, I'm not as rich as some of you.. hehe

shep1001

4,599 posts

188 months

Friday 11th July 2014
quotequote all
Andy_mr2sc said:
Come on I can't be the only one...
Me too!