Ecu upgrade, what to expect ?
Discussion
It's worth saving up for, it's the price of a good pair of shocks and a brake upgrade, for what it should do for the engine life is worth every penny.
Replacing starter cable things like that are game changers
Seeing the plenum with a plug where the old stepper used to be, very satisfying
Replacing starter cable things like that are game changers
Seeing the plenum with a plug where the old stepper used to be, very satisfying
So here I am on the eve of a new beginning with my Tvr.
Ecu installation complete, new clutch, brake master cyl,
Rear brake discs and pads,
A few heater and Pas hoses, oil pressure sender and baffled sump fitted,
Starter button
Windows and doors opening and a few other wiring gremlins sorted,,,, for a day or two
New fluids in gearbox/ engine 5000 mile service
Wiper park switch, red heater led, ,,,,,
Can't remember anymore.
Now to some people on here who may be struggling to keep their car on the road let alone spend a fortune to advance their Tvr and this all sounds like i'm some jammy bugger with loads a dosh,,,,, to lavish at will whenever I like,,,,
Nothing could be further from the truth, I'm living well within my means and I've had to park my Tvr for over 18 months now to save and afford these changes.
I have to budget over longer periods but after nearly four years of repairs and upgrades to my car she's now what I call DONE. FINISHED, THE END, NO MORE, ENOUGH,
Errrr well some good shocks but that's it honest,,, oh tyres, oh stereo,,,, and re paint wheels
Tomorrow I'll see if this was all worth the staying in, living like a hermit, going without, STARVING,,,, hahahah
Ecu installation complete, new clutch, brake master cyl,
Rear brake discs and pads,
A few heater and Pas hoses, oil pressure sender and baffled sump fitted,
Starter button
Windows and doors opening and a few other wiring gremlins sorted,,,, for a day or two
New fluids in gearbox/ engine 5000 mile service
Wiper park switch, red heater led, ,,,,,
Can't remember anymore.
Now to some people on here who may be struggling to keep their car on the road let alone spend a fortune to advance their Tvr and this all sounds like i'm some jammy bugger with loads a dosh,,,,, to lavish at will whenever I like,,,,
Nothing could be further from the truth, I'm living well within my means and I've had to park my Tvr for over 18 months now to save and afford these changes.
I have to budget over longer periods but after nearly four years of repairs and upgrades to my car she's now what I call DONE. FINISHED, THE END, NO MORE, ENOUGH,
Errrr well some good shocks but that's it honest,,, oh tyres, oh stereo,,,, and re paint wheels
Tomorrow I'll see if this was all worth the staying in, living like a hermit, going without, STARVING,,,, hahahah
Edited by ClassiChimi on Friday 14th August 21:55
Thanks guys,
First thoughts,
Fans kick in at 87 deg like clockwork.
I had immobiliser issues before, Dom said replacing main starter cable was the issue which I've been dubious about,,, well it's not failed yet so that seems a bonus.
Fuelling
As the car hasn't been mapped properly I will use caution,
Seems to burn much cleaner at low revs around town, in traffic I'd always smell unburnt fuel etc, no more,
Picks up quickly and I can tell there's a smoother fuel curve. More linear
I'm not going to rev the engine over 4000revs until it's fully mapped so it's hard to say if it's faster but I think it is
Engine doesn't seem to get as hot either but I need more time to assess. Other than the frustration of the rolling road being out of action it's a nice installation, re painted my nasty fuel rail too
My pockets are empty so I'm feeling bemused but over time as I get to know the system better and have some real miles on the clock and it's mapped well I'll be glad I've spent the money.
Happy days
Edited to add,
I'm going out to do some of this
First thoughts,
Fans kick in at 87 deg like clockwork.
I had immobiliser issues before, Dom said replacing main starter cable was the issue which I've been dubious about,,, well it's not failed yet so that seems a bonus.
Fuelling
As the car hasn't been mapped properly I will use caution,
Seems to burn much cleaner at low revs around town, in traffic I'd always smell unburnt fuel etc, no more,
Picks up quickly and I can tell there's a smoother fuel curve. More linear
I'm not going to rev the engine over 4000revs until it's fully mapped so it's hard to say if it's faster but I think it is
Engine doesn't seem to get as hot either but I need more time to assess. Other than the frustration of the rolling road being out of action it's a nice installation, re painted my nasty fuel rail too
My pockets are empty so I'm feeling bemused but over time as I get to know the system better and have some real miles on the clock and it's mapped well I'll be glad I've spent the money.
Happy days
Edited to add,
I'm going out to do some of this
Edited by ClassiChimi on Saturday 15th August 16:17
Alun,
I've also replaced both the pos and neg battery cables on mine (when it was in bits at RT Racing).
This will ensure that the stater gets at least 12V to crank the beast but you've got to get the starter solenoid fired first!
That's the other half of the problem in that the immobiliser doesn't use an external relay provide current to the starter solenoid and so slowly burns out.
I did my starter cables and (when both Carl and I can both be in the UK at the same time) I'll get a new alarm system installed with external relays BUT I can't help looking at the V8D heads, cams, inlet manifolds, plenum, MBE..
better stop now, I can feel my wallet burning!
I'll bring my ol banger round!
I've also replaced both the pos and neg battery cables on mine (when it was in bits at RT Racing).
This will ensure that the stater gets at least 12V to crank the beast but you've got to get the starter solenoid fired first!
That's the other half of the problem in that the immobiliser doesn't use an external relay provide current to the starter solenoid and so slowly burns out.
I did my starter cables and (when both Carl and I can both be in the UK at the same time) I'll get a new alarm system installed with external relays BUT I can't help looking at the V8D heads, cams, inlet manifolds, plenum, MBE..
better stop now, I can feel my wallet burning!
I'll bring my ol banger round!
Richard I've tried Pm you twice and it keeps failing?
Painted fuel rail black, dunno what with but it must be heat proof!
It's a shiny black so that's ok
Dave get the MBE in then start on the engine,,,, I'll tell you why,,,
So far I've decided it's ,,,,,,,,,,,,, wait for it,,,,,,,, brilliant.
Engines not as hot, gauges stay true, smooth tick over and after a good 40 minutes running around town got home and did my usual thing, open the bonnet to let the heat out,,,, clink, crack, ssssss, as the engine would cool off,,,,
No,,,, the odd tink but it's just not as hot,, temp says 87/90 ish, but as soon as I opened the bonnet the heat release was less than it used to be,,,, without the dizzi and wires and coil and stuff it seems like much more room in there.
So I had classic immobiliser symptoms on the starter circuit since the day I got the car,,, sometimes no issues then out the blue the car would refuse to start, fuel pump would prime but no starter, classic relay in immobiliser symptom,,,
Well I've stop started a few dozen times by now already and it's not happened once,,,,
If this has cured my starting problems ( always at a garage filling up for some bugger reason ) ;( then that's a huge bonus in having the new loom etc.
what a result that would be,,, touch wood because I'll believe it after a period of time.
Overall and when it's fully mapped This is a massive step up in engine control and I'm sure my engines loving it already,
She's very happy by the sound of her
Edited to add, yes Graham i did see your post
I'll have no more said about it
So when's the next trackday
No not yet,,,, bloody rolling road, maybe as late as sept before roads fixed, boo hoo
Painted fuel rail black, dunno what with but it must be heat proof!
It's a shiny black so that's ok
Dave get the MBE in then start on the engine,,,, I'll tell you why,,,
So far I've decided it's ,,,,,,,,,,,,, wait for it,,,,,,,, brilliant.
Engines not as hot, gauges stay true, smooth tick over and after a good 40 minutes running around town got home and did my usual thing, open the bonnet to let the heat out,,,, clink, crack, ssssss, as the engine would cool off,,,,
No,,,, the odd tink but it's just not as hot,, temp says 87/90 ish, but as soon as I opened the bonnet the heat release was less than it used to be,,,, without the dizzi and wires and coil and stuff it seems like much more room in there.
So I had classic immobiliser symptoms on the starter circuit since the day I got the car,,, sometimes no issues then out the blue the car would refuse to start, fuel pump would prime but no starter, classic relay in immobiliser symptom,,,
Well I've stop started a few dozen times by now already and it's not happened once,,,,
If this has cured my starting problems ( always at a garage filling up for some bugger reason ) ;( then that's a huge bonus in having the new loom etc.
what a result that would be,,, touch wood because I'll believe it after a period of time.
Overall and when it's fully mapped This is a massive step up in engine control and I'm sure my engines loving it already,
She's very happy by the sound of her
Edited to add, yes Graham i did see your post
I'll have no more said about it
So when's the next trackday
No not yet,,,, bloody rolling road, maybe as late as sept before roads fixed, boo hoo
Edited by ClassiChimi on Saturday 15th August 20:50
come on Anthony sharpen up I've just been out for a night time drive, all I can say is role on sept because this feels bloody marvellous, Is it my imagination but the engine sounds better, quieter and more balanced.
I can't really try but it feels like it's pulling like a train, I'm pleased the cars not creaking around all my suspension and bush work from last year, about 30 miles driving in over 12 months, I kept hearing this rattle from the left front, just a slight tap here and there,,, got home and realised the old metal tax disc holder was in the passenger door pocket and rattles, phew!
I have to say my car feels really tight and taught, no noises other than good ones.
A side thought, I'm thinking of trying Joolz two way adjustable shocks, he sent me an email and he's had some good results with them, I'll discuss my requirements with him next week but I'm close to choosing them.
If they can hold their valving after some hammer then I think they might be the ones to try.
Thoughts anyone
Edited to add
I'm feeling rather pleased, it feels like my car has taken a huge step out of the dark and unknown into a totally modern car,
The way the throttle responds with even a tiny dab and when you have the car balanced on the throttle a few mm pressure either way with the right foot and the engine instantly gives you what you ask, smooth smooth engine note, it's like a Porsche !!! Steady on,,,, if it's the only upgrade you ever do it will be the best thing you'll ever do for the cars health.
Mine feels brand new! I've just driven for a couple of hours at steady speeds, got home, got out the car and there's no smell of fuel whatsoever, it's all sinking in, I'm starting to believe what my clocks tell me, I don't fear starting the b
d,,, it doesn't smell like a fuel tanker parked up, standing behind it there's hardly any gases,,, that's seriously impressing me, it can't be too lean or it would be running hotter to my mind? If this is what's achieved without being fully mapped then it's a damned impressive.
I collected it today after parting with money,,,, I'm never in the best of moods after paying for stuff
Didn't think much of it really,,,, then had to do a few local trips and slowly I succumbed to the feel of it.
It's like a massive confidence booster. I can't recommend it enough right now
Edited by ClassiChimi on Sunday 16th August 00:40
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