Ecu upgrade, what to expect ?

[ClassiChimi]

I'm thinking of replacing the ecu and disi for an after market ecu,,
Regardless of the make of ecu what is an after market upgrade like this going do for my car in the long run.
I'm obviously aware I'll ditch the Stepper motor and gain coil packs,,, and a new loom


So what power gain ( if any )
Fuelling,,,, better control of the fuel map?

What else?

I'm sure many on here are wondering If or when they should invest in a distributer less
Ignition system.

My thoughts are it's going to manage my engine better so engine should stay healthy for longer??
Thoughts gents

[J400GED]

ClassiChimi said:

I'm thinking of replacing the ecu and disi for an after market ecu,,
Regardless of the make of ecu what is an after market upgrade like this going do for my car in the long run.
I'm obviously aware I'll ditch the Stepper motor and gain coil packs,,, and a new loom


So what power gain ( if any )
Fuelling,,,, better control of the fuel map?

What else?

I'm sure many on here are wondering If or when they should invest in a distributer less
Ignition system.

My thoughts are it's going to manage my engine better so engine should stay healthy for longer??
Thoughts gents

If you get rid of the dizzy and don't replace it with ali/steel mounted coil packs, you'll have less opportunities to polish something.

[Alexdaredevils]

Go see Joolz unless your adding turbos etc

[ClassiChimi]

,,,,
My car cuts through the air sweet as,, but I need more power!!
I'm just wondering with better advance/ retard control coupled with better fuelling I should get a better power curve,,

I know I should be going for bigger ports and better induction to but I have to do things in stages now days

I'm just trying to justify spending another few K on the bugger

[ClassiChimi]

,,,,
My car cuts through the air sweet as,, but I need more power!!
I'm just wondering with better advance/ retard control coupled with better fuelling I should get a better power curve,,

I know I should be going for bigger ports and better induction to but I have to do things in stages now days

I'm just trying to justify spending another few K on the bugger

[ClassiChimi]

I've had a good chat with Joolz, top chap,
I'm thinking regardless of make as long as the data can be fettled by someone who knows how too then you'll probably get roughly the same results,,, the engine becomes the restriction;)

[Sardonicus]

I have done 2 MS conversions Alun on 4's (although any good ECU same applies) outcome better pick-up/response engine more urgent to climb round the tacho seat of the pants but obviously over shadowed by the better response a small HP improvment but if I am being totally honest no notcable/jump in MPG improvments overhaul though being able to run more advance on cruise and leaner AFR's I would say at steady speeds gains are almost certain if your worried about that kind of thing but this is just an opinion albeit an honest one

[ClassiChimi]

Thanks Simon,, better fuelling for better internal conditions and temps rather than economy is my hope,
Didn't really think about fuel consumption

I don't like the idea of running lean at high revs so assume a good map will compensate etc....
Cheers

[carsy]

As well as better running. Reliability. No more trying to find decent rotor arms, caps , amps, coil, afm etc. You will have modern up to date spec coil packs and a new loom.

[ClassiChimi]

Reliability,,, I think that's what's driving me to it mostly,,,,, seems like a good idea to remove as many future reliability woes as possible,,, to cover so many of the usual problems in one hit is actually ticking loads of boxes so it's a no brainer really

Thanks again gentlemen

[phazed]

Reliability and control.

Don't expect miracles!

You have the software to dial out shunting and adjust to future mods but as far as performance is concerned, it'll be about the same.

[ChimpOnGas]

Sardonicus said:

I have done 2 MS conversions Alun on 4's (although any good ECU same applies) outcome better pick-up/response engine more urgent to climb round the tacho seat of the pants but obviously over shadowed by the better response a small HP improvment but if I am being totally honest no notcable/jump in MPG improvments overhaul though being able to run more advance on cruise and leaner AFR's I would say at steady speeds gains are almost certain if your worried about that kind of thing but this is just an opinion albeit an honest one

^^^This^^^.. Throttle response and eagerness for the engine to rev were definitely the most noticeable improvements when I switched to Canems. I also didn't see a big improvement in petrol fuel economy until I went closed loop at which point I saw a near 15% improvement. Closed loop proved essential on LPG but on petrol nailing the AFR to a target and keeping it at a constant made a big difference to economy that really surprised me if I'm honest.

carsy said:

As well as better running. Reliability. No more trying to find decent rotor arms, caps , amps, coil, afm etc. You will have modern up to date spec coil packs and a new loom.

^^^And This^^^ Especially the loom point, your 14CUX wiring is getting on for 20 years old now and it's not uncommon to hear of mystery running issues on these pages that eventually turn out to be caused by the old crispy wiring breaking down.

For me the big advantage of going with an aftermarket ECU was that it opened doors to other modifications, doors that are more or less closed to you if you stick with the current system.

You also need to know there isn't a huge amount wrong with the 14CUX fueling when it's operating as it should, the big advantage is you delete the distributor and replace it with a 3D ignition curve you can easily manipulate.

You may therefore think a good halfway house would be to fit something like an Omex 200, MegaJolt, NODIZ Pro ect and just keep the 14CUX fueling. While cost effective on the face of it the problem with this approach is the systems are still not fully integrated, fueling changes benefit from ignition changes and ignition changes benefit fueling changes to get the best overall results.

There are people other than Mark Adams who can tweak your fueling on the 14CUX these days, but what ever you do it'll never be a fully spark & fuel integrated system, factor in that it's not hugely more expensive to go the whole (spark & fuel ECU) hog, and you may just as well fit a decent complete engine management system.

My Canems system has worked really well and I'm extremely happy I made the switch, I come from a place where changes in fueling meant changing needles & seats, switching emulsion tubes, winding gland nuts up & down or swapping jets. For me the 14CUX was a very frustrating thing, it was like a completely sealed carburetor with next to no adjustment.

Conversely the Canems system is like having the worlds biggest box of jets ect that you can keep changing while you drive. Better still it's like having the worlds biggest box of bob weights and springs, and again being able to replace them as you drive.

How cool is that?..

For an old school carb tweaker like me that's like finding the Holy Grail, even more wonderful is the ability to see the exact air fuel ratio as you drive, again this is like the Holy Grail of tuning when you come from a place where the only indication of mixture was plug colour, smell & listening out for the early onset of detonation (all these methods being highly unsatisfactory).

So if any of this excites you like it does me you should definitely conciser an aftermarket engine management system, and if you're considering any further modifications like forced induction these after market systems are an absolute no-brainer on a Chimaera.

Overall, while you may experience some early cold start frustrations (cold start being especially tricky to get right) you will not be disappointed.

Being able to make fueling and ignition changes on the fly is a complete revelation, it's also something you'll never want to give up. Put it this way, "how many people have gone aftermarket ECU then decided to go back to the 14CUX & distributor?"

I'll hazard a guess the answer to that question is....NONE!

Enjoy..

[ClassiChimi]

Thanks Dave, that's got the juices flowing
The fuel economy on my CUX is pretty good really so I'm not expecting much improvement there.
Having driven a rather famous 5.5 chimaera it's soooo gooood coupled with good induction mods I could really feel the fuelling working so well, the heads I could also feel,, the most!
Suck/blow wow it really is a massive difference with good heads!

I really must see if I can afford induction and head work at the same time as ecu upgrade!

[QBee]

Have you considered giving £20 to a track day instructor instead?
You will advance better........


.......and have better control over the retard behind the wheel

Two birds with one stone

[ClassiChimi]

"You can not be serious man"
Steady on chap,, I'm trying to drive slower and get the car faster
No this has as much to do with the everyday enjoyment of the car,,, having read and identified the various issues associated with the cux, that coupled with mapping capabilities going forward it's just a good time to try and get it done, while I can get some dosh together!!!

I defo need lessons,,,, to give you some

[QBee]

Touche.

[MPoxon]

QBee said:

Have you considered giving £20 to a track day instructor instead?
You will advance better........


.......and have better control over the retard behind the wheel
:

HAHAHAHAHAHA. To be fair though Anthony does have a good point, unless there is something you particularly want to address about the car which an ECU upgrade will solve you would be better off keeping your money and spending the money on fuel, trackdays, driving instruction etc. Just get it back on the road and enjoy it for the time being.

[QBee]

To be fair to Alun, he's a more skillful driver than I will ever be, and he was asking about a subject in which i have a considerable interest (as have you Matt). The answers so far have been very very interesting.

I had always imagined that an aftermarket ECU gave better spark control than the venerable CUX, smoother driving and an immediate 20 bhp/20 torques boost. Now not so sure about the last point.
I am actually very happy with the smooth power delivery and about-town driveability of mine.
It ain't broke, so perhaps i shouldn't consider fixing it.

[ClassiChimi]

QBee said:

To be fair to Anthony, he's a more skillful driver than I will ever be, and Alun was asking about a subject in which i have a considerable interest (as have you Matt). The answers so far have been very very interesting.

I had always imagined that an aftermarket ECU gave better spark control than the venerable CUX, smoother driving and an immediate 20 bhp/20 torques boost. Now not so sure about the last point.
I am actually very happy with the smooth power delivery and about-town driveability of mine.
It ain't broke, so perhaps i shouldn't consider fixing it.

Anthony's car enjoys impeccable manners whether fast or pottering along, which it's usually doing
Seriously the cux is no stumbling point on his car,, it flies and has instant throttle responce so it's not like the system doesn't work,,, I had a very early fuel injection system on a 1980 Daimler sovereign once,,, CUX, it never faultered once, it's more about having to buy various bits as service items every 5000 miles and the hastle of getting good parts etc.

I do know what to expect but just thought it would be good to confirm my thoughts !

I want to own this car a very long time, I want to cover the globe,,,
And every good race track as time and money allows,,

When I was 21 I said fk it build your own car,,,,
It's taken awhile but slowly I'll do it to this kit car instead,, it's all part of the master plan,

Driving lessons I totally agree but they just can't help me with my lack of balance

[macdeb]

Alun
Don't expect miracles from just a change to mappable ecu, but try and think further on. Do you expect [sounds as if you may] to modify the engine further? If so the new ECU will help enhance those improvements no end.