Opinions please

Opinions please

Author
Discussion

Englishman

2,215 posts

209 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
I thought that'd create a few responses biggrin

I've worked in and run technology organisations all my life, as well as remaining hands-on at home, so well aware of the benefits! But the OP asked for opinions on upgrading his ECU and that is mine, based on personal experience of the 14CUX as well as many discussions with other owners over this ECU and originality in general.

Obviously those that have spent many £K's on more modern ECU's will disagree and I'm not criticising their decision in any way, as we all have the choice on what to spend on.

My advice to the OP though is to keep his money in his pocket - if it ain't broke don't fix it!

I'm not against upgrades per se though and implemented many where and when needed over the years.

Edited by Englishman on Tuesday 24th May 16:42

ChimpOnGas

9,637 posts

178 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
There has always been two camps in the classic car world:

Camp One: Originally at all costs

These guys are what I call the "show and shine" brigade and will obsessively fit problematic hidden components to their car just to achieve 100% originality. A good example is the insistence of fitting contact breaker points when a completely hidden electronic ignition kit could be substituted with all the reliability improvements that come with it.

Camp Two: The Improvers

These guys to actually use their classic, they understand their classic is a machine to be driven and enjoyed rather than kept as a static museum exhibit. These same guys embrace improvements in technology in order that they may improve the reliability, performance and fuel economy of their car with the objective of enhancing the enjoyment they get from it.

The nice thing about the world of TVRs most owners very much reside in Camp Two, so TVR owners tend to put a lot of value on their car running and performing to it's best.

The real skill to using a bit of modern technology to make a classic more reliable and usable is to do it in such a way that it does not detract from the car's aesthetic or character. Modifications should be carefully chosen and installed with sympathy and respect to the original design.

My personal objective is to make my TVR as usable and reliable as possible while leaving the car looking standard to all but the most geeky TVR expert. What I've created is a car that drives infinitely better than it did when it left Bristol Avenue some 20 years ago.

My TVR, handles better, stops better, is more powerful yet infinitely smoother and easier to drive than it was when new, it is also massively cheaper to fuel. I've achieved all this while keeping the looks in line with TVRs own tasteful evolution of the Chimaera aesthetic, so no one need know by casually looking at the car that its been subtly improved.




Tell me if you can see my Canems ECU, Brembo brakes, suspension upgrades and LPG conversion in the above photo?

There's no doubt my enhancements have produced a car I use more which means I get to enjoy it more, and seeing as I bought my TVR to use and enjoy (not polish and look at) I'm happy its been a very worthwhile exercise.

mk1fan

10,507 posts

224 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
I can see your Brembos. Plus the headlamp conversion.

I agree, I see no point sticking with a problematic component just for the sake of originality. In TVR's specific case, originality means what bit of kit they could get a deal on that week. Black only wiring anyone?

ChimpOnGas

9,637 posts

178 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
mk1fan said:
I can see your Brembos. Plus the headlamp conversion.


You fell in my cunning trap, the photo was actually taken before the Brembos were fitted wink

The faired headlights were something that TVR gave us on Mk3 cars so I choose to see them as original and an overall improvement to looks of the car biggrin

What you didnt spot was the 16" Imola front wheels that were originally 15", and the Surrey Top tongue out

Dave thumbup

ChilliWhizz

11,990 posts

160 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
ChimpOnGas said:
mk1fan said:
I can see your Brembos. Plus the headlamp conversion.


You fell in my cunning trap, the photo was actually taken before the Brembos were fitted wink

The faired headlights were something that TVR gave us on Mk3 cars so I choose to see them as original and an overall improvement to looks of the car biggrin

What you didnt spot was the 16" Imola front wheels that were originally 15", and the Surrey Top tongue out

Dave thumbup
Dave, car looks stunning in that Piccie... Apart from the cheapo common as muck council stylee Imolas...

No, really....

getmecoat

Matthew Poxon

5,329 posts

172 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
ChilliWhizz said:
Dave, car looks stunning in that Piccie... Apart from the cheapo common as muck council stylee Imolas...

No, really....

getmecoat
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Matthew Poxon

5,329 posts

172 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
Interesting topic and I have enjoyed reading the responses.

During my ownership in addition to the usual servicing requirements my car has undergone a number of subtle enhancements to improve driveability, performance and reliability. Importantly for me the look of the car remains completely original. I would like to think that the modifications I have completed have not devalued the car as they are all generally viewed as excepted and well-known enhancements in the TVR community.

If you look at what Alfaholics are doing with 105 series Alfas and what Eagle are doing with E-types they are fitting modern components into classic cars to enhance them without changing the look. Both companies are fitting Jenvey throttle bodies to replace the carburettors, Alfaholics are fitting Omex ECUs and Eagle are using Pectel ECUs as part of their upgrade packages. Both companies are hiding 4 pot AP braking systems under classic style wheels etc etc.

The way I look at it is like stunning old house, looks great but you probably wouldn't want to live in it with ancient electrics and a heating system which breaks down all the time. If you could fit the old house with new electrics and a modern central heating system then you get the best of both worlds, something aesthetically pleasing that looks original but that you can live with.

http://www.eaglegb.com/86/about-eagle-etypes/etype...

N7GTX

7,823 posts

142 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
Each to their own and all that but if I had the choice between a standard original car and this one, its a no brainer for me. Lots and lots of changes and in IMO, for the better, much better.

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

J400GED

1,202 posts

236 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
ChilliWhizz said:
Dave, car looks stunning in that Piccie... Apart from the cheapo common as muck council stylee Imolas...

No, really....

getmecoat
Watch it Chilli!
That's fighting talk where I come from.

It's a good job I work away. biggrin

butch890

Original Poster:

229 posts

104 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all



Interesting replys, mind is all made up ,Appointment booked for 1st week in july!

ClassiChimi

12,424 posts

148 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
ChimpOnGas said:
You fell in my cunning trap, the photo was actually taken before the Brembos were fitted wink

The faired headlights were something that TVR gave us on Mk3 cars so I choose to see them as original and an overall improvement to looks of the car biggrin

What you didnt spot was the 16" Imola front wheels that were originally 15", and the Surrey Top tongue out

Dave thumbup
Hahah, that Dave's a bugger,,,
And I love the Imola's even if I've just sold mine! scratchchin

ClassiChimi

12,424 posts

148 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
butch890 said:



Interesting replys, mind is all made up ,Appointment booked for 1st week in july!
That car is beautiful, it will feel fantastic if that's anything to go by.

Please re visit this thread and tell us your experience as it always makes for very interesting reading;)

I do like your wheels Butch thumbup

butch890

Original Poster:

229 posts

104 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
ClassiChimi said:
That car is beautiful, it will feel fantastic if that's anything to go by.

Please re visit this thread and tell us your experience as it always makes for very interesting reading;)

I do like your wheels Butch thumbup
I started by upgrading to 16" Imolas on the front ready for some Brembos, Never liked the Imolas so bought a set of 16'Lenso's.

I think they suit the car a treat ( as with everything i'm changing I have kept the imola's so they could go back on IF i ever sell him.)

ClassiChimi

12,424 posts

148 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
butch890 said:
I started by upgrading to 16" Imolas on the front ready for some Brembos, Never liked the Imolas so bought a set of 16'Lenso's.

I think they suit the car a treat ( as with everything i'm changing I have kept the imola's so they could go back on IF i ever sell him.)
thumbup
Brembo's are spot on, I love mine.
After the Ecu upgrade you'll not be thinking of selling for years,,,, hehe it'll be just to good to let go.

i dunno if it's just me but I feel and hear the benefits of this upgrade every second I drive the car.

If I did 1800 miles a year I'd be happy to leave my Tvr on the Lucus system but I like to drive mine many thousands of miles a year,, so this has changed my basic feelings towards the car, I didn't trust it and with the amount of areas than can fail on the old system and I hate break downs with a vengeance it was the only sensible option and something I hope to enjoy for years to come. Only when my cars very hot do I ever smell over fuelling and that's just to help cool it, I'm sure the boys at Lloyds are experts as many people can testify, if it's mapped anything like my Mbe it's the final part of a Tvr jigsaw that makes it come together in a very intelligent way, smooth baby smooth. wink

I'm excited for ya hehe Goodliuck and keep this thread Alive with questions or observations on the Canams system as I'm sure hundreds of us are interested in a clean healthy reliable future,, wink