TVR Power RV8 MBE ECU
Discussion
Looks interesting:
http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/news/slug/new-rv8-speed-...
I wonder how this compares to other after market ECUs?
http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/news/slug/new-rv8-speed-...
I wonder how this compares to other after market ECUs?
I suppose the benefit is the age old chestnut of having an E marked product with liability insurance etc installed in the car, as the law requires for electronics installed after 2001, rather than something "for track use only". (But is not enforced to the best of my knowledge, so I'd not worry too much yet)
Note I'm not wanting to open this debate again since it's been done to death - I am a big supporter of all things open source.
Note I'm not wanting to open this debate again since it's been done to death - I am a big supporter of all things open source.
Also if the ecu is faulty, they as the supplier and fitter will sort it out rather than spending a week on the rolling road with constant phone calls back and forth resulting in a flogged engine before the supplier admits there is a fault with the ecu.
In my experience it could prove a bargain.
Julian
In my experience it could prove a bargain.
Julian
When I posted on my taraka rebuild back in October Dom had already been running this ecu for a while in a chim but there wasn't much detail around on it. Have to say I've been waiting to see when this arrived, it's important for all us RV8 users to have choice as the Lucas units become inevitably more fragile. Mine died and I replaced it with a second hand unit plus Tornado which I'm still very happy with. At the price compared to a taraka rebuild the benefits should be clear.
So two questions.
If fuelling is good, what tangible benefits might I realistically expect to get from this / any other system that was giving better spark control if we assume I would not be doing anything else to the engine other than getting rid of the bits it no longer needed.
Has anyone actually had this fitted yet ? I would expect that now it's officially on the Market there must be at least a couple already done - it would be interesting to find out what they think.
So two questions.
If fuelling is good, what tangible benefits might I realistically expect to get from this / any other system that was giving better spark control if we assume I would not be doing anything else to the engine other than getting rid of the bits it no longer needed.
Has anyone actually had this fitted yet ? I would expect that now it's officially on the Market there must be at least a couple already done - it would be interesting to find out what they think.
I also have a Tornado EPROM in my 14CUX and I am considering upgrading to the Bosch MAFM, red top injectors and adding ignition control using the Omex 200 unit.
I would like to see how the MBE unit compares to a 14CUX ECU running the fuelling and OMEX 200 running spark. I also note that the MBE package gets rid of the MAFM in preference of a TPS. I think I would prefer the fuelling to be controlled by the a MAFM from a drivability point of view.
I would like to see how the MBE unit compares to a 14CUX ECU running the fuelling and OMEX 200 running spark. I also note that the MBE package gets rid of the MAFM in preference of a TPS. I think I would prefer the fuelling to be controlled by the a MAFM from a drivability point of view.
Dom showed me the kit when I went to pick up some parts a few Saturdays ago. Looks good, and is a guaranteed professional install, with all the backup and support you would expect from TVR Power.
He also mentioned something about a 5.7l RV8...but maybe I should keep quiet about that!!
I've fitted a Megaquirt purchased from Phil (www.extraefi.co.uk). Had great fun fitting it, and learnt a lot about the engine, EFI, ignition (and am still learning). I would say, all in it has probably cost me around £1k with some various other modifications.
I'm an electronics engineer, and not a trained mechanic - I found it interesting and good fun to install, but a lengthy process. Support from Phil has been execellent and the product itself (albeit 'open source' seems very stable, and Phil manufactures them to a high standard).
In my own opinion, if you like to tinker, know a bit about engines and electronics, and have some spare time over the winter - you may want to consider the MS route.
Saying that, if you want to drop your car off on a weekend (and probably) pick it up the following weekend with a great improvement - secure in the knowledge that if you have any problems, they will be sorted, go for the TVR Power option.
Don't underestimate the amount of work replacing the original TRV (Land Rover) loom, or the cost of producing a new one. There are plenty of different ways you can go, from modifying the exsiting loom, to making one from scratch - the latter option requires good tooling and some experience of electrics.
For anyone who might read Dave Walkers pages in PPC mag. you can easily see how £300 - £400 can be wasted on a day on the rolling road from a few poor crimp connections or bad quality solder joints. Dave seems a bit of an old cynic, but I suppose after you seen so many twisted wires and corroded old connectors you might say the same yourself....
By the way, I should also mention that I contacted Dale and he very kindly offered to help map on his RR for what I considered to be a very reasonable fee. I was about to take it up, but the three missing teeth on the pinion in my GKN diff have swallowed up the time and funds for now!
He also mentioned something about a 5.7l RV8...but maybe I should keep quiet about that!!
I've fitted a Megaquirt purchased from Phil (www.extraefi.co.uk). Had great fun fitting it, and learnt a lot about the engine, EFI, ignition (and am still learning). I would say, all in it has probably cost me around £1k with some various other modifications.
I'm an electronics engineer, and not a trained mechanic - I found it interesting and good fun to install, but a lengthy process. Support from Phil has been execellent and the product itself (albeit 'open source' seems very stable, and Phil manufactures them to a high standard).
In my own opinion, if you like to tinker, know a bit about engines and electronics, and have some spare time over the winter - you may want to consider the MS route.
Saying that, if you want to drop your car off on a weekend (and probably) pick it up the following weekend with a great improvement - secure in the knowledge that if you have any problems, they will be sorted, go for the TVR Power option.
Don't underestimate the amount of work replacing the original TRV (Land Rover) loom, or the cost of producing a new one. There are plenty of different ways you can go, from modifying the exsiting loom, to making one from scratch - the latter option requires good tooling and some experience of electrics.
For anyone who might read Dave Walkers pages in PPC mag. you can easily see how £300 - £400 can be wasted on a day on the rolling road from a few poor crimp connections or bad quality solder joints. Dave seems a bit of an old cynic, but I suppose after you seen so many twisted wires and corroded old connectors you might say the same yourself....
By the way, I should also mention that I contacted Dale and he very kindly offered to help map on his RR for what I considered to be a very reasonable fee. I was about to take it up, but the three missing teeth on the pinion in my GKN diff have swallowed up the time and funds for now!
Edited by jeboa on Monday 28th May 23:46
.
I've fitted a Megaquirt purchased from Phil (www.extraefi.co.uk). Had great fun fitting it, and learnt a lot about the engine, EFI, ignition (and am still learning). I would say, all in it has probably cost me around £1k with some various other modifications.
I'm an electronics engineer, and not a trained mechanic - I found it interesting and good fun to install, but a lengthy process. Support from Phil has been execellent and the product itself (albeit 'open source' seems very stable, and Phil manufactures them to a high standard).
In my own opinion, if you like to tinker, know a bit about engines and electronics, and have some spare time over the winter - you may want to consider the MS route.
Saying that, if you want to drop your car off on a weekend (and probably) pick it up the following weekend with a great improvement - secure in the knowledge that if you have any problems, they will be sorted, go for the TVR Power option.
Don't underestimate the amount of work replacing the original TRV (Land Rover) loom, or the cost of producing a new one. There are plenty of different ways you can go, from modifying the exsiting loom, to making one from scratch - the latter option requires good tooling and some experience of electrics.
For anyone who might read Dave Walkers pages in PPC mag. you can easily see how £300 - £400 can be wasted on a day on the rolling road from a few poor crimp connections or bad quality solder joints. Dave seems a bit of an old cynic, but I suppose after you seen so many twisted wires and corroded old connectors you might say the same yourself....
Edited by jeboa on Monday 28th May 23:46
[/quote]Along with 900T-R I agree this sums things up quite nicely
MPoxon said:
Looks interesting:
http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/news/slug/new-rv8-speed-...
I wonder how this compares to other after market ECUs?
Looks really good to me, I would definitely be tempted if I had the funds to play with (after my interior retrim!!)http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/news/slug/new-rv8-speed-...
I wonder how this compares to other after market ECUs?
900T-R said:
^^^^^I'd say that's a pretty fair assessment of things. 
+1 Good postI would certainly like to know more about it. I am the first to admit that I do not know much about mechanics and ECUs therefore I would not consider the likes of MS. I prefer best of breed, fully supported products installed by TVR professionals, fit and forget so I can enjoy driving the car and not worry about constant tweaking.
I am still a bit confused about the absence of an MAFM on the MBE package. I thought you needed one of these to ensure 100% driveability in all conditions.
I am not sure who Dale is but a MAFM is a Mass Air Flow Meter... it is used to by the ECU to analyse the mass airflow and adjust the fuelling.
The wiki article is quite good so may be worth a read if you are interested. I believe the orginal Lucas system uses the Hotwire system.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_airflow_sensor
The wiki article is quite good so may be worth a read if you are interested. I believe the orginal Lucas system uses the Hotwire system.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_airflow_sensor
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