TVR Power RV8 MBE ECU

[dbv8]

Dale Bladen, Bailey Performance. Top bloke, fair, cheap, knows his stuff, listens to you, has a garage next door who are very easy going. I borrowed their lift to sort an issue on mine while Neals car was being mapped and had to force money into the guys hand.
Ive been let down, lied to, conned and treated like crap by people who i was recommended and had glowing reviews. Dale IMHO is a rare gem to be trusted.

[John N]

Ok, so when we go to Power to by a new remanufactured Griff, we get a new oem chassis, new engine in a rather familiar capacity that doesn't need to be a chevy, and the new ecu to fire it all up. Still a British TVR. If that's the plan, I like the idea.

Just on the ECU, great post from Jeboa; I do really fancy the idea of being able to play with the MS option but the reality is that work and family life mean I have to snatch my moments to drive and can't sacrifice that - its just got to work. Been looking at the V8D site (again) but it's hard to see if all the features are comparable. Has anyone had the Racing Green solution fitted, Syvecs I think ?

Still not sure what difference I might subjectively expect to feel if this was installed. Understand it will, along with the various bits removed, generate some more power and torque but will the delivery change as well ? Guess it could improve drivability / tractability but mines pretty good right now.

[Hoover.]

having discussions with Dom last year, and his frustrations I can see why he has gone this way, infact I think this might be what he was hinting at in my chats

[MPoxon]

So has anyone had one of these ECUs fitted yet then?

[ClassiChimi]

Yes me,, and it's fab.
I'm going over to Powers tomorrow to get the lead and software so I can monitor my T&P's
I marvel at the tickover that's currently at about 720 revs,,, and how I can be in second or third gear and go as low as 750-800 revs and just pull away with zero shunting and no over fuelling,, it's a joy to drive and changes the cars character considerably.

[tofts]

Another resurrection then!

On that note though, the emerald system is very good!

[ClassiChimi]

I'd say all the recognised Ecu solutions are rather good but the thing that makes Dom's Mbe install a no brainier to me is the carefully thought out wiring harness and it's almost wireless look to it. My Chimaera has been subjected to the elements this last winter,, outside in all weathers and always dripping wet first thing in the mornings,, I also had a nasty drive recently down the M1 in horrendous rain, new tyres so battered through it easily enough but the next day I noticed water stains all over the top of the plenum and engine bay,,, ?? So a few days later tested a theory and washed the engine bay down,
Got rid of the road crud and hosed it off,, waited for it to dry awhile,, 15 minutes,, then fired the engine and it was fine, no ticks or sparks, no mis fires and that's what it's been like since the day it was mapped.
300 bhp
350 ft lbs torque
30mpg on a run at 90 mph
25 mpg round town!!!

13.1 seconds for the 1/4 mile
It's not got fancy trumpets or any real induction mods
The engines been re built by Dom but it never had the power it has now with Mbe,,

Mine ticks over with no issues at 720 revs,,, pulls in any gear from as little as 800 revs and does not shunt, just smooth power delivery, it's like all good after market Ecu's that's been installed and set up properly,,, a step ahead in many areas.

I'm having some fun with Matthew Poxon as he has a lovely Griff that's crying out for the Mbe,, his trouble is he's got a good set up as is,,,

I'm living with this new Ecu every day and it just gets better and fills me with joy every time I fire it up.
I've done 7500 miles in about 8 months including a 24 hr drive from the midlands to St Tropez in France ( 964 miles in one day )
Faultless so far.

Edited by ClassiChimi on Thursday 5th May 00:36

[phazed]

Bugger, you beat my 870 miles in one day driving to Spain but that was in a Ford Sierra .

[andy43]

ClassiChimi said:

Mine ticks over with no issues at 720 revs,,, pulls in any gear from as little as 800 revs and does not shunt, just smooth power delivery, it's like all good after market Ecu's that's been installed and set up properly,,, a step ahead in many areas.

Nggggg stop it.
Mine is still completely standard (4 litre HC) and when warming up it can be completely crap. Once hot, pretty good, will pull from 30mph in 5th through built up areas if needed and doesn't shunt but it's the whole cold-hot perfect driveability thing on a new system that interests me - you're getting the V8 classic sportscar bit AND worry-free-wiring AND perfect manners at any temp at any speed AND no constant flow of Lucas bits and tinkering. And more power - win-win. When/if mine starts playing up with intermittent faults or bad manners it's game over for the Lucas.

Be interesting to see how these new systems perform after ten years or so, once cooked at TVR underbonnet temps to a nice golden brown. Better quality looms should hopefully mean they're bulletproof.

[Matthew Poxon]

ClassiChimi said:

I'm having some fun with Matthew Poxon as he has a lovely Griff that's crying out for the Mbe,, his trouble is he's got a good set up as is,,,

I'm living with this new Ecu every day and it just gets better and fills me with joy every time I fire it up.
I've done 7500 miles in about 8 months including a 24 hr drive from the midlands to St Tropez in France ( 964 miles in one day )
Faultless so far.

Holy thread resurrection, are you on commission Alun? As you can see I have been interested in the MBE for some time.... since 2012!!!

Mine is running perfectly at the moment fuelling wise so it is difficult to justify a change, I'll see what she is running like at the end of the year after a summer of track abuse and make a decision then.

7500 miles in 8 months, that is good work sir. Good to see you are using the old the girl.

Looking forward to the Lotus track day this weekend, will be the first track day since the gearbox mods and new cam so a bit of a change to what I have been used to.

[ClassiChimi]

Commission,,, I fking should be,, in fact I should have shares in the company as I've invested so heavily,

Jason had a hand in the development of the wiring loom, if the CUX lasted 15 years and was still working with the old wiring then I feel this will go on well behond that,,, hopefully.

[TV8]

I did about 1000 miles in 24 hours and the only modifications were an overhaul kit for the twin strombergs and some new foam in the drivers seat for comfort.

[Hoover.]

My MBE is also going well on my 4.3 which I had installed about 2 years ago......... car was basically not driveable prior to that, despite spending shed loads of cash and time trying to sort it...... now, the car just gets better and better... pulls all the way through the rev range......around 251bhp at the wheels so approx. 295-300bhp at the fly on a 4.3 (also re-built by Dom)....... got to doff my cap to the man.

edited for incorrect info

Edited by Hoover. on Monday 9th May 20:24

[Matthew Poxon]

280BHP at the wheels is more like 330BHP at the flywheel! That is a really good result, more than my now healthy 500!

[Hoover.]

Matthew Poxon said:

280BHP at the wheels is more like 330BHP at the flywheel! That is a really good result, more than my now healthy 500!

Matt sorry brain playing tricks with me..... car with MA chip was circa 280bhp at the fly........ on MBE was 251bhp at wheels which is circa 300bhp at fly

[900T-R]

Another 300 hp 4.3 then...

Edited by 900T-R on Tuesday 10th May 09:26

[Hoover.]

900T-R said:

Another 300 hp 4.3 then...

Edited by 900T-R on Tuesday 10th May 09:26

Yep.... coupled with rebuilt diff and T5 box an absolute dream to drive

[Matthew Poxon]

Will be interesting to compare graphs at the Growl Rolling Road this year if you are putting yours on.

[Hoover.]

Yours was mapped on Don's rollers wasn't ? .... if it was I'll find my rr set-up graphs so you can start thinking......

[Matthew Poxon]

It was indeed mapped on Dom's rollers.