Kit car engine. Original ECU, or independent aftermarket one

[robinessex]

Right, must admit my total ignorance of modern ECU and the CAN bus system. My knowledge of ignition system is still in the days of when distributors were starting to be replaced with electronic ignition system. So, I’m kit car engine planning at the moment. It’s going to be a V8 of some sort, out of an crashed car. Now, initially it seems commonsense to me to buy an engine complete with loom and ECU. But, how do I know I’ve been given ALL the bits that will ensure the bloody runs when I put it together? It’s no good the guy stuffing the ECU and a chunk of wiring loom in my hands, and saying ‘It’s all there mate’, when, 6 months later, I’m either stumped trying to figure it all out, a bit is missing, or I manage to connect it up, but it won’t start. The alternative is to buy an after market ECU (Emerald or similar), and follow the instructions re connecting it all up. At least that route has a guy on the end of a phone who can sort out issues. Whereas I’d be stuck trying to ask a main dealer help if I can’t get one of his engines in my kit car sorted. Thoughts please guys.

Found this, so I'm filling up my brain with all the stuff I've got behind with:-

http://www.dvapower.com/

Edited by robinessex on Sunday 13th March 15:05

[robinessex]

marshalla said:

Personally, I'd go after market - that way you don't run the risk of having to rip out an ECU that won't work because it's waiting for bits of the security system (that you don't have) to allow it to do anything. You'll also get more options for tuning and customisation.

Yes, one thing I did wonder about was the security stuff.

[robinessex]

Right guys, lots of reading stuff on the net, getting up to speed. Seems as if 3rd party is the way to go. Something like Emerald will connect up quite easily with all the 'bits' on the engine, pretty well standard stuff really. It does make the selection of an engine much easier. Fancy a Audi, V8 (£4,800 on Ebay) or maybe V10, or maybe a V10 M5. You get the gearbox for rear engine car with the Audi. There is the more exotic Italian stuff out there, but it's a bit expensive.

[robinessex]

Why? Emerald website goes clearly through what's it capable of, what sensors it can utilise from the engine. Seems as if a standard set of inputs and controls are available from the engine, and the Emerald unit can utilise all of them. Can you tell me what it can't handle, as I'd like to know ?

[robinessex]

stevieturbo said:

robinessex said:

Why? Emerald website goes clearly through what's it capable of, what sensors it can utilise from the engine. Seems as if a standard set of inputs and controls are available from the engine, and the Emerald unit can utilise all of them. Can you tell me what it can't handle, as I'd like to know ?

Number of cylinders

VANOS on inlet and exhaust

Dual DBW setup

Not sure where on their website you think it says it can cope with such an engine ? It simply doesnt have anywhere near the number of I/O's to come close, nevermind any control software to handle it.

It can handle up to 12cyls. I was thinking of the Audi V8 from the R8. VANOS status of Emerald unknown. I think DBW is in the pipe line, but a plain throttle link with a pot in the shaft will be ok.

This is an interesting link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVwM_OJ8Z4g

Thanks for the input, I'm trying to teach myself as much as I can.

[robinessex]

stevieturbo said:

Also...for Audi swaps, take a look at this.

Whilst it's an Audi swap....into an Audi, still loads of good info here.

http://www.v8forum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=102...

Thanks, I'll have a look. Learning a lot here now !! I initially picked the V8 from a R8 as it's as newer engine, so I would hope lower mileage examples are around. Plus it should be available with a gearbox, which is a useful item to have !!

[robinessex]

Thanks for the input guys. Incidently, I've had an equiry response from Emerald, and they say DBW is on the way, and it can handle 1 VANOS camshaft. Aparently a lot of hardware exists within their present ECU that's not being used at the moment. Not that helps right now for use with some engines.