Is TVR Power's MBE Knock ECU a worthwhile investment?

[chris watton]

Before my car had its 6k mile service, it ran quite sweet and on song throughout the rev range, even when starting up.

Since the service, the engine feels a lot more 'lumpy', even stalling if enough throttle isn't given when starting up.

I don't want to take it back to where it was serviced, but want to take it to someone who knows the S6 inside out.

With that in mind, I was thinking of having the S6 throttle spindle bushing (plus media blasting):

http://www.powersperformance.co.uk/machining/slug/...

Followed by an engine tune up - perhaps even tappet adjustment (I didn't have the tappets done the last time because they were done on the previous service - but that was a couple of years ago..)

I was also toying with the idea of having TVR Power's MBE knock ECU fitted at the same time:

http://www.powersperformance.co.uk/store/slug/mbe-...

Thinking that, when I eventually do have the 4.3 upgrade, I shall already have this new ECU installed. But for now, I am wondering if it would benefit my stock 3.6, and allow it to run sweeter than it does now.

Or, would a simple tune up of the standard ECU achieve more or less the same results?

Cheers

[chris watton]

Cheers. I may have to go for it. I was going to have the CF airbox, but I think this ECU may be a better investment for now.

At £3k, it's a little hard to swallow, but I guess it does include full installation and bespoke re-map, so hopefully, the engine should be as good as it can be, which is what I want.

[chris watton]

s6boy said:

Surely if the engine was running fine before a service at a non S6 garage and is now running badly, the first thing to do is take it to a specialist to identify what they've done wrong?
If it's just the case a sensor hasn't been reconnected properly you could save your £3000.

I know...

But it's something that was already on my 'to do' list anyway.

I just wondered if anyone had had it fitted and was worth the outlay.

[chris watton]

SergSC said:

My guess is that if tb balancing was part of the work, they buggered it up.

Not sure what was done, TBH, all I know is that it is worse after the service than before - first time I have ever had that with a Tamora (used to use SP, but they're gone)

[chris watton]

glow worm said:

My experience is it's very smooth with a 4.5 , but I think you need to evaluate your requirement and Why you want it .

In essence, what I want is for my 3.6 to run as smooth as it can be. If I have the throttle bodies done at the same time, and providing the rest of the engine is in good order, that is what I am hoping for - the best my 3.6 can be.

[chris watton]

Andy_mr2sc said:

glow worm said:

Do you want more Torque or more BHP ?
Both
Do you like to rev a car till it screams ?
Yes!
Do you go for useless pops and bangs ? or flames ?
Yes & Yes!!
Do you like to draw attention to yourself with the loudest car in the street ?
Yes!

Come on I can't be the only one...

I like all of the above!

I know some don't like to bounce off the limiter, but I do - I love the S6 when it's on song and screaming like a banshee on heat. I just like to be safe in the knowledge that I can do that without breaking the engine..

[chris watton]

billynobrakes said:

Stop messing about , get the 4.3 put in and get Powers MBE put in at the same time as it will save you money getting the MBE set up for both engines, you know it makes sense and you will not be disappointed

If I didn't have a corp tax bill and accountant to pay soon, I probably would!

As it stands, though, I don't have a spare £12k+, have already spent £10k on the car since buying it, and I promised my wife I'd concentrate on renovating our house (which we haven't really touched since buying it because of my car...)

I am thinking of having the 4.3 next year. I know I will spend another £20k on this car in the long run (engine, cooling system, clutch flywheel, CR box and diff)- I just can't do it all at once..

At the very least though, I want my throttle bodies re done, and the MBE is something I could put on my Visa for now....

It would be great if when it comes to the 4.3, the 4.3 is all I need to pay for, with all the other extras already in place.

Edited by chris watton on Friday 11th July 10:12

[chris watton]

glow worm said:

Why stop at a 4.3 when you could get a 4.5 or 5 litre ?

Would be wasted on me - I am one of the few that has always been happy with the 3.6 performance, as it is used mainly on the twisties. For me, I think the 4.3 would be perfect - as long as I can still take it to the red line in the first couple of gears..

Anyway, I'm not as rich as some of you..

[chris watton]

jrb43 said:

billynobrakes said:

Stop messing about , get the 4.3 put in and get Powers MBE put in at the same time as it will save you money getting the MBE set up for both engines, you know it makes sense and you will not be disappointed

3 minutes research indicates that a significant part of the cost from TVR Power is the map (with its associated R+D) and setting up. As others have said, you're really only costing yourself money having it set up twice. Most S6 engines are running perfectly well with the original ECU: I'm sure yours can be made to do the same without excessive spending.

I know - but I may not have the 4.3 for another year. I am wondering if it's worth having now (the MBE), with the benefits it brings with a substantial re-map. Will this increase my enjoyment of driving the car for the next year - if yes, then swallowing the cost for another re-map when I eventually do have the 4.3 isn't so big a price to pay, is it?

Of course, all of this is assuming the new MBE is miles better than the standard, with more options to ensure the engine runs as well as it can.

ETA - I am also wondering if anyone has had this installed on their stock engine (NOT already TVR-Powered)?

Edited by chris watton on Friday 11th July 13:12

[chris watton]

OK, for now, I think I'll book the car in for a complete throttle body refurb, including the new gaskets, and see what happens after that.

I guess that's the most sensible thing to do.....

ETA - I get too carried away - I figure if the car's going up there to have that sorted, then why not tag on a few other jobs, and then it gets all out of hand, and a job that was originally a few hundred Pounds morphs into thousands.....

Edited by chris watton on Friday 11th July 21:33

[chris watton]

m4tti said:

If your car was running well before this service it will run well again.

If it isn't holding tune it could well be the bodies. The cars are getting on. I had my bodies modified by Andymr2sc and the work is top notch. I was discussing the originals and the common problem with Andy and the fact is these were 40k ish cars not 80k. Something had to give.


Andy also did me a set of gaskets, which line up perfectly and are a hell of a lot better than faffing about with RTV.

I have been in contact with Andy. Unfortunately, I am not comfortable taking off and re installing the throttle bodies myself - I will probably mess something else up and may well end up costing me a lot more than I save.