Ecu upgrade, what to expect ?

[ClassiChimi]

I'm thinking of replacing the ecu and disi for an after market ecu,,
Regardless of the make of ecu what is an after market upgrade like this going do for my car in the long run.
I'm obviously aware I'll ditch the Stepper motor and gain coil packs,,, and a new loom


So what power gain ( if any )
Fuelling,,,, better control of the fuel map?

What else?

I'm sure many on here are wondering If or when they should invest in a distributer less
Ignition system.

My thoughts are it's going to manage my engine better so engine should stay healthy for longer??
Thoughts gents

[ClassiChimi]

,,,,
My car cuts through the air sweet as,, but I need more power!!
I'm just wondering with better advance/ retard control coupled with better fuelling I should get a better power curve,,

I know I should be going for bigger ports and better induction to but I have to do things in stages now days

I'm just trying to justify spending another few K on the bugger

[ClassiChimi]

,,,,
My car cuts through the air sweet as,, but I need more power!!
I'm just wondering with better advance/ retard control coupled with better fuelling I should get a better power curve,,

I know I should be going for bigger ports and better induction to but I have to do things in stages now days

I'm just trying to justify spending another few K on the bugger

[ClassiChimi]

I've had a good chat with Joolz, top chap,
I'm thinking regardless of make as long as the data can be fettled by someone who knows how too then you'll probably get roughly the same results,,, the engine becomes the restriction;)

[ClassiChimi]

Thanks Simon,, better fuelling for better internal conditions and temps rather than economy is my hope,
Didn't really think about fuel consumption

I don't like the idea of running lean at high revs so assume a good map will compensate etc....
Cheers

[ClassiChimi]

Reliability,,, I think that's what's driving me to it mostly,,,,, seems like a good idea to remove as many future reliability woes as possible,,, to cover so many of the usual problems in one hit is actually ticking loads of boxes so it's a no brainer really

Thanks again gentlemen

[ClassiChimi]

Thanks Dave, that's got the juices flowing
The fuel economy on my CUX is pretty good really so I'm not expecting much improvement there.
Having driven a rather famous 5.5 chimaera it's soooo gooood coupled with good induction mods I could really feel the fuelling working so well, the heads I could also feel,, the most!
Suck/blow wow it really is a massive difference with good heads!

I really must see if I can afford induction and head work at the same time as ecu upgrade!

[ClassiChimi]

"You can not be serious man"
Steady on chap,, I'm trying to drive slower and get the car faster
No this has as much to do with the everyday enjoyment of the car,,, having read and identified the various issues associated with the cux, that coupled with mapping capabilities going forward it's just a good time to try and get it done, while I can get some dosh together!!!

I defo need lessons,,,, to give you some

[ClassiChimi]

QBee said:

To be fair to Anthony, he's a more skillful driver than I will ever be, and Alun was asking about a subject in which i have a considerable interest (as have you Matt). The answers so far have been very very interesting.

I had always imagined that an aftermarket ECU gave better spark control than the venerable CUX, smoother driving and an immediate 20 bhp/20 torques boost. Now not so sure about the last point.
I am actually very happy with the smooth power delivery and about-town driveability of mine.
It ain't broke, so perhaps i shouldn't consider fixing it.

Anthony's car enjoys impeccable manners whether fast or pottering along, which it's usually doing
Seriously the cux is no stumbling point on his car,, it flies and has instant throttle responce so it's not like the system doesn't work,,, I had a very early fuel injection system on a 1980 Daimler sovereign once,,, CUX, it never faultered once, it's more about having to buy various bits as service items every 5000 miles and the hastle of getting good parts etc.

I do know what to expect but just thought it would be good to confirm my thoughts !

I want to own this car a very long time, I want to cover the globe,,,
And every good race track as time and money allows,,

When I was 21 I said fk it build your own car,,,,
It's taken awhile but slowly I'll do it to this kit car instead,, it's all part of the master plan,

Driving lessons I totally agree but they just can't help me with my lack of balance

[ClassiChimi]

I've been considering both the MBE and Emerald systems, both well proven,
After talking to a few informed people, either systems seem more than upto the job,,,
MBE is good because I'm close to Tvr power and any issues I'm only minutes Way from Dom and his rolling road,
Powers have re built the engine too so that seems to make sence to have him install it, I've heard good things about Jay at Powers re mapping so that's a good option.

Emerald simply because of the good work Joolz does and the confidence that would give me but he is a little further away from me etc.

I'm close to choosing the MBE,,, I've already spoke about blown heads with Dom but I won't be doing engine mods other than induction at this time.

Looking at Derek's new build thread,,, that's what I really want to be doing,,, getting a 5.0 together!
Back on topic,,, I feel assured that most systems do the job it's more about the mapper/s who then work with it that matters the most.

[ClassiChimi]

I'm still not sure though,,,,,
Emerald,,,,, seems to be really well supported,,, it's between Emerald and MBE!
Has anyone got knowledge of both ecu's, do they have similar specs!
Is one def better than the other !

I better google and look properly!

[ClassiChimi]

Sardonicus said:

Dont go out in Macs car Alun you will swear someones pulled 4 plug leads off of yours when you get in it next

I drove Peters and my heart sank,,,,,, nothing will ever feel the same again, goal posts have moved
Yes Mac were not far apart, soon as I'm on the black stuff I can't wait to see your car let alone have a run in it with you,,


Rosetvr's Throttle bodied Griff is about the same speed as peters, more top end maybe but the torque in Peters car is fantastic, I've already come to the conclusion Peters car accelerated as fast in 5 th as my 4.6 in 2nd gear,,, I'm sure of it,
The real revelation with Phazed car was how he's got everything working so good around the engine,
It handles beautifully, almost easy, the powers huge but really easy to manage and balance on the throttle,
Brakes give confidence,,, my face is still in a contorted state from the speed at the end of the straights, the torque is massive and throws you up the road in any gear at warp speed, it's fjcking fantastic.

That's why I want to move on with the spark and fuel side of the original car, build an engine one day,,,,

[ClassiChimi]

Davelittlewood,, eh up mate, it's a small world. Have to meet up sometime,
Thanks for the comments.
Richard, my car will hopefully be in line after yours,
I've just done 30 miles on my bike and decided Dom boys can do it,
All this revolves around a house sale so I hope I don't get egg on my face?

Ruchard om me your number and I'll give you a call

[ClassiChimi]

Richard 858 said:

Dave, here's my latest RR and no real changes since. Please note the hp & torque scales are different.



I'll post the new one when all is done.

Serious stuff there Richard, awesome.

[ClassiChimi]

Sardonicus said:

13.5 is where it's happy at Dave run leaner and the lope just becomes unhappy to be expected of course, I reckon on idle and slow speed there is more exhaust gas in the plenum than the exhaust system

Is this because you have a huge cam with massive overlap on inlet and exhaust valves ?
You've gone as far as is reasonable, is this a bespoke grind for you Simon,,,
Sorry if you've answered this before!

No trumpets that's another one that has me wondering,, big area for the air,

Do you have a spec of your engine and car I can find Simon,

[ClassiChimi]

davelittlewood said:

So you've already got 430 BHP!!!! Wooooo!

What's my stock 450 going to produce?? About 250 in reality?

Sounds about right Dave
A healthy standard 450 should be in the region of about 270 but that's supposing it's new !
My engine was re built by Powers,,, feels like it's got good bhp, it's faster than before the re build but that could have been the chip Dom Installed
I'm hoping with some induction mods, new Ecu I'm getting closer to 300 bhp,,, we'll see?

I've just been over on the Griff forum,, usual coil, ignition module, plug lead,, Or is it battery or have I flooded it questions,
Life's to short, the Disi is going

[ClassiChimi]

Power corrupts power costs but power's addictive
I'm realistic of what the 4.6 can produce,, you've got to go 5.0 and massive heads to really feel the difference.... And it's a big difference.
Saying all that if my engine holds together and runs well with a new ecu then I'm happy with it, I do love driving country lanes,,,, trundling through little villages so it's not just about the power

[ClassiChimi]

TV8 said:

Alun,

Your choice but if I was close to powers, I would be asking them about this for the 450
http://www.powersperformance.co.uk/upgrades/rv8-tu...

Put the MBE on at the same time and job done!

Some days I wished I lived closer to the up grade specialists, others, I am glad that I don't!

Hi Graham, I've seen that very car whilst in production ( so to speak )
I even heard it running once,,, sweet as a nut!

A step to far for me, or is it

When's all said and done I want to do some serious distances in the car,,
I like to keep close to the original concept but I have no issues with turbo'd or any other mod

[ClassiChimi]

Richard 858 said:

Before I added the blower kit mine was producing 275hp with the only mods at the time being ACT smooth bore induction hoses & full decat. The motor had pretty much a full rebuild by Dom at Power around 17,000 miles ago under previous ownership.

So that's the bench mark Richard, other than steel rockers my heads are standard, original liners ( honed )
New 885 cam so not that aggressive but vernier gears also
Skimmed heads and block, but standard induction other than K&N filter and smooth elbow, 280 ish I'd hope?
I have both de cat and standard Y so i have to decide which to run, de cat for power, standard is very nice for cruising for days and days !!! I've already driven from Friday to Sunday all day each day stoppng for fuel only,, it's a tough decision,,, maybe I should get some ear plugs,,,,, for the neighbours

[ClassiChimi]

So at last I made a decision, cars gone into Powers Performance for an MBE ecu upgrade, possibly new riggers,,
And a list as long as my arm
Here's a pic or two of the old girl,,, before I had to say goodbye,,,





I remember buying this car and taking it straight to Dom and being told I'd bought a pupp,,,,
He was right, but I persevered and it's now starting to resemble a sorted car,,, 10K later,,, but boy has it been some fun
And now this should be the icing on the cake,,
It's not been easy,,, I don't have money bags hidden away
It's been excruciating watching my car just sit there while I find the cash,,,
Anyway I hope today is the start of a great Tvr experience going forward with a car I've tried to bomb proof!
We'll see,,, I'm both apprehensive and excited,,,,
My list includes electrics, gear lever bush, tonnes of stuff,,,,
Maybe clutch?
It's all down to the cost so I'm now sitting waiting for Dom to trawl through my huge array of bits and bobs, one door not opening, both windows are iffy,

I do enjoy going to see the lads at Powers,,,, I'm not so sure about the size of the bill yet but when it actually comes down to it, they've always been straight and honest with me so I'm happy with that.
I can't flipping wait but the car will be there awhile so I'll just have to dream about it a bit longer,,