Citroen CX GTI Turbo Engine Management

[Bilkob]

I’m new on here and realise the above is slightly left field but I’ve owned a fair few and can’t kick the habit..
I’m after some technical advice here
These cars are wonderful whooshy cruisers and although not fast by modern standards do have a surprising turn of wafty torque
I have a nice Series 2 Turbo 1( non intercooled) that I use (or did..!) for charging off to Belgium and France to watch bike racing and repatriate beer and its great, but I’ve always wanted to make an updated/ ultimate one. To that end I’ve acquired a late Turbo 2 (intercooled) car for a full restoration/build. It’s remarkably solid and I know my way around them mechanically and the steering and suspension aren’t as scary as some would believe
So- what I really need advice on is engine management/ECUs......
The standard stuff ,Bosch K-jetronic is now 30 +years old and the weak link to more grunt/better running. These engines are crude but very understressed, 170ish bhp and 215 ft/lbs from a turbo 2.5 4 pot is quite tame
I’d like somewhere in the region of 220 bhp and associated torque increase.
Are there any thoughts on modern stand alone ECUs that could run both ignition and fuel and be adapted to fit this engine/car. I’m fairly good mechanically and have a superb auto electrician so any clues/tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Something to do anyway.......

[traffman]

Hi , i owned a Blue Series 2 Gti Turbo purchased from Oxford , was a great drive back up to Falkirk!
Sadly sold it on now , i did find the steering quite nervous , i know its 2.5 turns lock to lock . Apart from that it was beautiful. My dad owned a Cx Athena back in 1982. Thats why i love them so much.

Anyhow , take a look at Harrys Garage on Youtube , theres a guy that was rebuilding Harry Metcalfes Espada engine. Anyway the mechanic owns a Nice s1 that hes currently selling. He has turned the boost up on his and knows a lot about these wonderful cars.

Maybe try and drop him a line? Ill go and find out his details .

[Vickers_VC10]

Readers car thread please. One of my favourite ever Citroëns.

[traffman]

His Youtube channel is Ken Tyrrells . He is currently selling his S1 cx turbo

[Bilkob]

Thank you already! I’ll try and contact that S1 owner but I think that car is still on original Bosch stuff....

[waynecyclist]

Very interesting video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMh1AlIbbs4

[LarJammer]

To replace the Bosch setup is going to involve a lot of work if you want to go 'modern'. But I'm sure it would be a very interesting project. The biggest hurdles are likely to be the requirement for a crank sensor and a different injector / fuel rail setup. You could try searching the megasquirt forum for similar conversions.

[Pete54]

Suggest you get in touch with Nard Renard in the Netherlands. He developed a Megasquirt application for the SM, improved in;et arrangements and has a CX2500 petrol/lpg Megasquirt conversion in a DS!

Google Renard motors nl

[Bilkob]

Thank you for the replies, really useful but keep them coming please. Yes, I suspect that the crank sensor will be a hurdle although the car does have one but I’m led to believe that the number of teeth is incorrect.....?
I THINK the std fuel system, pump, rail, injectors is ok for the sort of power I’m after
Amy more ideas on stand alone systems very gratefully received

[stevieturbo]

Bilkob said:

I’m new on here and realise the above is slightly left field but I’ve owned a fair few and can’t kick the habit..
I’m after some technical advice here
These cars are wonderful whooshy cruisers and although not fast by modern standards do have a surprising turn of wafty torque
I have a nice Series 2 Turbo 1( non intercooled) that I use (or did..!) for charging off to Belgium and France to watch bike racing and repatriate beer and its great, but I’ve always wanted to make an updated/ ultimate one. To that end I’ve acquired a late Turbo 2 (intercooled) car for a full restoration/build. It’s remarkably solid and I know my way around them mechanically and the steering and suspension aren’t as scary as some would believe
So- what I really need advice on is engine management/ECUs......
The standard stuff ,Bosch K-jetronic is now 30 +years old and the weak link to more grunt/better running. These engines are crude but very understressed, 170ish bhp and 215 ft/lbs from a turbo 2.5 4 pot is quite tame
I’d like somewhere in the region of 220 bhp and associated torque increase.
Are there any thoughts on modern stand alone ECUs that could run both ignition and fuel and be adapted to fit this engine/car. I’m fairly good mechanically and have a superb auto electrician so any clues/tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Something to do anyway.......

Really...there are dozens of ecu's.

Pick your tuner, and use whatever they can give you the best outcome with within your budget.

[Bilkob]

Here’s my current T1

[Bilkob]

So, can anyone recommend a few ECUs as a starting point?

[GreenV8S]

Bilkob said:

So, can anyone recommend a few ECUs as a starting point?

Who is going to tune it? That is the more important decision.

[Bilkob]

So, almost unbelievably I have around a tuning, ecu supplier who owns the exact same car as me and had always wanted to do this!!
Emerald tuning, they already seem knowledgeable and have a diner car to check everything against

[E-bmw]

Bilkob said:

have a diner car to check everything against

So are you going there for a meal then?

[stevieturbo]

Bilkob said:

So, almost unbelievably I have around a tuning, ecu supplier who owns the exact same car as me and had always wanted to do this!!
Emerald tuning, they already seem knowledgeable and have a diner car to check everything against

If going with Emerald themselves, I'm sure you're in safe hands.

[E-bmw]

There's an echo in 'ere....in 'ere....in 'ere....

[Bilkob]

Quick update on my increasingly rabbit hole like GTI Turbo project
Emerald Tuning (who have been superb to deal with) now have their car up and running on their ECU, completely bypassing all the Bosch/Citroen wiring and boxes. An initial Dino run on std boost has resulted in 200bhp and 250lbs/ft of torque, not too shabby as a starting point.
In the meantime I’ve taken the engine out of mine (what a hoot that was!) in preparation for new clutch, engine bay re-pipe and the fitting of a diesel T2 gearbox for longer gearing.
This is all a bit daunting at times but I’m in too deep now to not keep going........

[Bilkob]

Update.....
I’ve made lots and lots of progress over the summer and autumn but have been at the mercy of the weather and work and all sorts of outside stuff....
Anyway, the bespoke loom and ECU and coil sticks etc turned up today, so I’ll approach the new year with renewed vigour

[rickygolf83]

Very interesting project this, good luck!