Aftermarket ECU + Fuel & Ignition

[S4CJO]

I've been going around in circles looking at ECU replacement etc. Would like to get rid of the std distributor / coil etc. and replace with something more flexible in terms of set up. Therefore any input from the forum would be useful in terms of fitting, performance and reliability. Also would help knowing who you think is the prime supplier for your chosen device.

My car is a late 98 450, full ACT exhaust system cheery bomb and manifolds with the removable cats (removed )otherwise std though new cam may be on the cards this summer.

[Ant.]

Emerald all the way . good user interface and excellent back up from the company.

[Bassfiend]

I love my CANEMS setup (installed by Lloyds Specialist Developments) ... I know that ChimpOfDarkness has also had his done by them after seeing the job they did with mine, similarly KateV8 had a CANEMS kit supplied by them but fitted locally to them.

Lloyds did an absolutely beautiful job with the new engine harness and properly mounting the ECU in the footwell for me - can't rate them highly enough. They've been helpful and very patient with me while asking dumb questions of them.

[Alun Ivor]

The 123 looks good, I'm going to contact MBE systems to discuss what they offer, how much use they've had from them, it's ok racing but that ain't every day use now is it! Coil packs, trigger the lot, thing is would I loose that over run joy???? On a normal driving day it's half the pleasure, if you want precision timing/mapping then it's the way to go. Only fact is lucus is proven over time, after Market frankly not so, bit of a leap but worth it I reckon.

[spend]

Alun Ivor said:

...Only fact is lucus is proven over time...

With the current supply of grey market service items would lucas have been so 'reliable' even it's pomp?

It's fine saying they've worked ok for 20 years, but the current iffy offerings of dizzy caps, rotor arms, ign amps you may have a can of worms on your hands.. and I can;t see it getting any better.

Even if you do have coil packs etc failing at least they still manufacturer supported parts and supply of replacements should be no problem. Steam engines are proven - but you have to make all the parts yourself.....

[spitfire4v8]

Also, aftermarket management IS proven .. just because megasquirt is being pushed heavily at the moment doesn't mean there hasn't been people in the past using other aftermarket ECUs very successfully.

[Graham]

Ive run emerald since about 2001 ! first with an m3d unit in the chimaera road car, then that unit swapped into the tuscan then changed that for a k3 again in the racer. ( my m3d didnt have enough ignition drivers) So i've probably used them in the harshest environments. The chim was a daily driver left out on the road driven in everything from south of france heat to on snow in the uk. and the racer is a fairly harsh environment so I'd say imho the emerald is certainly fairly robust !!!

never had a problem with the ecu side of things, even running tps only..


G

[450Nick]

Emerald every time...

[Alun Ivor]

Gives me more confidence, thanks. I suppose if they handle race environments they'll handle most things!

[macdeb]

Got MS, works great now but it has cost in time and money. For myself if I had to do it again,,, probably Emerald and it would've been cheaper in long run too.

[SILICONEKID340HP]

macdeb said:

Got MS, works great now but it has cost in time and money. For myself if I had to do it again,,, probably Emerald and it would've been cheaper in long run too.

I have megasquirt ,great piece of kit but you need to find a decent mapper .. It probably does everything the more expensive units do but i would go for a drive in drive out package ,if i had my chance again .

You live and learn ,later found a new loom is available ,everything is arse about face


Where are you drinking tonight Mac

[ChimpofDarkness]

Canems + new loom + fitted, mapped & supported by the boys at LSD.

I went with the slightly more expensive dual fuel ECU that allows me to go LPG & enjoy the cost equivalent of 50mpg with little or no loss of power.

Highly recommend, talk to LSD, the Canems & loom drive- in- drive- out package they offer is first rate.

And I researched the hell out of this subject before I committed.

[Graham]

True enough the mapper will make a massive difference. st mapper = st map. Joolz has done all mine and theyve been great

[macdeb]

SILICONEKID340HP said:

macdeb said:

Got MS, works great now but it has cost in time and money. For myself if I had to do it again,,, probably Emerald and it would've been cheaper in long run too.

I have megasquirt ,great piece of kit but you need to find a decent mapper .. It probably does everything the more expensive units do but i would go for a drive in drive out package ,if i had my chance again .

You live and learn ,later found a new loom is available ,everything is arse about face


Where are you drinking tonight Mac

Was going to neals for couple of 'babychams', but had illness in family so another ste new year Happy new year bloke.