Lots of questions.... Sorry!
Discussion
As I am about to take ownership of my Cerb I have a few questions. Please excuse my ignorance but I'm keen to learn as much as possible about these awesome cars.
What is the MIL light?
Where is the ECU?
Can you read the ECU diagnostics with a laptop and how do you get the leads and software?
Who has had a remap? Was it worth it and what gains did you achieve plus was it done on a dyno?
If a remap was done what operating system do the standard ECU's run?
What is the size of stock injectors and has anyone fitted bigger injectors?
Will 4.5 Decatt exhausts fit a 4.2 and will it need a remapp to decatt?
What is the cooling chip mod?
I'm sure there will be more but thats more than enough to be going on with!
What is the MIL light?
Where is the ECU?
Can you read the ECU diagnostics with a laptop and how do you get the leads and software?
Who has had a remap? Was it worth it and what gains did you achieve plus was it done on a dyno?
If a remap was done what operating system do the standard ECU's run?
What is the size of stock injectors and has anyone fitted bigger injectors?
Will 4.5 Decatt exhausts fit a 4.2 and will it need a remapp to decatt?
What is the cooling chip mod?
I'm sure there will be more but thats more than enough to be going on with!
A quick answer to a few of your questions......
> What is the MIL light?
Mine beeps to tell me to change up and more importantly if there is an engine fault.
> Where is the ECU?
Passenger footwell, behind the removable panel.
> Can you read the ECU diagnostics with a laptop and how do you get the leads and software?
Yes. Try searching this forum - you will find plenty of info and helpful links.
Quick google search came up with http://www.thetvrsite.com/cerbera/ecu-diagnostic-s...
>Who has had a remap? Was it worth it and what gains did you achieve plus was it done on a dyno?
Mine went from 330bhp -> 429bhp (this was with a replacement ECU chip, a custom exhaust system and a whirlwind induction on a 4.5 Cerbera). Admittedly it was a little unhappy when I dropped it in but the difference was just stunning). BTW the whirlwind induction is essentially a replacement set of rubber air pipes.
> If a remap was done what operating system do the standard ECU's run?
Some move to an Emerald ECU. Other stick with the original MBE system.
> What is the MIL light?
Mine beeps to tell me to change up and more importantly if there is an engine fault.
> Where is the ECU?
Passenger footwell, behind the removable panel.
> Can you read the ECU diagnostics with a laptop and how do you get the leads and software?
Yes. Try searching this forum - you will find plenty of info and helpful links.
Quick google search came up with http://www.thetvrsite.com/cerbera/ecu-diagnostic-s...
>Who has had a remap? Was it worth it and what gains did you achieve plus was it done on a dyno?
Mine went from 330bhp -> 429bhp (this was with a replacement ECU chip, a custom exhaust system and a whirlwind induction on a 4.5 Cerbera). Admittedly it was a little unhappy when I dropped it in but the difference was just stunning). BTW the whirlwind induction is essentially a replacement set of rubber air pipes.
> If a remap was done what operating system do the standard ECU's run?
Some move to an Emerald ECU. Other stick with the original MBE system.
waveydavey1000 said:
Many thanks Philadock...429 BHP in a car that weighs 1100KG is awesome!
Bet that is seriously good fun?
Yes its fairly nippy. I've owned it for 14 years and nowadays it gets more looks when you drive it around slowly - Cerbs are becoming a rare breed. Still the Isle of Man is a good place to live if you want to open the loud pedal. Bet that is seriously good fun?
waveydavey1000 said:
As I am about to take ownership of my Cerb I have a few questions. Please excuse my ignorance but I'm keen to learn as much as possible about these awesome cars.
Reading time!waveydavey1000 said:
What is the MIL light?
Where is the ECU?
Can you read the ECU diagnostics with a laptop and how do you get the leads and software?
The Owners handbook, Workshop manual, Diagnostic software and wiring diagrams are all available here www.tvr-cerbera.co.uk There is a sticky thread at the top of the forum regarding leads and getting the ECU connected to a laptop. Where is the ECU?
Can you read the ECU diagnostics with a laptop and how do you get the leads and software?
waveydavey1000 said:
Who has had a remap? Was it worth it and what gains did you achieve plus was it done on a dyno?
If a remap was done what operating system do the standard ECU's run?
Many threads exist regarding remaps and what they will do for you. The ECU runs a special TVR version of MBE's own software.If a remap was done what operating system do the standard ECU's run?
waveydavey1000 said:
What is the size of stock injectors and has anyone fitted bigger injectors?
Why would you want to do this unless the rest of the engine had been changed to require more fuel? Just putting larger injectors on or running the rail at a higher pressure will not have any benefit on a standard engine - the AJP is not fuel starved.waveydavey1000 said:
Will 4.5 Decatt exhausts fit a 4.2 and will it need a remapp to decatt?
No - the 4.2 and 4.5 cats (and de-cats!) are different lengths.waveydavey1000 said:
What is the cooling chip mod?
It changes the temperature at which the ECU switches the fans on. philadcock said:
Yes its fairly nippy. I've owned it for 14 years and nowadays it gets more looks when you drive it around slowly - Cerbs are becoming a rare breed. Still the Isle of Man is a good place to live if you want to open the loud pedal.
Didnt see you cruising around during TT week. !!. And i was all over the island.!.......Sandy
philadcock said:
A quick answer to a few of your questions......
>Who has had a remap? Was it worth it and what gains did you achieve plus was it done on a dyno?
Mine went from 330bhp -> 429bhp (this was with a replacement ECU chip, a custom exhaust system and a whirlwind induction on a 4.5 Cerbera). Admittedly it was a little unhappy when I dropped it in but the difference was just stunning). BTW the whirlwind induction is essentially a replacement set of rubber air pipes.
That's some upgrade from a generic chip. >Who has had a remap? Was it worth it and what gains did you achieve plus was it done on a dyno?
Mine went from 330bhp -> 429bhp (this was with a replacement ECU chip, a custom exhaust system and a whirlwind induction on a 4.5 Cerbera). Admittedly it was a little unhappy when I dropped it in but the difference was just stunning). BTW the whirlwind induction is essentially a replacement set of rubber air pipes.
Mine was a 4.6 with a higher compression engine from factory then a whirlwind short induction & a bespoke live re map ,in fact it took 11 times for joolz to get to peak & it never managed those figures, lucky guy!
Not sure if many of the Red Rose cars were getting that kind of power?
Tirus said:
philadcock said:
A quick answer to a few of your questions......
>Who has had a remap? Was it worth it and what gains did you achieve plus was it done on a dyno?
Mine went from 330bhp -> 429bhp (this was with a replacement ECU chip, a custom exhaust system and a whirlwind induction on a 4.5 Cerbera). Admittedly it was a little unhappy when I dropped it in but the difference was just stunning). BTW the whirlwind induction is essentially a replacement set of rubber air pipes.
That's some upgrade from a generic chip. >Who has had a remap? Was it worth it and what gains did you achieve plus was it done on a dyno?
Mine went from 330bhp -> 429bhp (this was with a replacement ECU chip, a custom exhaust system and a whirlwind induction on a 4.5 Cerbera). Admittedly it was a little unhappy when I dropped it in but the difference was just stunning). BTW the whirlwind induction is essentially a replacement set of rubber air pipes.
Mine was a 4.6 with a higher compression engine from factory then a whirlwind short induction & a bespoke live re map ,in fact it took 11 times for joolz to get to peak & it never managed those figures, lucky guy!
Not sure if many of the Red Rose cars were getting that kind of power?
Hi Dave, 
and welcome to The Madhouse 
The first thing you need to know is how to look up required topics on here. PH had/has its own search engine but it is frequently u/s so:-
If you type your required subject matter, in double quotes, in the Google search window thus :-
"Cool chip" site:www.pistonheads.com/gassing station/tvr/cerbera/
You will get a decent selection of reading material.
My personal opinion is: Jools is the God of the Cerbera world. He developed and markets the 'cool' chip, the whirlwind induction system and bespoke rolling road and street-developed generic and custom chip sets.
I visited his workshop and he added 20% power to my car and gave it a much smoother delivery through the entire rev range in 12 hours (as well as giving it quite a good service)
He is also a gifted suspension set-up engineer.
As said above, 4.5s are known to be over-fuelled on standard set-up so for a road application I would think it highly unlikely that you would need to enlarge injectors. In fact I have heard that, at assembly, whatever injectors that could be found in the parts bin would be put into an engine and there have been cases of mis-matched injector assemblies so the best thing that you could do, at first, is ensure that the injectors are the same.
The 4.2s though have an improved induction set-up and were better set-up at the factory and therefore smaller increases are usually made for the same amount of work.
Willy-waving is not a sport found too often on the Cerb forum.
(Not necessary when you're already built like a Grand National winner)
I've just noticed that I've had over 3,400 posts in nine years and I reckon that at least 90% were questions.
As you will discover, there is no end of peeps willing to give you time and energy on this forum in order to improve the rolling stock.
Good luck with your new baby !
ETA
On the ECU front, just a hint, previously only 16-bit MS software was able to access the ECU Diags but recently Oliver EvoOlli Wiechens has developed a 64-bit MS package. The relevant post is here.
HTH
Oh, and as a PPS, aide has developed an ap for certain Mobile phone OSs that you can run your ECU diags from.
Sorry, really should have thought more about the construction of this reply before I started it
BUT
On the MIL(F) front, the ECU Diags manual, mentioned above, contains details of all the ECU parameters, when exceeded, ignite the MIL(F).
Bye ! (I promise)
and welcome to The Madhouse The first thing you need to know is how to look up required topics on here. PH had/has its own search engine but it is frequently u/s so:-
If you type your required subject matter, in double quotes, in the Google search window thus :-
"Cool chip" site:www.pistonheads.com/gassing station/tvr/cerbera/
You will get a decent selection of reading material.
My personal opinion is: Jools is the God of the Cerbera world. He developed and markets the 'cool' chip, the whirlwind induction system and bespoke rolling road and street-developed generic and custom chip sets.
I visited his workshop and he added 20% power to my car and gave it a much smoother delivery through the entire rev range in 12 hours (as well as giving it quite a good service)
He is also a gifted suspension set-up engineer.
As said above, 4.5s are known to be over-fuelled on standard set-up so for a road application I would think it highly unlikely that you would need to enlarge injectors. In fact I have heard that, at assembly, whatever injectors that could be found in the parts bin would be put into an engine and there have been cases of mis-matched injector assemblies so the best thing that you could do, at first, is ensure that the injectors are the same.
The 4.2s though have an improved induction set-up and were better set-up at the factory and therefore smaller increases are usually made for the same amount of work.
Willy-waving is not a sport found too often on the Cerb forum.
(Not necessary when you're already built like a Grand National winner)
I've just noticed that I've had over 3,400 posts in nine years and I reckon that at least 90% were questions.
As you will discover, there is no end of peeps willing to give you time and energy on this forum in order to improve the rolling stock.
Good luck with your new baby !
ETA
On the ECU front, just a hint, previously only 16-bit MS software was able to access the ECU Diags but recently Oliver EvoOlli Wiechens has developed a 64-bit MS package. The relevant post is here.
HTH
Oh, and as a PPS, aide has developed an ap for certain Mobile phone OSs that you can run your ECU diags from.
Sorry, really should have thought more about the construction of this reply before I started it
BUT
On the MIL(F) front, the ECU Diags manual, mentioned above, contains details of all the ECU parameters, when exceeded, ignite the MIL(F).
Bye ! (I promise)
Edited by Mr Cerbera on Monday 23 June 15:40
Edited by Mr Cerbera on Monday 23 June 15:52
waveydavey1000 said:
Many thanks for all the replies, they are extremely helpful and are setting my mind at rest in an exciting yet fraught time!
Just one more question though....do you use Shell V Power fuel or not. If so did you notice an improvement?
Cheers
It may be all in my mind - but I swear that mine prefers V Power. Any of the other high octane fuels including the Tesco 99 Octane have it spluttering at low loads and down on power. (Despite the fact that they probably all come out of the same bulk tank at the refinery!)Just one more question though....do you use Shell V Power fuel or not. If so did you notice an improvement?
Cheers
Edited by Tanguero on Monday 23 June 21:44
I always run mine on super unleaded. Often it's V-Power, but Tesco Momentum 99 is actually really good fuel too. I'm not normally worried about the money but I am lazy so I rarely venture too far out of my way to choose a filling station, but I do seek out ones which I know have super unleaded 
Cerberas are great. I can promise you that you will hate yours at times, but it's more in the sort of way that you can have moments where you feel that way about your children after they've drawn on the wall with a pen because you told them not to do it with a crayon.
Cerberas are great. I can promise you that you will hate yours at times, but it's more in the sort of way that you can have moments where you feel that way about your children after they've drawn on the wall with a pen because you told them not to do it with a crayon.
Tanguero said:
It may be all in my mind - but I swear that mine prefers V Power. Any of the other high octane fuels including the Tesco 99 Octane have it spluttering at low loads and down on power. (Despite the fact that they probably all come out of the same bulk tank at the refinery!)
You know what,T, I didn't think about that but looking back over the last six months I realise that I have varied my supplier and have had varying results at about 2200 rpm - perhaps they are related.Must analyse further. Thanks for the idea !
I have been restoring a Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo and had it to a tuner and dyno run on completion. He advised always to run any engine on Shell V Power. The increased detonation will help any engine be it a Yaris or Supra and will also help MPG. V Power is "cracked off" at the refinery to give a higher octane value as opposed to other "Premium" fuels that have simply had additives added.
Also, with the V Power you know what you are getting,some private or supermarket garages can vary. Its a little dearer per litre but with the increased MPG you are in front marginally plus a healthier engine. No brainer really but I asked the question to see if anyone had noticed a difference.
V Power for my Cerb!
Also, with the V Power you know what you are getting,some private or supermarket garages can vary. Its a little dearer per litre but with the increased MPG you are in front marginally plus a healthier engine. No brainer really but I asked the question to see if anyone had noticed a difference.
V Power for my Cerb!
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