Rovertec e-drive ecu
Discussion
I've recently bought a wedge complete with high idle problem. When I was checking what bit was where before starting diagnosis I found the ecu had a sticker on it saying "remanufactured by Rovertec" and written by marker pen "e-drive". Even found a receipt for an "e drive ecu" in the history file. Can anyone tell me anything about them?
Russ
Russ
Bobby Shaftoe said:
Which system is it, 4cu 'flapper' or 14cux 'hotwire'?
IIRC there was a firm that produced fully digital microprocessor versions of the 4cu (which was half analogue half digital) for the aftermarket, can't remember if it was Rovertec though.
I have one of those - or rather I have the PCB from it, I robbed the case and connector for one of my diagnostic boxes - I can't recall a maker's name on it but I don't think it was Rovertec.IIRC there was a firm that produced fully digital microprocessor versions of the 4cu (which was half analogue half digital) for the aftermarket, can't remember if it was Rovertec though.
Hmmmm, I have an engine that was built by Rovertech back in the day, and after a LOT of digging and calling I finally found a guy, and the actual guy that built the engine quite a few years back.
Now, following a very VERY interesting conversation for 2 hours, I managed to glean all sorts of info from him, including stuff about the adjustable ECU.
Message me and Ill see if he is happy for me to give out his number.
Stu
Now, following a very VERY interesting conversation for 2 hours, I managed to glean all sorts of info from him, including stuff about the adjustable ECU.
Message me and Ill see if he is happy for me to give out his number.
Stu
It's a 4CU flapper. It's the black 350i with a 4ltr motor that was for sale here recently. Following the paper trail it looks like it's done about 20k since brand new short engine fitted with a 200 hybrid camshaft, no idea what 200 hybrid means, & vernier timing chain wheels. The heads were refurbished with new valves/guides/springs etc & rebuilt to stage 3. It's been on the dyno a couple of times, 1st after the engine build in 98 then again in 2007 the graphs are almost identical showing a calculated 220bhp at the flywheel. To get back on topic the ecu is not one of the adjustable types. Just curious to know what "e-drive" means, I have a fear it might mean economy which would amount to sacrilege on a TVR.
This would have been done by me, as I got my tuning and ECU business started with Ray Webb at Rovertec about 22 years ago. They are now known as V8 Developments, and moved from Fleckney in Leicestershire to Spalding in Lincolnshire.
The "E" stands for enhanced, although you get both economy and power as a result. On a standard 3.5, there was a typical gain of 10-15 BHP and 10-15% economy. These were also built and calibrated for special installations, such as 3.9 or 4.5 Litre engines, Jag AFM, larger injectors, etc. Since I have a large library of results from tuning these, I am am able to produce something in the right ballpark usually.
Believe it or not, I still sell these along with the adjustable Tornado Evolution versions. They are popular with owners who wish to keep a totally standard appearance under the bonnet, especially with the Range Rover Classic. As with all collectible cars, standard ones are far more valuable than modified versions - at least as far as the RRC is concerned.
If the paper label is still on, it should have calibration information on it. This will give a good idea what it was set up for. They were also serial numbered, although I have sadly lost a few of the records for the older ones in various house moves.
The "E" stands for enhanced, although you get both economy and power as a result. On a standard 3.5, there was a typical gain of 10-15 BHP and 10-15% economy. These were also built and calibrated for special installations, such as 3.9 or 4.5 Litre engines, Jag AFM, larger injectors, etc. Since I have a large library of results from tuning these, I am am able to produce something in the right ballpark usually.
Believe it or not, I still sell these along with the adjustable Tornado Evolution versions. They are popular with owners who wish to keep a totally standard appearance under the bonnet, especially with the Range Rover Classic. As with all collectible cars, standard ones are far more valuable than modified versions - at least as far as the RRC is concerned.
If the paper label is still on, it should have calibration information on it. This will give a good idea what it was set up for. They were also serial numbered, although I have sadly lost a few of the records for the older ones in various house moves.
There was a microprocessor-based replacement for the 4CU, which was actually made by Weber. It was a heavily cut-down derivative of Alpha system, and I have a couple of examples (one dead, one alive) in my Chamber of Horrors.
In reality they weren't very nice, as they had no load sensitive enrichment. This meant that the engine ran a lot leaner on high loads than it did with the 4CU. It had no air temperature compensation either, which is actually very important for an AFM that measures volume, rather than mass.
In reality they weren't very nice, as they had no load sensitive enrichment. This meant that the engine ran a lot leaner on high loads than it did with the 4CU. It had no air temperature compensation either, which is actually very important for an AFM that measures volume, rather than mass.
[quote=Mark Adams]
Believe it or not, I still sell these along with the adjustable Tornado Evolution versions. They are popular with owners who wish to keep a totally standard appearance under the bonnet, especially with the Range Rover Classic. As with all collectible cars, standard ones are far more valuable than modified versions - at least as far as the RRC is concerned.
/quote]
Mark, are these units just "plug and play" to release the extra 10-15 bhp or do they need setting up correctly? It seems a straight forward way of increasing power from my standard 3.5.
Believe it or not, I still sell these along with the adjustable Tornado Evolution versions. They are popular with owners who wish to keep a totally standard appearance under the bonnet, especially with the Range Rover Classic. As with all collectible cars, standard ones are far more valuable than modified versions - at least as far as the RRC is concerned.
/quote]
Mark, are these units just "plug and play" to release the extra 10-15 bhp or do they need setting up correctly? It seems a straight forward way of increasing power from my standard 3.5.
Mark Adams said:
There was a microprocessor-based replacement for the 4CU, which was actually made by Weber. It was a heavily cut-down derivative of Alpha system, and I have a couple of examples (one dead, one alive) in my Chamber of Horrors.
In reality they weren't very nice, as they had no load sensitive enrichment. This meant that the engine ran a lot leaner on high loads than it did with the 4CU. It had no air temperature compensation either, which is actually very important for an AFM that measures volume, rather than mass.
Welcome to the Wedge forum Mark........its been way too long ;-) Glen In reality they weren't very nice, as they had no load sensitive enrichment. This meant that the engine ran a lot leaner on high loads than it did with the 4CU. It had no air temperature compensation either, which is actually very important for an AFM that measures volume, rather than mass.
KKson said:
Mark, are these units just "plug and play" to release the extra 10-15 bhp or do they need setting up correctly? It seems a straight forward way of increasing power from my standard 3.5.
They sure are, and that's why they are a Stealth mod for people who like things to look standard. Although they are around the same price as a 14CUX chip, you get a completely re-manufactured and recalibrated ECU with a three-year warranty for your money. As long as the car is healthy, this is a very simple job. It is worth checking the timing though, and also fuel pressure to make sure it hasn't been messed with.Over the years I have done an astonishing 2000+ of these units, and only ever had four back under warranty. No returns for at least fifteen years though so I think I've got the hang of it now! :-)
They do come up on eBay occasionally, although they still have good value. If you wish to make changes to your unit, then it is simply 1.5 hours labour to recalibrate it. This often happens when an owner transplants a larger motor, or goes with the larger Jaguar AFM.
From what I know about Ford EEC-IV systems...
A fully digital engine management system probably could get those sorts of improvements over a half-half digital/analogue setup with an all mechanical dizzy, I reckon. I can therefore believe the Rovertec claims...especially if it had proper EGO sensor feedback.
A fully digital engine management system probably could get those sorts of improvements over a half-half digital/analogue setup with an all mechanical dizzy, I reckon. I can therefore believe the Rovertec claims...especially if it had proper EGO sensor feedback.
t120v said:
I've recently bought a wedge complete with high idle problem. When I was checking what bit was where before starting diagnosis I found the ecu had a sticker on it saying "remanufactured by Rovertec" and written by marker pen "e-drive". Even found a receipt for an "e drive ecu" in the history file. Can anyone tell me anything about them?
Russ
Is this high idle permanent or does it vary? Sometimes high, sometimes OK?Russ
1k rpm idle isn't too high for an RV8, what is your high idle?
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