Jaguar v12 6.0 benefits of a new ECU
Discussion
I am restoring a car with the above engine in it. It is a Jaguarsport engine which pre-dates the Ford overhauled 6.0 seen in later cars and is featured in the XJR-S.
It has been tweaked with improved with some modifications prior to my ownership from AJ6 engineering including enlarged throttle bodies, stainless straight through exhaust, performance air rams and as part of the restoration it has had the gearbox upgraded from the old GM400 three speed auto to a GM700 four speed auto. The ECU that it is currently running is a Lucas ECU mapped by AJ6 engineering to replace the OE Zytek system.
I have the option to upgrade the ECU to a more modern programmable ECU made by Emerald. This would also allow me to store up to three maps on it and use a switch to alter which it is running. My question is that with that engine and the four speed box (it is mechanically controlled unlike the later electronically controlled) if I wanted to create a second map for improved performance like a more modern car sports mode what kind of gains would I see and what kind of characteristics? The car will already hold to the red line if you floor it or lock it in a lower gear so just pondering if it’s worth it
It has been tweaked with improved with some modifications prior to my ownership from AJ6 engineering including enlarged throttle bodies, stainless straight through exhaust, performance air rams and as part of the restoration it has had the gearbox upgraded from the old GM400 three speed auto to a GM700 four speed auto. The ECU that it is currently running is a Lucas ECU mapped by AJ6 engineering to replace the OE Zytek system.
I have the option to upgrade the ECU to a more modern programmable ECU made by Emerald. This would also allow me to store up to three maps on it and use a switch to alter which it is running. My question is that with that engine and the four speed box (it is mechanically controlled unlike the later electronically controlled) if I wanted to create a second map for improved performance like a more modern car sports mode what kind of gains would I see and what kind of characteristics? The car will already hold to the red line if you floor it or lock it in a lower gear so just pondering if it’s worth it
GreenV8S said:
craigjm said:
if I wanted to create a second map for improved performance
Are you proposing to use different fuel when you want more performance? Otherwise I can't see why you would want to use a different map.craigjm said:
No. What I am aiming to do is create two maps that are switchable on the dashboard with a “sport” button where the map used when the button is pressed acts in a similar way to a sport mode on a modern car. I am asking the question because I don’t know if, with a mechanical autobox, whether this type of thing is possible. From a non-engineer point of view I am wondering if a second map could raise the shift points in the gearbox to create this but I guess not.
I don't understand this. You say the box is not ecu controlled yes? If so how is an Emerald system going to be able to alter anything?I understood your question to be about the engine map.
You don't need a different engine map for 'standard' and 'sports' modes, you just need a throttle pedal.
Your response suggests you might be thinking in terms of gear change strategies. Whether there's any scope to change the behaviour of the 'box would depend on whatever was controlling it.
You don't need a different engine map for 'standard' and 'sports' modes, you just need a throttle pedal.
Your response suggests you might be thinking in terms of gear change strategies. Whether there's any scope to change the behaviour of the 'box would depend on whatever was controlling it.
Mignon said:
craigjm said:
No. What I am aiming to do is create two maps that are switchable on the dashboard with a “sport” button where the map used when the button is pressed acts in a similar way to a sport mode on a modern car. I am asking the question because I don’t know if, with a mechanical autobox, whether this type of thing is possible. From a non-engineer point of view I am wondering if a second map could raise the shift points in the gearbox to create this but I guess not.
I don't understand this. You say the box is not ecu controlled yes? If so how is an Emerald system going to be able to alter anything?craigjm said:
I don’t know which is why I am asking! What is it that controls the shift points in a mechanical autobox?
Mechanisms inside the box plus usually throttle position or manifold vacuum to indicate engine load. The ecu doesn't get involved and an Emerald won't change anything.Mignon said:
craigjm said:
I don’t know which is why I am asking! What is it that controls the shift points in a mechanical autobox?
Mechanisms inside the box plus usually throttle position or manifold vacuum to indicate engine load. The ecu doesn't get involved and an Emerald won't change anything.
Max_Torque said:
Fit a more modern transmission? Plenty of the 1st gen electronically controlled autoboxes (1995 to around 2000)have been 'hacked' and are now available with modified control programming and things like paddle shift and drive modes!
The 700r4 that’s fitted now is a four speed version of the original 3 speed GM400. You could fit a 4L80 electronically controlled box with some serious modifications like they fit to the very last Ford overhauled v12 but can’t find an aftermarket ECU that will work with it as it’s separately controlled and updating to the Ford ECU would require changing the engine to distrubutorless and coil packs etc. So I’ve gone as far as I can with the box at reasonable cost. If I can’t do what I want then sobeit I will just use lockdown more often GreenV8S said:
craigjm said:
OK so what can I do to try and achieve what I want, if at all
You haven't actually said what you want to achieve, other than that it involves a switch and something to do with performance.
craigjm said:
. You could fit a 4L80 electronically controlled box with some serious modifications like they fit to the very last Ford overhauled v12 but can’t find an aftermarket ECU that will work with it
The second hit on google for "4 speed autobox controller" is:compushift_autobox_controllers
Which lists the 4l80 as being supported........
Max_Torque said:
craigjm said:
. You could fit a 4L80 electronically controlled box with some serious modifications like they fit to the very last Ford overhauled v12 but can’t find an aftermarket ECU that will work with it
The second hit on google for "4 speed autobox controller" is:compushift_autobox_controllers
Which lists the 4l80 as being supported........
craigjm said:
Max_Torque said:
craigjm said:
. You could fit a 4L80 electronically controlled box with some serious modifications like they fit to the very last Ford overhauled v12 but can’t find an aftermarket ECU that will work with it
The second hit on google for "4 speed autobox controller" is:compushift_autobox_controllers
Which lists the 4l80 as being supported........
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