bonzoronnie
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| posted on 15/12/07 at 05:09 PM |
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Stock ECU
Hi all,
Now I am probably going to be slated & verbally abused for starting this thread.
I know the answer lies deep within the forum but for the life of me, I don't see the answer that I am looking for. 
I come from the dinosaur age of points, dizzy, coils & carbs.
Hence I have only a limited understanding of electronic fuel injection & the multitude of ECU controllers.
In my days if you wanted to tune a stock engine. It was a simple matter of uprating. Cams,carbs, pistons. manifolds, timing and the likes.
I am a relative newbie to the car building scene. That said I am far from inexperienced at all things automotive.
I have read a mass of info about: Carbs, Throttle boddies. Megajolt, Megasquirt & all things aftermarket.
My burning Question. ???
Why will any chosen engine, not run with the standard ECU unit that originally ran the engine.
I am really talking about the direct/mutipoint, Fuel injected engines that seem to be fitted to most modern cars. 
I did attend the Exeter Kit Car Show this year. I noticed a few Kit cars using the stock ECU.
If you wish to abuse me for this post, thats fine by me
If you wish to share your views, Even better
I find the whole ECU & Injection a very confusing subject.
Ronnie
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twybrow
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| posted on 15/12/07 at 05:16 PM |
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I think the reason most people junk the standard ECU is due to several reasons. Size of standard inlet plenum can be limiting, power is likely to
better with throttlebodies, stock ECUs can be difficult to tune (if you change any of the exhaust components for example).
It has been done for many engines though: Zetec,XE, Pinto etc
[Edited on 15/12/07 by twybrow]
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onzarob
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| posted on 15/12/07 at 05:17 PM |
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I would say it would run fine, I think its down to remapping and changing the performance, some ecu's need a physical chip change and other need
expensive equipment to write a new map. The after market stuff is designed to be fiddled with
[Edited on 15-12-2007 by onzarob]
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phoenix70
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| posted on 15/12/07 at 06:30 PM |
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I think another reason for dumping the stock ecu is that more and more the manufacturers are building more system into the ecu that make them harder
to use i.e. immobiliser, traction control, abs, all thing the stock ecu may expect signals from that you won't have on your kit car
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Humbug
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| posted on 15/12/07 at 06:34 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by phoenix70
I think another reason for dumping the stock ecu is that more and more the manufacturers are building more system into the ecu that make them harder
to use i.e. immobiliser, traction control, abs, all thing the stock ecu may expect signals from that you won't have on your kit car
I think you've got it there. I used the original ECU on my K series because a) keeping the original means fewer things to cock up (and no extra
cost!) b) the power was sufficient for me in standard form and c) in the case of the Rover 25 there were no special things to do to fool the ECU. I
even kept the immobiliser system
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zilspeed
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| posted on 15/12/07 at 07:16 PM |
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Don't think you'll get much abuse.
It was a sensible question after all.
As others have said, the level of integration of anti theft etc. can make it awkward.
In addition to all that, the physical size of some stock induction setups would not fit comfortably under the bonnet of a locost or similar.
Finally - carbs and throttle bodies look way cooler than the stock setups...
[Edited on 15/12/07 by zilspeed]
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Bigheppy
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| posted on 15/12/07 at 08:59 PM |
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[Finally - carbs and throttle bodies look way cooler than the stock setups...]
Ah true resason more BLING
HONEST OCCIFER were not posers
Nowt to do with power 
Note to self dont read these after bottle of wine or two te he he he he he he he he hic :
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onzarob
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| posted on 15/12/07 at 09:45 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Bigheppy
[Finally - carbs and throttle bodies look way cooler than the stock setups...]
But in my mind a set of twin 45's will always be the ulrimate tuning bling
(Am I showing my age)
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zilspeed
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| posted on 15/12/07 at 10:25 PM |
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Nope - you're right.
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bonzoronnie
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| posted on 16/12/07 at 10:50 AM |
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Stock ECU
Hi All.
Many thanks for your input. I think your views have more or less answered my Burning question.
As I now see that in theory an engine will run fine, with its stock ECU. ( Provided You can overcome possible integrated system issues)
On the downside. with a stock ECU you will have very little or no tuning options.
And yes, I too, like to see a nice bit of Bling
The reason I asked in the first place ???
My Roadster will be SVA'd in the standard 1.8 CVH form.
Once on the road I'll be looking to change the engine.
To hand in my workshop I happen to have an all alloy 5 cylinder. 143BHP, 2Litre 20v, Volvo engine.
This is a very compact engine & fits in my engine bay like a glove
Being an early model the amount of ECU sensors are very few.
Airflow, Throttle position, LAMBDA, Temp, Fuel pump, engine knock, TDC, cam & a couple of Vaccum sensors.
All very simple compared to many of todays ECU controllers.
I would just love to fit this engine for the challenge & to be just a little different.
It's nice to know I should be able to get it to run without spending too many £££££'s
Ronnie
[Edited on 16/12/07 by bonzoronnie]
[Edited on 16/12/07 by bonzoronnie]
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