Which aftermarket ECU and why?

[V8 GRF]

As the title says I'm interested in an aftermarket ECU so the 'Group buy of an Emerald' thread of has caught my eye.

Problem is I know sod all about this stuff and wonder what the benefits are of the various systems. Will some of you guys in the know explain the advantages of the various systems out there such as Emerald, Megasquirt etc?

Terms like 'lost spark' and so on sound interesting but what are the benefits? I know you do away with the dizzy so I assume it's to do with accuracy and control but I'd like it explaining in simple terms if possible.

Thanks in advance.

[350Matt]

I'd recommend taking a look on the mega squirt and Emerald websites as they both do a good job of explaining the ins and outs

http://www.emeraldm3d.com/em_manuals.html

But in a nutshell the std Lucas ECU only provides control over the fuel mix and idle speed not only that its a black box which you have no idea of if its working as it should without replacing it or sending it off for analysis.

Aftermarket ECU's generally provide control over spark timing far superior to that of the distributor and with greater reliability, this will release better fuel economy and driveability.
Also you can 'see' the workings of the ECU which greatly helps to ensure all is running as it should.
Not only that you can have the fans turned on when you want them to turn on, Idle speed is under your control, if you want to run a bit leaner on cruise then you can.
Also any changes you make to the engine a new cam say can be optimised with a bit of rolling road work.

If you're the sort of person who likes to tinker you can fit it all yourself and get it running yourself as well. If you'd rather leave it to the professionals it will obviously cost more but the car will be transformed.

Matt

[Gooner]

Do you reckon its worth doing even if you haven't modified the engine in any other way (induction etc.)?

gooner

[V8 GRF]

Gooner said:

Do you reckon its worth doing even if you haven't modified the engine in any other way (induction etc.)?

gooner

Probably because you can still optimise your engine settings. That said, I've a list of stuff done by a previous owner including induction mods so in my case it's making use of what's been done.

Probably add one or two things of my own as well

[350Matt]

Gooner said:

Do you reckon its worth doing even if you haven't modified the engine in any other way (induction etc.)?

gooner

Yes

but its not the most cost effective first mod you can do, as I'd expect to pick up about 10Bhp top-end and about 15-20bhp mid-range and at 1500 quid to get a set of ECU parts on there thats about 150 quid / Bhp.

But you'll save from there on in if you've any future mods planned as you won't need a new chip blowing for every mod at 500 quid a time.

Matt

[Zumbruk]

350Matt said:

Gooner said:

Do you reckon its worth doing even if you haven't modified the engine in any other way (induction etc.)?

gooner

Yes

but its not the most cost effective first mod you can do, as I'd expect to pick up about 10Bhp top-end and about 15-20bhp mid-range and at 1500 quid to get a set of ECU parts on there thats about 150 quid / Bhp.

But you'll save from there on in if you've any future mods planned as you won't need a new chip blowing for every mod at 500 quid a time.

Matt

I had an Omex ECU fitted to my Chimaera 450 earlier this year, as a first step on what will probably be a long, expensive and frustrating journey...

I got another 20hp merely from removal of the AFM and RR set up. It revs a lot more freely. It gives me a lot more future flexibility for mods.

On the downside, the guy couldn't get the standard lamda sensors to work, and I have no idea if it will pass its next MOT.