Trying to source a new ECU

[pacman1]

Hi chaps, looking for a replacement, or possible repair to my ECU.

Stock V8 350i '89

The bit that processes the throttle pot data is not passing it on to where it needs to go.

I have made initial enquiries with Mark at TVR Car Parts, who has been very helpful, and given me a few leads;

1. Eddie Megasquirt (who is clearly a proper tec bod, and is asking me questions I know not the answer to!)

2. Zak at ECU repairs (who supplied the original replacement ECU that has now failed)
He is quoting £360 + vat, assuming it is repairable.

3. Douglas Valley Breakers (have left a message)

4, Mark at Tornado Chip (again, have left a message)

5. I've also looked thru the Wiki tips and messaged Hallsie, who may have one still available.

Any other avenues/help & advice would be much appreciated.

Ta in advance peeps.

Edited by pacman1 on Friday 27th April 14:54

[mrzigazaga]

Hi


Its a bit of a distance but these guys fixed an ECU for a friend at a cost of £200 with a lifetime guarantee...They will test it before they work on it and will call you to make sure you are happy before they do.

Might be worth a call...

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...

Cheers


Ziga

[pacman1]

Thanks for the contact mate, I've called 'em but they only deal with modern ECU's from the sounds of it.

[SuperApeInGoodShape]

Hey Andy, i could take a look at it for you with a view to repairing, i built a test rig a while ago to figure out how the system works so i could build an adjustable/tuneable unit for my car.

I do have a spare ECU but it's a 390 unit, so runs richer than the 350 so might not be suitable.

[Engineer1949]

why bother mucking about with ancient kit just get an emerald or similar, car will run better better diagnostics etc. win all round plus almost certainly more power.


john

[SuperApeInGoodShape]

I did end up converting mine to MS3 and it is a hell of a lot better, mainly due to being able to run coil packs, but for those not technically inclined it involves a stload of work and a huge learning curve for the man on the clapham omnibus.

And if one doesn't fancy doing it themselves it ends up a a couple of £k when the ECU, loom, installation, mapping and dyno sessions are totted up.

Edited by SuperApeInGoodShape on Friday 27th April 16:54

[pacman1]

Engineer1949 said:

why bother mucking about with ancient kit just get an emerald or similar, car will run better better diagnostics etc. win all round plus almost certainly more power.john

Thanks for the input, It appears that Emerald is cheaper than Omex, and indeed it improves flexibility and performance.
Downsides are price and loss of originality. It looks like i'll now be able to have it repaired relatively cheaply, so until i have no other option, i will try the 'keep it stock' route.

[pacman1]

SuperApeInGoodShape said:

Hey Andy, i could take a look at it for you with a view to repairing, i built a test rig a while ago to figure out how the system works so i could build an adjustable/tuneable unit for my car.

I do have a spare ECU but it's a 390 unit, so runs richer than the 350 so might not be suitable.

Thanks for your offer mate, but i am hopefully going to get it repaired.

Edited by pacman1 on Friday 27th April 17:43

[pacman1]

SuperApeInGoodShape said:

I did end up converting mine to MS3 and it is a hell of a lot better, mainly due to being able to run coil packs, but for those not technically inclined it involves a stload of work and a huge learning curve for the man on the clapham omnibus.

And if one doesn't fancy doing it themselves it ends up a a couple of £k when the ECU, loom, installation, mapping and dyno sessions are totted up.

Indeed, and I shan't be doing this myself, so as soon as you choose this option, the price mounts up, and the originality suffers.

Edited by pacman1 on Friday 27th April 18:12

[KKson]

I was with Mark Adams last Sunday at his open day. He must have 20 ECUs on his shelf at the moment. Mark is always busy so call his partner Liam.

[mk1fan]

Python Racing maybe able to help.

[KelWedge]

pacman1 said:

Engineer1949 said:

why bother mucking about with ancient kit just get an emerald or similar, car will run better better diagnostics etc. win all round plus almost certainly more power.john

Thanks for the input, It appears that Emerald is cheaper than Omex, and indeed it improves flexibility and performance.
Downsides are price and loss of originality. It looks like i'll now be able to have it repaired relatively cheaply, so until i have no other option, i will try the 'keep it stock' route.

I can recommend Emerald, my wedge is still happy with its Emerald which was (is) the prototype !!

[mrzigazaga]

pacman1 said:

Thanks for the contact mate, I've called 'em but they only deal with modern ECU's from the sounds of it.

Oh thats news thats not that useful...Oh well...I would agree that a modern solution is far better for these beasts...I have seen what the Hatter has done with MS and his 350i...I have to say it is the happiest sounding Wedge I have ever heard...tick over is sweet and on the money ...as regular as a heartbeat...It was not cheap and took many many hours to build as there was no off the shelf solution...Some have also used Haltech ECU's....
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...

Mark Adams may be worth a call...

[pacman1]

KelWedge said:

pacman1 said:

Engineer1949 said:

why bother mucking about with ancient kit just get an emerald or similar, car will run better better diagnostics etc. win all round plus almost certainly more power.john

Thanks for the input, It appears that Emerald is cheaper than Omex, and indeed it improves flexibility and performance.
Downsides are price and loss of originality. It looks like i'll now be able to have it repaired relatively cheaply, so until i have no other option, i will try the 'keep it stock' route.

I can recommend Emerald, my wedge is still happy with its Emerald which was (is) the prototype !!

Cheers, I've contacted Emarald and will be speaking to them next week to discuss available options, should mine prove unrepairable.

[pacman1]

KKson said:

I was with Mark Adams last Sunday at his open day. He must have 20 ECUs on his shelf at the moment. Mark is always busy so call his partner Liam.

Do you have a contact number you could pm me please?

[jensencars]

Hi i used tap have a look at their website he tested it then rung me to discuss full repair was £195 3 day turn around

[KKson]

pacman1 said:

Do you have a contact number you could pm me please?

Hi Andy, I've just PM'd you. Cheers Keith

[pacman1]

Just a quick update chaps..
Had my ECU rebuilt by Mark and Liam at Tornado.
Now, after what must be a major overhaul of all things mechanical, with an eye watering bill as proof, it's properly sorted and never been better! Dropped an AFM upgrade in too!

[KKson]

Glad to hear you got it sorted eventually. Cheers.

[colin mee]

It will be worth it for the smile on your face when you drive it