jamie956

Can someone explain the real world benefits of changing/upgrading engine management, currently using L8 what's the next step and what's the gain.

Sonic Boom

iTrader: (11)

Imagine the PC's that were around in late 80's early 90's you're talking about Spectrum's and Commodores 8 bit technology that's what a L Series ECU is.
Modern ECU's are infinity better in every way.

Speak to some mappers like Mark Shead he'll give you the full technical in's and out's

Rich

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

The Weber family evolved with age, the L8 has double the memory than it's predecessors, hence it can control things like ALS C/L etc.

Other than that I don't see what more a 'modern' ECU can do?

Martin

ajamesc

To covert to l8 and add all the bits for wasted spark launch control and anti lag how much dose that cost

costina

iTrader: (1)

Yes James is correct if you have to buy a L8 at around Ł200+ then a wasted spark conversion,closed loop lambda. Then have it mapped to suit your engine. WILL cost you more than a more modern ecu vipec, autronic etc which will give you a more modern feel and drivability.


The choice is yours. Me personally like the way my cossie drives its raw and how it was intended back in the day.


No doubt it would be a different animal with new management and say a BW turbo and possibly one day I might be converted

jamie956

Car is already running a L8, w/s and dyno mapped to the engine spec, just wanted to know what the next step is and what I would gain from it.


For instance P8 ecu assume this is a pectel version of the weber and baby boards heard these being fitted but don't know what there for or what they do.

ajamesc

Next step can only be the advise of who you choose to map it really if you was going to change your spec or go for more power

markk

iTrader: (2)

The P8 has nothing to do with Pectel.

If you are happy with your ecu, leave it.
No real gains to be had for 99% of users

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

The P8 was the last model, as fitted to the BT Escos.

Wasted spark just needs enabling in the calibration, I get the impression they are quite problematic.

Martin

Rod-Tarry

I can .
Ive just moved on from Autronic to Emtron. In my application I need a ECU that can control so much more than even the Autronic/Vipec were capable of doing. For 99% of Cosworths they simply don't need anything more modern than the 1990's could supply. If you cant see what a modern ECU can do you probably don't need one.

Paul_RS

iTrader: (4)

In you opinion, for say a t34 car, is there any point in going to aftermarket management? (Assuming the weber ECU and loom are working fine)

costina

iTrader: (1)

Paul,I would say no. But if you had cams, bigger turbo,inlet etc etc then the advantages are great.


1. Smoother running due to more mapping sites (correct term??)
2. Ability to map 4/5 bar map sensors for big boost
3. More control over lambda, anti lag, water injection, boost control.
4. To be able to have set boost limits in gears.
5. Better spread of power and torque.


That's my thoughts on it.


Paul

Thanasis

iTrader: (3)

One L8 if you don't already have cost 200-250GBP wasted spark kit 400GBP,new engine loom due the age 25+ years old about 500GBP total cost 1100GBP,with this money you can fit new and modern ecu with all good!

pectelboy

Space shuttle used 486s most reliable computer , 2 l8s on Ferrari , so the weber ecu can't be that bad ?

Sonic Boom

iTrader: (11)

At the time they were the best available, I doubt NASA are using a trusty old 486 now adays or Ferrari using an L8 on their 458

Rich

Caddyshack

Ferrari were a long way behind, a testerrossa left out in the rain will misfire!

My car was night and day different from l8 to vipec, it really modernised the car and made it drive much better, worth noting that we added coils on plugs etc but it cured all the pops n bangs plus odd misfires. Worth adding a brand new loom that goes with the new ecu as I think 20+ yr old plugs, senders and wires build up corrosion.

Staffi

iTrader: (1)

I think a good mapper needs mentioning too, whether Weber or aftermarket.

pectelboy

Lol . They probley don't use 486s now , but the weber ecus where ahead of there time !a new loom is still important , but a good mapper can make a big difference .my car runs like a watch with a level 6 with pectel board ,only my 10p worth ,sonic boom didn't you have a few issue with you new ecu ? There's not a lot of people out there who can map weber to its best ?

Sonic Boom

iTrader: (11)

That was the numpty mapper not the ECU.

Rich

Staffi

iTrader: (1)

My point exactly Rich in my post above

Sonic Boom

iTrader: (11)

Totally agree Pete if the fella behind the laptop doesn't know hat he's doing then you're screwed no matter what ECU you have.

Rich

pectelboy

Total agree , but surely its a combination of mapping , engine , spec ,so the understanding of the type of ecu your using , a pectel t6 won't make my car any better to drive Or aurtonic , or omex, would just let me add things anti-lag ,dizzy less ignition, launch control , but can't make the ignition amount more or more boost ,than a mapped weber ecu would ?

james kiely

iTrader: (5)

most of problems with cossies is the loom and not the ecu.for me i would replace my loom before my ecu

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

But that's due to the antiquated ignition system, hence it's COP that made the difference.

I have heard the Webers were formula 1 technology of the time!

Martin

Caddyshack

Yes, I think the whole package makes the difference though. Can an L8 run coil on plug? If not then you need the newer ecu. Mark added some nice things like higher Rev on start up to stop the plugs fouling etc.

If you can junk the old loom and distributed set up then get it mapped on new injectors then the l8 may be ok but added to the Borg Warner turbo my car was a revelation

costina

iTrader: (1)

I think you can run coil on plug with a L8 just a little sub loom to the coils

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

I'm pretty sure you can't, remember W/S operates differently to COP.

Martin

costina

iTrader: (1)

I guess your right im just thinking wasted spark using 4 coils with 2 firing at a time. ?????

Rod-Tarry

A T4 turbo still works but drive a car with an EFR fitted & you will feel progress the same type of improvement has happened with ECU,s. If you want your car to drive & have the features it had in 1989 then stick with you original ECU nothing wrong with that. However if you think there has been no progress you are deluding yourself.

Sonic Boom

iTrader: (11)

Totally agree with Rodders there.

Rich

james kiely

iTrader: (5)

it all depends what you want from your car imo .

for me its a reliable fastish car to go for the odd drive and do show season,which means i dont need that last 10th of a second or the last 5mph,
a new loom with l8 will do everything i need for now and when i get a spare 7 to 8k i will buy a nice rs1600i and not a turbo and ecu

i remember how they drove back in 1989 and its fine with me

markk

iTrader: (2)

It doesn't matter what ecu, your still going to put it on a shit 1980's chassis, along with your singing and YB/BW bla bla bla lol

jamie956

Mines in a 1960's chassis


What I was trying to get at is what's the real world difference driving up the road in your every day spec'ed cosworth, what will you gain more power, better power delivery, smoother running.


Would the difference be noticeable driving up the road with only a change in management,

Mark Shead

You need to drive one to see the diff.

Mark

markk

iTrader: (2)

Nothing, if you just change the management then no change at all, this is presuming the L8/P8 has been optimized in its calibration.
The average punter will see no difference for his Ł2k.

costina

iTrader: (1)

Mark, what was it about the cossie that you liked back in the day?

Paul

Mark Shead

Back in 1986 they where the daddyand other than a Evo there has not been another car that gives me the feeling of that.
Now with the changes we make to suspension beam ecu turbo kits make such a diff it really does bring the car up to date.

Mark

costina

iTrader: (1)

With all the changes has the raw feeling gone? Has it become more like a evo?

Reason i asked my mate has a evo 10 and it didnt give me the buzz that the cossie has.

Mark Shead

That's because a Evo 10 is crap

Mark

Staffi

iTrader: (1)

Have to agree with this, ok I haven't got the all singing Cossie some have, but my old Sapph G88 Had the beam, good diff, spec etc and it was superb and having owned A LOT of Evos in all good Spec for me the Cossie is still a great car even today.

The only Evo I would love is a 550-600bhp 6 RS, but I'm more than happy with my Cossie


See you in the morning Mark