General Car Related Discussion. To discuss anything that is related to cars and automotive technology that doesnt naturally fit into another forum catagory.

What are the limitations of L8?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-06-2012, 01:49 PM
  #1  
RWD_cossie_wil
10K+ Poster!!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
RWD_cossie_wil's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: birmingham west mids
Posts: 11,919
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 9 Posts
Default What are the limitations of L8?

As title really, when would you consider swapping to somthing like autronic SM4 or a vipec etc?

What are the limiting factors of the L8 ( bearing in mind it already has wasted spark & closed loop) when used in a big power car?
Old 01-06-2012, 02:21 PM
  #2  
Porkie
20K+ Super Poster.
iTrader: (1)
 
Porkie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Essex... and Birmingham!
Posts: 21,512
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

L8 has Limited pub and internet bragging rights
Old 01-06-2012, 02:58 PM
  #3  
Luca
Lukesville
iTrader: (2)
 
Luca's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Portsmouth
Posts: 9,668
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Choose your tuner then see what they are happy working with.
Old 01-06-2012, 04:04 PM
  #4  
lukeytheduke
PassionFord Post Whore!!
 
lukeytheduke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Dover, Kent
Posts: 4,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

if u do a search there are some very detailed lists of what the l8 is capable of in comparison to aftermarket. Iirc the main problem with l8 is the cost of extra functions.
Old 01-06-2012, 04:56 PM
  #5  
foreigneRS
Testing the future
 
foreigneRS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: W. Sussex
Posts: 17,597
Received 24 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

the main limitation is the number of injector and other driver transistors. apart from that, there is not a lot that can't be done with it by the likes of RP-Lab (including turning it into a fully mappable via serial port ecu just like any after market one, but with the added benefit of OEM quality and reliability).
Old 01-06-2012, 05:10 PM
  #6  
JamesH
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (21)
 
JamesH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: .
Posts: 10,807
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

I don't think the resolution is great compared to most aftermarket
Old 01-06-2012, 05:23 PM
  #7  
RWD_cossie_wil
10K+ Poster!!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
RWD_cossie_wil's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: birmingham west mids
Posts: 11,919
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by foreigneRS
the main limitation is the number of injector and other driver transistors. apart from that, there is not a lot that can't be done with it by the likes of RP-Lab (including turning it into a fully mappable via serial port ecu just like any after market one, but with the added benefit of OEM quality and reliability).
I like the sound of that, I have always thought swapping the Ecu is pretty pointless unless you are going absolutly mental, I seem to remember transient fuelling on the Webber is very highly regarded? So apart from more built in features & lower resolution, the L8 can still pretty much hold it's own?
Old 01-06-2012, 05:33 PM
  #8  
JamesH
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (21)
 
JamesH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: .
Posts: 10,807
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

I always thought people said transient furling wasn't great? May be wrong

Wil do you still want the head? As I got back from hospital yesterday
Old 01-06-2012, 05:49 PM
  #9  
Jay,
Sponsor



iTrader: (4)
 
Jay,'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: south east
Posts: 25,222
Received 407 Likes on 329 Posts
Default

its proved a l8 will do big horse power in the right hands
Old 01-06-2012, 06:18 PM
  #10  
ajamesc
cossie fan (unluckerly)
 
ajamesc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: hampshire
Posts: 9,791
Received 435 Likes on 393 Posts
Default

is the cost of things like wasted spark anti lag lanch control and all the bits people wont not almost the same as the cost of vipec with a new loom anyway?
Old 01-06-2012, 06:32 PM
  #11  
wes
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
 
wes's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,142
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by ajamesc
is the cost of things like wasted spark anti lag lanch control and all the bits people wont not almost the same as the cost of vipec with a new loom anyway?
They are but unless you are willing to spend a lot of hours (or money) mapping it to run nicely it would be cheaper to stick with the L8, ford spent A LOT of money developing them to work properly in all conditions.

I've got an SM4 and I've spent a lot of time making it run as nicely as my old super8 did, for your average punter it would not be worth the effort versus the features you gain.
Old 01-06-2012, 06:39 PM
  #12  
ajamesc
cossie fan (unluckerly)
 
ajamesc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: hampshire
Posts: 9,791
Received 435 Likes on 393 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by wes
They are but unless you are willing to spend a lot of hours (or money) mapping it to run nicely it would be cheaper to stick with the L8, ford spent A LOT of money developing them to work properly in all conditions.

I've got an SM4 and I've spent a lot of time making it run as nicely as my old super8 did, for your average punter it would not be worth the effort versus the features you gain.
depends how you do it I have sm4 on my saff and mark mapped it so for its always been spot on plus if vipec works out the same its a no brainer really as it will cover all states of tune you chose with out need for up grade so you only buy once which is good if when your bored of 350bhp you up it too 500 and so on!
Old 01-06-2012, 06:40 PM
  #13  
JamesH
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (21)
 
JamesH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: .
Posts: 10,807
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by wes
They are but unless you are willing to spend a lot of hours (or money) mapping it to run nicely it would be cheaper to stick with the L8, ford spent A LOT of money developing them to work properly in all conditions.

I've got an SM4 and I've spent a lot of time making it run as nicely as my old super8 did, for your average punter it would not be worth the effort versus the features you gain.
The average punter doesn't map his own car, he gets a tuner to do it. I've been in a few cars running Autronic and they are just as good/smooth as my old Weber setup, which was mapped by NMS and was very good
Old 01-06-2012, 10:29 PM
  #14  
Turbosystems
Super Moderator

iTrader: (5)
 
Turbosystems's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: home
Posts: 12,849
Received 50 Likes on 43 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by JamesH
I always thought people said transient furling wasn't great? May be wrong

Wil do you still want the head? As I got back from hospital yesterday
transient fuel correction is far superior on the l8 than most after market stand alone ecu's
you obviously heard it wrong
the l8 is capable of 10k rpm the engine is far thicker than the ecu
Old 02-06-2012, 08:35 AM
  #15  
Rod-Tarry
Happily retired
 
Rod-Tarry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 7,707
Received 237 Likes on 151 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by ajamesc
depends how you do it I have sm4 on my saff and mark mapped it so for its always been spot on plus if vipec works out the same its a no brainer really as it will cover all states of tune you chose with out need for up grade so you only buy once which is good if when your bored of 350bhp you up it too 500 and so on!
Learn not to bite Andy . If L8 was so great it would be on mine it was kicked out 10 years ago along with a T4.
Old 02-06-2012, 08:41 AM
  #16  
DAN-Saff
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
 
DAN-Saff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: DUNSTABLE
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MadRod
Learn not to bite Andy . If L8 was so great it would be on mine it was kicked out 10 years ago along with a T4.
Can Mark map weber ecus?
Old 02-06-2012, 08:44 AM
  #17  
JamesH
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (21)
 
JamesH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: .
Posts: 10,807
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Turbosystems
transient fuel correction is far superior on the l8 than most after market stand alone ecu's
you obviously heard it wrong
the l8 is capable of 10k rpm the engine is far thicker than the ecu
That's fair enough - I did say I may be wrong

But things have moved on, and I know what I would rather have!
Old 02-06-2012, 08:44 AM
  #18  
Turbosystems
Super Moderator

iTrader: (5)
 
Turbosystems's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: home
Posts: 12,849
Received 50 Likes on 43 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MadRod
Learn not to bite Andy . If L8 was so great it would be on mine it was kicked out 10 years ago along with a T4.
your is not the run of the mill yb rod and you enjoy adding and changing
also your tuner doesn't map weber so he sold you and fitted you a system that he sells and can map
there is nothing wrong with a weber for a yb
especially if it came free with the car
Most yb owners don't have the budget you nave rod
It is not the weber ecu they need to replace it is the block pistons head crank and rods as it has dropped a valve seat
doubt even your ecu and turbo could operate that sepc of engine
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SMILER258
Restorations, Rebuilds & Projects.
36
28-09-2015 09:04 AM
STeve
Alloy wheels and ICE for sale
2
19-09-2015 07:50 PM
Topjoe9
Ford Sierra/Sapphire/RS500 Cosworth
5
12-09-2015 09:50 AM
Si B
General Car Related Discussion.
2
12-09-2015 06:49 AM



Quick Reply: What are the limitations of L8?



All times are GMT. The time now is 03:56 PM.