Originally Posted by
The Diva
The ecu is a P8 definitely, the babyboard that is fitted is merely an encryption board fitted by whoever wrote the chip to stop the map from being copied...... you will be able to get a chip off the shelf from most of the decent UK tuners to suit your engine spec once you know it....
Engine looms are not hard to get hold of, a saffy or a 3 door loom will be able to be grafted into your car without too much difficulty, they are available secondhand here from around £50 to £100+ depending on condition, or you could get a nice new custom made one with extra features like lambda etc for about £400
I used a 4x4 loom and L8 ECU for my conversion a few years ago and it was pretty much plug and play... even the plug for the warning lights (alt, tach, etc.) is the same. I only needed to add a trigger wire from the starter to the ignition switch and extend the alternator wires (the original 2.3T has it on the opposite side of the engine).