MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 08:04

Title: Standalone ecu
Post by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 08:04
Has anyone had any issues with other car functions after installing a standalone ecu? E.g. any warning lights on etc?

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Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: shnazzle on July 31, 2018, 09:28
Nope
Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 09:33
Ok, good stuff! The guy about to do my work said that it's not uncommon on some cars

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Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: shnazzle on July 31, 2018, 12:58
Quote from: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 09:33
Ok, good stuff! The guy about to do my work said that it's not uncommon on some cars

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Depends how clever he is with using the stock ECU.
If he can run the stock dash with an aftermarket ecu, he's the first one to do so :)

Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 12:59
What do you mean mate? The dash? All the gauges etc?

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Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: shnazzle on July 31, 2018, 13:03
Quote from: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 12:59
What do you mean mate? The dash? All the gauges etc?

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Yup.
A lot of the communication in the car is over a Toyota proprietary protocol (BEAN). Nobody has cracked it.
Particularly the water temp and rpm gauges don't work without the stock ECU.

Also the immobiliser requires the stock ECU to be used in parallel if you want to keep it.

So as long as your guy uses the stock ECU correctly in parallel, all will be well

Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 13:11
I'll need to let him know then! Or would everything work if I went for a piggyback?

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Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 13:12
If the gauges don't work, surely that's an MOT fail?

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Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: shnazzle on July 31, 2018, 13:24
Quote from: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 13:11
I'll need to let him know then! Or would everything work if I went for a piggyback?

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Depends what you're trying to achieve. A piggyback is an option. If you live near Essex I have a lovely Unichip Q+ for sale :)

Quote from: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 13:12
If the gauges don't work, surely that's an MOT fail?

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I'm not sure actually. I guess so.
Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 13:26
So what do people do if they've installed a standalone? Swap it out for the MOT? A piggy back I assume could just be unplugged?

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Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 13:27
I saw yours for sale mate! I'm going to get whatever I need off the guy doing my engine conversion as he'll give me good discount since he's doing the work

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Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: 1979scotte on July 31, 2018, 13:27
If your guy knows what he is doing you will be fine.
Any 1zz or 2zz that is running standalone uses the stock ECU for dash.

If this something he hasn't done before then some research may be required.

If you go for a piggyback everything still works but you won't gain as much.
I've gone right off piggybacks. Hard to make good power with them on Toyota ECU.

Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 13:28
I don't think he's done an mr2 before, he's used to tuning race and rally cars

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Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: m1tch on July 31, 2018, 13:31
The Power FC is a standalone for our cars (will be selling mine soon) as I now have a Link Xtreme plugged in - its actually running as a piggyback but the stock ECU just looks after the body controls, all the fueling, timing etc is run via the Link.
Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 13:35
I'm looking at a link one already mate or another one that my guy suggested -

"Motorsport Electronics...

ME221... £695 with loom

This is a great budget ECU. I have used these a lot with MX5's and I am currently fitting one to a supercharged Honda S2000. This will run the engine and control VVT etc also. Certainly one to consider.

ME442... £1095 (special introductory offer). I haven't added this to my own website yet as it has only been released, see details here. This is the new big brother to the ME221. This will do everything you need and more. The normal retail price is £1554 so this is a superb deal."




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Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: shnazzle on July 31, 2018, 13:38
Ecumaster EMUBLACK is the way forward. Especially as we have a group buy going with Greg from RRR near Cambridge.

He's now done 4 MR2s of different kinds so he knows what he's doing.
And 1200 all in for ecu, fitting, mapping and a data logger
Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 13:42
I know all about the group buy mate, but I'd rather go for one my guy already knows and uses.

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Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: Bernie on July 31, 2018, 14:03
Apexi Power FC runs em all standalone


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Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: shnazzle on July 31, 2018, 16:07
Pfc is indeed the only one I know of that can run fully standalone.
But it's flippin ancient.
It "gets the job done" but that's about it.

Hell, it's almost better for N/A than it is for turbo
Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 17:03
I've decided to just to do the 2zz swap with se7en cams, do I even need a standalone ecu at this stage? The swap comes with the corolla ecu.

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Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: 1979scotte on July 31, 2018, 17:06
Quote from: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 17:03
I've decided to just to do the 2zz swap with se7en cams, do I even need a standalone ecu at this stage? The swap comes with the corolla ecu.

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Get your mate to do the swap then drive to RRR to fit the EMU Black.
For 1k it can't be beaten.
Without a new ECU you won't get the full benefit of the cams.
Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 17:08
My drive to RRR will cost me about £400 mate! Lol I have to get the ferry across the Irish Sea! I want to put a wide body bodykit on the car too which is going to cost a fair amount after fitting and painting so I'm look to save where I can

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Title: Re: Standalone ecu
Post by: michaelb on July 31, 2018, 17:09
I may need a new exhaust as part of the swap too which will add another 600-700

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