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Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 28
Just Getting Started
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OP
Just Getting Started
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 28 |
Hello everyone.
Does anyone have any experience of the Bluefin chip upgrade on
a Ford 1.8 Duratec motor.
My car seems to have a bit missing from the midrange, it's not happy below 2k revs in 5th gear and seems to pink momentarily as I open the throttle. I fitted a pipercross filter instead of the ford filter and it made quite a difference to the running so I am sure there is a lot more that can be done to free it up.I don't really want a racing car but it would be nice to wake it up a bit.
I was reading about the Bluefin and wondered if this could be a reasonable fix for not so much a problem as an irritation.
Thanks for any ideas or information anyone can offer me.
Best wishes
Keith
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 477
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 477 |
I've considered ECU upgrades for my 1.8 Duratec, no conclusions yet and not a really serious problem as I don't 'labour' it at such low revs in 5th and prefer to run at 2ooo revs in a lower gear eg. 30mph in 3rd. I've got a K&N filter which helped and 98 octane fuel certainly also helps to eliminate the pinking, as well as a sound thrashing now and then to keep it 'sweet'.
As I understand ECUs, they re-adjust to style of driving and the more I regularly open it up the better it runs...the Italian Tune Up! On investigations so far, I was told it could take several hundred miles to get the ECU to re-think what is required of it eg. 'get used to' higher octane fuel or driving it more energetically. I'd try dropping a notch and make the engine work a bit more, especially if it's used to cruising at low revs in high gears.....more fun too.
Cheers
Dave
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,190
South Wales Correspondent Talk Morgan Expert
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South Wales Correspondent Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,190 |
I've considered ECU upgrades for my 1.8 Duratec, no conclusions yet and not a really serious problem as I don't 'labour' it at such low revs in 5th and prefer to run at 2ooo revs in a lower gear eg. 30mph in 3rd. I've got a K&N filter which helped and 98 octane fuel certainly also helps to eliminate the pinking, as well as a sound thrashing now and then to keep it 'sweet'.
As I understand ECUs, they re-adjust to style of driving and the more I regularly open it up the better it runs...the Italian Tune Up! On investigations so far, I was told it could take several hundred miles to get the ECU to re-think what is required of it eg. 'get used to' higher octane fuel or driving it more energetically. I'd try dropping a notch and make the engine work a bit more, especially if it's used to cruising at low revs in high gears.....more fun too.
Cheers
I'm a bit muddled here. Isn't the situation with the ECU ( whether it's Bluefin or whatever) that once it's programmed ( or re-programmed) then it should respond to the signals coming from the MAF, Catsensor etc. without any 're-learning' period. I've looked at an ECU reprogamme for my Zetec 4/4- with or without a throttle body conversion- but have stayed away from it so far because I'm still not convinced about the effect or otherwise it might have on the ancillaries I'd also confirm that my own experience is that opening up both induction side and fitting s s/s straight through exhaust has made the car much more free-revving lower down the range. Also ( as a number of posts on TM have pointed out,) dropping to a 200 cell Cat can also be beneficial G
GLLHG
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,103 Likes: 2
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,103 Likes: 2 |
Is it really a Duratec or a Zetec..there is often confusion. What year is the car?
Keith
Car 54 - 'Le Mans 62' 4/4 Supersport
OxMog Member (and associated with CranMog and SwanMog)
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 28
Just Getting Started
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OP
Just Getting Started
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 28 |
My car is a 2005 4/4 and fitted with a CHBB motor which is a 1798cc Duratec.
I've read and absorbed the things that you've suggested .I use 98 octane fuel which does improve things also I tend to use higher revs / lower gear etc. I think I may be nit picking but it does seem that the motor has more to offer and just needs wheedling out.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,563 Likes: 89
Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,563 Likes: 89 |
Indeed... The SBD guys get 300bhp from it. Cosworth also do 285bhp crate engine. These are supprisingly tractable at all revs.
The ECU controlls all aspects of modern engine operation. Other changes without re-programming the ecu will only have minimal impact on the performance of the engine. The longer you don't look at it as a major next step the more you are waisting your already spent money.
The sensors and ancilliaries will be just fine. You have a long way to go before you might need to swap them out.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 477
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 477 |
I'm really no expert here and my 'enquiries' about pinking on the Duratec lead to one solution...talk to Mark Baldwin at Morgan and he can get it sorted. I won't bore you with all the details but the company who set up the ECU for Morgan are the ones who can teek it.
Cheers
Dave
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 477
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 477 |
That's 'tweek' it sorry...brain in low gear with low revs! A little more on this......I have spoken with lots of people and it does seem that few have 'complained' about problems but perhaps many more are having this pinking happen which is why I think Mark wants all enquiries to go through him. To my knowledge only 6 cars have actually been 'fixed', so I guess we should let the factory know of our concerns and they will help out.
Cheers
Dave
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 28
Just Getting Started
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OP
Just Getting Started
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 28 |
Pinking appears to be a problem on cars fitted with this engine.Lots of reports of it on the many Ford forums I have looked at.There seem to be as many causes and fixes as are there are Mondeos on the road.
I didn't realize that the ECU had been fettled for the 4/4 ,thought is was the same for everyone,(nice to think we're special) I shall contact Mr Baldwin and see what can be done.
As I mentioned ,the pinking is not a big issue but has become an irritation
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 477
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 477 |
Yeh, agree, more of an irritation really and mine doesn't always do it, especially with 98 RON. I guess if left too long it won't do the engine much good so I'll be talking to Mike again. Last time we talked he asked me to keep putting basic unleaded in, then bring it to him for a test drive. If I put Tesco's in he'll have no doubts!
Be good to hear how you get on.
Cheers
Dave
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