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Scruffy Oik
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Originally Posted By MOG 615
Whilst upon Scotland a week or so ago we were discussing the Roadster ECU issue.

It was pointed out that it must be possible to ditch the MMC/Ford unit, buy an (MBE?) ecu as a total replacement , then configure all new instruments to work with it, and finally get the fuelling/ignition maps set up on a rolling road,

However it was also pointed out that this option would not be cheap. The ecu package would be around £1k , the dyno time approx £2k (2 days at £1k per day), and the new instruments and dashboard say £2k.

Maybe it all depends how deep your pockets are.

We also wondered whether anyone had tried to go down this route.


There's also the cost of building a new engine loom as well, Yes, it's all doable, but as we said in the discussion, who would pay £70k-odd for a new car and then go to those lengths?

A much better option I think would be to buy an older car and rebuild it to your exact specification. Not only cheaper but a lot easier as you wouldn't have the emissions constraints that the new cars have to meet.


Tim H.
1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE
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Tim's right, Start with an older car and then use the considerable sum of money you've saved to up spec to what you want.

I'm doing that on my 4/4 and depending on age the only difference is 2 extra sparks and 2 extra injectors.

IMHO the main thing is to avoid cars where the dash is controlled by the ECU and other electronics as that does complicate things quite a lot. I.e an earlier car but it might be that the Roadster always had "electronic dashboards".

My Omex ECU including the basic loom only cost about £1000 all in and then after I installed the basic Omex map and tweeked it a bit it only took 3 hours on the Dyno to get a very nice drivable car that sailed through the emissions test at the MOT and returns 38 mpg with mixed driving. (And no circuit boards to keep blowing)

Now I can play with the engine tuning and dashboard to my hearts content (or pocket allows) and simply adjust the ECU to suit.


Bob

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Welcome to TM Eric. Good luck in your search for a Morgan....the searching is all part of the fun. As is improving it and personalising it once you have it.

Me? Funnily enough I’m probably now going down the reverse route to you 🙄. Either a TR or a Healey. I think that having worked at the factory I’ve just seen too many of them and the magic has gone.😟. It may come back one day.

Part of it is the modern nature of the newer cars. If I knew that I’d be keeping my car for life I would replace the factory ECU at the very least or more likely replace the engine and gearbox with something interesting.


Jays
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Welcome Eric and good luck with your search.


Martin (Deano)
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Thanks for all the warm welcomes. I am still looking at all options.

On the 3.7 issues, I see Morgan Park in Germany actually has a 3.7 dash where there are separate instruments for the fuel and temp and different gauges for the speedo and tach...so it is getting closer and I will take a trip there soon and report on my findings.

Furthermore, I have seen US applications of the 2017 Mustangs where they have added oil pressure and voltmeter gauges WITHOUT touching the ECU and I will look into this.

Having those gauges would actually be quite sufficuent...

I am looking at the 3.0 option but the difficulty is finding the right one but I guess it is possible. The big thought I have on the 3.0 is the sump issue but there are solutions for that and I guess even stock with a bit of care this should be OK..

Thanks again folks!

Last edited by Erock Germany; 17/09/18 08:18 AM.
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Formerly known as Aldermog
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Hi Eric,

sounds as though you have a great journey ahead!

Morgan Park is a great dealer, the owner speaks better English than most, so communication is easy if your German isn't fluent!

Good service too, I got my chromed screen pillars from them, very happy. I had a look at all their stuff at Thrill on the Hill last year. All of it is tempting and their show car was immaculately prepared: they do attention to detail well.


Peter,
66, 2016 Porsche Boxster S
No longer driving Tarka, the 2014 Plus 8...

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Wave & smile... It's a Morgan
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Originally Posted By Erock Germany
Thanks for all the warm welcomes. I am still looking at all options.

On the 3.7 issues, I see Morgan Park in Germany actually has a 3.7 dash where there are separate instruments for the fuel and temp and different gauges for the speedo and tach...so it is getting closer and I will take a trip there soon and report on my findings.

Furthermore, I have seen US applications of the 2017 Mustangs where they have added oil pressure and voltmeter gauges WITHOUT touching the ECU and I will look into this.

Having those gauges would actually be quite sufficuent...

I am looking at the 3.0 option but the difficulty is finding the right one but I guess it is possible. The big thought I have on the 3.0 is the sump issue but there are solutions for that and I guess even stock with a bit of care this should be OK..

Thanks again folks!


The low 3.0 litre Roadster sump is easily swapped for a higher profile one for more clearance

Wolf Performance has some in and it’s just a matter of swapping it out from underneath

Very straight forward


2008 XXVII Platform, Bugatti Blue Roadster 4 Seater
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You don’t even have to alter the oil pick up


2008 XXVII Platform, Bugatti Blue Roadster 4 Seater
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