MBE ECU help

[boss351]

Hi, is there anyone on here that can steer me in to the secrets of being able to remap the stock MBE ECU (3AL066A - not sure if this is the model)? My car is a 2009 Duratec kit.

1) the only connector on the ECU is the main harness one, to plug in to a laptop/Easimap I am guessing that a couple of the pins on there are the CAN bus that need connecting an adapter to?

2) Once connected, I believe the factory ECU's are PIN protected, is that so? Does anyone have the PIN?

3) If all else fails and I buy a MBE9A4 ECU does anyone have an appropriate map as a starting point to work from?

Initially I am planning on taking the stock "175" setup and keeping the intake, going to stage 2 cams and springs, bigger injectors and re-tuning. Later on I may add throttle bodies to the equation.

Thanks in advance.

[moosetestbestanden]

Questions:

Is it a 2.0 or 2.3 Duratec?

What do you have on the intake side - a single throttle body? If so, in my opinion the throttle bodies would be a better place to spend money before opening up the head.

I have an older MBE driving an internally stock Jenvey throttle bodied 2.0L Duratec. I can't remember the model number. I had to get a special cable from SBD in the UK to connect to the PC along w/ the Easimap software. Don't know if this is the case w/ yours.

Go here:

http://www.sbdev.co.uk/Engine_Management_Systems/ECU/MBE_ECU&Software.htm

for a sniff around.

For sure I'd recommend contacting them. I found them very responsive. Maybe they'll send you one. My ECU came w/ a map by them and the car's always run like a raped ape, particularly up high where the fun is.

I'm sure Magnus and / or Tom will be along soon to chime in - they're well versed in mapping matters. I'm pretty sure Tom has a 2L Duratec and an MBE ECU.

[boss351]

Its 2.0l with single throttle body (think R300 setup). I have been in touch with SBD and it's all pointing to get the upgrade completely accessible ECU from them (9A4) plus appropriate cable, they'll also like you say provide a starter map setup.

I am curious to see if I can get things to my liking first with the single throttle body (and convert my heater box in to a cold air box), for the tune and components I have been talking to a recommended meddler with these engines, the throttle bodies would be a next step up further down the road when I want to squeeze that extra bit out of the engine. So for now doing something similar to R400 (210) setup.

[Doug Liedblad]

Replacing your heater with a cold air box to pull air from the rear loovers is what I did. A noticable difference on the road and measurable on the dyno.

I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to get the throttle bodies as the setup you have might be just as good with a decent cold air intake.

Read up on intake track tuning. With a given intake track length engines run best in a small RPM range. The longer the track the better the low end. Shorter more high end.

With a plenum like you have the rules for the intake length are different.
YMMV and I'm only an expert based on what I've read online.

[boss351]

Replacing your heater with a cold air box to pull air from the rear loovers is what I did. A noticable difference on the road and measurable on the dyno.

Do you have any pictures of your conversion?

Thanks.

[Doug Liedblad]

Sorry, no photos.

I made it from a corregated composite material held in place with high strength 3M adhesive*. It formed a box around the air filter and made a tight seal against the underside of the bonnet. This forced the air to come only thru the loovers, not from the hot air inside the engine bay.

It worked very well for the testing I was doing and I ran it for several months.

*(carboard box and duct tape)

[athens7]

I made it from a corregated composite material held in place with high strength 3M adhesive*.
*(carboard box and duct tape)

Did you buy the components from these guys?:

http://www.mycaterham.com/81112/index.html

[Elv15]

Howdy Boss,

My car uses the MBE 967 model. So I have some info on it.

Here is a link to the PDF of the special serial cable you need to connect your PC to the MBE 967: http://pierats.com/duratec/MBE_967.pdf

And here is a link to a document which shows the pinout for the MBE 967 (look in the appendix): http://pierats.com/duratec/Datasheet_M3LOGA_eng.pdf

It should be pretty obvious what the model is...mine has it in very large letters right on the top.

OH COOL, here is a link to the SBD site which has pinouts for many of the MBE units: http://www.sbdev.co.uk/Engine_Manage...nformation.htm

[boss351]

SBD deciphered the model number, it is an encrypted MBE992, thanks a lot Caterham!

The drop in replacement is the MBE 9A4, no harness rewiring etc and then full accessible with the Easymap software. SBD will provide a base map with it to get things started. It looks like I will likely be heading that direction...

[Doug Liedblad]

Brad

I did not source from them, their prices are outragous and I'm cheap.

Doug