ECU chip for the 300 TDi EDC controlled Discoverys

Mudron · Jan 5, 2014

My edc controlled disco runs spot on, seems to be good on fuel and pulls well on boost. But as always seems to be the case, the initial take off (auto box) and over all power band and mpg could be improved on a lot.

Land rover would have put a map into the ecu to take into account the typical farm yard life, bad service schedules, cheap low grade oil, sustained engine strain, blocked injectors and poor quality fuel etc etc.

Basically, there are huge manufacture imposed tolerances which can be overcome to give vast improvements in mpg and torque/bhp.

The edc system itself has much better control of fueling than the mechanical pump, and can recognise load on the engine so as not to over fuel etc.

As an ex tdi vw man, the pump is an old favourite and is very reliable. Responds we'll to the resister mod although this mod takes the pump out of its accurate control zone sometimes.

I have ordered a spare ecu, and will take out the fueling chip and see what improvements can be had. I will be looking at bringing in boost slightly earlier, improving initial drive away lag, improving over all power/torque and gaining a decent gain in mpg.

Will keep you all posted once I start with pics etc.

jase750 · Jan 5, 2014

I bought a chip off eBay for £80 soldered it into the ECU myself and it made a huge difference
There are gains to be had. The resistor mod is a bit basic and doesn't really do much

Mudron · Jan 5, 2014

The resister mod can produce a huge gain, nearly 35% jump in power! we called it the evry mod on vw diesels. But all it does, depending on how you wire it up, is tell the ecu either the fuel is colder, or the pump stroke/accelerator is further back than it is. Both result in increased fuel. It is ok for a quick poke for overtaking, but it wouldn't be wise to run it full time.

I have seen that chip. Looks good, and from what I have heard, does work we'll and improved mpg. I'm just doing this for my own peace of mind, and to see what controls and map variances are available to tweak.

I would also like to see if the ecu is interchangeable with the Bosch ecu used in the vw 1z tdi, with a loom adapter. This ecu is a 16bit ecu as opposed to the 8bit one used in the disco. Plus it has cruise control algorithms built into the ecu so no mechanical output is needed. It's all just theory at the mo, will be interesting to see if it could be done.

The 16 bit vs 8 bit thing is, 16bit ecu can make more fuelling calculations faster.

jase750 · Jan 5, 2014

I don't think the ECU in a disco is that clever pretty basic
I did read somewhere that you can build something like a mega squirt ECU but for diesel.
Good luck with your project be interesting to see how you get on

Mudron · Jan 5, 2014

Yeah I used megasquirt on an 8v petrol. It's ok, I think for diesel it's not that good to be honest.

Yeah the rover ecu is 8bit and dumb.

I will see what happens when the spare ecu arrives.

DiscoRay · Jan 13, 2014

Any updates? I would love to get a bit more out of mine, if it's possible without spending hundreds of pounds.

Mudron · Jan 13, 2014

I have the spare ecu, and one for a 1.9 tdi vw engine running the same pump. Im in the process of comparing the two. Im really keen to see if the 16bit bosch ecu will run the 300 tdi. Its looking quiet likely that it would run with a loom adapter. The main advantages of the vw ecu are 16bit processing as opposed to 8 bit, inbuilt cruise control and boost control.

When i can i will get some pics.

Bottom line is, the land rover commissioned ecu is similar to the vw one. Both from bosch, but land rover skimped on the good bits!

Mudron · Jan 13, 2014

Does anyone have a pin out diagram for the edc ecu? I have one for the vw ecu, and i have sussed most of the land rover ones. I need it to mock up a test loom.

Cheers guys

Mogindo · Jan 14, 2014

Awesome effort Mudron, FYI, I have Tunit chip in my TDI 300 EDC Auto. I can't say that the millage improved, but there is definitely a lot more power and torque. I really like that chip, though its expensive. Now as I am preparing for an expedition I am contemplating either a spare ECU or mechanical pump conversion. I read few post about guys converting to mechanical pump, some cause by the inability to source #4 injector (with the wire). So it could be done.

Mudron · Jan 14, 2014

Mechanical pump is definitely my choice for robust reliability, but for more precise fuel control which leads to more power and better mpg, the edc system is much better. The vw ecu will need vagcom to interigate it, but the advantage of this is that injection iq, idle iq, timing, compensation for larger injectors, boost control, egr control or delete etc etc is all available to change FOC at the touch of a button. Also, all the engine parameters can be monitored in real time on a laptop.

The cruise control is contained inside the ecu, meaning all the vacuum bellows, pump, steering switches, pipes etc etc can all be ditched. all you would need is 1 on off switch an two push to make switches on the dash somewhere, on use the steering wheel buttons if you are clever.

The ecu also has basic boost management, meaning it can work the waste gate to allow for boost to cut in lower in the rev range through venting the waste gate slightly at low rpm's. I also can be easily re-configured to manage a vnt

Mudron · Jan 20, 2014

I am still after an edc pin diagram if anyone has one they can supply me?

thebiglad · Jan 20, 2014

Mudron said:
I am still after an edc pin diagram if anyone has one they can supply me?

The info you need is in RAVE 03 the LR workshop manual. I've just tried to copy it for you but with no success, sorry.

Having a copy of RAVE 03 is very useful and freely downloaded on loads of sites.

You download it as an .iso file, then download a program such as Virtual Clone Drive, to view it.

Good luck

Dave

Mudron · Jan 21, 2014

Right, small development, I have put the vw ecu idea on the back burner while a friend in germany takes a look at the copy of the ecu files i have sent to see if the vw ecu will map up and run the 300.

But in the mean time, and because I am impatient!

, he has posted me a prototype ecu chip for my 300 ecu. He claims that map is a lot smoother, has a wider torque curve and has been mapped specifically with the sluggish auto box in mind. The result should also mean a very good improvement in mpg when trying to drive with mpg in mind.

When It arrives, I will get some photos of me soldering a socket into the ecu so the chip can be removed and refined. And then a report on how the disco drives and performs, along with mpg report.

Watch this space.

Bomber785 · Jan 21, 2014

Mudron said:
But in the mean time, and because I am impatient! , he has posted me a prototype ecu chip for my 300 ecu. He claims that map is a lot smoother, has a wider torque curve and has been mapped specifically with the sluggish auto box in mind. The result should also mean a very good improvement in mpg when trying to drive with mpg in mind.

When It arrives, I will get some photos of me soldering a socket into the ecu so the chip can be removed and refined. And then a report on how the disco drives and performs, along with mpg report.

Watch this space.

Waiting with anticipa.......................................tion!
Would also be interested in knowing how much a mod like this would cost

Mogindo · Jan 22, 2014

Just as a side question (and I will post this in a separate thread), do you think EDC is expedition viable? I am preparing for a week long expedition into the jungle of Sumatra with local boys here in Indonesia and I am wondering if I should go to mechanical pump, or get a spare ECU. I like my EDC, but I am not sure what would happen if I flood the car.

This video is from last year CLIP LAND ROVER CLUB INDONESIA " Jelajah Alam 8 " BORNEO - YouTube.

Mudron · Jan 22, 2014

The sensors for the edc system are fairly well sealed, and the pump can be submerged fine.

The loom needs to be sound, and extra loom protection would be advised.

The weak link is the ECU. The loom comes into the cab and drops down past the ecu, allowing water in from a dodgy grommet. Personally, I would move the ECU to as a high a position as possible, and seal in a bag or something like that.

Pump failures are rare. Sensor failures are at the same risk as any other car.

The only major headache would be if the needle lift senor in the injector goes down, they are a bugger to change in the field and require the whole injector.

thebiglad · Jan 22, 2014

Mogindo said:
Just as a side question (and I will post this in a separate thread), do you think EDC is expedition viable? I am preparing for a week long expedition into the jungle of Sumatra with local boys here in Indonesia and I am wondering if I should go to mechanical pump, or get a spare ECU. I like my EDC, but I am not sure what would happen if I flood the car.

This video is from last year CLIP LAND ROVER CLUB INDONESIA " Jelajah Alam 8 " BORNEO - YouTube.

2 things, some serious off-roaders extend the cables going to the ECU so they can re-locate it on the headlining above the front screen; or you can water-proof the case of the ECU and it's connections.

Fabulous film btw - REAL adventure stuff !!!!

Dave

Mudron · Jan 22, 2014

thebiglad said:
2 things, some serious off-roaders extend the cables going to the ECU so they can re-locate it on the headlining above the front screen; or you can water-proof the case of the ECU and it's connections.

Fabulous film btw - REAL adventure stuff !!!!

Dave

Yep, ecu would be my only concern

Mudron · Jan 22, 2014

Chip will be here soon. Then pics. I am expecting to see 135bhp without reseting boost pressure, 145 with boost pressure, and 145-150bhp with a large intercooler.

This is just guesstimating at the mo based on similar engines etc, I will run a few dyno tests soon.

Mogindo · Jan 23, 2014

thebiglad said:
2 things, some serious off-roaders extend the cables going to the ECU so they can re-locate it on the headlining above the front screen; or you can water-proof the case of the ECU and it's connections.

Fabulous film btw - REAL adventure stuff !!!!

Dave

Thanks man, I will try to move it higher somewhere, because now it sits very low in the footwell. I think a surgical glove and vaseline could do the magic on waterproofing the box and the connector

If I was to move it higher, I would have to extend the entire loom of cables and that would be a major job, but maybe it would be sufficient enough to move it just under the dash somewhere and seal it.

I am not planing on going submarine, but as you saw in the video clip @ 5:05 min there is a chance we will get wet. Maybe also new door seals are in order, mine are almost falling off.

ECU chip for the 300 TDi EDC controlled Discoverys

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