[Mk2] [Turbo] Should I bother with an aftermarket ECU ?

[Aimson]

Hi,

Just needed some advice really, I’m looking into perhaps buying a piggy back ECU for the tubby but I’m not quite sure whether I am going to be pushing the old girl too much on stock internals and also whether the gains I will get would be worthwhile given my current setup.
I’m currently running 276 BHP & 325lbs Torque with the following parts:
Greddy Boost Controller (1.3bar)
Full Berk exhaust system with extreme boost downpipe
HKS (mushroom filter)
HKS Fuel Cut defence
Also had many many other parts replaced to ensure the engine is as healthy as it could be for an 18 year old car )
My jap specialist who has been working on the car through thick and thin has advised me to not bother with a standalone ECU unless I want to get the engine rebuilt with better internals, the car is currently running a little rich at the higher rev range and he says this will sort that out?!? Perhaps this is down to another issue I’m not sure.
Anyway if anybody could provide me with advice on this matter it would be much appreciated, I do use the car most days so would like it to also be as reliable as possible with the setup I have :O/

[willfinch36]

1.3 bar.. is that safe on an mr2? especially a rev 2?!?!

[PFrazier]

I recommend a PFC and a good tune. Not just for the sake of more HP, but the motor will run much better throughout the entire rpm range. It was quite a drastic change for me from a stock ECU.

The Toyota ECU dumps tons of fuel up top as a protective measure.

I didn't see mention of an upgraded IC. It's a worthwhile addition if you plan on running higher boost levels.

[Moo]

1.3 bar.. is that safe on an mr2? especially a rev 2?!?!

Not at all safe without the supporting mods. I'm surprised it hasn't gone pop already. You need to wind that boost back a bit if you're running a stock intercooler as your inlet temps must be through the roof! Didn't think the CT26 could hold that kind of boost?

[willfinch36]

1.3 bar.. is that safe on an mr2? especially a rev 2?!?!

Not at all safe without the supporting mods. I'm surprised it hasn't gone pop already. You need to wind that boost back a bit if you're running a stock intercooler as your inlet temps must be through the roof! Didn't think the CT26 could hold that kind of boost?

Yeah thats what I thought!!!!

[Steve-O 2007]

1.3 bar!!???!! Set it to 1 - 1.1bar max, CT26 is no good past this and just blow hot air heating your inlet temps lowering your performance and at the same time killing your engine

[RyanRs]

definatly get a pfc. and turn down your boost! do you have a mls hg?

[Aimson]

The boost on the dino run seems to be holding fine, I dont think the chap would have set it up at a point where it would go pop it would not be worth his reputation to be honest I may be mistaken it could be the max level set on the boost controller as a safe guard.

MLS HG whats this ?

[Aimson]

Intercooler seems to be a good idea though, any suggestions on which one and where I could get one from ?

[willfinch36]

Intercooler seems to be a good idea though, any suggestions on which one and where I could get one from ?

Ive got a Greddy one, cost £360 second hand, but the performance is noticeable!

[afennell]

The boost on the dino run seems to be holding fine, I dont think the chap would have set it up at a point where it would go pop it would not be worth his reputation to be honest I may be mistaken it could be the max level set on the boost controller as a safe guard.

MLS HG whats this ?

The head gasket on the rev1-2 (Hg) is a weak point when upping the boost. This can be replaced with a metal one.

Look in the for sale section for a good second hand intercooler.

Or http://www.gtschris.co.uk/ the berk one is a very good price. You can also get the cometric head gasket there.

[Aimson]

I just spoke to my mechanic as im a little worried about it blowing up he seems to think everything is running how it should be and the boost is mainly running at 1.1 bar but peaks at just under 1.3 at the mid range. Do you still think I need this turned down a little ?

[willfinch36]

Do you still think I need this turned down a little ?

Yes. im by no means a mechanic but I know that a standard mr2 shouldnt be running 1.3bar at any point really....

[RyanRs]

MLS HG = Multi layered steel Head gasket.

You should not let your car creep upto 1.3 bar ,thats nearly 19 psi of pure hot air that you will be pumping in to your engine, especially with only a stock intercooler!!

What boost controller do you use? If its set at 1.1 bar and creeping to 1.3 , reducing the boost lower than 1.1 bar may not necessarily stop it creeping to dangerously high levels still. What you will probably need to do is adjust the Gain and Set Gain settings to alter the actuators response time and sensitivity. this will allow you to keep your boost set to 1.1 bar and iron out the creep.

Alternatively, upgrade the turbo to a CT20b off a rev3 + I believe these have a larger wastegate than the ct26 so boost stability will be much more improved. You will also spool faster with it and make more power at equal boost pressures.

[Aimson]

mmm ok more things to think about, well in answer to your question the boost controller is a greddy profec b-spec - everything has been set up by the chap at DSA Autos as I obviously dont have a clue what im doing

[Steve-O 2007]

I just spoke to my mechanic as im a little worried about it blowing up he seems to think everything is running how it should be and the boost is mainly running at 1.1 bar but peaks at just under 1.3 at the mid range. Do you still think I need this turned down a little ?

yea and it sounds like your getting boost creep, even 1.1 bar on the stock IC is alot, I would have thought your mechanic would have changed that first before any boost increase.

The stock injectors on the Rev2 are also a boost limiting factor, these are only good for upto 1.1bar as well before they are maxxed out making your mixture lean.

Make sure you have a Metal headgasket as well or that will be going pop soon

oh and Ryan, the CT26 has a faster spool than the CT20 but the CT20 holds full boost to red line.

[Moo]

he seems to think everything is running how it should be

It might be running ok now but that situation definitely won't last unless you turn the boost down. Have a search around on the forums, there's loads of threads about what you need to do to run higher boost on the rev 2.

[AlexR5066]

he seems to think everything is running how it should be

It might be running ok now but that situation definitely won't last unless you turn the boost down. Have a search around on the forums, there's loads of threads about what you need to do to run higher boost on the rev 2.

1.3 on a rev 2 ouch, i think you could do with either a good intercooler or better still a charge cooler as they are far better but the charge cooler is quite a bit more money and worth every penny. i was told by rogue motorsports 1.2 bar max on a rev 3+ with the uprated fuel pump and injectors + intercooler and anything over is bad for the standard turbo as well as internals and i like to play it safe so i have taken the advice of a charge cooler and fuel pump and all i need not is a link g4 storm ecu and injectors to play it safe £££££££££££

That was for a rev 4 so im not sure what you would be like on a rev 2 with hevey boost and standard equipment

[Aimson]

I just spoke to my mechanic as im a little worried about it blowing up he seems to think everything is running how it should be and the boost is mainly running at 1.1 bar but peaks at just under 1.3 at the mid range. Do you still think I need this turned down a little ?

yea and it sounds like your getting boost creep, even 1.1 bar on the stock IC is alot, I would have thought your mechanic would have changed that first before any boost increase.

The stock injectors on the Rev2 are also a boost limiting factor, these are only good for upto 1.1bar as well before they are maxxed out making your mixture lean.

Make sure you have a Metal headgasket as well or that will be going pop soon

oh and Ryan, the CT26 has a faster spool than the CT20 but the CT20 holds full boost to red line.

My car is running rich at the moment though

[Aimson]

he seems to think everything is running how it should be

It might be running ok now but that situation definitely won't last unless you turn the boost down. Have a search around on the forums, there's loads of threads about what you need to do to run higher boost on the rev 2.

1.3 on a rev 2 ouch, i think you could do with either a good intercooler or better still a charge cooler as they are far better but the charge cooler is quite a bit more money and worth every penny. i was told by rogue motorsports 1.2 bar max on a rev 3+ with the uprated fuel pump and injectors + intercooler and anything over is bad for the standard turbo as well as internals and i like to play it safe so i have taken the advice of a charge cooler and fuel pump and all i need not is a link g4 storm ecu and injectors to play it safe £££££££££££

That was for a rev 4 so im not sure what you would be like on a rev 2 with hevey boost and standard equipment

I will turn the boost down to low for now on the controller then until I manage to source an IC -