Stand alone ECU? Yes or no

Post Mon Dec 07, 2015 5:28 pm

Hi all I'm thinking of getting one of these for my S38 conversion, I want to run with air box and MAF delete. Also think it's just better, any thoughts????

http://rrrshop.co.uk/emu-can-409-p.asp

Post Mon Dec 07, 2015 5:39 pm

No need. All you need is MAXX alpha N.

Post Mon Dec 07, 2015 7:35 pm

Standalone ECU's are very much overrated, most times they are not needed, take your car to a reputable specialist mapper that knows what they are doing and get it custom mapped for the air box

Post Mon Dec 07, 2015 7:46 pm

bss325i wrote:No need. All you need is MAXX alpha N.

How do I go about getting MAXX alpha n? I've been told older ECUs don't have it programmed. The second reason for wanting a change is the ECU in lying under the ashtray in front of the heater blower, so I gotta extend the loom to move it so it thought all that soldering might as well change the ECU.

Post Tue Dec 08, 2015 5:54 am

I'm with you etouring, Danthe is also right in that a reputable tuner, if they can tune whilst on a dyno, is good.

I'm a believer that the standalone gives you greater flexibility due to what they can do and because of that will net more bhp and you can later take it with you to your next car. My car has piggy back and is on its 3rd car, if I chipped all three times that would be more $ than my piggy back cost.

Post Tue Dec 08, 2015 10:51 pm

id get standalone over hamstrung piggyback , but choose a tuner and get something they know how to use and recommend as its all about how good the MAP is.

with the EMU why the EMU CAN vs ECU Master?

Maxxx doesnt provide means to adjust ignition timing changes last time i looked and is very limited compared to a full standalone and probably hardly cheaper, though fitment probably fair bit simpler.

Post Tue Dec 08, 2015 11:12 pm

reggid wrote:id get standalone over hamstrung piggyback , but choose a tuner and get something they know how to use and recommend as its all about how good the MAP is.

with the EMU why the EMU CAN vs ECU Master?

Maxxx doesnt provide means to adjust ignition timing changes last time i looked and is very limited compared to a full standalone and probably hardly cheaper, though fitment probably fair bit simpler.

I understood this EMU to take the place of your existing ECU but I'm probably wrong lol , seems affordable at £550. I was hoping someone heard of it and knows who can sort decent maps out. I agree it's all about the map and stand alone seems like the easy way to tune. Looking at the software I thought it may even be possible to learn the basics. I will have to rewire most of the car anyway so fitment dosent really matter.

Like Dan and Bss said not really worth doing, I will find a way to run with ram tubes and no MAF

Post Tue Dec 08, 2015 11:21 pm

etouring wrote:
reggid wrote:id get standalone over hamstrung piggyback , but choose a tuner and get something they know how to use and recommend as its all about how good the MAP is.

with the EMU why the EMU CAN vs ECU Master?

Maxxx doesnt provide means to adjust ignition timing changes last time i looked and is very limited compared to a full standalone and probably hardly cheaper, though fitment probably fair bit simpler.
I understood this EMU to take the place of your existing ECU but I'm probably wrong lol , seems affordable at £550. I was hoping someone heard of it and knows who can sort decent maps out. I agree it's all about the map and stand alone seems like the easy way to tune. Looking at the software I thought it may even be possible to learn the basics. I will have to rewire most of the car anyway so fitment dosent really matter.

Like Dan and Bss said not really worth doing, I will find a way to run with ram tubes and no MAF

both those products replace the entire ECU the CAN one would seem to be more for modern ECU where as the ECU master is cheaper and may be all you need. i know a dealer locally but wrong continent for you. any tuner should be able to sort it out and map it but some like to not get involved in stuff they arent familiar with

Post Tue Dec 08, 2015 11:26 pm

reggid wrote:
etouring wrote:
reggid wrote:id get standalone over hamstrung piggyback , but choose a tuner and get something they know how to use and recommend as its all about how good the MAP is.

with the EMU why the EMU CAN vs ECU Master?

Maxxx doesnt provide means to adjust ignition timing changes last time i looked and is very limited compared to a full standalone and probably hardly cheaper, though fitment probably fair bit simpler.
I understood this EMU to take the place of your existing ECU but I'm probably wrong lol , seems affordable at £550. I was hoping someone heard of it and knows who can sort decent maps out. I agree it's all about the map and stand alone seems like the easy way to tune. Looking at the software I thought it may even be possible to learn the basics. I will have to rewire most of the car anyway so fitment dosent really matter.

Like Dan and Bss said not really worth doing, I will find a way to run with ram tubes and no MAF
both those products replace the entire ECU the CAN one would seem to be more for modern ECU where as the ECU master is cheaper and may be all you need. i know a dealer locally but wrong continent for you. any tuner should be able to sort it out and map it but some like to not get involved in stuff they arent familiar with

I just noticed you from OZ here is the link i first found this setup http://www.ecumaster.com.au. It's a shame not a many people are using this here in the UK it's the lack of back up that's putting me off. I can get stand alone here but it's around £2k so much more cash

Post Wed Dec 09, 2015 12:23 pm

I have looked in to stand alone for mine. The s85 engine is more complicated than the s38 but the main thing that puts me off is the basic fault finding capabilities with stand alone.
Worth looking into if you are planning on going stand alone.

Post Wed Dec 09, 2015 6:39 pm

KW355 wrote:I have looked in to stand alone for mine. The s85 engine is more complicated than the s38 but the main thing that puts me off is the basis fault finding capabilities with stand alone.
Worth looking into if you are planning on going stand alone.

Something I didn't consider, but not much of an issue with S38 back in 95 they didn't have to many complex sensors to go wrong. But saying that it would suck not being able to just plug in a fault code reader.

Post Thu Dec 10, 2015 1:18 am

In PL many serious projects runing on those ecu's. But you need tuner that knows what to do

Post Thu Dec 10, 2015 7:31 am

KW355 wrote:I have looked in to stand alone for mine. The s85 engine is more complicated than the s38 but the main thing that puts me off is the basic fault finding capabilities with stand alone.
Worth looking into if you are planning on going stand alone.

The better standalone ecu's do have more diagnostic capabilities than the factory set ups offer, its all down to cost really.