By Marc on Thursday, November 01, 2001 - 03:06 pm: Edit

Not planning anything, just wondering out loud how hard it would be to dump the ECU and rig a DI into an non-ECU dependent vehicle. Try to get as basic/simple/reliable as possible.

What systems would have to be re-vamped? Maybe install a carb and ditch the fuel injection? Ditch the ABS. Is it legal to get rid of air-bags (porbably not)? What else? Is it even possible?

Just wondering. Looking down the road, I plan on keeping my Disco for a long time, and shudder at the cost of some components.

-Marc

By Jon Williams (Jonw) on Thursday, November 01, 2001 - 03:24 pm: Edit

*Technically*

It would be illegal to modify the vehicle's powertrain control systems to any extent beyond factory. This includes fuel injection systems, EGR control systems, removing cats, etc.

However, as long as your truck passed emissions (if applicable) they usually don't care. But converting your engine into a carburetted one is probably more undertaking than you want to mess with. The old SU carburettors on Rover engines were crap, and you're much better off dealing with a quirky computer (which is a seldom occurrence). By the time you buy all the components to change over your engine, you'll have exceeded the cost of a new ECU from the dealer. Not to mention you'll lose power, which is not really the goal with an engine.

Airbags don't really matter, nor do ABS. Thousands of cars are on the roads this instant that have neither of those systems. However, your insurance may adjust (read: Increase) somewhat if you're in an accident in an airbag-equipped vehicle in which the airbags don't work because you disconnected them.

But I understand what you're going for. Unfortunately, that version of Disco was never sold in this country, and you'd probably be wasting more money than you'd save by converting. Ultimately, however, it's up to you.

By Ron on Thursday, November 01, 2001 - 03:29 pm: Edit

They make an intake and 4 barrel for the disco. Forget who, edelbrock maybe. 94-95 would be an easy conversion with a dizzy, 96 and up would be a bit more of a challenge. Doable for sure.

Ron

By Jon Williams (Jonw) on Thursday, November 01, 2001 - 04:01 pm: Edit

Ah yes, Buick 215 V8 parts for '94-'95. Unfortunately, the 4.0-liter was a different engine (not just 3950cc rounded up, as I've heard it said).

By Marc on Thursday, November 01, 2001 - 04:12 pm: Edit

Maybe it would be the kind of thing you achieve on a failure-by-failure basis, that is if the system fails, replace it with something more basic.

How many/which systems are dependent on the ECU? I would imagine the diagnostic computer is involved in quite a few, but which ones WILL NOT function without the ECU?

By Ron on Thursday, November 01, 2001 - 04:14 pm: Edit

JonW

You might be able to swap it over on a 4.0. To be honest I don't know but the engines are pretty similar but that is another topic.

Ron

By Kyle on Thursday, November 01, 2001 - 04:26 pm: Edit

Sure you could do the 4.0 just the same as you could the 3.9. ONly difference being the cam. All you need is an intake , carb , dist and some wireing and you are in buisness. The 4.0 would need the cam changed so that it has something to drive the Distributor.


Kyle

By Jon Williams (Jonw) on Friday, November 02, 2001 - 09:28 am: Edit

Yeah, they're not TOO different. The 4.0 has a different crank, different pistons, different cam, and slightly modified block structure, but essentially it's the same as the 3.9 block, as far as dismensions go. They still used the same plenum on the 4.0 (up to Thor) so it should all fit.