8 replies to this topic

[Rorsby]

Hi guys. i have read a few forums about fitting a ford 1.0 ecoboost engine into a classic mini shell, however answers and questions are scattered everywhere i thought this could be one location where all questions can (hopefully) be answered.

 

a few issues i have read about is the ECU, Wiring, drive by wire throttle and high pressure fuel pump. i found a website selling a kit that seems to solve a lot of these issues.

 

http://twinkam.co.uk.../Products/SC352

 

"This complete engine management system for the Ford 1.0 EcoBoost engine controls all the standard engine parameters including the dual variable valve timing system, drive by wire throttle, high pressure fuel pump and high voltage DI injectors. The package comprises an SC GDI 4 ECU and modified Ford engine wiring loom (as an exchange). The GDI 4 ECU is pre-mapped for the standard engine, modified engines will require remapping to optimise the power gain from those modifications.

With this ECU and loom combination the very powerful and modern 1.0 EcoBoost engine can easily be used in many different applications from kit cars, track cars"

Does anyone have experience with this kit or has found a better solution to these issues. or have i missed any issues that can be predicted?

 

TIA

 

 

 

[nicklouse]

there is a good thread here http://www.theminifo...-next-few-weeks

[paulrockliffe]

The thread above uses that ECU because there doesn't seem to be a better solution out there at the moment.  It's a shame because the ECU is disproportionately expensive compared with the engines, though the conversion itself is still very cheap for what you end up with compared with other options.

 

When Ford introduced the Ecoboost they dropped it in a Formula Junior car (I think) and were promoting it as an option for racing and kit cars, wonder what they used ECU wise and whether that line will yield a better option in the future.  It's really annoying when you consider it's just software that's stopping the Ford ECu being used.

 

Not that I have time at the moment, but I keep wondering what the engine would look like sticking out of the bonnet of my Minus!

[charlieb150]

In the formula Ford car Ford produced they used a life racing ecu

[charlieb150]

as far as I know I'm the first or 1 of the first to do it, as Paul says I have used the specialist components setup because nothing else comes anywhere near for the price, the guys at sc are very helpful with problem and queries etc..

[KaneH]

I guess there's a few options here:

1. Fork out for a current market ecu that's capable of supporting direct injection.

2. Hold off until other (more affordable) aftermarket ecu manufacturers produce products to support GDI. I'd imagine this won't be too far off but no certainty as yet.

3. Get someone savvy with electronics to reprogram the oem Bosch ECU to ignore all redundant nodes on the Can-bus. Easier said than done though it would seem as I haven't come across anyone that has had success with this method as yet. I guess it is early days still so will no doubt come about in time.

Ideally if you could get around the management issues using the stock ecu you could save yourself a massive expense.

As Charlie has shown the 1.0 is a very capable unit which appears almost perfectly suited to the mini and if you weren't fussed about retaining your inner wings it doesn't look like it would be overly difficult to chuck in the 1600 focus st engine. Tunable up to circa 300bhp/300ft.lbs+ on stock internals... Yes please!

[Magneto]

I believe Ford sells an ECU for it now too.

[KaneH]

The factory upgrade from Ford is essentially a reflash of the ecu so wouldn't help with regards to retrofitting the engine into another vehicle unfortunately.

[tiger99]

I happen to work for a major ECU manufacturer. Unfortunately that does not help because all I can tell you is that modern ECUs are protected against tampering to comply with emissions regulations, so are encrypted and can't be reprogrammed except by the manufacturer or authorised dealers. It is becoming ever more difficult.

 

The best way forward is likely to make a box containing a processor and the required number of CAN interfaces and set it up to emulate all the external things that the ECU requires. But to get the info you need you may have to be a garage business, because there is an EU directive which compels manufacturers to release certain information to third party repairers. The problem is that you will not get everything that you will need, so many sessions with a CAN bus analyser on a real working car may be needed.

 

I am actually involved in ECUs for 12 litre diesels, using common rail injection, but there is a move to rationalise the product range so the same ECU does a car, of up to 6 cylinders. The manufacturing cost of a bare ECU is actually only about £100, but just try getting one for that! Just to put things in perspective, the software is a very major exercise, maybe 10 to 20 man years. That is why I say leave the ECU alone and fake the externals. Or maybe transplant ALL the Ford systems into the Mini? That may include a talking dashboard in some cases.