Engine Management Systems - What's the Go?

[technophile]

Hey Forumites,

I thought i would start this thread to see what types of EMS systems and setups people are running in their Defenders; it would also be interesting to see what people think are the most important things to monitor i.e. EGT, coolant, boost, battery etc. I am interested in one for a TD5 Defender, but please don't feel restricted to just the TD5 variants.

I feel that monitoring you vehicles parameters is an important step in preventing mechanical failure, and can also be helpful in troubleshooting. As i do a lot of remote work, with a majority of that towing, i feel that it is an essential bit of kit.

Currently i have three main options in mind, for what i want to accomplish.

Option 1 is to get an electronic "all in one" system, like or similar to the Madman EMS unit.

Option 2 is also electronic, but in the form of a Nanocom Evo. The obvious advantage of this is that i also have a diagnostic tool. What sensors will i be able to pick up and display from the TD5 defender on the Nanocom?

I understand that the above two can be had for about $400, about the average for the madman unit, and the lowest i have seen the Nanocom Evo unit for.

Option 3 is to get VDO gauges and install them in a pod, but as far as i can see, this will be the most expensive option.

I am also aware of other electrical monitoring devices, but many of these only do EGT and or coolant.

I would greatly appreciate you input in what systems you have, and what other options may be available.

As always pictures are great

[Marty110]

Hi, it depends a bit I reckon on whether your vehicle has performance mods - mine has been re-mapped and a bigger intercooler so I run VDO boost, EGT and oil pressure - yes expensive but all can be monitored/displayed at the same time. Mine are in a pod on top of the dash - see pic. I also run a Scangauge plugged into the OBD11 port - this is velcroed on top of the steering binnacle - sorry no pic. I have this set to display coolant temp, volts, speed and rpm but I can also use it to monitor fuel use too (and heaps of other readouts and code clearing). I think your Td5 has an OBD11 port as well so you can do this if you like - the Scangauge is cheaper than the Nanocom but it does less too. Have fun!!

[manic]

Madman EMS-2

Currently:
EGT
Low Coolant Alarm
Coolant Temp
Turbo PSI
Volts

Plan to Add:
Engine Oil Pressure (switch between Turbo PSI)
Transfer Box Oil Temp

All on the one gauge in the dash suits me, there is a screen to show all values on one 'page' or you can choose a single sensor to monitor or 'auto scroll'. I love being able to be able to set high, low or high&low alarms for all sensors.

I find Turbo PSI the least useful. I think Low coolant, High Coolant Temp, High EGT, Oil Pressure Loss are the ones you need to be alerted to.

Mounting a set of individual VDO gauges is a good look but you have to read each one whilst driving to make sure all is running well. With the EMS you can ignore it and trust that it will beep an alarm should anything important need your attention.

[nedflanders]

I'm running an Engine Guardian monitoring engine temp (rather than coolant temp) and transfer case temp. That's it, anything else would make me too paranoid

[Lorryman100]

I am interested in one for a TD5 Defender, but please don't feel restricted to just the TD5 variants.

I have a Puma and use an Ultragauge to monitor the EMS sensors. It plugs into the OBDII socket and can list numerous gauges that the EMS supports. I have on the top page, Engine temp CHT, Intake Temp @ MAF sensor in airbox, MAF airflow, EGR valve % (EGR disabled by remap), MAP psi, Barometric pressure in kPa, Fuel Rail psi and Boost PSI.



You can easily change what systems to monitor.



It has an alarm setting for all the sensor inputs of which the variables are user set. The only sytem that I have an alarm for is the coolant temp and it has gone off at the lower temp setting!



The Ultragauge can also read and clear DTC's stored in the EMS history.





And also Pending DTC's





http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/index.htm

As for a diagnostic tool I have a nanocom, MSV2 and a Legacy IDS/VCM system, but the nanocom lives in the Pumas safe all the time as it is the easiest to use as you don't need a laptop.

HTH Brian,

[technophile]

I have a Puma and use an Ultragauge to monitor the EMS sensors. It plugs into the OBDII socket and can list numerous gauges that the EMS supports. I have on the top page, Engine temp CHT, Intake Temp @ MAF sensor in airbox, MAF airflow, EGR valve % (EGR disabled by remap), MAP psi, Barometric pressure in kPa, Fuel Rail psi and Boost PSI.



You can easily change what systems to monitor.



It has an alarm setting for all the sensor inputs of which the variables are user set. The only sytem that I have an alarm for is the coolant temp and it has gone off at the lower temp setting!



The Ultragauge can also read and clear DTC's stored in the EMS history.





And also Pending DTC's





UltraGauge Automotive Information Center and OBDII Scan Tool

As for a diagnostic tool I have a nanocom, MSV2 and a Legacy IDS/VCM system, but the nanocom lives in the Pumas safe all the time as it is the easiest to use as you don't need a laptop.

HTH Brian,

But this probably wont work on a TD5?

[Gibs]

But this probably wont work on a TD5?

It doesn't! If you check the compatibility list its states that for TD5's its a no go.

[Naks]

IMHO, your best bet is the Madman for the Td5

[James]

Hey Forumites,

. . . . Option 1 is to get an electronic "all in one" system, like or similar to the Madman EMS unit.

Option 2 is also electronic, but in the form of a Nanocom Evo. The obvious advantage of this is that i also have a diagnostic tool. What sensors will i be able to pick up and display from the TD5 defender on the Nanocom?

I understand that the above two can be had for about $400, about the average for the madman unit, and the lowest i have seen the Nanocom Evo unit for.

Option 3 is to get VDO gauges and install them in a pod, but as far as i can see, this will be the most expensive option.

. . . .

I am facing the same question for my Defender TD5 set up for touring.

For remote area travel would it best to cover all possibilities with Option 1 the Madman AND Option 2 the Nanocom?

Madman = Engine monitoring with alarms.
Nanocom = Diagnostics of the engine management system, the alarm and the ABS.

James

[donh54]

.......

Mounting a set of individual VDO gauges is a good look but you have to read each one whilst driving to make sure all is running well. With the EMS you can ignore it and trust that it will beep an alarm should anything important need your attention.

One trick we used for gauges on machinery in the bush, where you often don't have time to look too hard at them, is to simply set them up in the mount so that "normal" readings have the needles pointing straight up. A quick glance will suffice to know that alls well.