TD5 ECU upgrade advice sought

**tonto73** · 12th October 2006, 02:23 AM

Hey, i am looking at the ECU upgrade for my D2 03 TD5. I have been following all the discussion on ECU upgrades. I have also read as much as i can via searching the forum. I have a decision to make and am after some advice from the experts. However you guys will have to do..... jokes of course. I value this website immensley (spelling).

My choices at the moment are;

First option. Send my ECU of to Tombraider to get upgraded for the fantastic price of $440 as advertised in the market section. This will involve having the ECU out for a few days which will hurt the rest of the family as i will have to steal the missus's car. She won't be happy as she will be semi stuck at the house with the young-uns and if by some chance i have any problems then i am a long way away for any fixes... (sorry Tombraider that this is brought up in the open forum)

Tombraider, or anyone else that has had Tombraiders upgrade done please tell me what sort of increase i can expect with your/his upgrade. ie kw and nm, driveability, warranty etc.

Option 2, toddle up to Redcliffe here in Brisvegas and see M.R. Automotive and get a Bruce Davis ECU upgrade for $900 (quoted today) which will involve ordering the ECU 4 days in advance and then leaving the Disco with them for an hour. If there is any continuing problems/issues then i can go and see them. They will also change back the ECU if i am not happy for any reason free of charge. This ECU upgrade will give me around the 30% increase to roughly 128 kw. My wifes best mate lives in Redcliffe so won't be too hard for me to organise for me to slip off for an hour with the disco while they chat.

I guess the difference is accessability to the guys who did the job afterwards but double the price vs half the price but a long way away.

Any thoughts from the peanut gallery ?? i guess you can see i am leaning towards the closer option but am open to any further ideas.

**disconut** · 12th October 2006, 04:30 AM

Ricks 4X4 on the coast at Nerang usually has one on the shelf.

About 25 mins for mine and drive away.

Trev.

**hiline** · 12th October 2006, 05:05 AM

no matter where you get it from......

just make sure you get one

they are that good

**Graeme** · 12th October 2006, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by tonto73

or anyone else that has had Tombraiders upgrade done please tell me what sort of increase i can expect with your/his upgrade. ie kw and nm, driveability, warranty etc.

I'm hoping to get my ecu back today, and if so, can post initial driveability impressions this evening. Mine's a manual.

**crump** · 12th October 2006, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by hiline

no matter where you get it from......

just make sure you get one

they are that good

agreed, jus do it.

**Captain_Rightfoot** · 12th October 2006, 06:48 AM

Is there any difference between the Toomraider and Bruce Davis upgrades?

**dmdigital** · 12th October 2006, 06:49 AM

I upgrade my ECU in the same model Disco in May. Conveniently I was able to arrange it so it was whilst on holidays and didn't need the car. Firstly I'm not sure if you realise you don't have to swap the ECU over, just get it "reprogrammed". It sounds like the Redcliffe crowd are talking of an exchange ECU.

Tombraider's price is excelent, mine cost a bit more from Triumph Rover Spares in Adelaide. But the result I'm sure is similar i.e. Fantastic! and the method would be the same. Pull the ECU from the car, place in an airbag and send it to SA, get it back in a few days, plug it in and wonder why it took so long to decide to do it.

I didn't have any issues with mine doing this and I don't have any access to a LR dealer or Testbook or Rovacom etc if I get any computer faults that need diagnosing as I am in a remote location. This was my biggest, and as it turned out, unfound, fear.

The ECU is easy to remove, just parkup the car (as it's going to be immobilised) disconnect the battery leads, unscew and unplug the ECU.

I can't say what Tombraiders service (or Bruce Davis in QLD) is like as I've only seen his posts on the web but from all reports the ECU reprogram is about 30 minutes work so if yu airbag the ECU then from Brisbane it could be a 2 day turnaround at worst 3 days. If it was me I'd put it off for a while until you can do without the car for a few days and spend the $500 on something else on the Disco.

**MickG** · 12th October 2006, 07:11 AM

Can't speak for Tomeraider's version but I have the Bruce Davis chip fitted to my '99 D2 (this model did need the whole ECU swap) Rick's 4x4 on the Gold Coast did it - excellent. Ordered the new ECU, dropped by and had it fitted in 20 mins - huge difference. As already said, you will wonder why it doesn't come standard like that or why it has taken so long for you to fit it.
Having said that, my first upgrade had a dry solder joint and therfore had to be replaced and I have had some niggling probs since, however myself, Rick and Bruce Davis have yet to determine if the problem was in the ECU or elsehwhere in the car.

Hope that helps but yes bottom line, do it

**DRanged** · 12th October 2006, 07:38 AM

There is a unit on the market called "Tune It" possibly??. They advertise in 4WD monthly. This is an inline unit, and you can switch it from standard to performance "in cab ". I dont have one, nor do I know anyone who does, but they are big in the UK. $1200-$1300 exy price though. But it is plug and play and leaves your ECU standard. On a personal note ,I wonder what the extra performance and load on the engine, will do to its longevity. Just a thought.

Regards Justin

streaky · 12th October 2006, 02:41 PM

Before handing over the cash for the upgraded 'whatever' you buy..do you're research first on the pro's and con's of each unit.
Some need specialist fitting, some don't. Some offer a wapping increase in HP & Torque whilst others simply help increase the driving pleasures of the TD5.
All of the ECU upgrades that I've read about will significantly reduce the MPG figures.

There's a huge difference in both the prices and the level of performance that each unit offers. Some chips will in-validate your warranty...where as others are not frowned upon by Rover. (this may not be the case in the Australian market..but here in the Middle East they say any engine mods must be approved prior to fitment...plus they'll find out when it comes to plugging in the diagnostic socket!)
The most popular chip on sale here is the PSI unit. It is an in-line box that can be installed in less than 10 minutes with no tools or special knowledge. It's a variable output device that can be switched off completly when economy is the first priority...or when you want Boy Racer mode you simply lift the seat and set the switch to that particular mode.
We get them through Britpart. Plus it's easy to transfer from one vehicle to another should you decide to sell one.

Regards.
S.

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