Date:         Sun, 16 Jul 2006 18:53:16 -0700
Reply-To:     David J <mdhiker@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David J <mdhiker@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: D ecu and ICU
Comments: To: Jason Willenbrock <pooncerelli@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BAY111-F297E79AC8A71589C00A307A96C0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Jason,

The beauty of the D version of the ECM for the 2.1 is that
the ROM chip is socketed.  You can swap-out this chip for a
custom one (which I've done once before), but you only get
extra power if you do relevant engine modifications.

Specifically, you get additional mappings in a custom ROM
so that the engine knows how to handle (i.e. add proper
fuel to) larger volumes of air than what is programmed into
the original chip.  More air/fuel mixture should give more
power.  To get extra air, you need to add ratio rockers (a
bolt-on modification), or change the cam shaft (requiring
splitting the case) or both.  To see details on these mods,
search the archives for "half-lilley" and "full-lilley"
modifications.

I did the "Half-Lilley" with ratio rockers and the
Australian power chip, and probably paid ~$600 overall.  My
experience (in a Syncro AW weighing over 5000lbs) was that
low-rev performance, i.e. torque or "grunt", was actually
diminished, but the engine had noticeably more life once it
hit ~3100rpm.  Perhaps in a non-Westy / non-AW, less weight
would make it an ok trade-off - but I didn't like it in my
camper.  The way to more power is an engine swap.

My $.02
David

--- Jason Willenbrock <pooncerelli@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

> hey all,
> thanks to everyone who responded to my question the other
> day about the D
> versions.   so apperantly the D icu is the way to go for
> longevity purposes,
> but is that it?
> according to some listees the D ecu can be upgraded for a
> little better
> performance, how can i do that?
> i just scored these parts and installed them to my 87
> syncro westy.  i'll be
> honest i drive my van everday and i notice absoluelty no
> difference, did i
> install them upside down ;)
> thanks
> jason
>


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com