Hi,
I posted this as a "response" to another subject heading on the forum but on hindsight, thought I should make it a separate subject item.

I'd like to know what ECU system can be fitted to my 1985 SD1 efi to replace the existing flapper unit. I have been told that the flapper system is getting quite old and leaves a bit to be desired on the performance side of things, but am unsure what I should be looking at as a replacement.
Would something from a later efi Rover such as a Discovery fit the SD1?
Any advice appreciated.

Regards,
Paulcnb

The 14CUX Hotwire efi from the Disco Series 1 or late Classic Rangie can be fitted to the SD1 and is a more reliable system. Look at the Stunned Buffalo website for info on this. Better still swap the whole motor with the 14CUX already on it - you get a 3.9, more power and torque.

My Disco is 13 years old now and the only component I've had to replace on the efi system has been the throttle sensor.

Another option is to ditch the efi altogether and fit an Edelbrock 1404.

hanks for your advice Traco. I will watch ebay for a 14cux hot wire system from a series 1 Disco or Range Rover. Your motor swap suggestion seems like a good alternative as well - dependent on price and the condition of the replacement motor.

I now have a position to work from.

Regards,
Paulcnb

Thanks for your advice Ramon. I'm not a mechanic (worse luck), rather a tinker of things. I will follow your suggestions and check the plenum chamber. I expected that the car would have fairly good performance - but it is very average at the moment. It just doesn't want to get up and go when you press the loud pedal: although once at highway speed it cruises nicely. I'm not a rev head - rather the opposite actually.
I owned a factory MGB GTV8 a couple of years ago and it was a real performer. I thought the SD1 would also be fairly responsive with the EFI engine. Initially I put it down to the auto transmission which was starting to slip, so I had it rebuilt. But the car is still a bit of s slug. I installed a new set of plugs to no avail, so will now look at the plenum chamber etc in line with your advice.
I also have your EFI Operation Test & Instruction Manual that I will use to guide me through the various procedures.

Regards,
Paulcnb

Paul,

Of late, there have been a rash of folk across the SD1 and older RR, LR forums reporting fuel tank corrosion, missing sock filters, blocked fuel pumps, blocked filters, even the injector basket filters are not immune from crud in the fuel rail.

If this is a random cluster - then so be it, perhaps its due to a lot of laid up SD1's coming back to life (well, nearly ), maybe the fuel companies are putting stuff in the fuel to clean the engine and its cleaning the fuel tanks too.

What ever is the cause the result will be pretty dire for power output, What? What? Worth checking fuel flow and pressure under load. Or just clean out the whole fuel system anyway.

Regarding "getup and go" - my ex VDP Efi used to pull like a train. Late at night before the current rash of speed cameras I did a weekly trip to/from an SD1 local meeting and had to face a pretty steep incline on a dual carriageway.

It would easily drag up to 3 digits on the climb. So your animal is seemingly very bad, for whatever reason!

So where have all your 190 horses gone? Thats the question.

Ramon

A stock SD1 9.75cr 3.5L should go to 5500rpm without any trouble. From my experience also the plenum chamber can get REALLY full of black goo... also the machining of the older plenums is horrible and leaves room for improvement. So while you have it out you could clean up the neck behind the throttle disc.