Ecu Zetec Blacktop

[Guest Ophidr]

So now i have my Zetect i am looking for a ECU what is the best one on the market at the moment?

[tractor]

depends how deep your pockets are

[Guest Ophidr]

not very deep at the moment lol

[nelmo]

Most popular is probably the Emerald:

 

http://www.emeraldm3d.com/k6-ecu-info-and-specification

 

I spent a while trying to find an alternative but the only cheaper option seemed to be the Megasquirt which all the reviews suggested was very tricky to use.

[DeanRudkin]

Also depends if your running fuel inection or bike carbs

[speedtripledan]

I use a canems ECU on my zetec, good bit of kit been faultless sense I installed it

[theduck]

As you are asking this question I assume you arent mapping it yourself, therefore I suggest you decide on a company that is going to do the mapping for you and go with the ecu they recommend.

[tractor]

A few people have got the megasquirt 2 which is fairly cheap and loaded with a Base map and a very good tuner at Bailey performance if you don't want to tune it yourself

[deano266]

Could you not get one from a scrap donor vehicle and use that for it in the meantime?

[theduck]

Not quite as simple as that, iirc you need to use the original key and ignition barrel that is matched to the ecu and I think you have to have the dash connected too.

[Longboarder]

There are several work-arounds depending on what you want the end result to be. Very early zetec ECU's can be used, original key fixed to the immo pickup and hidden in the car, if you have an early engine. Not much tuning possibility but can be made to run. Convert to carbs and use megajolt but emissions is a problem unless you have an early silvertop engine. You can even get the engine running after a fashion with pre zetec ford electronics but not much use except for banger racing. More information can be searched out on locostbuilders site.

But for reliability, efficient running, full power from a blacktop and future tuning options you just have to bite the bullet and go after-market ECU.

[richyb66]

A variation in Nigel's suggestion -  Megajolt for ignition, bike carbs and a Q plate at IVA? Unless you're dead set against a Q plate.

IVA is hard enough and costly enough to get through as it is and going the age-related registration route will mean a cat and proof of single donor. Aftermarket ECU is flexible and should future proof for later mods if you do them but personally I'd look for the cheapest and simplest route to get through IVA and then modify later.

[theduck]

Emissions test at IVA will be the same no matter what setup you put on the car or registration type you apply for after IVA, as it is all done on engine age, and if you cant prove engine age, it is done on latest standards.