The V8 Owners Forum -

I have been led to believe that the ECU from a Defender 50th Anniversary 90 will run the V8 as a standalone unit, i.e. without needing the body control module, gearbox control module, security module, etc. etc.

Is this true?, could I get a GEMS V8 from a P38 Range Rover or Discovery, and hook it up to one of these ECU's and expect it to run?

If so, anybody got a part number?

Thanks,

Chris.

hiya,

interesting i thought when i read this post, maybe some good news.

As i am trying to build a 4.6 for a westfield to run GEMS

here is what i have found

from the defender wiring diagram....yes its doesnt have the BCEM or some other inputs, but it still has a alarm unit (immobiliser) which is seperate to the ecu but the signal is inputted to start the engine.

The parts list for the ecu shows

MSB100760 - ECU 4.0l auto

and

MSB100960 - ECU fuel control 4.0l

The second ecu is much smaller than the first with what looks like one complete block of wiring missing.

I think yes i can be done, but you are gonna need the complete loom, ecu and alarm unit with a key, to do it on the cheap.

Or if you could find the ecu, it doesnt need to be chipped to remove the security part, but cannot tell how much security disabling costs.

unless someone knows more, will keep looking

scott

Well I've just acquired a 4.0 GEMS engine with complete wiring harness.....

Where did you get the Defender wiring diagram from? Have you got a wiring diagram for the GEMS loom?

Chris.

chris,

Send me a PM with your email address and i will send over what information i have collected on the GEMS system so far.

I got a few wiring diagrams, ones not finished yet, but i will send it over.

I've got some info from mark adams, as this is very helpful.

I've got a defender diagram also, which i can send.

hope it all helps

scott

hey guys. I Have a 4.0 range rover engine which i would like to fit in my land rover and wondered if you had any advice ?
I have a 4.6 crank and pistons which I was contemplating using. the block has no markings on it except a plate which says its a genuine replacement part and there is no paint in the lifter gallery.
which do you think would be the better option the 4.0 or 4.6 ?
are the ECU's different for each engine?
Also if I would need a BECM, would it need any other input to run other than the engine ECU ? Or is this a bad route to go down ?
Any advice you might have would be greatly appriciated.
Many thanks !

4.6 better than 4.0 - more power! keep the 4.0 pistons though as you'll get a higher compression.

Keeping the GEMS engine management system is very difficult (read expensive). The only way that I know of is to get a modified ECU from Mark Adams to enable the engine to run stand-alone.

THe 4.0 ECU will have a different map in it compared to the 4.6.

Chris.

Thanks for the info. I currently have a 3.5 which has a 3.9 efi system on it, would it be possible to convert the 4.6 to distributor using 3.5 bits and then use the injection system. Would this restrict the engine in any way or hinder economy ? would the ecu need to be altered in any way?
many thanks.

Yes, you can do that. The engine build on my website here:
http://www.cowdery.org.uk/v8rebuild.php shows a build of a 4.6 block with a distributor timing cover (and a few other mods).

You would have to either get the ECU remapped or get a different ECU if you wanted the fuelling to be spot on. Also a distributor recurve would be in order (something I never did). There's threads on both on here already on those subjects.

Chris.

Many thanks for your help chris, I may try and set it up on SU's at first just to get it going and then go from there !