Project GothCovini: Catalyst Thermocouple ECU / TCU

Yep, that 6 pin connector is a bit difficult to find ...... though if it comes down to it ....... we may just have to conjure up a new one from the bubbling cauldron ....

 

The bypass cat ECU units are now available in stock at Ricambi America:

179278 CATALYST TEMP. ECU SIMULATOR - Ricambi America, Inc.

Thank you gothspeed !

 

Now that's a thing of beauty! I'll be ordering one of these soon!

 

It only took 18 years for someone to build this thing. Thanks to Goth. Soon to be Hero of the 355 community!!

Shoutout to Goth who spent the weekend corresponding on my car. Very generous with his time !!

 

Glad he likes Fcars!

 

Thanks for the good words ...... for those looking to 'delete' the bypass or any other thermocouple ..... here is the thermocouple bung cap ... this blocks off the unused thermocouple bung ...

I personally use a TCU-SIM in the bypass position ..... and the gothcovini 'standard' TCU replacements for 'primary flow' cats ..... this way I am alerted if the main cats get too hot .... so nice to no longer see false codes and SDL alerts ....

 

Goth. I have my three TC locations tapped and monitor them real time with a logging DVOM.

The cat location voltage requirements for sdl and bank shutdown have been very well documented. A constant "fake" voltage would negate all that in a cat less setup. The BP location is not so clear. The CEL that is triggered there is of unknown specificity.

My analysis of the SDECU output at the BP location shows a closed valve reading of .8v and an open valve reading of approx 1.4v but that is not all that exact.

Is your BP unit outputting a set voltage? I am asking because I am curious as to whether the Motronics is looking for a delta on the voltage of is it happy with something akin to the "delete" voltage that works on the cat locations?

I guess we'll never really know what the motronics is looking is looking for at that location other than trial and error but I have run across issues on this with some folks I have worked with and I've been left wondering.

 

Just installed BP box.
Fingers crossed!!!
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Cool ... ... looks like it is hooked up and switched correctly ..... was the thermocouple bung capped as well?

 

I left the BP thermocouple in place but disconnected while I test the box. I've got the cap to finish things off soon. I'm really tired of removing the air boxes, etc to test different configurations. If this doesn't solve my p1448, a piece of black tape over the cel light will!!!!!
But I have high hopes and faith that tomorrow's drive is going to be the turning point......

 

Goth just might be a genius.......
Scared I'm jinxing things, but I wanted to let everyone know that I drove the car three times today with no CEL, which is unprecedented !

There are very few cars for which I'd put up with this stuff, but God it's a thing of beauty !!

She finally appears to be Happy. One more day before I declare victory.
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Glad to hear, Skipp

 

This is so awesome, standing by for another follow up

 

Success !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This box works. Another great drive today. Fantastic car with no cats and no codes !!

Goth's the man.

 

that is fantastic news Skipp .........

 

Bypass TCU SIM purchased from Ricambi. Looking forward to installing it and removing the unused thermocouple

 

Awesome! .... I like running the TCU-Sim in the bypass position .... gets rid of the P1448 and gives you a 'spare' thermocouple at the same time ...

 

Hi, any update on when the 348 solution previously discussed will be available??

 

Yes a 348 one that has an adjustable threshold would rock. When I put my 348 in fire breathing mode I light up the SDL's

 

Any news on the 348 thermocouple unit? No recent posts from Goth.

 

I think he's trying to find a way to source the plugs. On the 348, those seem to be unique. I think he was considering finding new replacements still - hasn't been lucky so far - or possibly acquiring them from older burned out boxes. It would be a core-like deal.

I haven't spoke to him yet, but another option would be to just convert them to something more common.

 

I agree Vince. I looked into this pretty extensively, even had an email exchange with Vescovini about it and that 6 port connector is NLA. It would at minimum require fabricating the one side of it for plug and play or providing a retro fit of an available connector requiring mod to the existing harness.

I'm sure Goth could figure out the internals if a suitable solution for the connector could be found.

 

No word on the 348 exhaust ecu? I sure could use a pair. Getting intermittent slow down lights. They're disconnected now.

 

He's working on it, but I will remind him today. I think he decided that it was best doing a core situation to source the connectors. He needs to get a few pairs in before he starts things off.

 

Any news on the 348 topic ?