Formula Dynamics DBW

Caldy999

Junior Member
Messages
445
Santa came late, but at least I've now got my weekend sorted. Looking forward to see if it lives up to expectations.

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Caldy999

Junior Member
Messages
445
Who'd be an auto-electrician? Not me!

Started off by revealing the ECU which is located behind the carpet above the bonnet release in the driver's footwell. (RHD)

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Then it was a matter of removing the harness connectors from the ECU and stripping off the tape that binds the wires together.

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I had previously made up some tags to identify the wires that will require splicing or tapping.

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Really fiddly to trace back the wires to their source in the connector but you cannot rely on the colours alone.

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I think that's enough for today - it's bloody freezing and I should invest in a higher quality soldering iron. I've ordered a pot of Plasti-dip from eBay which should arrive by next weekend and I'll use this to seal the soldered joints.
 

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Caldy999

Junior Member
Messages
445
Bit of a delay in beginning - left shoulder reconstruction in December and guess which side you need to lie on to access the ECU...
Then another false start by trying to use my antiquated soldering iron - until I saw sense, took everyone's advice ta, and headed to Maplins. What a difference - the results flatter me coz I'm **** at soldering.
Anyway, all done, plasti-dip over the joints, insulating tape then spiral wound sleeving - works a treat.
The cable is led up and over where the column adjuster is and then down the transmission tunnel to sit in a ready made space beyond the footrest.
If you aren't specifically looking for it, you won't see it.
Had a tootle round the block as there are major Road works taking place outside the estate. Clutch take up is instantaneous, particularly noticeable in reverse as my garage has carpet(!!!) and the car takes a bit of moving. There is no slip and it moves effortlessly. I can't wait to give it a run in anger.
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Caldy999

Junior Member
Messages
445
Apologies for video length - skip to 15.31-50 or 1.00 to begin. YouTube wont accept my edited format for some reason so the full NextBase segment is posted, but it clearly shows the nature of the car - gone is the slurring transfer through the gearbox. Yes, there is a pause whilst the next gear is found but it instantly engages. The urge feels relentless and the whole car feels much more alive. I'll need a bit of practice to avoid the kangaroo start and the wheelspin in Sport mode but a gentler right foot should sort that.
Not wholly accurate and it wasn't an attempt to determine times but the video seems to validate 0-60 in 5 seconds or so and 0-100 in 11 seconds. I have an old satnav based vBox somewhere I must find and try. With the decat exhaust, uprated springs and arb's, it can genuinely claim to be a sports car whilst retaining it's stealth cruising mode when required.

Video to follow
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,541
Was that in auto or what? It's been a long time since I drove a 4200 but that didn't *sound* that snappy. It may (almost certainly is) be my memory :)

You *might* want to remove some of the data aspects there as well....

C