9 replies to this topic

[Triplered]

Hi everybody, I hope you are all safe & well. I was wondering if anyone here has converted their 1275 SPI with the Throttle Body & ECU conversion from Specialist Components ? And do you recommend the conversion. It looks like an excellent package & should offer better reliability by removing several troublesome features such as the capillary tubes & Pressure Temperature Compensator. The Rover MEMS ECU has its limitations, This is replaced with a fully mappable unit, making it tunable like a carb equiped car. I believe the SPI inlet manifold is no longer available but the kit utilises the Minispares Torquemaster item. The conversion is fairly expensive but the components look quality, & you get what you pay for in my opinion. All comments gratefully received.

[Lord Oversill]

Hi,  

Some very mixed opinions on this system, worth a good search on the forum. May help you decide.

SC themselves only seem interested until they have your money in my experience. 

[sonscar]

I would suspect that Rover spent more on development and testing of their MEMSs system than any aftermarket system.Aftermarket systems can be made to perform but you have to work at it,do not expect plug and play.Have fun with your choice,Steve..

[carthorse]

I’ve no direct experience of this system, but I did run a fairly heavily tuned SPi for several years on the standard Rover Mems injection and it went very well. My engine was a 1380 with a SW5 cam and a stage 2 ish head. The Mems system coped fine with this spec as it ‘self learns’ and adapted to the changed engine spec. 
with this in mind so long as your standard SPi system is in good nick and working as Rover intended I’m no5 sure you’d see great gains with the aftermarket kit. 

[sonscar]

The MEMS self learning is often quoted and although I do not personally have experience of it I cannot believe it is so.There is only one narrowband sensor,no knock detector no Ion sensing ignition.There are not enough sensors to tell it what to do.I stand to be educated if it is indeed sensient.Steve..

[Wazzah]

Hi have direct experience with the SC Delta 400 and SC 45mm Throttle Body.

Please be aware that the Delta 400 does not come with a MAP sensor and you are effectively losing all load sensing ability.

The standard MEMS excels in this department utilising the large vacuum signal from (yes you guessed it) the troublesome vacuum pipe system.

I treat my vacuum lines as a service item and change them every service.

The load approximations in the SC Delta/ SX Tune software is based on RPM and throttle position percentage for both fuel and timing.

MEMS does this too but adds a third layer of fuelling and timing adjustment according to vacuum load.

In SC's defence their Calibration Maps, available on line, cannot cover the varying engine discrepancies due to age and condition.

Do not expect it to work out of the box. 

I also purchased the wideband kit for this set up which helped a bit in tuning.

Since fitting I have had 2 ECU's pack it in for differing reasons.

I just couldn't be bothered with it at all and have put the wasted money thrown at this system down to experience.

I'm in the position where I have to post my ECU back to SC for them to analyse it and see if they can fix it.

I certainly learn't a lot about tuning software and what works and what doesn't.

It was good on track days were I could tune it for flat out high rev running where there is little vacuum signal at play.

Despite many hours on a chassis dyno (rolling road) it could never run properly for enjoyable road use.

My experience has made me a huge MEMS fan.

My advice to someone buying this system is to invest in the SC crank trigger to go along with the kit and run a 36-1 trigger pattern.

My opinion of the kit is that it turns a smart SPI (or even smarter MPI) into a dumb SPI.

I am happy to send you all my maps and calibrations for nothing.

If you are interested in the kit I will send you my email address and phone number to help you along.

[sonscar]

I run Megasquirt1 on my MGB and use Tuner Studio.Good software,Not plug and play.For successful Efi you will need to get involved.If you just want to drive it keep it standard.MEMS will have cost millions to develop.Has anyone unlocked the software so you can rewrite the map?It is very rewarding when you crack it,Good fun with whatever your choice.(1800 MGB think large .A series)Steve..

[evoderby]

Faxe-racing in Germany are able to remap the Rover Mems. Check link for a 109HP session on the rollers https://www.facebook...562933707096456

[Steve220]

Faxe-racing in Germany are able to remap the Rover Mems. Check link for a 109HP session on the rollers https://www.facebook...562933707096456

 

The power graph is all over the place with a 35bhp power loss through transmission. Nice power though.

[evoderby]

The power has been measured on a Maha rolling road that reads 59HP on a standard MPI https://www.facebook...560734060649754

 

Please note that the torque graph is in Nm instead of lbs.ft and to further complicate matters is plotted on a different scale than the power graph (left axis which can’t be seen in the picture) which is in Kw. The age old adage of the “lines should cross at 5250 rpm” doesn’t go here accordingly.

 

A 35HP loss indeed seems a bit on the high side though.

Edited by evoderby, 22 December 2020 - 06:31 AM.