Manual Transmission and ECU

[dandruka]

I have a 95 auto disco. The body is off the frame, engine and trans removed, and I'm reconditioning the frame. The idea here is I am trying to do a nice off road build.

I just got a donor 95 disco with a manual trans and a nice low miles used 5-speed from roverland still in the crate. I know that the clutch box, master cyl, radiator, and all that good stuff will be changed over when I rebuild.

However, with regards to the ECU...Do I have to remove the engine ECU (the one near the heater blower) or can the one in the auto body simply be reprogramed? Is there even a trans ECU on a 95?

Also, other then the hardware involved in switching over, are there any other electrical components I should be away of?

Thanks for any help

Dave

[Les Parker]

There is no seperate ECU for the trans on OBD I Rover vehicles.
Thus the ECU should work on either the manual or Auto 3.9 set up.
What is your long term goal for this project?

[mearstrae]

Not sure what you really need to know. Yes, a '95 Disco has an ECU, it's the 14CUX [located on the passenger side, right of footwell] and controls the injection system and to a small extent the ignition [it was used on the R.R. as well as the Disco for a couple years, I have one in my '95 LWB Classic]. You'll need all of the sensors and wiring if you plan on using the injection system. It makes it simpler having a manual trans as it uses no computor controls. If I remember correctly, the auto trans is sensor controlled and ties into the main ECU. I don't know of anyone in the States doing reprogramming to the 14CUX, but there are some shops in the UK doing them and some off the shelf units available as well [very pricey], do an on-line search. If possible look up the wiring and components in the Land Rover "RAVE" manual, it covers several models and years, just to keep things straight [it's available on-line for free...].

'95 R.R.Classic LWB
'76 Series III Hybrid 109
'70 Rover 3500S

[dandruka]

Les,

Thanks for your insights. Thats what I had thought too...that the d1 didn't have an trans ECU. I had searched on another forum and found a comment that said the ECU would need to be replaced and that I would have to switch over the wire harness...didn't sound right. The ECU runs engine management, not transmission. So, again, many thanks...that saves me a lot of time.

Long term goal: my 99 disco D1 was my first car, thus first rover...and began my love affair with them. Sure, I'd love a Defender but but I have always simply had a affinity for disco's. My plan is to recondition, upgrade during the rebuild, and essentially build a nice off-road and quite capable vehicle that will last many years to come. I just got my frame sand blasted and plan to apply the Rust bullet coating after my school semester ends in a couple weeks. My largest upgrades will include: 3 inch RTE lift (full kit) with a 2 inch body lift and ARB front/rear lockers. the interior will remain mostly stripped to go with a utilitarian theme...just the front seats and dash going back in. the floor will be rhino lined. I am open for ideas or suggestions for just about everything else.

Once the frame, axles, etc are all coated and reassembled, I'll mate the 3.9 (that I will do a gasket kit, valve job, etc) with the manual trans. In the end, I just want a nicely reconditioned but very capable disco that I can take the wife out in and have fun. My 04 disco is still (i admit) too pretty to go off road with. Just can't do it yet.

Ok Less, thanks again