Converting a DW8B to a DW8 and a TUD5B to a TUD5 - what's involved?

[kenbw2]

I'm curious about what's actually new on the B versions of these engines.

I know the crucial difference is that the -B engines have an ECU affecting timing advance, with signals sent to the injection pump, whereas the non-B versions are purely mechanical.

I've observed a couple of other differences myself.

- My DW8 has a steel oil cooler, whereas the DW8B has an aluminium one
- My DW8 has two temperature sensors in the thermostat housing, whereas the DW8B has one

Theoretically, what would be involved in taking a DW8B (or TUD5B) and de-ECUing the whole thing? Could I just swap the injection pump and that would be it?

[EDC5]

I don't see why not to be honest. I had a 306 1.9 with the XUD9 engine, that had a Bosch pump with no electronics save for the stop solenoid on it. The later versions of the same engine had all sorts of extra electronics on it that I don't think was necessary to be honest, it's probably all for emissions control.

Why would you want to 'de-ECU' the engines though?

[kenbw2]

I don't see why not to be honest. I had a 306 1.9 with the XUD9 engine, that had a Bosch pump with no electronics save for the stop solenoid on it. The later versions of the same engine had all sorts of extra electronics on it that I don't think was necessary to be honest, it's probably all for emissions control.

Yea it all seems to be to do with adjusting the timing advance. I'm trying to work out if there's more to it than just the pump and ECU itself. MAF sensor? Timing sensor? I guess I could just leave them there unplugged.

Why would you want to 'de-ECU' the engines though?

Less complicated electronics = less to go wrong. Especially with them being so old.

[teuski]

If there was just the ecu connected to the pump, what could it do? It needs some data to adjust the advance by.

Quick glimpse at Service shows there's at least the MAF, a crank sensor and a second water temperature sensor. Probably pne sensor for the gauge and another for the ECU.

[kenbw2]

If there was just the ecu connected to the pump, what could it do? It needs some data to adjust the advance by.

I get that there will be more components around the engine, but assumedly with no ECU to take action, they will be passively ignored.

a second water temperature sensor. Probably pne sensor for the gauge and another for the ECU.

That's interesting. When my temp gauge died I went to various scrappys to find they only had one sensor in the thermostat housing, while mine (ECU-less DW8) had two, like an XUD9. Eventually found one on another 1999 DW8.