Computerized Land Cruiser

[imzjustplayin]

How difficult would it be if I were to take my 1991 land cruiser and skip the computer controls in the engine and use a laptop instead to control the car? All the engine controlling etc. would be done by the laptop and not the car's computer. I'm wondering this because due to the fact that the car does not have an ODB-II port, I don't see how I could control the engine's firing order, fuel to air ratio and other such parameters.

 

[RavenTai]

extremely difficult, it would take a programmer and a very strong professional electronics background

The computer directly powers many devices such as the injectors; you would still need a box of some sort to interface to all the sensors and outputs even if the calculations were being done in a laptop

I would hate to think that my Toyota was suddenly only as reliable as my laptop, even if it was running Linux it is still a weak point

I think a better goal would be a reprogrammable computer, not easy either but much less work and potentially more reliable if done right.

 

[firetruck41]

Megasquirt maybe? No idea if it would work, but you could read up on it...

 

[94landcruiser]

There is a BMW board called e30tech.com, that deals primarily with turbo cars relying on megasquirt with success (after much work)

 

[FrankTorres]

Yes it can be done...easy no.

MegaSquirt-II

 

[CELICA XX]

skip the computer controls in the engine and use a laptop instead to control the car?

For what purpose ?

 

[imzjustplayin]

For what purpose ?

Lack of ODB-II port or even an ODB-I port (Does the FJ80 have an ODB-I port?) so I'd need something that would allow me more control of the car. Also, would anyone happen to know what was the maximum mileage they got on their FJ80? '91

 

[firetruck41]

I think he is wondering why you need more control of the car?

 

[imzjustplayin]

I think he is wondering why you need more control of the car?

Better fuel economy, more power, being able to choose between the two, maybe on demand power etc.. I feel like this truck could get much better mileage than it's getting at the moment.

 

[CELICA XX]

Better fuel economy, more power, being able to choose between the two, maybe on demand power etc.. I feel like this truck could get much better mileage than it's getting at the moment.

Sounds like you needs a 5-speed...

 

[firetruck41]

Better fuel economy, more power, being able to choose between the two, maybe on demand power etc.. I feel like this truck could get much better mileage than it's getting at the moment.

Good luck, I think the chances that you will significantly alter either of those will be hugely disproportionate to the $$ and effort you will have to use. You would be much better off getting anither vehicle IMHO, though I would love to see what you could accomplish if you really wanted to do it.

 

[Erratic]

I'm using 034 EFI on my GTI 1.8T. It allows complete control. To the point you could easily destroy the motor if you don't tune it right. It also allows me to run 2 different maps and toggle between them. Do you want to control fuel and spark, or just fuel? Check out 034motorsport.com. It's somewhat more expensive than megasquirt, but IMO much better. But I aggree that with a stock motor, standalone engine management may not give you much advantage. If you go turbo, different story.

 

[imzjustplayin]

Well what do you think is better, turbo or Supercharger? While I'd prefer a turbo, a supercharger would make a lot more sense for a truck right? Since this truck redlines at what 5K rpm?