BHW ECU mounting

[buzzboy]

I am trying to figure out my ECU mounting. I do not have the ECU mount from the donor car.

Does the ECU need to be inside the car?

Does the ECU need to aim a certain direction if it's in the engine bay?

How did other people mount their ECUs?

 

[PickleRick]

Mine is mounted under the dashboard of my Toyota. Far away from the heat and moisture the engine bay sees. I wouldn't mount it in the engine bay without keeping it opposite side of the turbo and in a waterproof case. The directions of mounting won't matter.

 

[buzzboy]

Did you use the stock mount?

 

[burpod]

they are sealed very well, so i wouldn't worry about moisture too much. they are mounted in the windshield cowling so they don't get the heat from the engine bay, but get good air flow (slits in the cowling) to keep those electronics cool. i think most likely the ideal spot if it's available/present would also be in the windshield cowling, similar such place, else inside would be OK too, but you'd want to keep it away from heat sources

 

[PickleRick]

Did you use the stock mount?

I did not. Used two metal straps to hold it against the frame under my dash. Lined the straps rubber gasket that is sticky on one side that was left over from a marine fuel tank install.

 

[r3gill]

The engine ecu is mounted beside the battery/air filter in the mk6 jetta tdi, as long as you're not mounting the ecu directly on the engine itself its not a problem.

 

[jimbote]

Essentially waterproof so can be mounted just about anywhere.

 

[buzzboy]

Cool! Strap it to a flat surface. And I've got a huge hole in my firewall right now so wire routing should be very easy.

 

[PickleRick]

Well, somewhat flat lol. I'm running 4-5 inches of lift so I ride like a log wagon despite having ifs. I added the rubber strip to the straps to help absorb drive line vibes.

I wasn't banking on the ECU being water proof since the German engineers installed it in a waterproof case. The VW TDI mercruiser inboard motors also installed the ECU into a water resistant case. That case is mounted to the engine block but unlike our rigs everything exhaust wise is water jacketed.

 

[burpod]

the ecu isn't submersible-waterproof, as it has a vented cap, i believe so it gets correct barometric pressure as that sensor is in the ecu. but it would take some serious water spray for it to get in there....

the ECUs are quite hardy. i've had my mk1 AHU ecu "mounted" in the windshield cowling for 2.5 yrs with a piece of foam and little chunk of 2x4. i don't even put the screws in it to tighten it together since i change chips every week. haven't ever had a problem

you'll be fine putting it anywhere as long as you don't put it in the wheel well or right next to the heater core

 

[PickleRick]

I'd have mounted mine under my windshield cowl but then I'd have less room for pine needles