RDO247

There are quite a few tuned C63's on the road now and we all know the ECU is not a quick job to pull and re-fit.

Has anyone one relocated their ECU for easier access in the future?

A couple of companies I've spoken to have confirmed this can be done but Is there anyone out there that has done this?

brad65ford

Damn all roads leed to no answers either ��

NSAMG

Here is a couple pictures of mine. It fits there really snug. No need for a bracket. Also there is enough slack in the harness, to reposition it here. Hope this helps.

brad65ford

That you! That looks great, did you have to unclip any other brackets to allow the harness to be able to move up there? Mine seems like there is no way it will bend that far, thinking its attached somewhere.

AlexZTuned

Word of caution for those relocating, these modern ECU's NEED lots of cooling. They don't have an internal fan so they rely on air cooling to keep temps in check. These are basically PC's in a metal box, if they don't get sufficient airflow, you will cook them.

NSAMG

yes the harness is zip tied in several locations. some you can't see. You have to feel along it, then cut them free, You have to remove the air intake, then just under it and to the right you should remove another plastic cover, to get at the harness,

brad65ford

Agree it gets hot under there, I know the piggy back tuners there were mentioned issues. Has there been issues reported with the Stock ECU and heat related problems when relocated to this area?


Awesome that was what i was thinking, those damn zip ties are a pain in the butt. Thank you for posting this.

brad65ford

Well looking closer it seems there isn't any zip ties yet there is a bracket holding the ECU wire loom together and whats preventing the relocation. Looks like there is one (hopefully) bolt holding this but to get to it means removing the fan. Just amazes me none of this stuff has been posted before, most written words on this process isn't accurate. Attached is a photo of where i'm at pointing to the bracket.

NSAMG

I have not experienced any issues. 5000 km since relocate. With a couple 14 hour road trips in there. I live in Canada, so won't experience the heat some of you guys, get down south.

brad65ford

They are up in there finally. But looking at your photo you have a lot more slack them mine. Did you do yours? If so what did you take apart in order to get more slack.

edit: Needed to cut a little off the black wire shroud bracket, once that was done there is pleanty of room. What a crappy job, i would rather have pulled the trans honestly.

NSAMG

Ok glad you figured out. I was with my mechanic when he replaced it. He did say it was a PITA .

brad65ford

Wondering how to move the coolant res more to the left. I've attempted to find a way to remove it but there seems to be a trick to it. Hopefully if i find a way to remove this we can come up with a cleaner looking mounting for the ECU. Right now it being crammed in between the intake hose and the coolant res looks cheesy. Need to spend some time on this relocate. Still surprised i'm the only one wondering this too or it hasn't been created yet. You guys see where the AMG GT's computer is? Its in the same location but vertical. oh well more mods

JRSJR65

Mine was relocated by EC in Houston. Simple enough relocation but it was just like the above pictures crammed in between air box duct and coolant reservoir and unsecured.
I took my car to a local MB dealer and specifically to a tech that is very familiar with my car (see mods). The reason I took it in was to chase down those annoying rattles the C63S is plagued with. We found the ECU basically "loose" unsecured and making noise from vibration at the relocation on top of the engine. I mean a very noticeable rattle. He relocated the ECU to its original factory location and that did eliminate that particular noise issue.
As preciously stated this is a computer and it needs a secure permanent location that is well ventilated and properly mounted to absorb vibration. Until an improved permanent relocation method is developed I plan to stick with the original design installation.

brad65ford

Good for you! Personally don't have any desire to move it back to the orginal spot since it may be needed to get to get for reflashing. Just haven't had time to create a mount and a way to shift over the coolant tank more to the left. Thinking once I figure out how to move that damn thing will use the existing mount in a way it can be mounted to the frame in this new location. Surprised it hasn't been done yet and again it most likely becuase that coolant tank seems to be a ***** to figure out how to move. It beein crammed in this new location that everyone is doing does look like crap imo.

JRSJR65

Agreed, not the best way so far but i am sure it can be done somehow with existing mount bracket as you said. I do need to take it in for a re-flash soon and guarantee the guys at EC won't be happy it is a PITA to remove! It'll be down again in a couple months I'll keep you posted if we find a better solution.

brad65ford

GOT IT. Just finished my hands are numb lol.

Moved it to underneath the coolant tank near the fender well, also created an alum mount that connects to the ecu and the lower coolant mounting point. Now is out of site, mounted firm and can get to in 5mins. Finally, had to create my own solution. Will post pics

Here is the bracket with the coolant tank out of the way.


Here it is finished. Needed to move around wires till it fit with out any coolant kinky and other wires with slack. I like it better then the other way for sure, also it will say cooler here.

NSAMG

This was going to be my winter project. Really glad you have found a better position for it. For some reason I can not open your pictures. Could you post them so we do not have to go to photobucket.

RDO247

+1

amg8

Perhaps if we could get a vendor to fabricate an extension adapter for the ECU, that would give us more room to re-locate it to an optimum location. Just thinking out loud.

RDO247

+1

NSAMG

Brad seeing that you have actually hands on experience. With this removal and relocate. Maybe you could write up a real world procedure, accompanied with some photo's. I am sure the guys that are going to attempt this in the future, would appreciate it

brad65ford

I should or even a video, thought about it. Things now in days seems to be all about video more so then words and pics' lol. This was a pain in the butt job which most would agree since there is just no room to worth with anyway and the ecu cables are connected to the motor so tightly. But its great to see people willing to do stuff like this on their own since thats really what modding and feeling good about your car since you did it yourself. Just got back from some hammer time. So far so good, looks so much better then before, i really hated the look of the ECU crammed inbetween the intake pushing the coolant tank over. If i worked at my old machine shop I'd make a fewbounce of these brackets up (nicer looking of course) to offer you guys.

RDO247

Hanging out to see these pics...

Can you attach them as I can't view them.

Great job job tackling this mod as I'm sure once someone releases a relocation kit there will be a lot of interest in it.

My my thoughts are that it needs to be relocated to somewhere unseen so not noticeable when going for a basic service.

Get those pictures up.

brad65ford

Can anyone see pics? I'd photo bucket not supported?

blaferty

Are you able to post pics or a link to pics?
Thanks