I got my new ECU software programmed in yesterday. I really did not think I was going to notice anything but in fact I did. Mostly starting the car when already warm. Previously I had to ride the starter motor for a couple of seconds but now it's the same as if it were cold... 1/2 second max. Another improvement although this one is barely perceptible is that it seems to be easier to make smooth gear changes - no idea if this is really the case or just something I am trying to believe is actually happening... I also tried to freewheel the car downhill and whereas before the idle speed was going up and down, now it stabilizes at 900 rpm after a few seconds... i did this just for the test to make sure something was actually done to the ECU as I never trust these electronic gadgets in cars...

While I was there, I also asked them to update my exhause gases certificate which needs doing every 2 years (for cars with cat) in this country and much to my surprise he stamped the book without even putting the gas analyzer in the exhaust... All he did was to take a few codes from the engine management thingy and that was it !

About the ECu he mentioned that my car was fitted with version "CA" and he put in "CG". Don't know what that means... maybe Dave knows something about this?

Oh and to top my visit there I also went to see my Escort...

thats a great news Nick!! does ur car feel faster by anychance? whats up with ur cossie?

No Fiesta does not really feel any faster... Not in the few km i've tried it anyway...

The Escort is still in bodywork. When they took the plastic side sills off they found the metal sills below that totally corroded which was not really accunted for during the initial estimate of the repairs - so not too good news really. looks like I'm going to have to fork out another 1K quid to get these fixed too. On the good side it looks like all this might get me a relly good deal on the Cossie spoiler. In fact with all the $$$ I will have thrown at them I'm kind of hoping he might throw it in the deal but we'll see... Anyway one of the side sills is almost done while the other one is not started yet.

While taking it apart it became apparent that "Karmann" actually "forgot" to add corrosion protection to some post 1995... My kinda luck that I'd get one of these... Oh well, anyway hopefully I should now get it back mid may, in time for Spa...

sorry to heard about ur problems! really hope u get it back in time for track day!! also sad to see the bill going up everytime! at least it worth it!! after will look as good as new!!

Yeah well that's what I hope too... He has been good in documenting the whole process with pictures taken at all stages of the work. Once it's complete I'll get him to put them on a CD and maybe I'll post some here if people are interested.

Ok Deal then, I'll do that...