What ECU for a boat?
What ECU for a boat? Im putting an LS3 in a Baja and just cant decide on what ECU to run. I have built some water cooled manifolds with some T3/T4 turbos on them. I would love to run a Terminator because I am familiar with that but also think a stock ECU could serve me right because then I can keep the VVT and don't need to replace the cam. Part of me says forget the VVT because boats are under more load then cars anyways and it probably wont help much anyways. If Terminator could run VVT I would definitely go with that. Anyone have any opinions that I am not thinking of? Cost isnt much of an option but if I can save a few bucks that's always good.
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I suspect your boat LS3 does not run a MAF and you are Ok deleting the VVT. Since the Holley Dominator does not support MAF nor VVT, you might be happier with that long term after you "forget" how much more you spent for that.
Once you get used to adding special inputs and outputs to the Dominator, it is hard to go back to a non-expandable factory ECU.
Once you get used to adding special inputs and outputs to the Dominator, it is hard to go back to a non-expandable factory ECU.
As a former off shore boater what you're proposing terrifies me. The thought of adding automotive electronics to your boat is never a good idea. Take a look around in your boat and you won't find anything that translates directly to automotive. It's all anti-shock, sealed and marine environment specifically designed and manufactured. My suggestion would be to look at what ECU's Mercury-OMC/Volvo-Penta are using on their FI'd GM engine packages.
Your boat, your life so do whatever works for you.
Your boat, your life so do whatever works for you.
Last edited by Y2K-WS.6; Jun 2, 2023 at 08:21 AM.
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So riddle me this in regards to stock GM ECM's. All the late model Camaro's, Corvette and trucks have the ECM mounted in the engine compartment. So high engine compartment temps and possible water splash in normal driving. Salt air in the southern states is typical. If you mounted the ECM some place out of the way wouldn't a stock GM ECM work? Maybe the stock GM ECM won't allow the programing that you need for your set up? You would only need the GM ECM since you don't have an auto.
My 98 Wrangler with a LS6/4L60E combo has the ECM mounted under the brake booster. No salt air around here but many days of snow dust in the winter. Rain in the summer. Engine heat. Never an issue in the 15 years since I did the swap.
My 98 Wrangler with a LS6/4L60E combo has the ECM mounted under the brake booster. No salt air around here but many days of snow dust in the winter. Rain in the summer. Engine heat. Never an issue in the 15 years since I did the swap.
If you think that an underhood location of an ECM/ECU compares in any way to a marine environment that's your prerogative. I say go for it, put it all together and drop it in the water. You won't have any problem whatsoever because a high speed boat slamming wakes and waves living day and night in a water/salt water environment is EXACTLY the same as that underhood mounting position that parks in your driveway or garage every night. Oh yeah don't forget how much fun that eventual Coast Guard inspection is going to be when they impound the boat for operation with non compliant equipment.
You probably don't know or didn't realize that every watercraft with a deck has a bilge, the area between the deck and the hull. Every bilge has the potential to fill with gas fumes because thats where the gas tank(s) are mounted. Which is why they are fan vented, also specifically designed as shockproof. EVERY piece of electronic equipment mounted in a boat from the radio to the horn to the ECU/ECM MUST BE Coast Guard approved as shock proof or it is non compliant equipment and extremely dangerous for a marine environment.
You probably don't know or didn't realize that every watercraft with a deck has a bilge, the area between the deck and the hull. Every bilge has the potential to fill with gas fumes because thats where the gas tank(s) are mounted. Which is why they are fan vented, also specifically designed as shockproof. EVERY piece of electronic equipment mounted in a boat from the radio to the horn to the ECU/ECM MUST BE Coast Guard approved as shock proof or it is non compliant equipment and extremely dangerous for a marine environment.
Last edited by Y2K-WS.6; Jun 2, 2023 at 05:14 PM.
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If you think that an underhood location of an ECM/ECU compares in any way to a marine environment that's your prerogative. I say go for it, put it all together and drop it in the water. You won't have any problem whatsoever because a high speed boat slamming wakes and waves living day and night in a water/salt water environment is EXACTLY the same as that underhood mounting position that parks in your driveway or garage every night. Oh yeah don't forget how much fun that eventual Coast Guard inspection is going to be when they impound the boat for operation with non compliant equipment.
You probably don't know or didn't realize that every watercraft with a deck has a bilge, the area between the deck and the hull. Every bilge has the potential to fill with gas fumes because thats where the gas tank(s) are mounted. Which is why they are fan vented, also specifically designed as shockproof. EVERY piece of electronic equipment mounted in a boat from the radio to the horn to the ECU/ECM MUST BE Coast Guard approved as shock proof or it is non compliant equipment and extremely dangerous for a marine environment.
You probably don't know or didn't realize that every watercraft with a deck has a bilge, the area between the deck and the hull. Every bilge has the potential to fill with gas fumes because thats where the gas tank(s) are mounted. Which is why they are fan vented, also specifically designed as shockproof. EVERY piece of electronic equipment mounted in a boat from the radio to the horn to the ECU/ECM MUST BE Coast Guard approved as shock proof or it is non compliant equipment and extremely dangerous for a marine environment.
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Holley states that the Dominator ECU is Certified to ISO 8846, SAE J1171 Requirements. Not knowing anything(!) about marine certifications, I looked up "SAE J1171" and it is related to Marine certification.
https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/...e11712011j1171
No idea if that is enough to pass a Coast Guard examination, but just for what is might be worth.
https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/...e11712011j1171
No idea if that is enough to pass a Coast Guard examination, but just for what is might be worth.
Yes the HP/Dominator is marine rated but the thing that scares the hell out of me with the Holleys is the low voltage/crank problem where it can "wipe" the box and then you are literally dead in the water. Seen it too many times in cars to even consider it on the water.
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If you think that an underhood location of an ECM/ECU compares in any way to a marine environment that's your prerogative. I say go for it, put it all together and drop it in the water. You won't have any problem whatsoever because a high speed boat slamming wakes and waves living day and night in a water/salt water environment is EXACTLY the same as that underhood mounting position that parks in your driveway or garage every night. Oh yeah don't forget how much fun that eventual Coast Guard inspection is going to be when they impound the boat for operation with non compliant equipment.
You probably don't know or didn't realize that every watercraft with a deck has a bilge, the area between the deck and the hull. Every bilge has the potential to fill with gas fumes because thats where the gas tank(s) are mounted. Which is why they are fan vented, also specifically designed as shockproof. EVERY piece of electronic equipment mounted in a boat from the radio to the horn to the ECU/ECM MUST BE Coast Guard approved as shock proof or it is non compliant equipment and extremely dangerous for a marine environment.
You probably don't know or didn't realize that every watercraft with a deck has a bilge, the area between the deck and the hull. Every bilge has the potential to fill with gas fumes because thats where the gas tank(s) are mounted. Which is why they are fan vented, also specifically designed as shockproof. EVERY piece of electronic equipment mounted in a boat from the radio to the horn to the ECU/ECM MUST BE Coast Guard approved as shock proof or it is non compliant equipment and extremely dangerous for a marine environment.
some of the jankyest wiring ive seen is on boats.
Now are you talking about lake boats or offshore runners? While your lake boat can be an electrical nightmare with wire nuts and lamp cord because you see land in any direction you look, not to mention being on fresh water an offshore boat is a very different animal. Living on an island in the North Atlantic made me take safety more seriously than the guy dropping his 9hp johnboat in the lake for some bass fishing. Safety and compliance with regulations was drilled into me by my WWII Navy father and thats how I approached boating especially since my kids lives were involved. The ocean doesn't forgive mistakes or give 2nd chances and it loves to kill off the stupid who venture out unsafely. Come the summer season there are several small craft that disappear offshore mostly because to them "its just like driving a car". Sometimes weeks later they float back in, most times they don't.
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last time i was offshore seatow was dragging someone in right behind me. my experience is pretty much all blue water, not hobby stuff, industry kinda stuff. i know better than to own a boat myself.
