Swapping a KLZE into an OBD-II '96...

[nightfire]

Ok, so I intentionally didn't check if I was running an OBD-II ECU before buying my KLZE so that I wouldn't be dissuaded from trying the swap.

As it turns out, I do have an OBD-II ecu. I've searched around and it looks like this is still a relatively rare swap. So, gurus of engine management:

Am I in over my head? I've got plenty of soldering and electronics experience, and moderate mechanic experience (clutch swap, suspension, brakes, etc).

Am I better off looking at a megasquirt or some other standalone ECU?

Would probinator's chip work in my current K8 ECU, or is it limited to OBD-I boards?

If anyone here has done the swap, can you offer any insight/pointers? Things I'll need to order (ie. VAF, disty, etc).

I'll write up a journal as I go through the swap.

[se7en]

well, a lot depends on what you get when the engine arrives. Did you order it with an ecu? harness? if so, then just swap that in.

[nightfire]

well, a lot depends on what you get when the engine arrives. Did you order it with an ecu? harness? if so, then just swap that in.

I've already got it, and no ECU. The OBD-II harness is 4 connectors anyway, so unless I replaced the wiring, I couldn't plug a KL-31 in anyway.

[umcamara]

Just get the harness from a pre-OBD-II GS.

[nightfire]

Just get the harness from a pre-OBD-II GS.

Do you mean rip up the existing wiring from the ECU to the engine and replace it with OBD-I wiring?

Are you sure that will work? Are all the non-engine plugs compatible (O2, thermal, fan, etc)

[Slammed6]

Its a direct swap for an OBD-II. Don't change anything. I've done many swaps on OBD-II MX-3/MX-6/Probes.

You won't have the correct VRIS points of a straight neck KLZE because of the ECU but that can be fixed by MSD window switches. But if your using a curve neck ZE your Factory ECU is the closest thing your gonna find to have the correct VRIS points. Which is one VRIS dead on, and the other only off by 500-1000 RPM.

[nightfire]

Its a direct swap for an OBD-II. Don't change anything. I've done many swaps on OBD-II MX-3/MX-6/Probes.

You won't have the correct VRIS points of a straight neck KLZE because of the ECU but that can be fixed by MSD window switches. But if your using a curve neck ZE your Factory ECU is the closest thing your gonna find to have the correct VRIS points. Which is one VRIS dead on, and the other only off by 500-1000 RPM.

I'll be using a Millenium curved neck intake.

So I should be reusing my k8 disty? What about the airflow sensor?

[Slammed6]

If your using a Curve neck just use all your K8 parts on it. VAF, Disty, Exhaust manifolds, Not very difficult at all.

[nightfire]

If your using a Curve neck just use all your K8 parts on it. VAF, Disty, Exhaust manifolds, Not very difficult at all.

Ok, thanks. That's what I'll do.

[Daninski]

OK you said you've done a lot of OBD2 swaps and had no problems but aren't the voltages to the o2 sensors differt? The OBD2 has a little higher voltage than the OBD1. Anyway, how long does changeing the harness take and do you have any pointers as I plan to start mine this weekend.

[Daninski]

OK, I spoke with Sean at StreetImports and he said he hasn't heard of anyone who has successfully installed a ZE in an OBD2 system. There's no support and the amount of work and money to get it running right, well he said some guys never got it operating properly so. I'm swapping everything into my 92 and using that car for the ZE swap. If your still undetered then the best ECU to use is out of a 96 Probe GT IAW Sean. When someone has sold hundreds if not thousands of ZE's it's really hard not to listen to their advise. If anyone does do the swap and can honestly say the engine runs properly I'll donate $30. to MX3. Hey I'm on a fixed income ok.

[Nd4SpdSe]

If anyone does do the swap and can honestly say the engine runs properly I'll donate $30 to MX3

hoffman_BMX89 had it swapped in his. I dont remember all the details, but I think he only had an EGR CEL, but it was apparently pretty quick.

[Nd4SpdSe]

Question, what do the OBDII Mx-3's use for a VAF?

[nightfire]

Question, what do the OBDII Mx-3's use for a VAF?

I'll check tonight. I remember seeing a JE50, but I think that was on my new KLZE.

I notice in your sig you're runnin a KLZE with a bigger throttle body, exhaust, headers, etc.. are you really only gettin <150hp at the wheels?

[Nd4SpdSe]

I notice in your sig you're runnin a KLZE with a bigger throttle body, exhaust, headers, etc.. are you really only gettin <150hp at the wheels?

Some of those mods weren't installed when I did the dyno back then, as well, we found out at I wasn't at WOT at full throttle, slack in the throttle cable. We all dyno'd under 150 that day so we're skeptical about the results. I'm anxious to get dyno'd again to be honest. There's a dyno day Sunday, but I'll be on my way back from Virginia (flying to VA from FL Friday night) that same Sunday, but I also need to do an external coil mod when I get home, just ordered the cable to go from the coil to the cap after work today. After we did some work and put in my Outlaw spacers the car felt great, until the coil went, which started that day as well. So I'm anxious to get home and get her up and running good again.