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ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 2:31 am
by Spartan_Heart
I have a 1993 mx3 gs with a Kl01 engine from a ford probe. Im having trouble passing emissions, and I was wondering if getting the KL01 ecu would help? Also, Im not sure how to really install it, should I get it professionally done? Or is it pretty cut and dry? Do I just need to plug it in and go? Where is the ecu located on a mx3?

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 5:10 am
by marcdh
If you were running the k8 ecu the KL01 will help immensely!

To remove look at the workshop manual in the manual section of this site. Also for a general idea check out a basic guide I did: http://uk-mx3.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1700

It's easy to swap the ECU :) About 4 screws and 3/4 plugs. Make sure you run the KL02 VAF with the KL01 ECU.

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 11:23 am
by mazdags94
Great to know! I'll be doing the DE swap from a probe gt into my GS sometime this month and I was curious about the VAF/ECU combo. Is it wise to omit the VRIS? The guy who had this in his probe disconnected the actuators and left them open (i think he taped them).

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 4:26 pm
by Spartan_Heart
whats a kl02 vaf? The mass airflow sensor for a ford probe gt?

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 4:54 pm
by Nd4SpdSe
Exactly, you got the motor from a Probe. so you need to treat it as a Probe. Your original ECU still thinks it's the original motor, so that changes things completly on how things are handled. It things one thing is going on, but something else is happening and it doesn't know better.

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 6:27 pm
by mazdags94
K8 ECU harness are compatible with KL ones (fromprobe gt) correct? OBDI I also assume... :dunno:

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 6:32 pm
by Slammed6
Yeah the K8 harness is compatible, but you will need to re-use your K8 crank sensor, The clip on the KL crank sensor is different from the K8 harness.

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 8:45 pm
by klmx08
i didnt even know the k8 ecu would run the klo1 engine. and just to give you a little help i had to use the 02 sensors from my k8 becaust the ones that were in the klo1 didnt plug into my harness

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 9:17 pm
by Nd4SpdSe
Oh it will, many people do, and usually only for a short while, but it runs poorly and inefficient with horrible gas milleage.

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 9:35 pm
by Spartan_Heart
yeah, I think its the reason I had no many problems. The guy did a DE swap but didnt change anything else, at all. Since Ive had the money

Ive gotten

Headers, new custom cat back, downpipe and muffler.
Probe spark plugs and new wires
New distributor
New intake to replace the k8 one
New battery

Still wanting to know what else I should do after the ecu/vaf

Its so loud, lol. I seem to peel out really bad every time I put it in first. Plus second doesnt seem to catch that well. new shifter or clutch maybe?

Ive had a fuel induction service done, coolant flush, and oil change recently. Im trying to get it perfect before I work on the appearance.

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 9:53 pm
by Nd4SpdSe
Start with the KL02 VAF. Some people do run that with their K8 ECU and it seems to work pretty well. You can try a DE ECU, but I've *heard* that the VRIS system doesn't work in an Mx-3 with that ECU.

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 10:02 pm
by Spartan_Heart
whats vris

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 10:04 pm
by Spartan_Heart
also, do i have to get a short shiter for a mx3 or a probe gt?

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 10:13 pm
by Ryan
Spartan_Heart wrote:whats vris

VRIS is Variable Resonance Intake System

Its a set of butterfly valves that open when the engine is at a certain speed.

The idea is that when the engine is vibrating at a certain frequency, so is the air inside the intake. Mazda engineers figured out which path it would most 'like' to take at some frequencies, so that more air could be deliverd to the cylinders. Some claim its where Honduh got its VTEC idea from.

The speeds are unique to each manifold, and engine, and this is one of the reasons that your ECU needs chipped if you're not running an ECU stock to your motor.

The valves are vaccuum controlled, and have valves and acutators, sometimes they break.


Yay, Ryan knows something.

Re: ECU Question

Posted: February 2nd, 2009, 10:18 pm
by Nd4SpdSe
VRIS is the system that opens and closes valves in the intake to change the flow of the air passing through, which optimises low end torque and top end performance

You have an Mx-3, get one for an Mx-3