Few KLZE questions

purplemx3gs · Post by **purplemx3gs** » October 23rd, 2007, 10:20 pm

Yes, that is the preferred method since that is the factory setup.
A Probinator chip takes a K series NA ECU and maps in the VRIS and fuel for the ZE. Bascially the same a KL31/KL36 ECU. Maybe a tad more HP than the stock KL31/36.
Surely you know what megasquirt is... If not, do a google to learn more.

so what you're saying is, i can do my klze swap and then swap the intake manifold to curve neck, and use my k8 ECU and put a probinator chip in it and it would be just like a kl31 ECU?

Ricky_Bobby · Post by **Ricky_Bobby** » October 23rd, 2007, 10:22 pm

Yes, that would work.

Nd4SpdSe · Post by **Nd4SpdSe** » October 23rd, 2007, 10:23 pm

Sure it'll work, I ran a KL36 with a curved-neck for years until I got a Probinator chip. The reason why people are obsessed with straight-neck ZE's, other than the KL31 cams is that the plug-and-play ZE ECU's are setup for straight-neck. Essentially what will happen is that the ECU will open and close the VRIS ports on the IM at the improper time. The ECU's are setup for their respective intake manifolds to manimize low end torque and high-end horsepower. If your using the wrong ECU, that power won't be optimized as Mazda designed. Deimos has 2 dynos, one with a KL36 and another with the Probinator. Although he didn't gain much HP, his available peek power lasted longer with the programmed Probinato, which would confirm the butt dyno. you can see the points in the dyno where the VRIS activation changed and kept the power band. I don't have them on me, but you can probably e-mail him for the dyno sheet to see what were talking about. Not to say that the KL31/36 ECU's are bad, I ran my 36 for almost 4 years, it's still a great ECU, just not perfect.

The Probinator is a chip that's programmed for what ever motor you have. It's a chip that replaces one inside the ECU, so usually only recommended if your comfortable soldering. I got a cheap K8 ECU for $15 off ebay and put my chip in that (make no difference which ECU really, just no point wasting a KL31/36). One thing I did notice with my Probinator is that she runs richer, so I'm holding onto my KL36 in case for my e-tests.

Megasquirt is a ECU add-on or Stand-Alone (depends on the kit you get). It's completely open source and tunable ECU great for any application and any motor. Kinda overkill, but I think the basic model is about the same price as a KL31/36 ECU. It's cool, I got mine a few weeks ago, but I'm in Florida, it's in Virginia, and my car's back home in Canada. I got a week off in Nov (i hope) but I doubt that's enough time to figure it out and get it installed. May be overkill, but it's an option

purplemx3gs · Post by **purplemx3gs** » October 23rd, 2007, 10:34 pm

so by putting all of this information that all of you guys thankfully gave me, this is what ive gathered...

find a kl31-101 engine (written on back of heads) with a straight neck (because of the cams). swap the engine after changing the timing belt and water pump, mx6 tranny with stage 2 clutch kit. swap the straight neck IM to a 2.5L curve neck IM. buy a k8 ECU like the one i have now, to put the proper Probinator chip in so that everything runs smooth with the full 200 hp.

correct me in detail if im wrong!

mx3autozam · Post by **mx3autozam** » October 23rd, 2007, 10:49 pm

its up to you if you want the mx6 tranny.

Are you looking for full out performance and fun car to drive.then stick with mx3 tranny. If ista daily car and you puta alot of mileage on it then go for the mx6 tranny.

Either way the gas mileage aint a big difference if you ask me.

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » October 23rd, 2007, 11:19 pm

Quick question, how are e-tests running for you guys with the Probinators?

Incase I cant pass e-tests with a Probinator I should get a Ford Probe VAF/ECU?

mx3autozam · Post by **mx3autozam** » October 23rd, 2007, 11:24 pm

Juans_93_MX3 wrote:Quick question, how are e-tests running for you guys with the Probinators?

Incase I cant pass e-tests with a Probinator I should get a Ford Probe VAF/ECU?

good question man. I am not sure on that one. but from what I have read on probetalk, guys over there with them have problems passing. But I do ahve a k8 ecu and a de ecu/vaf if i ever have issues.

purplemx3gs · Post by **purplemx3gs** » October 24th, 2007, 6:34 am

so does any one know where i can buy a probinator chip for a k8 ECU to a KLZE

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » October 24th, 2007, 12:20 pm

Go to http://www.ProbeTalk.com, forums and go to Vendor Forums. Youll find the Probinator webstie on there.

Maybe it would be better to run a KLDE ECU/VAF on a KLZE to pass emissions? The only downside I can think of to that ECU/VAF setup are the VRIS points not opening at the right time.

Nd4SpdSe · Post by **Nd4SpdSe** » October 24th, 2007, 12:38 pm

Juans_93_MX3 wrote:Quick question, how are e-tests running for you guys with the Probinators?

I just did my e-test this past spring (Feb) and I got my Probinator a few months afterwards, so at this point, I'll be another year and a half before I'm due again.

mx3autozam wrote:
Juans_93_MX3 wrote:Quick question, how are e-tests running for you guys with the Probinators?

Incase I cant pass e-tests with a Probinator I should get a Ford Probe VAF/ECU?
good question man. I am not sure on that one. but from what I have read on probetalk, guys over there with them have problems passing. But I do ahve a k8 ecu and a de ecu/vaf if i ever have issues.

Probinators apparently eliminate the need for a specific VAF (unless I'm mistaken and it's programmed for whateever VAF you are using). I know that between the TO Mx-3 guys, we noticed that the Kl31/36 ECU's run on the lean side (white plugs) while the DE ECU/VAF combo runs rich. That being said, considering the Probinator is made by one of the Probe guys, he's probably using the DE fuel map. It would be interesting to know if he can program a chip with the KL31/36 fuel map, keep the JE50 VAF, but just change the VRIS for the proper curved-neck IM.

It's hard to say, but I've noticed a reduction in fuel efficiency with my Probinator, but I use it since it does feel better for driving, but I'm keeping my JE50/KL36 since I suspect it being an issue for my next e-test. However, I should have my MS system in way before that is due, but I'm going to try to make the MS/GM IAT system plug-and-play so I can swap it, but if the MS system is dyno tuned, it should be at that point running at peak efficiency and should pass an e-test no problem, but I'm taking to chances and assuming/implimenting for a worse-case scenario until I can test and prove otherwise.

Juans_93_MX3 wrote:Maybe it would be better to run a KLDE ECU/VAF on a KLZE to pass emissions? The only downside I can think of to that ECU/VAF setup are the VRIS points not opening at the right time.

Unless your runing a Probinator, DE ECU/VAF or KL31/36 ECU, the VRIS points will be off regardless, but because your not accelerating, the state of the VRIS should be right at low RPMs. The VRIS are RPM activated. WE could check online for the VRIS activation points, and cross reference them with the testing speed/RPM for an e-test and see where they are at that time. One thing I didn't mention is that my last e-test was idle only because my car was too low for the ramp to get on the rollers, so the VRIS point would of been irrlevant for me, as long as it's running clean it should and it passed with flying colors, regardless of having no EGR, like myself.

purplemx3gs · Post by **purplemx3gs** » October 24th, 2007, 5:20 pm

so by putting all of this information that all of you guys thankfully gave me, this is what ive gathered...

find a kl31-101 engine (written on back of heads) with a straight neck (because of the cams). swap the engine after changing the timing belt and water pump, mx6 tranny with stage 2 clutch kit. swap the straight neck IM to a 2.5L curve neck IM. buy a k8 ECU like the one i have now, to put the proper Probinator chip in so that everything runs smooth with the full 200 hp.

correct me in detail if im wrong!

so regardless of the transmission i choose, this would be a good setup, that would be direct fit and would give me the 200hp?? (emissions are not strict where i live!) and if someone could sell me a k8 ecu with a probinator chip for a kl31 with a milinia IM, that would be awesome (i just wont be ready until spring)