Can the ECU be modified?

[TheNelson]

I just did an engine swap on my 93 MX3. I bought the car with a blown 1.8 and I purchased a Japanese 1.8 from http://www.tigerjapanese.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is the engine we ordered: http://www.tigerjapanese.com/index.php? ... &Itemid=26" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The engine did not have any EGR function and that was OK with me because I didn't want it. Now of course I'm getting the CEL's that pertain to it.

What's my best option for getting around this? Should I get the matching ECU that does not have these emission settings? Or can I just have the computer in my car flashed or re-tuned or something to ignore EGR settings?

Thanks!

[MrMazda92]

Cheapest option would likely be the J-Spec ECU, other than that having the ECU chipped(If possible with yours) would be likely 2-3 times the cost.

Welcome to the forums!

[K_I_R_K_S]

The first i did with all of my cars running a K series V6 was unplug the EGR..

You do not need any mods to the computer. You can run any ECU and it will be fine. The EGR is only an anti pollution lump of junk... It also helps with warm up.


Just use the ECU you've got and it will be fine

cheers Declan

[TheNelson]

Cheapest option would likely be the J-Spec ECU, other than that having the ECU chipped(If possible with yours) would be likely 2-3 times the cost.

Welcome to the forums!

Do you know where I could purchase a J-Spec ECU? Are there any compatibility issues with trying to put a J-Spec computer in the car?

[TheNelson]

The first i did with all of my cars running a K series V6 was unplug the EGR..

You do not need any mods to the computer. You can run any ECU and it will be fine. The EGR is only an anti pollution lump of junk... It also helps with warm up.


Just use the ECU you've got and it will be fine

cheers Declan

I know the EGR doesn't really need to be in there but not only did I unplug the EGR... It's 100% removed from the car. I don't want to have a check engine light on - that is the biggest problem.

[Daninski]

Tiger Jap has or at least had ECUs. Simply install the EGR from your K8, hook up the electrical plug and presto, no more CEL. No need to hook up the exhaust but because I'm lazy I hooked up my coolant lines.
More info on your swap here. http://forum.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic. ... 7&p=565685" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TheNelson]

These are the codes I am getting:

16
17
24
28
29

As you can see, two for the O2 sensors, which I will replace tomorrow, and 3 for the EGR system.

[wytbishop]

Cheapest option would likely be the J-Spec ECU, other than that having the ECU chipped(If possible with yours) would be likely 2-3 times the cost.

Welcome to the forums!

I have to disagree with the relative cost break down given here. I haven't looked in a while but a KL36 ECU is going to be up around $200. I got my probinator chip for $50 and installed it myself in about 1/2hr.

go to his cardomain page and read the part that tells you how to determine if your ECU has the right board and chip to be replaced. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/728690/19 ... tura-ca-us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Even if yours is not the right board, it would be pretty easy to get your hands on one.

[K_I_R_K_S]

The first i did with all of my cars running a K series V6 was unplug the EGR..

You do not need any mods to the computer. You can run any ECU and it will be fine. The EGR is only an anti pollution lump of junk... It also helps with warm up.


Just use the ECU you've got and it will be fine

cheers Declan

I know the EGR doesn't really need to be in there but not only did I unplug the EGR... It's 100% removed from the car. I don't want to have a check engine light on - that is the biggest problem.

only when i pull the engine out i remove it completely... haha
But iv never had an engine check light come on... thats odd...

[MrMazda92]

Cheapest option would likely be the J-Spec ECU, other than that having the ECU chipped(If possible with yours) would be likely 2-3 times the cost.

Welcome to the forums!

I have to disagree with the relative cost break down given here. I haven't looked in a while but a KL36 ECU is going to be up around $200. I got my probinator chip for $50 and installed it myself in about 1/2hr.

go to his cardomain page and read the part that tells you how to determine if your ECU has the right board and chip to be replaced. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/728690/19 ... tura-ca-us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Even if yours is not the right board, it would be pretty easy to get your hands on one.

KL36 is the J-Spec 2.5 ECU, correct? I'm assuming it's not the same as the J-Spec 1.8, but I may be wrong on that one. :/

My second statement does hinge upon the accuracy of the first; assuming the ECUs aren't one and the same, then a chipped one will likely cost a bit more.

[Nd4SpdSe]

KL36 is the J-Spec 2.5 ECU, correct? I'm assuming it's not the same as the J-Spec 1.8, but I may be wrong on that one.

Indeed, you wouldn't run a KLDE ECU on a K8, so you'd get he same problems running a KLZE ECU on a K8ZE.

You can chip the ECU, i'm just wondering if they have the programs for modifying a K8 EEPROM. It's all about the 2.5L.

Probably the only way is to hook up the EGR or get a J-Spec K8ZE ECU.

[K_I_R_K_S]

hmmm... again. what are these issues you speak of?? Iv done it... had a KFZE in a 30x on a K8 ECU..
Had a DE in a Telstar that was a ZE... no issue...

[Nd4SpdSe]

hmmm... again. what are these issues you speak of?? Iv done it... had a KFZE in a 30x on a K8 ECU..
Had a DE in a Telstar that was a ZE... no issue...

a KF isn't that big of a jump of a motor for that ECU (only an extra 200cc), that motor does use a K8 head afterall and I'm going to take a guess that the KF uses the same 180cc injectors as the K8 which is the reason why it works, but many guys here had issues trying to get KF's to run on many ECU combo's and given up al together, so there's little documentation here on what actually works with a KF.

a KLDE ECU will run a KLZE just fine, people do it here all the time. they're both 2.5L motors, so ya, no problems there

Improper mixture, the ECU thinks the motor is 2500cc while the engine is 1800cc with 180cc injectors, and it's giving pulses for 220cc injectors, there's going to be a whole wack of confusion in the ECU, especially when it comes to reading the extra air coming into the VAF being sucked in by the extra 700cc and the bad mixture being measured by the 02's coming out of the exhaust cause the injectors are dumping in too much duel.

[MrMazda92]

My point in my last post was that a KL36 ECU was not what he needs to run the K8-ZE, therefor the high cost associated with the KL36 should not apply... I was trying to confirm whether or not a Chipped ECU would be less or more than the stock K8-ZE Ecu, but I haven't seen which ECU is stock with it.

[wytbishop]

My mistake. I missed the japanese K8 part and assumed we were talking KLZE.

It would be theoretically possible to reflash the K8 EPROM but I don't know of anyone who ever has.