Engine Swap ECU question...

[ZenkiS14]

I am putting a 96 KA in my 92 S13. Do I need to use the 96 ECU also?

[Grey240Drift]

You have to use the ECU that is made for the engine
example: 62 redtop, E5 blacktop ect....

So whatever # ecu that is for a 96 KA engine that will have to be swapped with your engine.

[Mr. Spool]

your answer is no, but you must switch the intake manifold from your 91 and put it on your 96 engine. So it will work and work quite well. The intake manifold has the sensors that you need. by the way if you would like to sell your 96 intake manifold I need it. email me, thanks.

[ZenkiS14]

I could use some detail relating to your answers. I've noticed some sensors are different but i havn't had the time today to compair my service manuals as to what they all do...
If you know off the top of your head WHY I need the different mani, and what functions are different between them it would help.

[AKADriver]

The '92 intake manifold has the SCV (secondary butterflies), though a '92 ECU will run fine without that... The idle control circuit and EGR are the other parts connected to the intake, check to see if they're different.

Honestly, if at all possible, I'd try to run the '96 ECU and manifold. The S14 programming seems to be a bit better (or so it'd seem, since the S14 makes the same power with weaker cams). Though if you plan on turbocharging it doesn't matter much and you might rather want the OBD-1 S13 ECU anyway.

[projectRDM]

You can't run the 96 ECU without a 96 harness, the plugs are different, plus there's more wiring involved if you use a 96 harness since you'll need to cut the wipers out of it and rewire F3 to work with the S13 dash connector. Using the 92 ECU means nothing else needs to be done other than dropping the motor in. The S14 KA doesn't make any more power, it's the difference between the lack of SCVs and milder cams vs. SCVs and better cams.

All you need to do is swap the TPS, coolant temp, and O2 sensors over from your 92 motor. There's no need to swap the entire intake manifold unless you just want to.

[Phlip]

^^^ Listen to this man, I have seen him custom wire a car, he could do what you speak of with his eyes closed and drunk

[ZenkiS14]

What's funny is that those sensors that you just mentioned (that I "need to change") connect just fine. As far as I've seen, the only female plugs (on the 92 harness) that don't have a place to connect (on the 96 engine) are the 2 directly behind the valve cover on the original 92 motor (see attached image, circled). There is also the PAIR valve, but from what I've read, that seems to be of no consequence when not pluged in.

With the two plugs that I specified disconnected, will there be any problems regarding engine management by the 92 ECU?

[ZenkiS14]

And just for $hits and giggles.. Would it matter if this were actually a 1995 engine?

[idlafie]

What's funny is that those sensors that you just mentioned (that I "need to change") connect just fine. As far as I've seen, the only female plugs (on the 92 harness) that don't have a place to connect (on the 96 engine) are the 2 directly behind the valve cover on the original 92 motor (see attached image, circled). There is also the PAIR valve, but from what I've read, that seems to be of no consequence when not pluged in.

With the two plugs that I specified disconnected, will there be any problems regarding engine management by the 92 ECU?

Those two sensors you refer to in your attachment go to your REAR Evap cannister...usually found on 96-98 OBD II compliant motors. Early 95 motors still used the carbon cannister & not the rear evap cannisters that the 96-98 use.
Provided you're using the 92 ECU and the OBD I sensors from the 92 on the 95 motor, it won't be an issue. The 92 ECU will still be able to read the input signals from the sensors without kicking any codes. A buddy of mine did this with his 91 & didn't have any problems.

Anyhow, hope this helps.

ID

[ZenkiS14]

But that picture is of the 1992 KA motor... On the 1992 harness there are plugs that go to those circle on the vaccum lines. Those plugs don't exist in that location on the 95 engine?
(btw, i was completly retarded and didn't realize that the guy TOLD me it was a 96, but it was infact a 95 untill this point-cause i'm an idiot... :hammer: )

Okay, it seems like there is alot of conflicting answers... Can I or can I not drive the car on a totally normal basis WITHOUT those two plugs hooked up, and using the original 92 ECU?

[Mr. Spool]

I swapped a 91 engine into my 96, the problem that I had was the my intake manifold had more sensors than the 91s and several of the things were different on the rear of the engine, cant tell you all of which for sure but I found it easier to just swap the intake manifold. if its not an obdii system it should drop right in.

[projectRDM]

But that picture is of the 1992 KA motor... On the 1992 harness there are plugs that go to those circle on the vaccum lines. Those plugs don't exist in that location on the 95 engine?
(btw, i was completly retarded and didn't realize that the guy TOLD me it was a 96, but it was infact a 95 untill this point-cause i'm an idiot... :hammer: )

Okay, it seems like there is alot of conflicting answers... Can I or can I not drive the car on a totally normal basis WITHOUT those two plugs hooked up, and using the original 92 ECU?

Now you're getting it right. 95 motors use the same TPS and coolant sensors as the S13, so they are a direct plug in. 96-98 are different. The plugs on the rear of the head are for the SCVs, *NOT* the EVAP (no clue where that came from, the EVAP harness runs inside the car), you can leave them unplugged without any problems since they'll no longer be used.

[ZenkiS14]

Shweet. I'm going to fire it up tonight. Thanks for the help.