ecu options

evilhorde · Post by **evilhorde** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:32 pm

I am getting closer to starting my engine swap project but I have hit a snag. The ECU I have is badly toasted in the middle of the board. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't but I certainly can't depend on it working. Instead of buying another ecu what are my options? Are there any non-mitsu controllers for this motor? This is a '94 4g63T 6 bolt that I had ordered through an importer from japan.

89coltgt · Post by **89coltgt** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 2:04 am

If you use the factory harness, you can go with aem or get an eprom ecu and go with dsmlink or a chip/safc combo, non eprom ecu/safc, etc.

If you want to go aftermarket, some guys use mega squirt, haltech, etc. I cannot remember what Mike(djpowerhause) uses, but it is also an aftermarket system.

It all boils down to your abilities, budget, and your hp goals.

jeffball610 · Post by **jeffball610** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:34 pm

There are a ton of options. As 89coltgt said, it is really up to your own goals and budget. If the ECU looks damaged, it likely is. I once spoke with someone from ECMTuning.com (DSMLink) to help identify an ECU that I had. They are very knowledgeable and could help identify the issue with the ECU you have.

If you pulled the ECU, harness, and motor from the same car, there may be an issue with one of them that damaged the ECU itself. Take care of that before you put cash into something that may get damaged later by the same issue.

evilhorde · Post by **evilhorde** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:57 am

This is the ECU in question.

I don't think I'll need too much help diagnosing this one.

I am hoping to get around 300hp out of this motor.
I don't know what my budget will be exactly, so I'd like to hear some pros and cons from whatever systems people are using.

"f you use the factory harness, you can go with aem or get an eprom ecu and go with dsmlink or a chip/safc combo, non eprom ecu/safc, etc. "

I am making the leap from points style ignition to turbocharged ecu. I can see it's going to be a LONG leap. Which one of those things was the distributor?

89coltgt · Post by **89coltgt** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 2:22 am

Personally, if you are going with a "factory" setup, I would recommend dsmlink. The old version is getting pretty affordable now that they are getting ready to finally release v3. You will have to have a socketed ecu ($200-$300) and a laptop to tune with. I would also reccomend a wideband o2 as well, and this can be integrated into dsmlink and logged on the laptop.

You can get 300 hp out of a simple stock ecu/safc as well, but you will have way more control of things with the link, but you can also tune the engine to self destruct with a simple click of a mouse if you make a mistake

Btw, that ecu is shot. I have never seen one that bad, looks like something was shorted.

evilhorde · Post by **evilhorde** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:37 am

I want to keep this as simple as possible because I haven't worked with fuel injection before and the turbo is definitely out of my experience range so even in basic trim these things are going to be a little challenging. At the same time however, I don't want to paint myself into a corner by investing a few hundred dollars on a stock ecu when I could have gone better (but more complicated) for the same price or less. Then I would need to spend that money again next year for the upgrade I should have bought in the first place.
I have the factory harness, but it's not like it will fit my car so I don't mind using something else.

I don't know a lot of the acronyms either:
dsmlink
chip/safc combo
eprom
aem
I will google them up now, but try to speak dumb to me okay?

89coltgt · Post by **89coltgt** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:03 pm

You can get a good eprom ecu for ~$200, once you have that, you can get the swap running, then choose your upgrade path from there and still be able to utilize the factory ecu.

89coltgt · Post by **89coltgt** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:10 pm

Yep, with the release of dsmlink v3, v2 will now be selling quite cheap. I have seen a few guys selling v2 with an eprom ecu in the $500 range.

citrus3000psi · Post by **citrus3000psi** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 9:35 am

The cheapest tunable solution is, DS-MAP.

Its free, all you need is an 1g eprom ecu. Fully tunable and converts your system to read off a map and IAT sensors. So no more boost leak fuel richness problems and can get rid of that big clunky box.

ds-map.net

I've ran it on my 1g fwd with great success. Its going to be my tunning solution in my truck once I get it running.

89coltgt · Post by **89coltgt** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:48 pm

I totally forgot about DSMap, has it became anymore user friendly or is it still just manipulating raw values?

citrus3000psi · Post by **citrus3000psi** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 3:50 pm

Version 2 looks better, but its still pretty much the same thing. Formatting raw values. But if you know what the values mean then its not a problem.

The new verision is also written in java, so no longer need a palm or palm emulator installed. I have v2 downloaded but I'm not sure if new members have access to it. If not I can email it over if peolpe that are interested in trying it out.

GRNDSM · Post by **GRNDSM** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:30 am

Put me as another vote for DSM link. It is easy and it is VERY effective!

Swapping engines is enough of a challenge to also take on a task of becoming a tuning expert.