Do I really need a new ECU for my Mini-Me?
02-11-2003, 07:11 PM
#1
0.5 BAR
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 199
Do I really need a new ECU for my Mini-Me?
Hey guys I have been learning a lot recently about a possible Mini-Me swap on my D15B7. I have had some suggest a P28 ECU swap to match my chosen cylinder head off a D16Z6. From another source I received an email:
"just run your stock distributor and an RPM switch, itll cost too much to rewire your car and run a new P28 ecu*(120-150) and distributor( ALOT New, used aroudn 80$) and OBD I conversion harness ( 125ish)"
What are you guys' thoughts on this? (Especially you, Jeff, since you've been helping me with all my questions over the last 48 hours) I am looking to do an affordable Mini-Me, but not to the point that I am looking to cut any significant corners. I am not sure how many chances I am willing to take with 11:1 compression.
"just run your stock distributor and an RPM switch, itll cost too much to rewire your car and run a new P28 ecu*(120-150) and distributor( ALOT New, used aroudn 80$) and OBD I conversion harness ( 125ish)"
What are you guys' thoughts on this? (Especially you, Jeff, since you've been helping me with all my questions over the last 48 hours) I am looking to do an affordable Mini-Me, but not to the point that I am looking to cut any significant corners. I am not sure how many chances I am willing to take with 11:1 compression.
02-12-2003, 01:51 AM
#2
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,991
Re:Do I really need a new ECU for my Mini-Me?
the hack way.. "rpm activated switch" is ok, but remember you will not get the correct fuel/spark maps that the vtec head uses. Especially for the Mini-me that will be a slight of a bastard to tune correctly (to make any power that is)
If you dont want to buy the p28 ecu, do this, buy a cheap vtec controller Fields/AFC VAFC and use that to activate vtec, these little controllers will also allow you to change fuel settings throughout the rpm range. It will give you some tunning ability. Best way to tune is on the dyno with one of these, because the *** dyno wont show much.
I normally recommend this method to 4g civic/crx owners, since its a pain in the *** to do a obdo-obd1 swap for the p28 ecu. In your case, your car is already pretty much setup for it (being obd1)
Jeff Frank
If you dont want to buy the p28 ecu, do this, buy a cheap vtec controller Fields/AFC VAFC and use that to activate vtec, these little controllers will also allow you to change fuel settings throughout the rpm range. It will give you some tunning ability. Best way to tune is on the dyno with one of these, because the *** dyno wont show much.
I normally recommend this method to 4g civic/crx owners, since its a pain in the *** to do a obdo-obd1 swap for the p28 ecu. In your case, your car is already pretty much setup for it (being obd1)
Jeff Frank
02-12-2003, 03:20 PM
#3
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 199
Re:Do I really need a new ECU for my Mini-Me?
according to my "other source," I may need an OBD1 connecting harness. Are you saying that I wouldn't need that, and that the P28 ECU is a straight-forward fit for my car?
Also, does the VAFC go on the interior of the car like the Apexi I once saw? It would be nice if my could ride in my car and not say something like "what's that expensive-looking thing??" because then I would have to come clean on my VTEC swap.
Also, does the VAFC go on the interior of the car like the Apexi I once saw? It would be nice if my could ride in my car and not say something like "what's that expensive-looking thing??" because then I would have to come clean on my VTEC swap.
02-12-2003, 03:56 PM
#4
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 66
Re:Do I really need a new ECU for my Mini-Me?
Originally Posted by SqwirlyCivic
according to my "other source," I may need an OBD1 connecting harness. Are you saying that I wouldn't need that, and that the P28 ECU is a straight-forward fit for my car?
Also, does the VAFC go on the interior of the car like the Apexi I once saw? It would be nice if my could ride in my car and not say something like "what's that expensive-looking thing??" because then I would have to come clean on my VTEC swap.
Also, does the VAFC go on the interior of the car like the Apexi I once saw? It would be nice if my could ride in my car and not say something like "what's that expensive-looking thing??" because then I would have to come clean on my VTEC swap.
i assumed you had a CRX, not a "eg" civic, if you have a 92+ body style you just need to get a P28 ECU and plug it right in, and i think wire 1 or 2 wires to VTEC solenoid etcc. very simple if its an EG civic.
02-12-2003, 11:27 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 199
Re:Do I really need a new ECU for my Mini-Me?
Jeff, (or anyone else, but he seems to be the only one responding), do I definitely need a new distributor on a Mini-Me setup on my D15B7, or is it simply recommended? I am almost certain of doing the P28 swap, if it maks a difference.
02-12-2003, 11:59 PM
#10
0.0 BAR
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 0
Re:Do I really need a new ECU for my Mini-Me?
just get a 89-91 si distributor, The ONLY thing you are going to have to do is cut your Distributor up a little bit to get it to fit on the D16Z6 Head NOW you HAVE to use the stock D16A6 Dist. with the 88-91 Si ECU or it will not work. Anymore questions? Feel free to ask.
