chrisnick

About to finish my swap over the weekend. Have a couple of questions.

Car: '97 LX
Engine: '00 F23A1

Questions:
1. I can't source an OBD2a Manual EX ecu right now, but I CAN get my hands on an OBD1 EX ecu for dirt cheap(I have an OBD2A to OBD1 jumper harness). If I recall correctly, the OBD1 ECU's have a separate TCU, the OBD2 ECU's have an intergrated TCU.
A: Is cutting of a jumper in the ECU necessary to use the OBD1 auto ECU in my car?
B: Will this work for the time being until I can find an OBD2A EX Ecu?
C: Would I be better off using my '97 LX ECU without the jumper harness for the time being?
2. VTEC wiring: It's been some time since I wired VTEC into a car... 10 years or so. If I remember correctly, the F22B1's don't have a separate VTEC pressure switch/solenoid. Trying to figure out what to do wiring wise since the F23A1 has both the pressure switch and solenoid. Not wire up the pressure switch and only wire the solenoid?

Found these threads by searching:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-accord-1990-2002-2/need-f22b1-vtec-wiring-help-96-accord-2910219/
http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/r...nda_Accord.php

I have the full harness and ECU from the '00 F23A1 so I have plenty of wiring.

MAD_MIKE

As tempting as it would to get the engine going with the LX ECU, I think you should wait for an F23A1 manual PCM, or try and located an EX ECU. Otherwise you will not have VTEC operation. If you don't plan on chipping or requiring a tune, I would stick with the F23A1 PCM for easier diagnostics and trouble free operation.
There is a VTEC oil pressure switch(#13) and the VTEC solenoid(#11) on the B1s.

chrisnick

I'll try to track down a P0H ecu(96-97 EX) as going to OBD2B would be a bit too difficult with the wiring differences between the 97 and 98+ cars. Good lookin, Mike, thanks again.

ej7attack

chrisnick, check car-part.com for used parts in our area. im planning on doing the same swap into my newly acquired 98 civic ex coupe.

chrisnick

I think I found one in town. Going to the junkyard right around the corner on Friday.

I do wonder how hard it would be to adapt UP to OBD2B to run the proper F23 optimized ECU. Simple as just a jumper harness or are the programming and sensor reading/driving that much different?

ej7attack

eh, might be too much work for the 5hp an 5ft/lbs.

chrisnick

Probably too much work in general, but I'm 99% sure I'll still make more power than an F22B1 using the B1's ECU.

ej7attack

checked out your thread, you driving?

chrisnick

Yup, on the LX ecu for now. Gotta keep R's low and throttle position reasonable or else it throws a light for rich condition on o2 sensor #2. Can't wait for tomorrow, 10 minutes of wiring and the car should pull great!

Still have to do both front wheel bearings, though. Might as well do balljoints while I have the knuckles off. Gonna get to that Sunday.

chrisnick

Snagged a P0H ecu this morning, wired it in, and picked up a new wheel bearing and lower ball joint for the passenger side. Good news is it runs flawlessly! Pulls WAY hard from 4800 on up.

I think my brake master is on it's way out though. Been getting a REALLY soft pedal every now and again, going to the floor sometimes. Don't think it's a vacuum issue. When it happens, I can pump the pedal and it gets better. I needed to do the EX master cylinder swap anyway considering the little big brake upgrade in the front.

chrisnick

Keeps throwing a rich code, and definitely running rich at idle-exhaust smells like straight fuel. I figured since the VTEC system of the F22B1 and F23A1 were the same in operation, the fuel trims should be the same. Pretty sure my injectors and everything were still good from before(never threw a rich code previously), but I could be wrong. Gas mileage is still good, so I'm not sure what to think now.

ej7attack

did you keep the f23a1 injectors or did you put in your f22 injectors which need a resistor box?
I believe they are 2 different style injectors.
if you are running the f23a1 injectors, try putting the f22b1 injectors in.
the 2000 accord does not run a resistor box and 94-97 accords do use them if I am not mistaken.
just a thought. let use know what you find.

chrisnick

I'm running my F22B2 injectors. Since I already had the F23A1 intake manifold swapped onto my F22B2, it was just an uninstall/install procedure. As far as I know(99% certain) there's no differences between the F22B2 and F22B1 injectors.