I am about to start a ls/vtec swap in my 1990 civic hatch. i wanted to know what kind of ECU i should be using with this swap. OBD1???? i heard you have to convert things if you want use this ecu. how do you do it??? or is there a better ecu i can use that i don't have to convert things.
Thanks

 

What head/distributor are you using? As much as possible, you will want to match the distributor to the ecu to give you as little headaches as possible. If you are using an OBD0 distributor, then you can use either a PR3 or PW0 ecu. If you want to convert it to OBD1 (using an OBD0-OBD1 conversion harness), then you will have a wider range of choices like a P28 (rechipped), P30, P72, etc.


Modified by Redline130 at 1:14 PM 11/25/2004

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Redline130 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What head/distributor are you using? As much as possible, you will want to match the distributor to the ecu to give you a little headaches as possible. If you are using an OBD0 distributor, then you can use either a PR3 or PW0 ecu. If you want to convert it to OBD1 (using an OBD0-OBD1 conversion harness), then you will have a wider range of choices like a P28 (rechipped), P30, P72, etc.</TD></TR></TABLE>

this is very accurate information

 

but wouldnt using the P30 be little too small for an LS/VTEC since its an ECU for the 1.6 and the LS/VTEC is 1.8

 

ok... i am using a B16 head that i belive is from a 91 integra, imported from japan. the block was bad in the car so the guys is selling the whole top end. reserfaced head, CTR cams, valve were all grinded, seats were grinded. its a really nice set. but anyway im not to sure a about the ignition but im pretty sure it is from the same year as the car. it also has MSD wires with it. and it is goin on a B18B block. so what ECU should i use for this combo. please put a detailed information because i am not to famillur with ECU's or hondas either. this is my first honda!!

 

I have 1 93 integra with ls vtec. it has a b18a block and gsr p72 od1 head. i use a p72 ecu and it works great. just my 2 cents

 

My first Ls/vtec motor was using a B16a Portflow head on it with a P28 ECU. Now I'm using a 96 GSR head with a PR3 ECU. Both setups work REALLY well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RuthlessEF-9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">but wouldnt using the P30 be little too small for an LS/VTEC since its an ECU for the 1.6 and the LS/VTEC is 1.8</TD></TR></TABLE>

In what way would the P30 be "too small" for an LS/VTEC? I don't see how it would run the motor any different from any other DOHC VTEC ecu.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fast90hatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ok... i am using a B16 head that i belive is from a 91 integra, imported from japan. the block was bad in the car so the guys is selling the whole top end. reserfaced head, CTR cams, valve were all grinded, seats were grinded. its a really nice set. but anyway im not to sure a about the ignition but im pretty sure it is from the same year as the car. it also has MSD wires with it. and it is goin on a B18B block. so what ECU should i use for this combo. please put a detailed information because i am not to famillur with ECU's or hondas either. this is my first honda!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Just as long as you match the OBD style of the head and distributor, you should be ok. For example, if the distributor on the head is an OBD0 distributor (88-91), then you should use an OBD0 PR3 or PW0 ecu.

 

ok i think i got it. you have to put the ECU on the car that goes with the head!! ok i get that part. now what are the differences between diffent ecu's. like, OBD, PW,PR

 

are there companies out there that sell modified harnesses. like a harness that is already modified to put a OBD1 in my 1990 civic without having to cut the harness. i think i have heard people say this. and if this is true can some PLEASE give me a link where i can get a modified harness, this would help me out alot.

 

If you can, PM Blown90hatch on this forum. He sells OBD0 to OBD1 conversion harnesses. There are others out there as well. Do a search, and I'm sure you'll find what you need. As for the different ecus, those are just different ID codes for the ecu. There maybe a few differences between a PR3 and PW0, but nothing much that would affect performance.

 

im really confused on this hole subject manner. first off what kind of ecu is in the car right now. it is a DX hatch??? and then when i do the LS/vtec what ecu should go with that motor?? it is a 92 B16 top end!! and does the harness have to be modded because it is a B18B block with a B16 top.

o and i don't think i can PM yet cuz i am a new user of this forum.

 

Right now, you have a PM5 ecu. You cannot use this ecu at all. All 88-91 Civics/CRXs are OBD0. From 92-95 is OBD1, and 96-up is OBD2A/B. To make it easier for you with the head/block you are using, you should get an OBD0 to OBD1 wiring conversion harness. The harness will not have to be modded because it's an LS/VTEC. It will have to be modded (using a conversion harness) because you would be using an OBD1 ecu in an OBD0 wired car. So now, as far as ecus, here are some options:

P28 (92-95 Civic Si/EX, rechipped with a DOHC VTEC program)
P30 (94-95 Del Sol DOHC VTEC)
P61 (92-93 Integra GSR)
P72 (94-95 Integra GSR)

 

all suggestions above are excellent . how much are u going 2 mod the car that will really determine what ecu is best . are u going with higher compression or just the mods 2 the head alone . It will be best 2 do a obd0-obd1 conversion 2 maximize all your tuning options .

 

ok ok now i am starting to get it!! but it is still a little bit blurry. for a while i am just gona keep it mostly stock with the LS/vtec. the head i am getting is gona come with type R cams. i think that is it. but eventtuly i want to lower the compression and make it a turbo motor. with about everthing done to the motor you can possible do.

ok now sense i am gona use a integra head i think i should use a integra ECU.. 92-93 GSR. is this good. its already good for vtec? correct?

now is OBD codes the code for the ECU or the distributer?? and is there any websites that sell modded harnesses???? that would help alot. or is there any websites in general for just honda type things?? i mean i no there are i just don't know them..... oh yea i just wanted to say thanks to (REDLINE130) you seem to know you stuff and you are helping me out alot. thanks man! keep it commin

 

u check with boomslang but he might not call u back fast enough or check with jkconversionharness.com his name is jason great guy for the harness. u can use a p72 ecu obd 1 ,and if u are going boost later keep your pistons unless u are going with forged internals . Your compression will still be low enough to boost on even with the itr cams although some say the gsr are better sooted for all motor car and not a boost car. U might want 2 get second options on the boost options. I am an allmotor head. HOLLA @ Earl he is a moderator . Check out laskeyracing.com .To control the boost you will need an vafc , or a safc if you don't get hondata,crome,uberdata ,etc............. lmk if u need more help

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Redline130 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">P28 (92-95 Civic Si/EX, rechipped with a DOHC VTEC program)</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

ok so i need a OBD1 with a p72. ok but one thing i am doing a ls/vtec not a GSR motor. i don't get why you put a GSR motor is a better all motor car. i no that it is but im not gona do a all motor car. sorry if i made you think i was.. but i was gona drop in the ls/vtec and then save up alot of money and get all forged internals and then boost it. that is why i am goin with the ls/vtec. so the p72 will still work on my car?? and also both of your links don't work... if you want it might be better to send me a email with the links and or people to talk to when i need it. im not gona need the harness till about JAN. but i am just collecting info about what i need. so i will not run into to many problems later one. i no i still am gona have problems but im trying to avoid as many problems as possible. and wiring and ECU's and stuff are my weak point. give me the parts and i can build any motor. but i can't do wiring for $hit.

 

ok i am on the east coast 2 . but i was saying the gsr cams are better if u are going 2 do boost later and get a p30 obd 1 computer i has a knock sensor which u can run on your car thru the back of the block but the gsr p72 ecu has even more stuff 2 complicate things . keep it simple since u said u are not good with wires the harnesses are plug and play though for the ecu . http://www.boomslang.us i think and search for jason koeler on ht for jkconversionharness.com just call jason tell him what u are doing and he will hook u up . he hooked me up and shipping was really fast 1 day from florida 2 va

 

so you are saying run a p30 OBD1 ECU??? and then call up this guy and get him to hook me up with a harness?? and about the cams... the CTR cams are not staying. they are just comming with the head i might be getting so i was just gona keep them there. but later change them.

 

i just took a look at the boomslang thing and they sell the OBD0 to OBD1 conversion harnesses. but it says it is for 88-91 civic "SI" i got a DX will this still work. and also how am i supposed to contact this guy

 

i got ahold of him.... thanks alot guys for all your help. he is gona hook me up with what i need. oh and just if you wanted to know i am goin with a chiped P28 and OBD1

 

chipped ecu don't work all that well if u have a highly moddified engine ran my car horribly but may work 4 u

 

man i dunno about this.... i don't think i should be trying to do this motor swap. it seems to be a HUGE pain the the A$$. if it was a SI it would be sooo much better. but it is a DX with DPFI. and to do a engine swap i need MPFI.... so i might think about getting another car to do it with. maybe a SI, or a 92-95 hatch. or maybe a older integra!!

 

its not impossible but somewhat involved