Since I need to buy an ECU anyway for my auto -> 5spd project I was wondering if it would be better to go OBDI with a conversion harness and up the performance or should I stick with just getting another stock 5spd OBDII ECU?

And those that DO have an OBDI retro fitted... how do you go about emissions testing when they plug in and can't read the ECU?
Because if it's that much hassle I'll stick to the OBDII.

thanks in advance.

To the idiots: I'm not going to use my auto ECU because I'm going to do it the right way.

 

Will they fail you for a CEL on your OBD2 car?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by A Blue Lude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Will they fail you for a CEL on your OBD2 car?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes - fail, won't even hook up to it if your engine light is on. That's how they do it in Ohio, I assume Texas is probably more strict.

 

Yes, they will fail... even if the ECu is reset and no CEL is on... the machine can tell that a trouble code is stored. In certain counties they don't 'emissions test'. But I live near Dallas and have to get checked here (more expensive too).

So should I just stick with OBDII ?

 

I guess you'll need a MT OBD2 ECU, since I'm under the impression that a AT ECU will throw a code when there is no TCM.

I wouldn't be suprised if you can just convert your AT ECU to a MT ECU though.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by A Blue Lude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I guess you'll need a MT OBD2 ECU, since I'm under the impression that a AT ECU will throw a code when there is no TCM.

I wouldn't be suprised if you can just convert your AT ECU to a MT ECU though. </TD></TR></TABLE>

You must have not read my first post thoroughly. I said I wasn't going to use my auto ecu... and I wasn't asking what ECu should I use, but instead, SHOULD I convert to OBDI (since there are more performance opportunities available) since I will be having to buy an new ECU ANYWAY.

For now, I'll be getting a 5spd OBDII ECU, but was looking at other OBDI chipped/reflashed ECUs are in the same price range or for a few extra bucks.

 

Well of course OBD1 is better. It's really easy if you have a chipped ECU with a basemap and tuning your car = free midrange HP.
Just keep in mind that with a OBD2 ECU that throws a TCM CEL (presuming it does) and a OBD1 ECU that is, simply, OBD1, you will have issues passing e-test. So you'll have to get the OBD2 MT ECU eventually, or convert your AT one over to MT spec.