I have a 88 CRX DX with a 97 Civic CX engine in it. The ecu is from a 88-99 crx. i was wondering if i could use another stock honda/acura ecu that will just plug in. What do you guys recommend? should i just try to get a stock cx ecu or is there another ecu from another car that is better>

 

you running the just the cx ead and block with the crx dual point? or did you swap out to mpfi?

 

its a 97 honda cx swap. with an 88-89 ecu
its programmed fuel injection now i think... im probably going to need a ecu that suports that eh?

also iim failing air care.. what do i need to change? the 02 sensor or catalytic convertor or is the ecu causing the bad emmissions?




[Modified by hotboi604, 5:53 PM 10/6/2002]

 

tt

 

i too would like to know this. ttt for you.

 

k if u have the DX model , then u got DPFI.... u need to change to MPFI if u havent....the CZ ecu its OBDII wont work on ur car.... u can use a 88-89 Integra ECU wich its better , or just an 88-91 CRX/Civic Si ecu.. other than that u pretty much hand tied.....

 

I have near the same setup as you - 89 DX hatch with a 00 LX motor (D16Y7) which I think is the same as your 97 CX. I did all the work myself so I can answer your questions fairly well. You basically have 2 options:

#1 - You could keep it DPFI. You can take the DPFI intake manifold from your 88 motor, put it on the 97 CX motor and run your stock dx ecu. It's just like having a newer motor but it will perform the same.
#2 - You could change it to MPFI which will make it perform much better. This will require a few parts that you probably don't have. You can start by using the intake manifold that is already on the CX motor. You'll need to get an 88-91 Civic/CRX Si PM6 ECU (JDM ZC or 88-91 Integra will also work). Then you'll need an 88-91 Civic/CRX distributor too. You can use the injectors from the 97 CX motor, but the best thing is the injectors and resistor box from one of the vehicles listed in the parts above.

This is just a quick answer but if you need any details feel free to ask because I've done 2 similar swaps, one just 2 weeks ago so the info is still fresh in my mind.

 

ok well the car is programmed fuel injection right? im not exactly sure what was done with the car since the guy sold it to me.
it already has the CX intake mainfold and ****, but would it be possible to use the CX ecu? would it plug in right? Does the integra ECU just plug in? Which one would offer me better performance? THe CRX ecu or the integra one?

 

The CX ecu will not plug in, it will with a jumper harness but it will just make more headaches. The 88-91 Civic / CRX Si, 88-91 Integra LS / RS / GS and the 88-91 ZC will all plug into the under dash harness. All of the ecu's are very similar with minor tweaks to the fuel / timing / igintion so any of these would be a good choice. I would say the best and the easiest to find would be the PM6 from the 88-91 Civic / CRX Si.

 

well i know for sure that my ecu is from a CRX, but im not sure from which model.

how can i check?

 

Off the top of my head I know the PM6 is Si model for sure.

PM5 I think is Dual Point DX and PM8 is HF model.

 

shoud it be engraved on the ECU?

 

There should be a bar code stricker on the side of the ECU case you'll see some numbers and there will be the code - PM5, PM6, etc.

 

also iim failing air care.. what do i need to change? the 02 sensor or catalytic convertor or is the ecu causing the bad emmissions?

i know the cx engine has 2 o2 sensors. Would the older ecus be able to control both of them? is this maybe why my emissions are so bad?