Quote:
Originally Posted by brucepick
I know you're using a modified OBD-1 ECU. And I think there's a jumper cable to connect it to the car's existing harness connector?
Is Neptune programmed into the OBD-1 ECU? Or installed into some other hardware?
How does the Tunerview connect to the system? Does it need other tools or software to set it up or run?
If my state inspection requires my '97 car to have working OBDII, will I need to physically remove the OBD-1 ECU or does the OBD-1 install in its own spot so I only need to swap some connectors temporarily?
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Bruce,
I am using an OBD1 ecu. To do this I just have an OBD2a to OBD1 jumper harness. It literally plugs into the stock harness where the ECU is, and the other side plugs into the OBD1 ECU. No wiring needed, its plug and play.
I believe Neptune is the program they use to ship the ecu. The tune is stored in the ship. The burn a new chip, install in the ECU and it works flawlessly.
The tuner view has a 4 wire connector that plugs in directly into the inside of the ECU to data connector. I am pretty sure this was added to the stock ECU. The other end of the cable plugs right into the tuner view. So not tapping into wires or anything like the mpguino. It comes with downloadable software and has a USB cable to set or create things to monitor. All the things I have displayed are selectable fields.
As for inspection, when we had inspection here, it was solely based on exhaust output. If you need the OBD2 port to work, be sure to keep your old ECU and just install it for the inspection. Only one bolt holds the ECU in place, so swapping it is extremely simple.
Quote:
Originally Posted by figit090
May I ask;
What makes this so efficient? An engine made for a larger car able to move the smaller car much easier perhaps, or is this a particularly efficient engine? I don't know enough about civic models to begin to understand the HX/DX mess of acronyms... 
How dangerous is the "lean burn" for the engine? while reading performance modification threads for supras and such (I drive one) I have often seen that a fuel mix that is too lean will burn up the engine. Perhaps that's more dangerous with higher compression and turbos...but I would assume it risky here too.
Why don't car manufacturers do this sort of thing more? If anyone could swap in this engine and buy some engine management tools...you'd think that car manufacturers would jump on the bandwagon. I'm sure that some amenities may be sacrificed since I skipped a lot of the thread, but surely it's drivable... is it very tricky to get it to run right? |
Figit, thanks for the kind words. I love the choice of the MK3 supra! I currently am using the transmission of an MK3 supra(R154) in my IS300. It is a very solid unit!
For the efficiency questions, the lean burn technology of this year car was specific to the HX. The DX was just a normal engine. A few things that give me an edge is the CX is lighter and lacks power steering. Another thing is the lower rpms I am using on the highway thanks to the VX transmission I am running.
Running lean is normally dangerous to mot engines, but the Honda Vtec-e were designed in such a way to support it. I believe they have enhanced cooling and the air spirals in a unique fashion to allow the lean burn without causing engine failure.
Most people believe the government is to blame for limiting this technology. For example, they would not allow the full lean burn models in California. They claim the Nox is too high for the economy car class or the engine size. Meanwhile a hummer that has 4x the nox levels is perfectly legal to drive and California while getting a measly 8 mpg… They claim they want more efficient cars, but not enough to hurt the sale of gas. I am sure you can read all the conspiracy theories out there and make your own decisions on it.
As for the drivability, the tuned ecu really improved things and made it easier. Nothing tricky to getting it to run right, just got a chipped ECU tuned for the car from Northwest auto solutions, and hooked it up in the car.