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  #1  
Old May 9th 2004, 17:50
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Aftermarket FI computer...

Which is better for an engine swap. Is it worth the effort to use the (often) spaghetti wire harness of the donar car or use an aftermarket FI computer. I mean the stock harness often comes with the engine or is very cheap. But since I'm not all that lucky in the electrical department I was thinking of using a megasuirt or SDS system with my (maybe) engine swap. What are everybody's opinions on this subject.
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Old May 9th 2004, 18:57
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NO_H2O NO_H2O is offline
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From what I have seen the CIS looks to be a very simple set up. The trouble is finding a place for the fuel dist. unit in a bug. It's not a big deal in a bus or thing and the parts are avail. in any junk yard.
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  #3  
Old May 9th 2004, 19:19
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What about for a WRX engine. I know i don't need 300hp but it is so tempting. For what I would pay for a well built type 4 engine down payment I could have an engine running.
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  #4  
Old May 10th 2004, 09:10
blue4400 blue4400 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boygenius
Which is better for an engine swap. Is it worth the effort to use the (often) spaghetti wire harness of the donar car or use an aftermarket FI computer. I mean the stock harness often comes with the engine or is very cheap. But since I'm not all that lucky in the electrical department I was thinking of using a megasuirt or SDS system with my (maybe) engine swap. What are everybody's opinions on this subject.

What kind of swap are you doing (what engine into what car)?

Out of the two computers, I would use the SDS, they are very nice and helpful with tech. questions. We are running that computer on my friends toyota pick-up 22re making 346rwhp.
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Old May 10th 2004, 11:22
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I still keep thinking about a subaru wrx engine in my 69 standard bug. So much horsepower for the money.
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1969 beetle in the works... 2.0 type 4 DTM...
2004 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 crashed
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  #6  
Old May 10th 2004, 14:01
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Based on what I have learned so far swapping in a Subaru EJ25, I would suggest going with an aftermarket setup (if you have the cash).

However, make sure to do your research. When you get an aftermarket ECU, it will come with a 'base map' (make sure it has one for your engine !) which will make the car run, but not run optimal.
To get the max out of the computer, you will need to get someone to tune it on a Dyny. Dyno time and labour for this are expensive.

The upside of using the stock ECU is cost. It is relatively cheap.
But make absolutely sure you get the ECU that came with your particular engine and also make sure you get the complete wiring harness !
The downside is wiring hell, and these ECU's use more sensors and crap than you'll ever dream off. If you want to do it right, and not have the ECU spew error codes at you then you have to make sure that all sensors are in place, or at least make the ECU think they are in place

Rob.
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  #7  
Old May 10th 2004, 15:19
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I found one company that sells an ecu that is pre-programed for the WRX engine. You can even get them to wire it up so all you would have to do is plug it in to the engine sensors and drive... Bad thing is that the ecu sells for $1200 last time I checked.
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1969 beetle in the works... 2.0 type 4 DTM...
2004 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 crashed
www.volksport.net Volksport Kfer Gruppe
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Old May 10th 2004, 16:14
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Yup, and that's a cheap one

Was it the Link computer ?
That one is relatively cheap and used a lot by the Dune Buggy Crowd.

Rob.
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  #9  
Old May 10th 2004, 16:22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob
Yup, and that's a cheap one

Was it the Link computer ?
That one is relatively cheap and used a lot by the Dune Buggy Crowd.

Rob.

Yep. A very good deal for what you get. No MAF sensor so the turbo size is and intake design are wide open.
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I love my money pit, uhm, err, I mean my car.
1969 beetle in the works... 2.0 type 4 DTM...
2004 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 crashed
www.volksport.net Volksport Kfer Gruppe
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  #10  
Old May 11th 2004, 13:47
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Boygenius..

Here is my two cents....

ECUTEK, I just had my ECU from my WRX Remapped.. They are from Australia, I think.. but there are plenty of shops that can tune that set up...

Should be about 900 for the reflash..

Also with the Delta Dash software you can road tune your car with a laptop.. I haven't gone that way since I need it done right the first time.. (daily driver and track car)..

Had a base map that is running well but going in for a tuning session..

I was also looking at my wrx and imagining put that engine in my 78 vert..
But from some site, FROST something dot com.. they mentioned it was too wide and would require a lot of body work.. So I started to scrap that idea..

The thought of going to the subaru dealership and getting parts and then telling them its for a VW, would cause them to have a heart attack.. Either way by beetle is getting jealous..

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Last edited by LOAF; May 11th 2004 at 13:50.
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  #11  
Old May 11th 2004, 17:22
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Just to throw in my $.02...
If you don't have a complete factory schematic, which you fully understand... or have a buddy who does, and you have personally seen a system that he recently did... you are asking for a headache!
This is the whole reason I went the way I did. One simple glitch can cause your project to sour and you to lose a lot of money. Yes, aftermarkets are expensive but they come with support.
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  #12  
Old May 11th 2004, 17:48
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WRT the WRX being too wide:
The EJ25 I am putting is is also too wide. I had to hack up most of the rear of the car.
However, the WRX is a 2.0, so, assuming the stroke is less than the 2.5, it might fit.
2.2's fit as well.

Rob.

EDIT: BTW, Panel is right, if you have the cash, go aftermarket....
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  #13  
Old May 11th 2004, 18:39
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Hmmmm, so tempting. The wrx engine in the beetle engine will turn some heads. I was even offered sponsorship by a wrx performance store when I was first thinking about the engine swap. Still so tempting...
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I love my money pit, uhm, err, I mean my car.
1969 beetle in the works... 2.0 type 4 DTM...
2004 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 crashed
www.volksport.net Volksport Kfer Gruppe
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  #14  
Old May 11th 2004, 19:37
beesquad711 beesquad711 is offline
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WRX into a Beetle

This sounds like a fun conversion. My interest has been piqued. I priced some engines today...$4k for 300 hp isn't too bad ....boygenius let me know what comes of this. I would love to learn more about what will go into it and everything.
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  #15  
Old May 11th 2004, 20:52
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Engine swap not certian yet.

I don't know if I'm going to go the engine swap route. The hp per dollar ratio is very good but there is just something about the sound and simplicity of an air cooled vw engine. Check out the thread "and so it begins" Rob is putting the subaru 2.5 liter engine in his car.
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1969 beetle in the works... 2.0 type 4 DTM...
2004 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 crashed
www.volksport.net Volksport Kfer Gruppe
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