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EJ swap / Megasquirt


Hodaka Rider
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So, a guy locally has offered me a '96 2.2 for my swap (into '93 Loyale). He has the entire car, but from what I've read, the OBD cars make the swap a PITA. If this is wrong, correct me now. If not, my question is this: would doing a Megasquirt setup be easier than sorting out the factory harness issues? Or is there another option I'm not thinking of.

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So, a guy locally has offered me a '96 2.2 for my swap (into '93 Loyale). He has the entire car, but from what I've read, the OBD cars make the swap a PITA. If this is wrong, correct me now. If not, my question is this: would doing a Megasquirt setup be easier than sorting out the factory harness issues? Or is there another option I'm not thinking of.

 

well, the OBD II setups are more complicated...but not by a whole lot, I believe.

 

but, a full standalone ECU would probably be easier than swapping the stock harness. Also remember, there are many ECU options for the EJ motors (and IIRC megasquirt has some issues with it, so may not be the best choice)

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is there another option I'm not thinking of.

 

I'm kinda wondering this myself...............

 

Ford Escort Ignition (2400) used in Subaru EJ-22 Conversion.

http://www.prachapter34.com/converting_engines.htm

 

And on the same page an intake for a carb, or maybe adapt a SPFI of some description to the EJ22 intake and fire it with the existing ECU?

 

I may never go here, but I've been *thinking* about it.

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Also remember, there are many ECU options for the EJ motors (and IIRC megasquirt has some issues with it, so may not be the best choice)

 

I know there have been a few issues mentioned, but don't remember exactly what.

What other full standalone options are there (similar $$ to MS)

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I know there have been a few issues mentioned, but don't remember exactly what.

What other full standalone options are there (similar $$ to MS)

 

I have no idea exactly. I have had virtually zero experience with standalones. but there are entire sections dedicated to engine management on the major new gen forums (nasioc and the like)

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The largest problem with MS on an EJ, is the stock crank/cam sensors aren't decoded in the ignition control (yet, there's actually some beta code floating around for it). You'd need to add a decoder wheel somewhere on the engine, or modify the existing wheels somehow.

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After much reading, that's what I found as well. I did find a nice thread about a guy who put a Liberty twin turbo engine in a 914 using MSnEDIS (minus one of the turbos). Have not read it all yet.

The other issue I saw mentioned is that it takes a LOT of fiddling to get good drivablility with MS. Having a few good base maps available would be nice, but this luxury is not available with the EJ-22 right now. Doesn't look too hopeful, as this will be my DD.

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The largest problem with MS on an EJ, is the stock crank/cam sensors aren't decoded in the ignition control (yet, there's actually some beta code floating around for it). You'd need to add a decoder wheel somewhere on the engine, or modify the existing wheels somehow.

 

Or jam a distributor in and use it as a trigger.

Thats what I am doing.

 

I will let you know how it goes, wiring up now.

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I have been running the disty for a while, I was heaps easier to continue to run it and get my control through MS. I cannot wait to fire her up!

 

A local Guru here in Tassie by the name of Sir Will has been wiring it for me;

 

Finally I will have some active tunability and fan(s) control, water injection control, a spare output for boost control.

 

Full report will be posted when she roars again.

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Here are the problems with the MS and adding an EJ to the mix.

 

1. Same amount of wiring work.

2. You'll be spending hours/days/weeks/months trying to solve the whole ignition/CAS problem just to get it to run.

3. No one has used the stock ignition system with a MS yet...so you'll need something else. See #2.

4. Unless you know what you are doing when you are tuning for power, driveablity, warmup, accell enrichment etc...you'll be hating life while trying to make the engine run properly.

 

 

Just use a spliced stock harness and stock EJ ECU. It'll save you time, money and your life.

 

 

*HOWEVER*

 

When the stock cam/crank signals are decoded and the MS-II can run the engine on the stock ignition system....THEN if you understand tuning, the MS would be better.

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  • 2 weeks later...

from what i've heard, using a standalone is a bad call unless you really want to fiddle. even hydra and stuff isn't very easy to use...

 

wiring the stock harness would probably be easier due to the fact that if you plug it in all correctly it should run... while if you get the MS hooked up properly it still won't run...:rolleyes:

 

some of the local companies that do engine swaps pretty much stay away from standalones...

 

if you're looking for better tuning than stock, get a piggyback (perfect power) or a reflash...:)

 

speaking of all this... who wants to help me swap the ej22 engine and harness into the brat with me???:rolleyes:

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Hey Zefy, what's Subaru Jim up to these days?

 

(I'm hi-jacking my own thread!)

 

he's doing pretty good... unfortunatly he has to move though because his land got sold or something... so he has to move EVERYTHING to his new place about 2 mins away... for everybody else, that's 37 subies to move... very few of them are working subies too...

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We did a 96 OBD2 EJ22 wiring harness and beleve it or not it is just as easy as the OBD1 but it may run lots of codes that could run it in limp mode so maintaining all the stock sencers are a must .

 

this is the best way to start building the harness , get the ACTUAL SUBARU SHOP WIRING BOOK FROM THE DEALER FOR YOUR YEAR OF EJ CAR , best 80$ you will spend ,

 

with the wiring out of the car plug in all the scencers , relays , fuel pump , engine , fuse box, ECU, ,ect. ect. ect. every thing that is needed to run the engine , and start cutting :dead:, dont be scared the wiring can smell fear and will only make it mad :lol: ,

 

once you have it all cut up there is no going back just keep looking at your wiring diograms and keep at it .

 

the hardest part will be wiring in to the EA car with the EJ harness POWER and GROUNDs , the ALT. and switched power all have to be corect and everyone will have a diffrent way .

 

 

thats the best i can explane with out getting you confused and ME :-\

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I know I haven't found you one!

I'd say go for it if it's a good deal.

Ideally your donor car would be an OBD-1 car with a manual transmission, for the simplest wiring possible.

Rguyver's right though about the FSM - with it, all things are possible..

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Hmmm, OK. I guess I'll see what the guy wants for it - unless you've found me one? :lol::grin:;)

 

I do have a 91 EJ22 car that im stripping but the engine needs head gaskets it is also a 5 speed so the wiring is a bit easyer but i do have plans for it, but money changes plans to $$ , let me know how much you can get that car for and i could make you a better deal .

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I do have a 91 EJ22 car that im stripping but the engine needs head gaskets it is also a 5 speed so the wiring is a bit easyer but i do have plans for it, but money changes plans to $$ , let me know how much you can get that car for and i could make you a better deal .

 

i think you should spend a weekend helping me with my swap...:-p

 

then you can come down and pick up the windshield gasket as i never seem to ship...:dead::(

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i think you should spend a weekend helping me with my swap...:-p

 

then you can come down and pick up the windshield gasket as i never seem to ship...:dead::(

 

If i had time i could :banana:but i have about 4 projects on the go , i just got a 92 loyale turbo with a bad auto tranny that im doing a 5speed swap, intercooler, 3inch no cat exhost , my lifted Hatch needs some shock mound repair (welding) , my boat has to be cleand up for summer , and i have to finish my secret brat project for WCSS9 :grin: along with the rest of my stuff .

not to worried about the window gasket as long as i get it sometime !

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