420a computer question

[envious]

At my work we have a 1999 2g eclipse w/ 420a that from what I am told has a bad computer. Its fairly nice 2g black, tan int. and 5 speed. I would like to pick up the car pretty cheap but I want to know what I am getting into with this computer first. Lead mechanic says it has to have a new one from dealer put in and they have to flash it. I thought you could just pick up from the junk yard especially with all the upgrades and engine swaps done on these cars. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[NeMiZiS]

Should be able to just swap it with another one.

 

[Fotowntalon]

Cheap really depends on what you consider cheap

If the car is completely stock or close to (aka you don't have to worry about extreme mods that require a good air/fuel mixture to run decent) then you should be able to easily pick one up from 2gnt, the marketplace here or ebay, just makesure you get one that is for a 99 Non-turbo MT, not any 2g ecu will work because they are different throughout the years. One of those will cost anywhere from $50-$150.

OR

If it is heavily moded, then I would go with a Howell ECU, will net you some performance gains, and automatically tune itself to the mods, downsides, is it is more expensive ($300-600 range), and won't work as well if the car is turbo'd. Once again make sure it is for the 99!

Hope this helps ya some, and would love to see another 420a on the streets.

*EDIT*

The ECU is easy to install, you don't need the theif, err dealer to do that for you. its 3-4 bolts, and unplug and re-plug, super easy, took me 10 mins to do, including time to find a star head screwdriver to change the metal plate.

 

[RoninEclipse2G]

Like fotown said, it's easy as pie. Just make sure that if the car is a 99 you get a 99 ECU. Between 96-99 the ECU's look the same but have different pinouts and other oddities.

 

[gudz519]

while were on the topic does anyone know if you buy the afx ecu what is need for the install or is it just plug n play and i was gunna go Crower 2s should i get the computer first or should i install the cams first? any feedback would be great thanks

 

[bullettdsm]

while were on the topic does anyone know if you buy the afx ecu what is need for the install or is it just plug n play and i was gunna go Crower 2s should i get the computer first or should i install the cams first? any feedback would be great thanks

Plug and play and computer first. Best to get a tuner to help any upgrades.

OP, our ECU's do not need to be flashed at a dealer. Just get a 99 from a junkyard.

MB

 

[gudz519]

now correct me if im wrong but once i have a shop install the cams the afx ecu tunes itself correct so no need to do further tuning

 

[bullettdsm]

now correct me if im wrong but once i have a shop install the cams

Who, pray tell, is putting those in for you up there?

the afx ecu tunes itself correct so no need to do further tuning

That's correct. It basically takes in info from your set-up (sensors etc.) and aims the tune toward specific internal settings (in a nutshell).

MB

 

[NeMiZiS]

I wish Howell made a ECU for early 95s!!!

 

[RoninEclipse2G]

I wish Howell didn't have the worst customer service EVER.

 

[gudz519]

Who, pray tell, is putting those in for you up there?


That's correct. It basically takes in info from your set-up (sensors etc.) and aims the tune toward specific internal settings (in a nutshell).

MB

i heard that some place called malden machine does good work and i was also looking at trick engineering unless u know about a place by then i doubt the ride will bother me as long as its a day job

 

[bullettdsm]

Taken to PM's

MB