Converting a 90 ECU to 2nd gen for DSMLink

[Slow old poop]

I have a 90 GSX turbo AWD.
I bought a new DSMLink package, only to discover that I don't have an EPROM in my ECU.

I obtained a spare 2nd gen ECU that's already been socketed for DSM Link.
I found this link:

http://www.ecanfix.com/users/mdhamilton/ecuconversion.html
for converting a 90 ECU to a 91-94.

Question is: Does my 2nd gen ECU qualify? I have no idea what year it came from. Numbers on the case say:
MD309947
E2T81874
4823 E

What I would like to do is install the 2nd gen ECU, and then install DSMLink.

Any advice?

Rich

 

[CanadianTSi]

Can't be done.

1G's are OBD1 and 2G's are OBD2. Get yourself a 91-94 EPROM.

 

[RavenX]

Its been done, however its alot of custom work

 

[eclipsegsx1736]

That 2g ECU should be an EPROM, the number matches, although trying to use a 1g DSMlink with a 2g ECU in a 1g is going to be a mess at best.

 

[Slow old poop]

OK, I guess that 2G ECU isn't going to work. Too bad, because it's already socketed.

Next question, then: Will ANY 91-94 1st gen ECU with a PROM work? Does it have to be a turbo or AWD car? I ask, because I can harvest an ECU out of a FWD turbo car locally, but nobody seems to know which ones are suitable.

How can I tell if the ECU is any good? Last night, we stuck a questionable ECU (bad caps) from a 93 turbo car into my 90, and it wouldn't start. We don't know if it was a bad ECU or wouldn't run because it hadn't been modded, or what. If it was a good ECU, would the 90 start? Or do I have to do the mods for it to work?

Thanks for your help

I think I'm making progress. You folks are leading me down a path that will eventually result in a DSMLink installation.

Rich

 

[Street Surgeon]

It's been some time since I played with the factory eprom ECUs but from what I remember the '90 is some weird bastard year that has a different MPI relay and is quite a bit different than all the other 91 to 94 ecu's. You can use the fwd ecu but you have to either put a resistor in some spot on the board or take one off I can't remember.

Actually, come to think of it just go here and all thy questions will be answered.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/dsm-ecu/

That or you could ask keydiver aka Jeff on dsmchips.com and he might be able to help you.

 

[steve]

OK, I guess that 2G ECU isn't going to work. Too bad, because it's already socketed.

As had been mentioned, It's a lot of work but before the 1G DSMLink came out people were running 2G ECUs with a adaptor cable with some measure of success. I have one of the cables so I can test 2G ECUs in my car.

Next question, then: Will ANY 91-94 1st gen ECU with a PROM work? Does it have to be a turbo or AWD car? I ask, because I can harvest an ECU out of a FWD turbo car locally, but nobody seems to know which ones are suitable.

Any turbo EPROM ECU will work but using anything other than a 90 ECU in a 90 car will require additional work. First pin 6 and 14 need to be swapped anytime the car and ECU combination cross the 90/91+ combination. If the car is a 90 then you have to take care of the difference in the ignition pulse detect signal (tach) to pin 109. Either a 91+ PTM needs to be swapped in and used to drive the ECU or get the converter from Keydiver.

How can I tell if the ECU is any good? Last night, we stuck a questionable ECU (bad caps) from a 93 turbo car into my 90, and it wouldn't start. We don't know if it was a bad ECU or wouldn't run because it hadn't been modded, or what. If it was a good ECU, would the 90 start? Or do I have to do the mods for it to work?

The swap of pins 6 and 14 between the 90 and 91 harness/ECU can cause some problems since one pin is the IPS and the other MAF reset. The first thing to look for is does the CEL turn on when you turn the ignition on. If it doesn't then usually the ECU isn't booting and your not going to get very far with that ECU.

None of this is new information other than the fact the Jeff is now selling an tach adaptor. The rest can be easily found in the archives.

Steve

 

[rhamlinii]

As had been mentioned, It's a lot of work but before the 1G DSMLink came out people were running 2G ECUs with a adaptor cable with some measure of success. I have one of the cables so I can test 2G ECUs in my car.


Any turbo EPROM ECU will work but using anything other than a 90 ECU in a 90 car will require additional work. First pin 6 and 14 need to be swapped anytime the car and ECU combination cross the 90/91+ combination. If the car is a 90 then you have to take case of the difference in the ignition pulse detect signal (tach) to pin 109. Either a 91+ PTM need to be swapped in and used to driver the ECU or get the converter from Keydiver.



The swap of pins 6 and 14 between the 90 and 91 harness/ECU can cause some problems since one pin is the IPS and the other MAF reset. The first thing to look for is does the CEL turn on when you turn the ignition on. If it doesn't then usually the ECU isn't booting and your not going to get veryfar with that ECU.

None of this is new information other than the fact the Jeff is now selling an tach adaptor. The rest can be easily found in the archives.


Steve

Where can I locate one of these adapter harnesses, so I can put a 2g dsmlink ecu into my 1g. Please tell me A.S.A.P because, i'm trying to work out the deal now.

 

[steve]

Where can I locate one of these adapter harnesses, so I can put a 2g dsmlink ecu into my 1g.

You get to make your own. Nobody sells them unless they had one they don't need anymore.

Steve

 

[exiletalon]

why dont you guys buy the 1g DSMLink, it offers the persistant memory and more than enough features to fully tune your car, converting seems like a waste of time and trouble- might as well tune an AEM EMS....