Federal ECU in a CA car?

[Cs4g63]

What would happen if I used a Federal ECU in my California car?
I am pretty sure that it wont change anything but I just want to make sure it wouldnt cause problems with my emmisions or check engine light when it comes time for smog.

 

[Talesin]

It just doesn't check that the EGR temperature sensor is working/EGR system is working. You can convert a CA to Federal operation by adding a 1KOhm resistor to the PCB at pad point R129. Similarly, you can make a Federal into a CA model by removing the resistor at R129.
R130 is used to determine AWD or FWD (though I have no idea what difference it really makes, as the ECUs appear to be interchangeable).

If your smog tech unplugs the EGR solenoid, it could be problematic (wouldn't throw a CEL like the CA model should)... but I've never had a smog tech do that before, even on a test-only.

 

[Cs4g63]

Thank you for the very helpful information.
I wasnt to worried about the smog techs checking for it but I just wanted to make sure that it wasnt going to be a problem.

 

[95TalonOwner]

Just for everyones info R130 does determine fwd and awd, the only difference is the awd one has no speed limiter and the fwd does since the awd came with better rated tires from the factory.

 

[Talesin]

Er... no 1G has a speed limiter, 95Talon. It's just the 2Gs that get to suffer with them. And IIRC, it doesn't matter if you're FWD or AWD, 2Gs still have a speed limiter.

Did a bit more research, and the 1G R130 AWD/FWD differences are minimal at best... minor fuel map differences and timing advance stuff at different RPM levels to help compensate for the additional drivetrain loss and closer gearing ratio. The functional differences are truly next to negligible, and can be safely ignored when swapping one into the other.

 

[95TalonOwner]

Damn I know I remember reading that somewhere where they were cutting the resistor off the board in order to get rid of a speed limiter. Maybe it was a different car's ecu or something idk.

 

[Talesin]

There's a resistor you can add to the 2G ECUs to get rid of the speed limiter, but it isn't R130 AFAIK. No 1G has a speed limiter.

EDIT: Just checked around with a quick Googlesearch, and came up with the information. According to the article I read, you're correct in that only the FWDs had the 130mph speed limiter, due to the tires. However, it was only in the 2Gs. 1Gs have no speed limiter, FWD or AWD.
Here's the article on how to remove the limiter... I'd recommend looking up the resistor IDs and doing it the right way the first time, instead of experimenting as the authors suggest. Also, apparently the 1Gs use 1KOhm resistors, while the 2Gs use 10KOhm. The proper pad IDs for the 2G ECU configuration selection are R255 and R256.
http://www.dsm.org/www.dsm.org.1998/how-tos/speedlimiter.htm

 

[steve]

You can convert a CA to Federal operation by adding a 1KOhm resistor to the PCB at pad point R129. Similarly, you can make a Federal into a CA model by removing the resistor at R129.
R130 is used to determine AWD or FWD (though I have no idea what difference it really makes, as the ECUs appear to be interchangeable).

Just remember that 1990 model ECUs don't work this way. They had different software for CA vs Fed ECUs. The other thing to remember is in 94 both Fed and CA cars used CA style EGR so again changing the jumper isn't going to do much.

Steve

 

[Talesin]

Hadn't found anything about that in my searching, Steve. Good info; I haven't had the time or inclination to head to the wilds where the EPROM coders sit and talk, either.
Yet another annoyance of the bi***-year, I guess. :b

 

[steve]

It's not new news. Right now the earliest example I find is from '04 http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138998 there may be earlier ones but that was just searching for the ones I had posted.

 

[sd_ff22]

um, sorry if this is somewhere else guys.
is there a way to turn a california ECU into a federal ecu as stated for the purpose of EGR?
I am AWD but I also live in california. my problem is that I have an evo3 intake manifold that does not have egr or mdp locations. it would be great if I could trick the ecu into not cheking "that the EGR temperature sensor is working/EGR system is working"

thanks for any help guys!

 

[steve]

I don't know that there is a difference from an EGR standpoint between Fed and CA on 2G's
You'll note that the 2G ECU numbers are the same http://simon.chi.il.us/ECU/ECUID.html

A 95 EPROM ECU with DSMLink or a chip from Keydiver might be the only fix unless your good hacking code and can reflash your ECU.

Steve

 

[sd_ff22]

A 95 EPROM ECU with DSMLink or a chip from Keydiver might be the only fix unless your good hacking code and can reflash your ECU.

Steve

Im definetly NOT.
i know that I can shut off the cel for it with link but thats a ways away finacialy speaking...
thanks though.

 

[Defiant]

94 and up did away with the California/Federal distinction- all DSMs became "California" cars.

The EGR is tested by hooking up a vacuum pump to the valve and making sure the idle suffers when it's activated. I know of no electrical test of the EGR controls other than making sure the CEL is working.