If I'm to find a desirable ECU for the anticipated...

[j2k4]

...ability to flash-tune, what are the most likely candidates?

This info seems a bit scattered - might help to have all the candidates (and the attendent plusses and minuses) listed somewhere - like HERE.

Can we do this?

I am 1G/OBDI, if that matters.

[MR2]

shame you could not use an EVO ECU :p

[mb3000]

99 VR4 ECU is $757.07 from Cherry Hill [Part# MD360163]

[95gto]

I will let those that have been doing the bulk of the conversion effort speak to the specifics but here are some important cliff notes:

1) All ecu's will require a conversion harness unless your car already has the 99 wire harness

2) Aside from the 99' VR4 ecu, all ecu's will require some level of modification to other portions of the car such as an aftermarket boost gauge, hot-wired fuel pump, etc. Most of this stuff falls under basic modifications that most people have already done, but it should be mentioned up front so there aren't any surprises.

3) There is some dissagreement into how well the knock circuitry has been mapped on non-VR4 ecu's. Those that are skeptical are being skeptical from the perspective of "until I can prove everything is the same I will not assume it is the same". While others have taken a more hands on approach and feel comfortable with what testing they have done.

I know the guy making the conversion harnesses is planning on working with a vendor to sell ecu/harness bundles. These bundles would take the guess work out of sourcing a proper candidate ecu and making any of the potentially necessary hardware changes. I believe there are also plans for doing basic reflash work for those that do not want to buy evoscan and the required cables. HOWEVER, this option will not be a reality until its been thoroughly tested and everyone involved feels good about it.

But if you want to do something sooner than when those guys are ready, you would just need to get the help of the correct players from this forum to do so.

[green-lantern]

I will let those that have been doing the bulk of the conversion effort speak to the specifics but here are some important cliff notes:

1) All ecu's will require a conversion harness unless your car already has the 99 wire harness

2) Aside from the 99' VR4 ecu, all ecu's will require some level of modification to other portions of the car such as an aftermarket boost gauge, hot-wired fuel pump, etc. Most of this stuff falls under basic modifications that most people have already done, but it should be mentioned up front so there aren't any surprises.

3) There is some dissagreement into how well the knock circuitry has been mapped on non-VR4 ecu's. Those that are skeptical are being skeptical from the perspective of "until I can prove everything is the same I will not assume it is the same". While others have taken a more hands on approach and feel comfortable with what testing they have done.

I know the guy making the conversion harnesses is planning on working with a vendor to sell ecu/harness bundles. These bundles would take the guess work out of sourcing a proper candidate ecu and making any of the potentially necessary hardware changes. I believe there are also plans for doing basic reflash work for those that do not want to buy evoscan and the required cables. HOWEVER, this option will not be a reality until its been thoroughly tested and everyone involved feels good about it.

But if you want to do something sooner than when those guys are ready, you would just need to get the help of the correct players from this forum to do so.

Pretty much sums it up right here.

I’m using a 98-99 SL ECU but as Levi has pointed out there have been some disagreements about the knock circuitry.

[j2k4]

Well, I'm looking for the cleanest, least problematic install, so I'm going to watch this very carefully - I'm guessing inside the next year we'll be seeing the good stuff.

[95gto]

Well, I'm looking for the cleanest, least problematic install, so I'm going to watch this very carefully - I'm guessing inside the next year we'll be seeing the good stuff.

The setup is being pursued under the intent to provide plug and play solutions, so once the devlopment is done it won't matter what ecu you get, it will have all the necessary components converted over. All you would need to do is remove the stock ecu, bolt the new one in, and then just plug everything in. The only potential extra wiring would be a fuel pump hotwire, provided that is not addressed in the hardware conversions. The ecus will come with a stock VR4 map flashed to them but I believe the plan is to offer modified parameters for larger injectors, evo maf, etc sent for an additional fee.

I would hope that within the next year we will see these bundles being ready to go. But a lot of it depends on how much time the folks doing the development can dedicate to the project, and its of course a side project for everyone.

As of right now you can purchase a conversion harness if you don't want to wait and want to do some development testing of your own. Brett is the guy to talk to about the harnesses as he has made all kinds now including the one that Aaron has been using on his car.

[j2k4]

My schedule is spring, at the soonest, 'cuz she'll be parked for snow and some other stuff to be installed.

Be nice to get the hundred or so horses I'm currently leaving on the table in my back pocket.:)