icepikz

I have a 93 Civic Si, and I'm planning on throwing a b16 in it. I was told that i don't need to get a new ECU, but that i could get my SI ecu reprogrammed to B16 settings.... any input?

bronx

of course...you got a p28 ecu? those are popular ecu's

just get it chipped.....enjoy

imported_Moe_Mentum

I wouldn't bother spending the money to get it reprogramed unless your going to have mods done and you want it tuned. Otherwise just pick up a used ECU, or atleast your swap should come with an ECU if its a full swap.

chris_si98

yup.. if your going to keep it stock buy a used ecu.

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

buy a stock ecu? Just chip the one thats already in your car.

imported_Moe_Mentum

Wouldn't it cost more to chip it though, if its a stock motor, it would be good just to have a stock ECU .. makes sense.. Unless chipping it is saving some money.

icepikz

Well i was told that a ECU would cost $300 (which would be included in the price of the complete swap), but it would only cost me $150 to reprogram the ECU i have in my Si engine now.

icepikz

The engine will be pretty much stock for now, but first thing in spring, I'd like to get a CAI, maybe get a DC header, Skunk2 cams.....etc. So if i get my ECU reprogrammed, then it will accomodate these additions, right?

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

Well it shouldn't cost anymore than $150 to chip your ecu to run a b16. Then once your ecu is chipped you can go get a custom chip burned for your application (after you change the cams) and be golden.
I would stay away from generic chips b/c they were designed to run a specific setup in a specific engine.

icepikz

and what exactly is a P28 ecu? is that a stock Civic SI ECU? or a performance add-on?

imported_loudsubz

its the stock ecu for 92-95 Civic Si that ran the D16Z6

its already modded for vtec, and is chipable, and is OBD1 so that is why its so popular.

But you can buy any cheap ECU like a P06, add vtec to it and chip it as well and run the same base map that runs on the b16 etc, so its very versitile to do this.

Since you already have the ECU your set.

chris_si98

oh.. I thought it would be more? Guess not.

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

if you can solder and are a DIY'er then its even cheaper. The most expensive part is the low-profile ZIF sockets and an eprom burner.

icepikz

ah man, I haven't started fiddling with that stuff (yet). But the great thing is, when i get it programmed, i can set the Vtec to hit earlier, or later as well, right? (or so I'm told)

imported_loudsubz

yes

imported_My93Civic

300 for a ECU is expensive...

150 to get it chipped is too expensive...

I got mine chipped by a friend in the USA and it only cost less than 100 bucks. Close to 70-90 dollar range IF I recall correctly.

Get a used one if its stock, and 300 is a rip.

icepikz

was that U.S funds? cuz if yes, that's still gonna come up to approx. $120 Canadian anyhow....

It's not really chipping the ECU, it's reprogramming it, that takes more work than adding a chip, right? As far as i know, a chip is an add-on, but reprogramming is about getting into the software itself...

icepikz

i really apprciate you guys helping me out, keep writing your inputs.

imported_loudsubz

chipping/reprogramming same thing

most of the time when they chip your ecu they just add a generic program like mugen/spoon etc that doesn't really suit your setup well

the best is to get your car dynotuned and have it logged with a wideband O2 and then burn that specific tune onto a chip and run that, you will see better gains

imported_My93Civic

No this was CDN funds