3.8L MIVEC Swap - Not for the faint of heart!

**SPD_FRK** · 06-11-2009, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by PharmEcis

You would need a lot. The 4G is CAN based. Ours is obviosly OBD-II. Could you do it? Sure but then you lose tunability as the you would need a piggyback to tune the stock 4G computer.

Ok, Im lost on the "CAN"?

**PharmEcis** · 06-11-2009, 05:11 PM

It's the successor to OBD-II. Controller Area Network. Basically everything talks to each other over a CAN bus. Think of it as a networking protocol for all the computers in the car.

One of the problems you would face is that there is no way to drive the 8G/3G/2G instrument panel w/ the 4G ECU as it's CAN based. The ECU spits two wires out to the cluster and relays all info that way. The 8G/3G/2G have direct hookups from different sensors / senders to the cluster, many of which are eliminated in the new engine. For example, the 75 MIVEC only has one coolant temperature sensor where the 3G/3G/2G has two. One for the computer, the other for the dash.

**DryBear** · 06-11-2009, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by PharmEcis

It's already mated. F5M51, the stock 5 spd trans out of a 3G.

Did it mate right up, or did you have to use a custom bell housing?

**SPD_FRK** · 06-11-2009, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by PharmEcis

It's the successor to OBD-II. Controller Area Network. Basically everything talks to each other over a CAN bus. Think of it as a networking protocol for all the computers in the car.

One of the problems you would face is that there is no way to drive the 8G/3G/2G instrument panel w/ the 4G ECU as it's CAN based. The ECU spits two wires out to the cluster and relays all info that way. The 8G/3G/2G have direct hookups from different sensors / senders to the cluster, many of which are eliminated in the new engine. For example, the 75 MIVEC only has one coolant temperature sensor where the 3G/3G/2G has two. One for the computer, the other for the dash.

OK...thanks for clearing that up for me. It seems there would need to be some cluster modification done as well, or some other electronics to make it work.

**PharmEcis** · 06-11-2009, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by DryBear

Did it mate right up, or did you have to use a custom bell housing?

If I didn't mention it, it bolted right up. That includes the trans. ;)

**fatal1** · 06-11-2009, 10:21 PM

interesting very interesting...so i assume you would be using a whole set of aftermarket gauges for monitoring then? i know you mentioned your program and screen as well...i am very curious to see how this works out.

**SPD_FRK** · 06-11-2009, 10:42 PM

Judging from this topic posted on other sites...Pharm, you have this in the bag as they say. If anything becomes of an engine swap for me this winter I am not about to putz around with the 74...

**Stewi** · 06-12-2009, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by PharmEcis

You would need a lot. The 4G is CAN based. Ours is obviosly OBD-II. Could you do it? Sure but then you lose tunability as the you would need a piggyback to tune the stock 4G computer.

That clutch/flywheel design looks just like the one from a late model nissan altima, they even use those large torx type flywheel bolts.

Are you running an AEM EMS or an AEM FIC? If your running EMS you should be able to configure one of the outputs and scale it to properly send out a tach signal. In a worst case you can get a small 3 or 4" tach from autometer and mount it over the factory one and get the signal from the AEM (if you cant get an output signal in the factory tach's operational signal range)

**PharmEcis** · 06-12-2009, 10:23 AM

I'm running an EMS. I'm not really worried about the tach signal, just bothered about it. There will be a PC in the dash 24/7 running AEM Pro. AEM Pro has a digital dash in it. Hell, I might even gut my cluster and just put a LCD in there running the digital dash 24/7.

**diablos991** · 06-12-2009, 10:25 AM

Is it possible to fab a different dash cluster in there?

Like an s2000 cluster or the 4g cluster? If they would be able to receive the signal.

**PharmEcis** · 06-12-2009, 10:29 AM

Sure, anything is possible. If you swapped in the 4G ECU you could technically swap in the dash and redo the wiring and your cluster could/would feasibly work.

Again, going to a stock 4G computer is not the best idea. Once I have some time I'll start making a logic board that will allow the swap to take place on a stock computer. ;)

**4g63lover** · 06-12-2009, 11:50 AM

epic.

**charris** · 06-12-2009, 01:43 PM

Challenging undertaking, but still possible. Keep us posted, I'm dying to see this in action.

Great job so far, btw.

**wright06jhs** · 06-12-2009, 03:37 PM

This is wonderful. Ugh i cant wait to get started on my Stratus.

**Rayth** · 06-14-2009, 12:20 PM

glad that thing already came in my Galant from the factory.. much easier haha

i wouldve assumed you'd go with a 4G eclipse 6spd transmission but glad to hear yours works fine

**lonestar22** · 06-14-2009, 12:32 PM

first LS1 swap galant, underway

**PharmEcis** · 06-14-2009, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by Rayth

glad that thing already came in my Galant from the factory.. much easier haha

i wouldve assumed you'd go with a 4G eclipse 6spd transmission but glad to hear yours works fine

The 6spd is a shitty transmission prone to breaking at high power levels. The guts are the same as the EVO IX MR.