TheDeadZed Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 (edited) So long story short i have a 1971 240Z with a 1981 280ZX Turbo engine, The PO installed a Megasquirt ECU and I understand the idea behind Megasquirt but I don't have a laptop to fully utilize the software or the time and patience to properly re-wire and customize the program while I am in college. SO... I rewired nearly the entire car twice to no avail and finally decided to say **** the Megasquirt and just put an original ECU in and redo the wiring from scratch. I realize I have probably done more harm than good from rewiring, but NOTHING worked properly on the car (Funniest thing I found: Alternator was wired to itself). What i'm wondering is: With a 81 Turbo engine can I use a '83 Engine harness, and an '81 Turbo ECU? Should I follow the '83 Engine harness install or use the '81 Engine harness diagram? Would you guys suggest a different Engine harness besides OEM? I currently have a Kwik Wire Harness installed (Could I even use the Kwik harness I have and simply substitute the Megasquirt ECU for the OEM ECU? What I know about the engine:N47 heads Low imp. Injectors Stock turbo Engine turns over but wont start (Won't start due to either Mechanical or Tune) Stock turbo Low Imp. Injectors GM Ignition '81 style Distributor Megasquirt v3 I have to check to get specific version #. ENGINE DID START AND RUN If you need anymore information or pictures just ask. Edited June 23, 2014 by TheDeadZed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/use-nicoclub-coms-factory-service-manual-database.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 What the hell was that last 4 lines again? You bought a non-running car? It states it "started and ran"....why would you change wiring if it was running and starting? Something is missing in the story here. When you say "81 Style Distributor" you mean with nothing inside it and a crank trigger? If so, I'd lay money if you simply switched to an 82/83 Distributor/CAS assembly you would have been fine. Likely the 81 CAS went out -- but you haven't given us ANYTHING to troubleshoot the issues which were present in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDeadZed Posted June 23, 2014 Author Share Posted June 23, 2014 I bought a car that barely ran, the Alternator wasn't charging the engine, the headlights wouldn't work, the turbo didn't pool, and the Car ran either extremely rich and stalled or extremely lean and stalled. After re-wiring nearly half the car the car ran and drove with power but was still either rich or lean. I thought it was the tune (Turned out the tune was mapped for a 4 cylinder engine). So I pursued attempting to correctly tune the engine. Only reason I mentioned the distributor style was because I knew that there are different styles depending on the model year. I understand that the first thought is to Trouble shoot why the engine won't start but I know its 80% the Mega Squirt tune is fucked up somewhere or I played with something mechanical I should not have. That's fine. I simply want to know if I buy a '83 Engine Harness would it still hook up to an '81 Engine and ECU? Or would I have to do extensive work on the Wire Harness to make it compatible? With the mention of the '82-'83 CAS would it be better since I want to put a OEM Wire Harness to change the CAS at the same time? I am sorry if I caused any confusion and thank you for replying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 If you use the 83 harness you'll need the 82-83 distributor. If the car had megasquirt the afm may have been removed? Or is it still there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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