Differences in later 3200 engines
- Thread starter Ian H
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Ian H
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Great input guys many thanks!
I am trying to work out how a later engine, which I plan to rebuild, would work with an earlier ECU, which has the 16 pin output plug.
When comparing parts on Eurospares, I have the *** number for my vehicle but not for the vehicle of the donor engine. Is there any way to derive it from the chassis or engine numbers which I do have?
I have all the plumbing and ancillaries for the later engine just worried any later sensors or additional features may confuse the existing ECU. Indeed the ECU may even have the original engine id hard coded into it?
I am trying to work out how a later engine, which I plan to rebuild, would work with an earlier ECU, which has the 16 pin output plug.
When comparing parts on Eurospares, I have the *** number for my vehicle but not for the vehicle of the donor engine. Is there any way to derive it from the chassis or engine numbers which I do have?
I have all the plumbing and ancillaries for the later engine just worried any later sensors or additional features may confuse the existing ECU. Indeed the ECU may even have the original engine id hard coded into it?
- I am really not sure what the EGR secondary air system does? Is this for emmissions reduction or performance enhancement? Is it passive or controlled by the engine ECU? Presumably since the earlier ECU doesn't know anything about it either, then if it is an 'optional extra' the ports could be blanked off and system removed?
- I assume the original 2 lambda sensors are in the exhaust so no change to the engine and the old ECU will only be looking for these sensors not the additional two on the later model. Where these additional lambda sensors added to control the EGR system?
- I can swap engine based sensors from the old engine to ensure consistency
- Coolant/boost hoses are unrelated to ECU (I assume) so I can just re use if fit for purpose or try to get the right replacment part for the later model
Last edited:
davy83
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can you not get an ECU from a facelift car and use that to save the complication of this? I am pretty sure the revised ECU will have different code to the earlier engines. I believe the Manual and automatic ECU's are also different, different torque curve.
to use the old ECU you will need to make the sensors identical and also change the pressure regulator valves which appear to only be on the later cars. I have a 2001 auto with the newer engine, and if I can help with any info on how my car is set up let me know.
to use the old ECU you will need to make the sensors identical and also change the pressure regulator valves which appear to only be on the later cars. I have a 2001 auto with the newer engine, and if I can help with any info on how my car is set up let me know.
Ian H
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- 148
Hi
I think I need to use the existing older ECU or as you say the whole wiring loom will need to get swapped with extra sesnors needed!
Are the pressure regulator valves you refer to for the secondary air system? If they are only on the later cars presumably the older ECU will not know or worry about them.
Hence the secondary air system could be blanked off at the heads. Does this just duct exhaust gases from the exhaust oulet or are there more significant changes in the design of the heads?
Many thanks
Ian
I think I need to use the existing older ECU or as you say the whole wiring loom will need to get swapped with extra sesnors needed!
Are the pressure regulator valves you refer to for the secondary air system? If they are only on the later cars presumably the older ECU will not know or worry about them.
Hence the secondary air system could be blanked off at the heads. Does this just duct exhaust gases from the exhaust oulet or are there more significant changes in the design of the heads?
Many thanks
Ian
Last edited:
Oneball
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On later cars: The secondary air system pumps clean air into the exhaust ports on start up to ignite any unburnt fuel and heat the cats up quicker. It’s controlled by the ecu, there’s a air pump in the front wheel arch and as you say two valves that fed into the exhaust ports via an oval inlet on each head
The valves are closed after initial cold start so exhaust gases can’t feed back into the pump (although that’s a common failure). It doesn’t do anything once warm, it only runs for 30-60secs.
It’s a common thing to delete on E46 BMWs, you just fit a blanking plate and code it out of the ECU.
The valves are closed after initial cold start so exhaust gases can’t feed back into the pump (although that’s a common failure). It doesn’t do anything once warm, it only runs for 30-60secs.
It’s a common thing to delete on E46 BMWs, you just fit a blanking plate and code it out of the ECU.
