I'm boosting an Opel engine here in the States. it was N/A of course. I'm looking for some options for the ECU and I'm hoping the turbo Cobalt ECU is a good start.

the engine uses all the same sensors except i'd have to add a MAF for the cobalt as there isn't one in the current setup.

for now I just want to get some information about the different ECU's for the versions of the motor. We're a performance shop so there aren't many limitations, I just have to keep the project primarily GM.

I'd like to know things like (1) any issues certain years may have. (2) What systems will work with a returned fuel rail. (3) is the GM 3" MAF a common or useable upgrade from stock.

anything else that might be help as well. I looked through all the FAQ's and didn't really see what I was looking for. hopefully you guys can help.

Thank you,
Garrett vanderPutten.

 

all i can say is definitely stay away from the 05-06 cobalt 2.2 ecm as there isnt any support for it. my 06 2.2 is a returnless system and it has waste spark where as the newer years have 4 individual coils. the cavalier ecm's will work but they are not e-throttle. the cavaliers have a return fuel system. i assume you have programmer/software that will allow you to use the ecm on a different vin. a cobalt ss ecm would probably be the best choice.

 

what year is the opel?

the LNF ECM is a newer generation ECM, and if my memory serves me, it has to be matched to the BCM visa versa;

if the opel is 2007 or older, maybe the LSJ ECM might be a better option?

 

Thanks for the posts guys.

the chassis is an 02.

a few good points that I forgot to think about. the immobilizer, the fly-by-wire and the spark system.

as for the immobilizer, no I don't have the software, I'll have to deal with that. this chassis doesn't have one. I don't think they started using them until 07 or later, maybe way later.

the car is cable throttle and I'd like to keep it that way if possible. I actually did consider this one before, I'm more or less hoping the throttle position can be used in place of the pedal position switch. this one may be the hang up though.

with the ignition system, the car right now uses an ecu driven wasted spark ignition and I would love to upgrade to coil on plug. I don't think i realized the cobalt had it. how are the coils? is anyone making upgrades? are upgrades even necessary?

 

why not look into using a 2002 supercharged 3800 ECM?

I'm pretty sure those cars (grand prix's and the like) still had a cable throttle.

 

great tip. I'll have a look into that.

Thank You.

 

I know that the earlier Opel 2.0 turbo engine in the Sunbird GT used the same computer as some of the V6 engines but now that I think about it I doubt it will work now.

the OBD1 ECU was relatively dumb compared to the current stuff. I don't know that the ECU will function properly going from a V6 to L4 now days.

 

iirc the turbo sunbird didn't use an Opel motor;

hmm, I stand corrected;

GM 122 engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

the later incarnations of cars using this motor used an ECM #01227749
this was the motor used in prety much all the late 1980's ~ and early 1990's turbo cars...

but 2002 is what I might call a 2nd gen OBD2 car;
'first gen' OBD2: did not communicate with BCM; aprox 1995 through 1999
'second gen' OBD2; did communicate with BCM aprox 2000 through 2007

 

are there any performance companies doing a re-flash for the Coblat?

I'm wondering mostly about the immobilizer or vin specific settings.

 

Vince at trifecta can probably handle this...

I haven't a clue what HPT can do - or it's limitations...

 

i think hptuners can shut off the immobilizer function with the key but i think the ecm will still need to be programmed with the vin # of the vehicle its going in

 

i think hptuners can shut off the immobilizer function with the ignition so that the body control module wont look for the signal from the key. i think the ecm will still need to be programmed with the vin # of the vehicle its going in otherwise the body control module will not power up the ecm.

 

interesting. I'll give them a call.

Thanks.

...to be continued.