MustangWorks.com - The Ford Mustang Power Source!

Go Back   MustangWorks.com : Ford Forums > Mustang & Ford Tech > Windsor Power
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Notices


Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 04-06-2004, 03:37 PM   #1
mudchucker
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 73
Default ECM help

Ok here is what i have. I am running a 5.0 from a 1990 lincoln town car and i have been wanting to upgrade the ECM unit to a Mustang one. I got one from a 1988 Mustang with speed density (which is what i have on my motor as well) and when i plug in the ECM it runs and idles, but it does not run good at all. I was talking with a guy i kow about it, and he said it is because the firing order on the Mustangs is different than my engine. I thought i just had to left the computer learn about the car. Can anyone help me with this?
mudchucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2004, 03:45 PM   #2
Dark_5.0
Registered Member
 
Dark_5.0's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Staging lane
Posts: 4,337
Default

I think the guy you spoke to was correct.
__________________
92' LX-Big brakes, Lots and lots of suspension, GT40X heads, Ported cobra intake, stock cam, Vortech SC trim.
00' Lightning-Stock
88'CRX-13 second ego killer
Dark_5.0 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2004, 04:33 PM   #3
mudchucker
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 73
Default

Ok, it makes sense to me. Now here is my other question. If i go with an e303 cam and change my ECM to the Mustang ECM will i be ok then?
mudchucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-07-2004, 11:21 PM   #4
Dark_5.0
Registered Member
 
Dark_5.0's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Staging lane
Posts: 4,337
Default

If the firing order is the problem a different cam wont help any the firing order will remain the same.

I believe the only way to make it work is to do some rewiring
__________________
92' LX-Big brakes, Lots and lots of suspension, GT40X heads, Ported cobra intake, stock cam, Vortech SC trim.
00' Lightning-Stock
88'CRX-13 second ego killer
Dark_5.0 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2004, 06:35 AM   #5
mudchucker
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 73
Default

I thik i finally figured it out. the internals on the engine are the same. As far as the crank and pistons, but the ditributor is differently numbered as well as the cylinders. So i could change my distirbutor and then put in the Mustang ECM and things should run correctly. I think that is my new theory anyway. Thanks for your help guys. I appreciate it!!
mudchucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2004, 06:57 AM   #6
PKRWUD
Junior Member
 
PKRWUD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Ventura, California
Posts: 8,981
Default

The cylinders are numbered the same, it's just the firing order that's different. You don't need to buy anything new or different, all you have to do is move 4 spark plug wires on the distributor cap. Trace the wire going to cylinder #5, and unplug it from the cap. Next trace the wire going to cylinder #3 and unplug it from the cap. Now plug each one in the other ones old place on the cap. It's easy because they are directly across from each other on the cap.

Now do the exact same thing to the wires for cylinders #4 and #7.

That's it. You're done.
__________________
Webmaster:
Rice Haters Club
Jim Porter Racing
Peckerwoods Pit Stop


Support Your Local
RED & WHITE!
PKRWUD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2004, 07:31 AM   #7
mudchucker
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 73
Default

ooo man, thanks!!! That makes perfect sense!!
mudchucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2004, 08:37 AM   #8
mudchucker
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 73
Default

Ok guys, i put the Mustang ECM in and switched #3 and #5 and #4 and #7 but the engine is running like it is missing. If i put the Spark plug wires back to normal and put the old ECM in it runs great. Is there something i am missing? Thanks for the help

Aaron
mudchucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2004, 06:30 PM   #9
mudchucker
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 73
Default

anyone??
mudchucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2004, 04:54 PM   #10
PKRWUD
Junior Member
 
PKRWUD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Ventura, California
Posts: 8,981
Default

Sounds like there is a problem with the Mustang ECM.
__________________
Webmaster:
Rice Haters Club
Jim Porter Racing
Peckerwoods Pit Stop


Support Your Local
RED & WHITE!
PKRWUD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2004, 11:11 PM   #11
RBatson
Registered Member
 
RBatson's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 1997
Posts: 3,028
Default Re: ECM help

Quote:
Originally posted by mudchucker
I thought i just had to left the computer learn about the car.
You might want to reread this thread.. http://forums.mustangworks.com/showt...threadid=42118

The 89-93, and 88 Cali, cars have the mass air units in them. There is a small wire in the unit that heats up and lets the cpu know how much timing and fuel the engine needs. Speed density does not do this. It has a set program. I do not know if the non-HO motor has the same cam and other specs as the HO motor but I suspect not. I suspect that is your problem. You could look up the specs of the cam and what not, maybe I'm wrong.

If you want to get this thing running right with the speed density.. the right person hasn't come along yet. 88workcar is the speed density man around here.
__________________
Tis better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not.
RBatson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2004, 02:51 AM   #12
PKRWUD
Junior Member
 
PKRWUD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Ventura, California
Posts: 8,981
Default Re: Re: ECM help

Quote:
Originally posted by RBatson
You might want to reread this thread.. http://forums.mustangworks.com/showt...threadid=42118

The 89-93, and 88 Cali, cars have the mass air units in them. There is a small wire in the unit that heats up and lets the cpu know how much timing and fuel the engine needs. Speed density does not do this. It has a set program. I do not know if the non-HO motor has the same cam and other specs as the HO motor but I suspect not. I suspect that is your problem. You could look up the specs of the cam and what not, maybe I'm wrong.

If you want to get this thing running right with the speed density.. the right person hasn't come along yet. 88workcar is the speed density man around here.

Maybe I read it wrong. I thought he said both his engine and his ECM's were Speed Density?
__________________
Webmaster:
Rice Haters Club
Jim Porter Racing
Peckerwoods Pit Stop


Support Your Local
RED & WHITE!
PKRWUD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2004, 03:08 AM   #13
RBatson
Registered Member
 
RBatson's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 1997
Posts: 3,028
Default

Yeah, the engine is out of a 90 Lincoln. He is adding the mustang ecm to gain performance and I guess one of his friends told him he could had heads, cam, intake with the mustang ecm and the computer would compensate. I told him he needs mass air to do that, not speed density.
__________________
Tis better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not.
RBatson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2004, 08:00 AM   #14
RBatson
Registered Member
 
RBatson's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 1997
Posts: 3,028
Default

Maybe I need to clarify what I was trying to say. He is trying to use a HO cpu on a non-HO motor.

I thought I was getting that across but sometimes I have a problem getting 2 pages of thought into a short one paragraph post. I try to keep my post short and to the point, usually.

Unless I'm losing my mind... the speed density mustang 5.0 had an HO motor.
__________________
Tis better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not.
RBatson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2008, 04:12 PM   #15
jimmyc0513
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1
Default Re: ECM help

The problem you are having is that the firing order on the motor you have vs the HO motor are different. Two things change to change the firing order. The valvetrain and the ignition.
You changed your ignition, however the valves are still moving at a different firing order. You have to get an HO cam in order to change both components of the firing order.
jimmyc0513 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2008, 04:58 PM   #16
USMC302
Registered Member
 
USMC302's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Gallatin, Tn
Posts: 1,326
Default Re: ECM help

Good advice Jimmy, but I think he's got it fixed by now...You can view the date posts were posted in the top left hand corner of their original post..
__________________
USMC302 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:14 AM.


SEARCH