Ok so i have a 97 civic ex coupe. It has a d16z6 vtec in it. how would i know what ecu i have and with this motor. I am new to the honda world. I switched over from mini trucks. so i have no clue about these cars. I hear alot about obd1 and obd2 ecu's. and i would like to know the differance between them and what one to use.

 

Pull off the passenger-side kick panel to expose the ECU. Post numbers that you see on it. You should have an OBDI ECU like a P28.

 

OBD1 - Used on Civic previous to 96. Only one o2 sensor... (however there is an OBD0 for cars, but you don't have to worry about that.)
OBD2a - Used on Civic's between 96-98
OBD2b - Used on Civics 99 and up... However, Civics 01 and up could be different.

obd2 has 2 o2 sensors. There are more differences if you really want to get into that stuff, but the # of o2 sensors is easy way to tell the differences.

If you are running a d16z6 (came in 92-95 ex's and si's), you have an OBD1 motor in an OBD2a (1997) car. You should be using a P28 (OBD1) ECU. You should also have an OBD2a to OBD1 conversion harness. The ECU will be branded with a sticker on the side.

Just as an FYI, the motor you should have is the d16y8. Having a z6 in there won't affect anything though, they are basically the same engine.

 

ok i pulled the kick pannel off and the only numbers i could find on the ecu is 37820-p2p-a33 921-224117 it is made by ipt and has a big N2 on it as well so i dont know what this one is

 

ok so i looked at the page to find out what ecu i have and it is the obd2 now the car runs and drives great. so with the obd2 ecu is that a bad thing or should i get the obd1 and what all else would i need to swap the ecu i.e harrneses and what not what.

 

You still have the stock OBDII ECU from the original 97 engine. I assume that you are throwing some CEL codes. Jump the service connector to check. The proper ECU for your engine is the OBDI P28.

 

yes i am throwing codes my uncle owns a shop and when i got the car i took it to him cause the check engine light is on and when he checked it, i said something about a crank positioning sensor. so i should change to the obd1 p28 and when i do what all else needs to be changed for this to be done right and with the obd2 that i am assuming that my vtec is not working.

 

You need the appropriate conversion wire harness that was mentioned earlier.

 

I love to quote myself........................not.

 

+1 get a obd2a coversion harness to obd1 and get a p28 ecu. if your car is manual get a manual p28 ecu (which i have 1 for sale) or if its auto get a p28 auto ecu