348 ECU help needed - Swap?

I did a search - hard to come up with the correct terms, if it's a repeat, I'm sorry.

Are the 348 ECU's swappable from one model year to another?

I have a 1990 (2.7) - can I use a later model 348 ECU set in my car?

I think Ricambi lists it as all the same part number (including the Spider).

Thanks,
Erik

 

Just to avoid confusion, please clarify what you mean by "ECU" - do you mean the main Motronic ECU's (behind the seats), or do you mean the exhaust temperature ECU's (on the rear shock absorber towers, in the engine compartment)?

 

I'm sorry:

Motronic ECU's (behind the seats)

Thanks,
Erik

 

Yes, you can swap the 2.7 systems, but not a 2.5 to a 2.7 for example. What is the purpose of swapping? I ask because the chips are removable, so having a second pair of ECUs may not be necessary depending on what it is you are trying to do.

 

The one's that my car has are pretty beat up - would like to eliminate any potential issues that they may be causing by looking for well sorted ones.

Thanks,
Erik

 

Define beat up. Unless they are towed behind the car with a rope I can't imagine what you mean by beat up. Are the connectors messed up?

 

Sure - one looks like it's been in a fire - the other looks like it's been under water.

Neither are the originals as they are both marked '93 Spider, and I have a '90 ts. At first we thought the car itself was burned, but when I saw the markings I realized the PO must have bought the ECUs from a salvage/used lot. Instead of spending time/money fooling with them, I would rather get a nice sorted set that doesn't look like it's been through the marines and back.

I'll post pics when I have them, but they are not pretty!

Erik

 

Ouch! Normally an ECU is an item that either works, or does not - but what you have described would be two conditions where they could degrade and cause intermittent problems prior to a complete failure. Sorry to hear about that; I'm sure Daniel at Ricambi can get what you need.

 

That's exactly right, there are some intermittent problems and if the ECUs were clean, I would say that might not be an issue, but given the condition of them, it's an obvious first place to start. I just wanted to confrim that they were all 'compatable' within the 2.7 series.

Thank you all for your help.

Erik

 

348s are known for potential electrical gremlins - I'm sure you have come across all the threads on the following issues, but in case you haven't, these are some other areas that may need to be addressed:

- Bullet connectors on positive and negative battery cables (remove cables/connectors and replace with cable);
- Worn connectors to sensors and ECUs (Dave's SRI connector kit addresses this problem);
- Alternator heak soaked and rectifier diodes failing (rebuild with heavy duty components).

Any of these trouble spots may cause intermittent problems that appear at first to be ECU related.

 

So after a long conversation with the shop, it appears that the damage to my ECUs is only skin deep. When they opened them up, it seems to be clean and no connector damage. Instead of swapping ECUs that look ok (on the inside) I am opting to do the gold kit.

Thank you all for the help.

Erik