Blue Flame goes OBDII

[Mad1stGen]

My schedule finally cleared up enough that I could start working on this small side project. :smile-purple:

The main idea is to use 97-98 Mark VIII PCM and associated control modules to "tame" this beast.

When one gets serious with modifications, it becomes very clear very fast that pre-96 PCM controls are very limited, and an upgrade is required.
Most shops will tell you that you have to go to a standalone engine control system like FAST, etc ..., but the cost, and lack of transmission controls leaves a lot to be desired.
So, let's use the technology that is widely available, although scary to some. :eek-large:

Here's the engine bay before any modifications.

 

[Mad1stGen]

First, the valve covers need to be swapped to the COP style. These stock covers are just a temp solution since the Wild Man has something else planned for the BF later in the year :cool-blue:

Easy side. OFF. ON. DONE. :thumbsup:



Break time. Even the ice water turns blue around this car. The force is strong with this one. :cool-blue:

 

[Mad1stGen]

Next up was the driver's side VC. This one required a little more prep work, as the LH engine mount had to be loosened to tilt the engine (Turbo Chucks mounts SUCK for the cross bolt location :frown-blue: ) and the brake MC (o-ring accounted for ) had to be removed to allow enough clearance. Nonetheless, it's done. No sweat. :thumbsup:



The remaining OBD-1 "relics" removed as well. It might not look as hot anymore, but sure does look better organized.



More to come this week. :cool-blue:

 

[Ford nut]

Awesome, I'm surprised your ready to jump into another OBD-II swap, Blue is in need for sure.
Its sounds like a total PITA.
Nice to see a write up on it.
Small project....that's funny.

 

[tbirddmnd]

Very nice! "Tame" the beast? Let it loose!!

 

[racecougar]

Right on. OBD-II is sooo much nicer when it comes time to datalog and tune. After dealing with the shortcomings of OBD-I on the Splitport '94 LX, I wired up my XR7 with OBD-II from the get-go.

Will this be done in time for the Shootout?

 

[Mad1stGen]

Awesome, I'm surprised your ready to jump into another OBD-II swap... Small project....that's funny.

Blue Flame was left here in "disgust" after its poor performance at MI Milan track rental. :roll_over:
It should be done this week, as I wait for parts for current build happening simultaneously as well as another build just around the corner. Such is life :err-what?:

Will this be done in time for the Shootout?

SSHS13 ? I don't see it being a problem. Blue ice water or not.

 

[steve]

Nice, this is why 2nd gens rule and 1st gens drool.

 

[racecougar]

SSHS13 ? I don't see it being a problem. Blue ice water or not.

No, the SC/XR7 Shootout. October 5-6th. JP brings the Blue Flame almost every year.

 

[Right on the mark]

Are you going to show all needed to swap? I would like to do this on both of mine. I have been looking at QH to run it. But would rather have OBD-11.

 

[driller]

Even the ice water turns blue around this car. The force is strong with this one. :cool-blue:

:har: That's funny! :laugh:

It might not look as hot anymore, but sure does look better organized.

I have to agree. I guess I'll have some hot parts for sale after it is all done.

Very nice! "Tame" the beast? Let it loose!!

That's the plan!

Right on. OBD-II is sooo much nicer when it comes time to datalog and tune. After dealing with the shortcomings of OBD-I on the Splitport '94 LX, I wired up my XR7 with OBD-II from the get-go.

Will this be done in time for the Shootout?

I used to like the simplicity of the EEC-IV, but it soon became apparent it was not up to the task. So it was either put a aftermarket stand alone EFI controller or go with OBD2.

Datalogging is what I really need at this point - I guess now I'll get intimate with new things like STFT and LTFT. LOL

I plan on being at the Shootout. We'll have to see which car shows up with me.

I still suspect I have compression issues on one cylinder that no OBD2 conversion will fix, but when the right time comes we'll deal with that too.

 

[tbirddmnd]

Great! When it's done maybe you can do a burnout like mine! Just don't do it someplace they'll kick you out of!

 

[94m5]

Looks good guys.


J, when is my 95 coming up for this?

 

[Stone17]

First bid on the valve covers.

 

[mlschultz]

Good luck Jeremi & JP! I ​hope this will help get the Blue Flame back on the track :thumbsup:

 

[racecougar]

I plan on being at the Shootout. We'll have to see which car shows up with me.

:thumbsup:

 

[Mad1stGen]

Are you going to show all needed to swap? I would like to do this on both of mine. I have been looking at QH to run it. But would rather have OBD-11.

The amount of wiring required is a bit difficult to show in steps if you don't want to write a book. I will do my best to show parts needed though.
Running these engines/ECUs standalone is not a big deal, but things get complicated when you want to utilize the VCRM functions, as well as EATC and other lincoln_like amenities.

J, when is my 95 coming up for this?

LOL, I know how much you like wiring. I wouldn't want to take that away from you

First bid on the valve covers.

Talk to the Man. They're in the trunk along with the fancy plug covers

 

[billcu]

Nice, I'll be watching this build as always.

I'd like to do some of the opposite eventually, a gen 1 intake on the CE.:eek-large:

 

[94m5]

I would think you could run the Gen1 intake on a Gen2.

 

[Sierra3]

"Break time. Even the ice water turns blue around this car. The force is strong with this one."

Now if we can just get her to make Budlight when you set it on the plastic well be getting somewhere. Or some of that apple green moonshine from the Impalla guys at SSHS event that killed me. haha Ask Marvin. I didn't last long. ha
Ill be watching this thread also. I never went OBDII computer even though im running COPs setup. But Lonnie eventually got the tuning straightened out to run them on OBD1. I still got your old wiring diagram here on the hardrive somewhere from back in the day when I did it.

- - - Updated - - -

Looks way cleaner, I like it.