I know the main reason why people don't use 350z ECU's with the Maxima is because the engine harness is different. A while back some told me that some one was able to re-pin the wire harness to be able to be used with the a 350z ecu and it was reflashed so it worked properly with maxima bcm and nats. Is this true? I tried searching but didn't come up with anything.

Has anyone tried using the 350z engine harness and ecu in the maxima?

I'm just curious because I'm swapping in an 02 maxima Vq35de into my 240sx, and everything already has been converted for RWD and I already have mounts. I already have 02 maxima harness, ecu, bcm, nats and underdash. I just wanted to know so once I have my car up and runing I want to know what I can do to make the most power while keeping costs down. I am interested in getting a TS ecu because my car is a drift car and I want my WOT at redline. I'm pretty sure right out the bat the 350z ecu is tuned for more power than the maxima so instead of getting a maxima ts ecu I would like to get a 350z ts ecu.

 

well the maxima ECU has all the capabilities of the z ECU, so instead you could just get the eeprom reflashed to z33 specs, im not sure but it seems possible. also, if its a drift car then you ought to have some piggyback, in which case you will have the same results as with a z33 ecu if tuned to the limits, since the control functions are the same. the biggest causes for the difference in power is ign timing, intake manifold and a much better exhaust in the z

 

CVTC maps are different, quite a few things are diffferent in Z33 software vs A3?. Power gains are from the combination of all of the changes, really.

OP: Honestly, why not just get a UTEC (or equiv) or a standalone, if this is a track car?

UTEC (or equiv) would help you tune out any of the ROM differences between the two, a full standalone would be even better.

 

well its a daily drifter, while i know an aftermarket ecu is illegal a tuned ecu or a switched ecu is in the gray area since dealerships offer ecu tunes and upgrades for audis.

by daily drifter i mean by daily driver and drifter. I know on the stock ecu and if i don't drive like a tool i should be able to get the same if not better mpgs than the maxima or z

 

UTEC + Z33 parameters & other goodies =

If aftermarket ECU's are illegal, then how legal is a 350sx?

 

Another thing to consider is the fact that the 350Z is imbedded with CAN. There could very well be a lot of issues getting the CEL coming on because of CAN related issues. I'm going to assume you'd also need to get the ECU matched to your key and NATS system so you can start your car. But who knows if that will even work. In reality I would think you would be better off getting the dash harness, key, ecu, and NATS immobilizer from a 350Z rather than trying to retro what you have.

But then this is all speculation because I don't believe anyone has done it yet. It may be as simple as hardwiring in the ECU but you will never know unless you try it. If you do decide to do that you should make a patch harness rather than hardwire since you would be able to go back to normal very easily.

 

This is possible but a full standalone is quite expensive, and only for those ready for it.

Utec is good but I don't believe it can adjust cvtc maps. (I could be wrong)

The reason for him wanting the 350Z is because there is a ton more after market support even for just getting your ECU flashed. Which makes things extremely easy. Especially with that company Osiris (i believe that's the name).

 

The Z33 NATS antenna amp is connected to the BCM instead of the ECM (like the A33B setup). The BCM is then connected to the ECM through the CAN bus.

Gotta love acronyms.

 

So true because this actually could be a very confusing post if you didn't know the acronyms.

Anyhow, does the A33B NATS look/wait for a signal from the IMMU, key, and ECM before allowing the car to start?

It really seems that if someone would want to switch to the Z33 ECM then they would have to have everything that is in connection between the NATS and CAN systems, which would involve all that's controlled by the BCM. Does this sound correct?


edit: ok after looking at both manuals of the Z33, you would just need the ECM, BCM, NATS antenna amp, and key. The BCM's only purpose would be to complete the NATS system. Technically you could probably use it to operate the things it does but may not be worth the additional work involved.

But then you still have the issue of figuring out the CAN system. So here is another question, what controls the CAN system?

 

There is no discrete CAN control module. You could think of it as a peer-to-peer network. Just a number of discrete modules with no central controller. You will get CAN errors if any of the modules on the bus are missing. It probably will not affect drivability but if you cannot live with codes, then this will not be for you.

Also, all driver information (tach, speed, coolant temp, etc) is displayed via the unified meter and a/c amp (another module on the CAN bus)

 

thats the same reason I want to put a 350Z ecu in my altima, because i have more aftermarket support than with my stock altima ecu.