My VEC 3 install in my Gen 1

[AndyMac]

I started to to install my VEC today and decided to take some pictures. I remember searching high and low for an install thread when I was researching the VEC and never finding one.

The VEC is usually mounted in the engine bay, but it isn't weather tight, so I decided to mount it in the cockpit, probably in the glove box.

Here you can see the two ECM's (upper and lower) and the panel I am going to remove on the left to route the wires into the cabin.

You must be registered for see images attach

With the panel removed, I drilled a hole and installed a grommet beside where the wires from the door enter the cabin.

You must be registered for see images attach

So time to strip the wire loom and find some wiring.

You must be registered for see images attach

I have to cut each wire and run both ends to the VEC, one end being the input and the other being the output.

So cut, strip, and twist the new wires.

You must be registered for see images attach

Soldier the connection.

You must be registered for see images attach

Heat shrink the soldier joint.

You must be registered for see images attach

Here you can see I cut 1 wire and ran both ends into the cabin. To help avoid a little confusion, I used black wires for the ECM side and red wires for the engine side of the circuit.

You must be registered for see images attach

I'm about 1/3 of the way done with wiring now.

You must be registered for see images attach

That's it for now.
__________________
Andrew MacPherson
My turbo projects
1995 RT/10
1990 300zx ttv8
2002 WRX

 

[whitebluevipe]

great write up and project. please post the difference in performance you notice.

 

[BOTTLEFED]

This is a good idea. I have been seriously thinking about doing this but I haven't got up the motivation to actually start.

Post more pics as you go. I want to see how and where you mount the box.

 

[AndyMac]

I'll post more pics as I work on it.

Won't be able to post the performance gains as it will be skewed by the two turbos I'm also adding.
Later,

 

[Viper Wizard]

Keep us posted on your progress, looks good so far!


We've talked about doing that here but haven't had the time to do one yet.

 

[jasontiff]

This is a good idea. I have been seriously thinking about doing this but I haven't got up the motivation to actually start.

Post more pics as you go. I want to see how and where you mount the box.

If he throws it in the glove box we won't be able to do that. Those wacky-ass Gen. Is don't have airbags so they have some extra dash space.

I had my VEC III in my Gen. I and never had any problems with it not being insulated from weather. The only problem I ever had with it was when I didn't tighten a clamp on the heater core and it blew off and soaked the VEC, stranding me for 3 hours while it dried out.

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

Looks very neat.. good job and keep the pics coming

 

[AndyMac]

A few more wires stuck together.

You must be registered for see images attach

Here is where they lead to in the cabin:

You must be registered for see images attach

The VEC wiring harness is designed so that all the wires you cut are fed into male and female connectors. By plugging the connectors together, you complete the factory circuits that you just cut apart. When all the wiring is done, you can test your wiring job before plugging in the VEC.

That is all for now.
__________________
Andrew MacPherson
My turbo projects
1995 RT/10
1990 300zx ttv8
2002 WRX

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

Looking good..
Quaility workmanship is the only way to go....

 

[AndyMac]

Took a break from wiring and did a little detailing. Going to start a new show, "**** my ECU"

Before:

You must be registered for see images attach

Painted screw heads due to this being a used unit and having been installed in the engine bay.

You must be registered for see images attach

Unit in pieces.

You must be registered for see images attach

Body painted.

You must be registered for see images attach

End plates painted.

You must be registered for see images attach

Finished product, sticker and all.

You must be registered for see images attach

Later,

 

[AndyMac]

Got the engine bay wiring cleaned up.

You must be registered for see images attach

__________________
Andrew MacPherson
My turbo projects
1995 RT/10
1990 300zx ttv8
2002 WRX

 

[Wads97GTS]

Looks good, good luck on the Turbos!

 

[AndyMac]

Thanks! Got the VEC mounted in the glove box. As a bonus, the car started after the install too.

You must be registered for see images attach

__________________
Andrew MacPherson
My turbo projects
1995 RT/10
1990 300zx ttv8
2002 WRX

 

[AndyMac]

So I took a few hours and drew up a wiring diagram for people to see how a VEC basically wires into a gen 1. My diagram is slightly different than the instructions only to where the wires go into the weather pack connectors. The wire colors and locations on the vec and stock ecm are/should be correct.

I also chose to use analog input 1 for map in/out so that it will limit voltage to the stock map sensor under boost and not set a check engine light.

Again, I would have loved to have found something like this when researching the VEC, so I decided to help the next guy.

You must be registered for see images attach

Wiring diagram PDF

Hope it is correct, let me know if you see something wrong.

Later,
__________________
Andrew MacPherson
My turbo projects
1995 RT/10
1990 300zx ttv8
2002 WRX

 

[vipzilla]

just saving this page

 

[Phun70]

Absolutely mad props to you for your beautiful job!!!! As a shop owner, I can appreciate your nice wiring connections, soldered and heat shrunk!! Also beautiful work on the ECU pimpage!!