Jeff tries to make a hot rod out of a farm truck. '92 Mighty Max

[Jeff V.]

Nope. It's got that screw on cap on the end where the oil filter goes.

[Jeff V.]

I've been busy and stressed out at work, so I haven't gotten much further with this.

Last night I spent some time digging through my ECU files so I can build up a baseline config for this thing. That was kind of fun. It's been a long time since I worked with this stuff, so it was nice to get back to it. Kind of like stretching out a really stiff muscle you haven't used in a while.

For the first phase, I'm basically going to use a 2000 Eclipse GT ECU, and I'll import the air/fuel/timing maps from an 03 3.8L Montero. I'm going with the Eclipse ECU mainly because it's got the hardware and software to do PWM fan control for the Outlander radiator I bought a while back



While I was digging through my files, I noticed something really weird about the 2002 3.5L Montero file I had. The format didn't match up to either the H8 (1998-2000) or SH7 (2001-????) chips used in the different cars. 3000GT, Eclipse, Evo, etc.

Turns out the 02 Montero had a really early M32R chip. I didn't think they started using those until 2003 when they went to drive by wire, and then 04 in the cars when they upgraded the engine management again.

So it's sort of like a little archaeology project. I've now got a steady progression of Mitsu V6 engine management software from stuff we understand really well to stuff we don't. The big Montero is our rosetta stone

This will be important when it comes to extracting the maps to use in my Phase 1 ECU, and also to understanding the 4G Eclipse software if I'm ever going to get the Phase 2 upgrades to work.

Phase 2 is going to be a 4G Eclipse ECU with drive by wire, coil on plug and proper MIVEC control, paired with the variable intake code and some of the maps from an 07 Pajero.

The digital pieces are all falling into place.

Now I just need to get the greasy pieces where they need to go

[ChargerX3]

Progress. I’m interested in how the 2002 ecu code pans out. Are you planning on diving into the 1998-99 montero code anymore? If so I might know of someone who would appreciate it. . Would love to dive into more fine engine tuning on my end.

[Jeff V.]

I thought you were running VR4/Chrome with tweaked maps now?

I may get into the Gen2 Montero code, but I really don't see the point now. It was one thing when I was going to run a 6G74, but we've both got 6G75Ms with knock sensors now. That changes everything.

If there's something specific you're looking for, let me know. But otherwise I'm considering the Gen2 and Sport a dead evolutionary branch from a code perspective.

[ChargerX3]

When I was first setting up the truck I tried running the Vr4 code but for some reason it didn’t run as well as the Montero file you shot over. It sputtered and just wouldn’t run well. I did all of my tuning on the Montero rom.

[Chris GTO TT]

This is so impressive to me. I enjoy reading your updates!

[Jeff V.]

When I was first setting up the truck I tried running the Vr4 code but for some reason it didn’t run as well as the Montero file you shot over. It sputtered and just wouldn’t run well. I did all of my tuning on the Montero rom.

Are you running that on Montero hardware, or on a 3000GT/clone ECU?

This is so impressive to me. I enjoy reading your updates!

Thanks. I hope it's worth the wait.

[ChargerX3]

99 SL ecu.

[Jeff V.]

That makes absolutely no sense.

Well, we'll figure it out at some point.

Speaking of stuff like that...if you want to future proof your truck, go grab the wiring harness from that red 94. Everything from the cab to the front bumper. You can skip the dash harness. If I get the 4G Eclipse stuff working, and you decide you want in on it, we'll need a donor harness.

[ChargerX3]

Now you got me second guessing myself which way I finally went. I played off and on with several ecus

[Jeff V.]

Despite only getting a couple hours in the garage, I made some good progress yesterday. There's only 5 bolts holding the engine in. I just need to pull those and the fuel lines, and it's out.

This is the kind of crap I'm working with. These are the heat shields from the motor mounts, and the starter.



That thick layer of sludge makes it fun to get hard to reach bolts. Someone has been in this engine before. One of the big bell housing bolts is missing, and there's a busted stud on one of the exhaust manifolds.

My Pajero MAF housing came in yesterday. I'm going to build a bracket and install a 3.8L Montero airbox. If I get the 4G Eclipse electronics working in phase 2, I'd potentially have to build an all new airbox because the later cars used a totally different style of MAF sensor. None of the later car airboxes will fit the truck, and I don't like open element cold hot air intakes. Fortunately Mitsubishi also didn't want to build a new airbox when they went from the V77 chassis to the V97 chassis. So they made this handy little MAF adapter.



It accepts the new style hot wire MAF, but bolts into the spot for the old Karmann style MAF. The inside diameter is a little smaller, but it also doesn't have all the obstructions of the old MAF. So airflow shouldn't be a problem.



Before anyone asks, this won't work with the older cars without some significant code hacking. As I said, it's a hot wire (0-5v) sensor rather than a Karmann (frequency) sensor. You could probably use a MAF-T, but I think most people using those want much larger diameter domestic V8 sensor housings.

I got this from Amayama.com. They're a proxy for overseas parts. If you need some oddball part that wasn't sold in the US, or something that might be out of production here, give them a try. If you've got an OEM part number, you can look it up and see what their availability is. I paid about $65 for 2 housings and shipping from Japan. It was very reasonable.

[DCIV]

I'm surprised you had not decreased the engine or at least pressure washed it first before you pulled it. Cuts the sludge down a lot! I've even seen some people steam clean them after they sprayed them down with degreeser and man those engines looked good!

I check this place on sundays just for your weekend project updates. Lol


Coop

[Jeff V.]

I took it to a quarter car wash and blasted off some of it. Clearly I missed a few spots

[ChargerX3]

Yea mine were pretty nasty too. Excited for what you have planned for the 2nd phase.

[Chris GTO TT]

It’s a Mitsubishi, of course it’s leaking oil. If it weren’t something would be wrong

[stealthee]

The SOHC's love to leak oil. My original engine in the Stealth was a leaker, and the replacement engine I put in years ago was doing the same thing when the car got parked.

[vr4]

None of my DOHC have ever leaked other than the oil cap when I was young and didn't know any better.

Sohc is a leaky pig. Every one I see is puking.

[Jeff V.]

Today was a good day. I finished pulling the old engine, and I started mocking up the new one.

Here's why I was thinking I'd have to cut my core support. The HVAC ducts for the house intrude into the garage ceiling. So the truck has to go backward to clear that duct. Fortunately the rear wheels don't actually go off the garage slab, so I don't have to worry about pushing it back over that tall lip I mentioned. It sucks having to open the door, but I'll hopefully only have to do that a few more times. Since it all worked out, I decided not to cut the hood latch support.



This is what I was left with. It's going to take a day just to clean this mess out.



Now that I have the old engine out, I'm really glad the new one showed up when it did.

For a few months, I've had a slow coolant leak somewhere on the back of the engine. I figured it was something to do with one of the coolant pipes, but I was very wrong.



Damn freeze plug rusted out. The accumulated rust was the only thing keeping the water in.



Once I scraped the crap away, water just started pouring out.



This engine was going to have to come out whether I liked it or not, so it's just as well I had the upgrade ready.

Out with old and busted, in with new hotness



Now I know my engine mounts are where they need to be, so I can build the new drivers side mount. I can also start notching the firewall for the MIVEC solenoid. It needs 1.5-2 inches, so I can't just beat it with a BFH.

Steve used the much smaller 2008+ solenoid on his truck, so he didn't have this problem. But those are expensive new, and if you can find them used, it's usually only sold with the entire head.

I need to start making some things from scratch, so this seems like as good a place to start as any. If I can't even make a shallow firewall pocket, then I've got no hope of pulling off some of the other things I want to do.

[ChargerX3]

You got a lot done today. I’m really glad and surprised you managed to get your motor out without having to hack her up. Bravo!

Man your old motor looked bad. All that leaking and sludge buildup. Your timing is impeccable.

What left do you have to mock up other than the solenoid. You welding on an extension to your drivers mount too? Of which I’m excited to see how you BFH massage it. . I wish we could find you another one but like you said, they are difficult to find.

Seeing this progress is bringing back my memories. I had a lot of fun playing around with ideas and finally seeing that 3.8 beast sitting in the engine bay. Can wait until you start her up.

Btw. Pretty sure the new montero intake won’t clear the hood. I should have installed it before I did the kia intake. Kind of bummed. At least we have an alternative. And the kia intake is larger than the SR’s FYI. Had fun ripping up some streets today.

Hit me up if you need help fabbing up anything.

[Jeff V.]

What left do you have to mock up other than the solenoid.

Gotta deal with the MIVEC first. Then I can make the new backing plate for the LH motor mount. It'll make more sense when I have pictures. Basically I'm going to cut a new plate to attach to the block, so it picks up one of the bigger bolt holes. Then I'm going to cut the 'leg' off the original bracket and weld it to my new one.

Once I can bolt the engine down, I need to sort out fuel lines, heater hoses, and a few things with the harness. Gotta do an exhaust, a bracket for the airbox, and make some changes to accommodate the Outlander radiator.