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looking for suggestions on ECU swap

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Old 12-31-2022, 10:01 PM
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looking for suggestions on ECU swap

Hi everyone, I have my rx8 sitting outside with a partial rebuilt. I finally found a major issue why it cranks but wont start. the issue is my ECU is shot. So going forward. Its either I forget this car or I try and see if I can do this with vary little experiece. I have put so much into it. interior, exterior, new radiator, all new ignition system (twice) starter, fuel pump. and 7months ago a partial rebuild and the list goes on. I dont know if the numbers are even good to go to a dealer to program the donor ECU so ( there is a reason why it was sitting so long) Anyways I really dont want to spend a crap load more and then do a compression test and it sucks. ( i have a rotary compression tester.

My plan would be using the tools I have below. I was curios if anyone has tackled a ECU swap. Im not worried about it not having an alarm system, i have two keys transponder to orig vehicle ECU . i wonder is there a way to use the present system on the donor ECU and change the vin to my number? I am willing and know ill need extra funds to purchase software and keys i dunno. any input would help me alot. thanks all.

1.purchased a USED exact same ECU with serial nbr as my original
2 Veepeak USB OBD2 Adapter
3.Laptop with windows 10
4.meters,tools and time.
this is a 2005 RX8 TOURING model A/T

Last edited by heyheyheyhey; 12-31-2022 at 10:14 PM.
Old 12-31-2022, 10:22 PM
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I'm not sure you can do much without the dealer. The ECU and the key cylinder need to be coded together.
Old 12-31-2022, 10:56 PM
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oh ok. I better not chance it. seems like i keep digging a whole with the car. Thanks loki.
Old 01-01-2023, 01:35 PM
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You need the "as built" data to configure the CAN modules and the ECU.

It can be done with aftermarket programming tools... but it is a lot more difficult than with the Dealer iDS. Unless you know a lot about programming ( and if you are asking these questions 😏 )the dealer is the only way...

Old 01-03-2023, 08:57 PM
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Ok Danobre..thats exactly the kind of help im needing. I wish it was a stick....but i have a lil TT audi that makes up for what iim lacking in drivability.

Last edited by heyheyheyhey; 01-03-2023 at 09:03 PM.
Old 01-03-2023, 09:01 PM
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So Danobre can this be done from Hawaii? im in COlorado atm
Old 01-03-2023, 09:32 PM
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A Mazda or Ford dealer should be able to do it.... the tools are the same
Old 01-03-2023, 11:14 PM
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it can...just went to site.
Old 01-07-2023, 02:46 PM
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You should be able to configure your replacement ecu for your car with FORScan. No coding skills required.

https://forscan.org/home.html

Last edited by AW11; 01-07-2023 at 09:15 PM.
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Old 01-09-2023, 02:14 AM
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i got the forscan. awsome.. ive also been researching this was looking at bypassing imobilizer and putting in the exact match ecu .... but then keys may not work...
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