NB8B engine in an NB8A

Engines, Transmissions & Final Drive questions and answers

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chrons_rotary
Fast Driver
Posts: 291
Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2012 2:48 am
Vehicle: Clubman
Location: Newcastle Area

Re: NB8B engine in an NB8A

Postby chrons_rotary » Tue Oct 06, 2015 12:51 am

Depending on what mods you already have, at a minimum you will need either the ECU from the VVT car, or a VVTuner box from DIYAutoTune.com
An aftermarket ECU with the VVT control would be ideal though.

Cheers,
Ken.

Magpie
Speed Racer
Posts: 7468
Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:49 pm
Vehicle: NA6
Location: Purga, QLD

Re: NB8B engine in an NB8A

Postby Magpie » Tue Oct 06, 2015 7:32 am

Have you contacted Automotive Plus for an engine?

hrtvic
Driver
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2014 11:07 pm
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Melbourne SE

Re: NB8B engine in an NB8A

Postby hrtvic » Tue Oct 06, 2015 10:14 pm

I know my mechanic had a few things to address when he did this change for me. It needed the instrument cluster as the speedo was electronic rather than mechanical. Also needed to change the ignition barrel and consequently the door locks.

I'm no expert, so others may having differing advice, but a couple of things there to at least investigate.

Good luck hope it works out well. I'm really happy with the finished product

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hks_kansei
Speed Racer
Posts: 6154
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:43 am
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Victoria

Re: NB8B engine in an NB8A

Postby hks_kansei » Wed Oct 07, 2015 3:48 pm

hrtvic wrote:I know my mechanic had a few things to address when he did this change for me. It needed the instrument cluster as the speedo was electronic rather than mechanical. Also needed to change the ignition barrel and consequently the door locks.


the ignition barrel/key needs to match the ECU used, if you use an 8B ECU, you'll also want the ign barrel and key from that ECU (due to the immobiliser and the chip in the key)

edit: if using a factory ECU, aftermarket ECUs often dont have the immobiliser stuff.

Door locks don't matter, only problem would be a different key to the ignition. A locksmith can re-key lock barrels though (had it done on a previous car)


The speedo won't be an issue going from NB8A to NB8B, both are electronic. It was only the NA cars that used a mechanical speedo drive.

Regardless, the speedo is independent of the engine, being run off the gearbox.
1999 Mazda MX5 - 1989 Honda CT110 (for sale) - 1994 Mazda 626 wagon (GF's)


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