*HELP* '00 GS-R doing research for OBDiiB -> OBDi

[ZUUL]

I have a '00 GS-R N/A (for now) and am looking for the right OBDi ECU to purchase. I know I need a conversion harness and an OBDi P72, P72J, or other ECU modified to keep my IAB functioning. After that, I'm getting a bit lost.

I have heard that the JDM P72J will control the IAB w/o any rewiring of the IAB activation signal. I like that. Unfortunately, I haven't found anywhere to confirm this. And what other differences are there? Will I loose other functionality the USDM P72 can have? Will I have trouble finding a good programmed chip before I get an s200?

I would like to buy an ECU that I can chip with a pre-programmed chip at first (Skunk2, JUN, Mugen, ?) until I can afford to add an s200 later. I?ve seen a couple things that suggest a P72J ECU is not compatible with P72 chips or programs. Is that correct? So, is it impossible to find a good P72J programmed chip? Will I have other issues with a P72J when it comes time for the s200?

I know it?s not simple, but I?d like to keep this as simple and functional as ECU changing & chipping can be, as little rewiring, looking for odd programs, or other unnecessary complications. If something needs to be done like that, it needs to be done, but if there is a simpler way around it ? well.

I?m looking to figure all of this out and if anyone has any advice on anything I missed, please don?t hesitate. Thanks.

[RMS]

for what you are looking at the usdm p72 (or mod'ed civic) would be the best bet with respect to generic chips working. it is easy to fix the iab to work for obdII vehicles on the board or with a relay on your adapter harness. also, the jdm ecu will lose second n2o control as purge is not part of the circuitry.

what is your current bugdet?

[ZUUL]

So all of what I said before is pretty much correct then?

My budget is not specific. If I know that something is really worth the extra money, it can fit into the budget. I am mainly trying to break up the two main lumps, harness+ECU+socketing+chip and s200+extras+tuning/self-tuning equipment. And I'm used to doing everything on my car myself, installation and some fab, but the inner workings of the ECU isn't something I'm familiar with yet.

I have been shopping on eBay for the ECU and finding many choices and few answers. I can do a lot of the soldering myself, but don't know exactly what to solder to make the right changes, besides the socket. Paying for work on the ECU is not beyond me at this point.

Any suggestions for the best/best-bang-4-my-buck combination?

It sounds like the USDM P72 is the way to go. The most functionality with the fewest modifications. And it sounds like it would make stepping into a generic chip first and an s200 later more plausible. I'm fairly sure I could do the socket but the polarity reverse of the IAB on-board, I would be lost with.

Is there any significance to the 3-digit revision code on the ECU? (A01, etc) Is it better to get a certain revision?

[RMS]

the three digit code is just for market (cali, fedral, etc.) and the year (00=first year/revision, 01 is second year/revision of that configuration). the board and its populated elements are unchanged for the p72s if you are looking at that code. there are significant differences on the civic ecus according to those last three digits, but nothing that can't be dealt with.

give us a call some morning and ask for Vernon

[ZUUL]

Is there any way to keep the immobilizer?

Are there any other things I will lose, significant or not? Not that it will deter me, but I want to know all about what is changing.

[RMS]

no way whatsoever to keep the immobilizer... invest in a very good alarm .
i can't think of any other significant things you lose. i'll keep pondering it.