1996 OBDII Auto to Manual Swap - ECU Question

[duballstar37]

I am currently parting together everything for an auto to manual swap on my receny aquired 1996 S14. I’m aiming to keep this car on the street and legal so I had a question regarding the required ECU that I should be sourcing. I’ve done plenty of S13 auto/manual swaps (while keeping the auto ECU and vice versus), but I’m a little concerned with the 96’ OBD2 system and I’m trying to avoid throwing any CELs. Let’s get to my question...

While doing my research, I noticed that there are multiple 1996 240sx MT ECU part numbers/ECU codes. How can identify which unit I need to avoid any codes? My car is a 1996 S14 S/E w/ ABS and VLSD. I actually received the window sticker from the original owner and it had pretty much all the available add-on options. Please review the below chart and let me know if I can use any 96’ MT ECU part number or does the SE trim and/or ABS factor require a specific unit (I understand that the ABS system has its own control module, but I’m not sure if that would effect the engine ECU)? I plan on removing the ABS system in the near future, but I want to avoid CELs at all cost (before I’m required to pull cluster bulbs). If I can’t find any help here, maybe I could call Nissan and explain my story, but hopefully someone has experience in these situations.

Thank you in advance!!

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by duballstar37

I’m aiming to keep this car on the street and legal

Originally Posted by duballstar37

I plan on removing the ABS system

Why? ABS is a safety feature.

Just use any '96 manual ECU. You'll be fine.

[duballstar37]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

Why? ABS is a safety feature.

Just use any '96 manual ECU. You'll be fine.

Personal preference... I’ll keep the ABS system in my daily driven Lexus, but IMO S-Chassis cars feel much safer and more controllable without ABS. To each their own, but even back when I was younger and I attended performance driving school, learning in a 911 GT3, the instructor would always tell us to use the brake as hard as possible before having the ABS kick in. Nonetheless... ABS is there for a reason and it is most likely helpful to many others.

PS. It was not my intention to start a ABS vs. non-ABS debate. Again, to each their own. End topic.


Back on topic... So you are saying that all 96’ MT ECUs share the same wiring pinout and I don’t need to worry about the different variations? Are there any differences between the various 96’ MT ECU parts numbers? Thanks again for your help!!

[S14DB]

Any of them should work. There was even a 2371M-72F05RE that came out to replace them all. Do you have working AC?
A18-E27 G49 (07/95 - 12/95)
A18-E27 G46 (12/95 - 02/96)
A18-E27 G76 (02/96 - 07/96)
A18-J29 GB3

[radianation]

You can simply unplug the ABS power without changing any other wiring to disable it.

[duballstar37]

Originally Posted by S14DB

Any of them should work. There was even a 2371M-72F05RE that came out to replace them all. Do you have working AC?
A18-E27 G49 (07/95 - 12/95)
A18-E27 G46 (12/95 - 02/96)
A18-E27 G76 (02/96 - 07/96)
A18-J29 GB3

Thank you sir. This was very helpful. My S14’s production date is 01/96 so...

A18-E27 G46 (12/95 - 02/96) would be the factory manual computer, but it sounds like any of the above will suffice.

Yes, my air conditioning is fully functional and I’d prefer to keep it that way. Why do you ask?

[S14DB]

Originally Posted by duballstar37

Thank you sir. This was very helpful. Yes, my air conditioning is fully functional and I’d prefer to keep it that way. Why do you ask?

If your AC doesn't work you got the wrong ECU(Usually a 1995). Pin swap is possible but, you want OBDII.

[duballstar37]

Originally Posted by S14DB

If your AC doesn't work you got the wrong ECU(Usually a 1995). Pin swap is possible but, you want OBDII.

Good to know. I haven’t purchased the ECU yet which is why I’m doing my research and making sure that I get the correct one to avoid issues like that.

Thanks again for the quality information!

[duballstar37]

Originally Posted by S14DB

Any of them should work. There was even a 2371M-72F05RE that came out to replace them all. Do you have working AC?
A18-E27 G49 (07/95 - 12/95)
A18-E27 G46 (12/95 - 02/96)
A18-E27 G76 (02/96 - 07/96)
A18-J29 GB3

Hopefully this will help someone in the future. As S14DB previously mentioned, I believe that I came across the ECU with part number 2371M-72F05RE that replaced all of the other units. The below computer was pulled from a 96’ 5-Speed S14 and shows A18-L07-GC4K (remanufactured).

I ended up purchasing A18-E27 G46 (12/95 - 02/96), but as previously stated... any OBDII manual computer should suffice.