LA3 swap in 84 t/c

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LA3 swap in 84 t/c

November 21, 2012, 03:43:36 PM

Been trying to search this topic for a while but I haven't had much luck. Does anyone have a detailed write up on how to do a PC1 to LA3 conversion on an early turbo coupe? Thanks!!

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #1 – November 21, 2012, 09:17:04 PM

all you should have to do is, swap the injectors, big vam, and ECU. I did this in my 83 and it ran fine.

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #2 – November 23, 2012, 04:44:52 PM

Quote from: 88turbo;402981

all you should have to do is, swap the injectors, big vam, and ECU. I did this in my 83 and it ran fine.

++ 100% correct. Basically a plug and play!!!

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #3 – November 23, 2012, 05:14:49 PM

Quote from: TOM Renzo;403077

++ 100% correct. Basically a plug and play!!!

feels really good to be confirmed by the big man :)

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #4 – November 23, 2012, 10:18:38 PM

any re-pinning of terminals needed for ecu?

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #5 – November 23, 2012, 10:20:53 PM

Negative ghostrider, it's a go for launch.

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #6 – November 23, 2012, 11:00:23 PM

interesting I repinned my ecu connector in my 83 TC when i did my la3 swap and it also ran fine? also added the act sensor which i know is unnecessary. la3 also has premium or regular gas switch which needs to be wired if you want ecu to run in premium mode.

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #7 – November 23, 2012, 11:08:30 PM

I have a chart somewhere in the shop that spells this out in every detail. From memory it is easy. As far as the ACT if not wired in a SES light will stare you in the face ASAP. It does very lttle but necessary to cancel codes. Also the LA3 has outputs for the IRCM. The early ECM does not!!! Not needed on the early car as the fan circuit is DIFFERENT and seperate from the ECM!!

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #8 – November 25, 2012, 06:54:18 PM

Wow great to hear I don't have to repin even tho it doesn't seem that hard, and you don't need an act sensor??

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #9 – May 19, 2013, 03:40:59 PM

does this info stand for an '85 TC as well? I have a '88 LA3, a big vam, and the brown top injectors were in my car already, so I should be good to go, correct? what is this about having to wire the Fuel switch for it to run in premium fuel mode?

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #10 – May 19, 2013, 05:39:31 PM

No need for a switch just jumper Pin 24 to signal return to put it in premium mode!!

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #11 – July 03, 2013, 03:36:28 AM

http://www.forced4.com/la3swap.html

this is a bookmark I had from when I had my 84TC... why does Forced4 say you have to repin if you do not?

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #12 – July 03, 2013, 06:10:27 AM

You must re-pin.

Did it myself years ago. Ran the '83 on an LA3 for a bit before I went to the MegaSquirt.

A couple items aren't *really* needed for the car to run (never used the clutch switch and just grounded (to SIG RTN) the octane switch for the "premium" mode, etc). Adding the ACT is easy, but as mentioned, it won't *hurt* you performance-wise. It has been shown to only pull about 4° of timing at higher air charge temps. It doesn't advance when it's cooler.

If I have time, I can try and dig up another how-to, but the linked article will get you what you need. I might even have the notes from my swap tucked away in my log books someplace, as well.

To repeat, when installing an ECU from an 87-88TC(LA, LB, 8U) into ANY other 2.3T car with a P, Z, or T-series ECU, you will need to do some re-pinning.

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #13 – July 10, 2013, 07:59:02 AM

+1

gt350r.stangnet.com used to have some pdf with exact movement of the few pins needed...

I would try googling it...not on our site...also NATO may have the swap in the archives..

Travis

LA3 swap in 84 t/c

Reply #14 – July 12, 2013, 09:57:36 AM

I realize this is somewhat of an older thread but I figured I would add the information I had. I swapped from a PK1 to an LA2 and repinned using the following links and pics for reference.

http://www.rothfam.com/svo/reference/PEtoLA.pdf

http://www.ptaaron.com/la3/