So, I've got the EJ in place in the 86 GL wagon. I managed to fit the legacy radiator in there, got the power steering all hooked up, fabbed up the pitch stopper bracket and a new fuel filter bracket. I figured out how to fit the EJ air cleaner top to an EA bottom, so the MAF is in place...now, I'm down to the wiring...

 

I think I've got that handled, too. At least hooking up the EJ harness. What I want to know is (for those of you who've installed into a carburated car) what wiring can be removed from the EA? Can I just cut off the old connector that went to the 1.8L and tape those wires off? How about the two smaller wires that went to the alternator (not the big white one, but smaller two - I think one is black/white and the other is white/red)?

Oh yes....also, does the fuel pump (black/red wire) need to be fused?

Anyone?

Ok...wired things up - the engine turns over, but hasn't started yet. It's a bit strange...I think my battery is a bit weak or something, but the voltmeter says it's good, and the charger I put on it says 100%. Here's what's going on:

 

Sometimes I get power, sometimes not. The chime that says the key is in in ignition chimes (mostly), but I don't always get my dash lights coming on or anything happening at the starter. Right now, I have the wire from the EA harness going to my starter, as I didn't seem to have power to the red/yellow wire from the ECU that plugs onto the back of the starter. Both ignition and fuel pump relays click over when the key is in the ON position, and I can hear my fuel pump kick on at this time too.

 

I don't think I have any loose wires, as I crimped and soldered everything I spliced into, and all my fuses and fusible links are in good shape. Any ideas?

 

Also, still wondering what I can eliminate from the EA harness. Thanks!

You should just leave the EA harness alone.. tape over the ends of the connectors and snake the plugs back into the fenderwell; zip tie them in place. If you take them off you'll have to unwrap the harness and make sure any ground wires you cut are closed off.

The EA82 headlights' harness and engine harness sprout off from each other right there inside the driver's side fender.. some of those wires run all the way back to where the stock ECU is/was. It would be nice to completely remove all the old wiring from the car but it would add more work than I feel it's worth unless you are perhaps doing this to a long-term project car.

 

As far as your problem goes, I'd double check all of the power and ground splices in your harness as well as check all of the relays you're using. Others will chime in with other ideas I'm sure. Good luck

Turns out the problem was two little things - battery connections were loose (doh!), and the battery sucks. I put a different one in, and it turns over reliably now. Hasn't fired up yet. I hooked the red/yellow wire (pin c10 from the ECU) to the black/white wire coming off ignition switch so it will get 12V only while cranking. The car keeps sounding like it wants to fire, just hasn't yet. it's been sitting dry for a few months, so I'm sure it just needs to cycle a bit. I haven't checked to make sure I got the fuel lines correct, but I'm guessing since it keeps sounding like it wants to fire up, it is getting some fuel.

Well, I feel silly...apparently, when I put in the electric fuel pump, I forgot to take the clamp off the feed line from the tank I used to keep fuel from pouring all over me. That's why it kept sounding like it wanted to fire but wouldn't. In any case...it's alive! :banana::banana:

Well, I feel silly...apparently, when I put in the electric fuel pump, I forgot to take the clamp off the feed line from the tank I used to keep fuel from pouring all over me. That's why it kept sounding like it wanted to fire but wouldn't. In any case...it's alive! :banana::banana:

 

Congrats! You'll love having that engine!