Hey Guys,

I did some searching and found some useful information, but I still figured I could start a thread to address some of the issues I will run into with the swap I want to do.

I want to swap a 16v, wiring harness and ECU into my girl's 1995 2dr sidekick. Her truck is currently 8v and auto.

I bought a 1996 4dr 16v manual for parts. Quickly did I learn it is not a simple plug and play swap.

Which is the easiest donar to swap the 16v and wiring into a 1995 2dr 8v auto? Is there a donar vehicle that will be plug and play (more less). The 1996 swap seems pretty intensive. I would have to use the entire dash IMO.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks! And thanks to everyone who replied to my other thread.
Brandon

A couple of issues come to mind. First, your moving from OBD1 (up to 1995 models) to OBD2 (1996 and later) the control systems are different so plug and play wouldn't work well and this is if you were talking 16v to 16v swap. You're asking about 8v to 16v which is another line in the sand as far as differences. Doing the swap you're talking about would require (in my estimation) that you remove all the wiring, ECM, and engine bits from the donor and put everything into the recepient. A lot of work...

Is there a reason you want to go 16v other than you have it?



-Eric

Swapping from an 8V to a 16V will require a wiring harness swap (at least that is what I would do...instead of hacking and splicing wires).
Any 92-95 4 door should be a good donor for a wiring harness and engine swap.
A 94-95 2 door (with the 16V), would be a good donor too.
With either of these, you should be able to keep the current dash.
You could also convert it to 4wd, while you are at it.  It really isn't too hard to convert.

I wouldn't try to put anything 96 or newer (engine/wiring wise) into it.

So when you say full to swap the full wiring harness, do you mean full dash harness as well?

Yes.