1997 850 GLT Engine Swap (M4.3 M4.4 AC compatability issue)

[bmdubya1198]

You should be able to have your current ECU tuned for this setup. It's not the ECU you're changing, it's the engine. Honestly I wouldn't bother finding another 2.4 if you want the HPT, the engine itself shouldn't cause an issue with the right tune. You have more room for power with the 2.3 with its lower compression.

Now, if there are known issues tuning this particular part number ECU (forgive me, I'm not too familiar with each particular version), that could likely be worked around by using a 1997 T5 ECU, no?

Anyway, if you're having ECU-related AC issues, that likely won't be changed with a tune. That's a question better suited for Lucky at ARD. It may be worth starting a thread over on Volvospeed, there are a few M4.4 gurus over there that could probably answer your questions.

Read over this thread too, I'm sure it includes AC info... http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/15 ... g-for-m44/

Also see these links... https://m44.fandom.com/wiki/M44_Wiki
http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/14 ... -overview/

[Chuck W]

You should be able to have your current ECU tuned for this setup. It's not the ECU you're changing, it's the engine. Honestly I wouldn't bother finding another 2.4 if you want the HPT, the engine itself shouldn't cause an issue with the right tune. You have more room for power with the 2.3 with its lower compression.

Now, if there are known issues tuning this particular part number ECU (forgive me, I'm not too familiar with each particular version), that could likely be worked around by using a 1997 T5 ECU, no?

Anyway, if you're having ECU-related AC issues, that likely won't be changed with a tune. That's a question better suited for Lucky at ARD. It may be worth starting a thread over on Volvospeed, there are a few M4.4 gurus over there that could probably answer your questions.

Read over this thread too, I'm sure it includes AC info... http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/15 ... g-for-m44/

Also see these links... https://m44.fandom.com/wiki/M44_Wiki
http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/14 ... -overview/

Did you not read my post?

I recently went through ALL of this on a '97GLT. The AC issues on an 97 GLT are for sure part of the tune ECU. I went through ALL of that thread, and the Wiki.Tried several ECUs, as we were planning upgrades on the car and wanted the tuning capabilities.

If he doesn't care about AC, then it doesn't really matter. If he's going to want it eventually, then it will.

[bmdubya1198]

Did you not read my post?

I recently went through ALL of this on a '97GLT. The AC issues on an 97 GLT are for sure part of the tune ECU. I went through ALL of that thread, and the Wiki.Tried several ECUs, as we were planning upgrades on the car and wanted the tuning capabilities.

If he doesn't care about AC, then it doesn't really matter. If he's going to want it eventually, then it will.

I did not, and I guess it shows! I think I missed your first post due to the newest post being your following post at the time I came back to this thread. NOW I've read through it, great info!
I had always been told '97-'98 turbo models are virtually identical. Good to know that's not the case for the ECU!

[abscate]

Hello all,
Used the forums for advice from time to time but this is my first post. My 1997 850 GLT has a ruined block due to getting too hot after a heater core blew. As many of you know these came with a 2.4 LPT, and although they’re cheap and easy to find, I would like to put in a 2.3 (B5234T) or whatever variation. I was curious as to how much of a plug and play the swap will be. I assume it’ll bolt to the auto tranny just fine, and I’m under the impression that with simply a different tune (will be from ARD again) the car should be fully functional. Is this correct or has anyone done this? I’m going for more power and had always wanted a 2.3 swapped in down the line, but now seems as good a time as ever. Any advice and input is appreciated. Thanks!

(Added discussion about Motronic AC issue to title for search)

[Chuck W]

Did you not read my post?

I recently went through ALL of this on a '97GLT. The AC issues on an 97 GLT are for sure part of the tune ECU. I went through ALL of that thread, and the Wiki.Tried several ECUs, as we were planning upgrades on the car and wanted the tuning capabilities.

If he doesn't care about AC, then it doesn't really matter. If he's going to want it eventually, then it will.

I did not, and I guess it shows! I think I missed your first post due to the newest post being your following post at the time I came back to this thread. NOW I've read through it, great info!
I had always been told '97-'98 turbo models are virtually identical. Good to know that's not the case for the ECU!

This is the same info I was going off of when I got into the engine swap on this thing. All signs pointed to it being just a plug-n-play with the ECU. When I ran into the roadblock and dug deeper, it was pretty much a dead end.

[BrickyardCustoms]

The car has an ARD OEM R tune, but it wasn’t on my original ECU, they just sent me an entirely different one.

[BrickyardCustoms]

Well I’ve decided to go the no AC route and go with the 2.3. Gonna be doing a few mods with the swap as well as a few other small things, and I may start a little build thread so stay posted. Also does anyone have any 96-97 2.3t motor that they would sell that’s in decent shape? I found one out of Minnesota but have been SOL in regulated to anything local or eBay. If so please PM me! Build and further questions will be in a new thread, so be on the lookout for that. Thanks

[bmdubya1198]

Search on car-part.com. There may be one listed nearby. Also check lkqonline.com. Most places will also ship it to you if you can't find one locally.
Of course if you can find one someone's selling privately, that would be ideal!

[Chuck W]

One of the benefits of the RN swap is getting rid of the early oil cooler/lines. I was VERY happy about that when we swapped motors on the wife's car. No more leaky oil lines/connections. Even if you stay with an N engine, I would suggest the RN oil pan/cooler swap. I'll be doing that on my '97 T5 when I get under it for the manual swap.

[bmdubya1198]

One of the benefits of the RN swap is getting rid of the early oil cooler/lines. I was VERY happy about that when we swapped motors on the wife's car. No more leaky oil lines/connections. Even if you stay with an N engine, I would suggest the RN oil pan/cooler swap. I'll be doing that on my '97 T5 when I get under it for the manual swap.

For sure... definitely get rid of those leaky lines if you can! That said, the oil cooler on my 2000 is leaking between the cooler and the pan .