914-SHO How to mount the PCM

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3d914

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Is the PCM (X2J) housed in a special case or can it simply be mounted to the elements? Do I have to consider vibration dampening, excessive heat, etc?

TIA
 
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hawkeye18

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In the SHO it's mounted inside the firewall, right by the A/C ducting, which theoretically cools it somewhat. How well that actually works, I couldn't tell you. As for the 914, I would simply try to mount it in a location that is out of the elements (road spray and direct rain) as much as possible, and wouldn't generally worry about it much beyond that. Just make sure it's well grounded.
 

Phoenix

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I welded a metal box and slipped the ecu right in. Made it slightly bigger in order to put a Tweecer on it , plus I will try to foam pad it a little to help with the vibrations.

Its hard to see but its about a feet away from the muffler on the right.

HPIM0139.JPG
 

Off Road SHO

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What hawk said. It is hardened for automotive use and most buggy guys have it exposed to outside air temps. I wouldn't reccomend inside an engine compartment though. Do you still have the mounting pass through clamp? If yes, I would mount it behind the passenger seat, on the inside.

Tom
 

3d914

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Thanks guys. I'll have to do some kind of firewall connector then to get it out of the engine bay and behind/under the pass seat.

Tom, I don't have a mounting clamp of any kind. Got a pic?

Does it ground through the case? I've seen the wires that come from the connector for grounding, but is this for the PCM also?
 

Off Road SHO

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Gerard,

There are two studs welded to the engine side of the firewall that secures the PCM on the inside of the cabin, by using a "squish" plate on the engine side. I've got one if you need it.

Tom
 

Shovert

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I put mine in same location as a stock mustang. [passenger kick panel] Using the Mustang mount
There is a simple plastic piece that holds it in place. There is a rubber grommet that where it passes thru the body.
Picture of grommet is in this picture near computer 60 pin connection. This is the sho conversion harness.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/mgman75/93 mustang converiable/100_6568.jpg
The computer grounds thru wire 20,40 and 60. You do not have to isolate the computer case from body put don't have to ground case either. When you do ground the computer make sure to run wires all the way to battery. There is one or 2 that this is very important can find out whick. I ran my 2.3 and the SHO Mustang with the computer hanging/laying in floorboard by wires. If need those 2 pieces or pictures let me know. You can have them. I got extra's Maurice
Edit took picture of items. Picture of plastic mount on computer [not a sho computer] computer connector and 90 degree cover and rubber grommet without wiring in it. Maurice
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/mgman75/93 mustang converiable/crochetprojects2012.jpg
 
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3d914

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Tom, thanks but I don't think I could do a squish-plate type of mounting, as I don't have an area to enclose it. Maurice's plastic mount looks more like what I could do. I'll work up some type of housing for the final install, but for the bench test, I'll just weld up a simple H-shaped bracket to set it in. I'll add a little rigid foam to keep it from vibrating.
 

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Welcome to the parts. As far as vibration on the Mustang and other foxbody era cars. There is no foam. Just mounted directly to the metal behind the kickpanel. I have read the computers get warm. Not sure how warm so foam maybe not a good idea. Maurice
 

3d914

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I welded a metal box and slipped the ecu right in. Made it slightly bigger in order to put a Tweecer on it , plus I will try to foam pad it a little to help with the vibrations.

Its hard to see but its about a feet away from the muffler on the right.

HPIM0139.JPG

Phoenix - cool project. You got a progress thread for that beast?
 

Shovert

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Yes That type is holding mine in now. I would take a picture of it mounted but I have put the dash, carpet and console in the car. Maurice.
 

Off Road SHO

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Gerard,

Are you talking about the rear "Y" clip that is factory? I believe I gave you one of those.

On The Other Woman I made a 1/8" thick aluminum back plane to which I mounted all of my relays, DIS, fuse panels, termination strips, and the PCM. To hold the PCM down to the backplane, I formed a 1/2" 1/8" thick piece of strapping into a "U" shape and then coated it with a sleeve of heat shrink. The base of the PCM is a large heat sink so I mounted that towards the backplane so that the backplane acts as a large heat sink. I did this because I have everything enclosed in an air tight Hoffman box to keep sand and water out, and needed some heat transfer ability.

Tom
 

3d914

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Tom, yes I do have the "Y" clip for the connector - which I'll be using. Thanks for the mounting tips. I like the heat-shrink coating method. Easier than foam.

So how close is your battery to the PCM? I may have to run the grounds and power several feet if I put the batt in the front trunk. Haven't decided yet.
 

Shovert

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If asking me. One ground is beside the computer. Other 2 hook to a #10 or #12 wire and run to ground bolt in body with battery ground on same bolt. Originally ground went from passenger side to driver side front engine bay. I moved the battery to passenger side. [I would have put in trunk but car is a convertible. I am studing the idea of box under rear seat but battery fumes have give me some second thoughts. I will find out for which ground near computer and which need to go to battery. Maurice
 

3d914

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If asking me. One ground is beside the computer. Other 2 hook to a #10 or #12 wire and run to ground bolt in body with battery ground on same bolt. . . . Maurice

Maurice,

I've located to sets of grounds.
  1. Pin #40 & #60 GND (BLK/LT GRN) are shown connecting. I have two wires-into-one (see first pic) then into a round 1-pin connector.
  2. #20 CSE GND (BLK) shows it goes to top-right side of safety wall (firewall ?) I have two black wires into one, then into a metal ring connector.

#40/60
image.php


#20 (double wire on left)
image.php


So the next step is to determine which ground goes to batt - and which goes to body. I'm guessing #40/60 goes to batt & #20 goes to body.
 

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