This may seem like a really odd idea, but I am considering what it would take to replace the electronics in my '88 Renix with the electronics from a newer XJ with OBD.

Why? Because I want to output engine stats to an Android tablet that I am going to put in the dash. It is easy to do if you've got OBD2 already, but the Renix doesn't have that ability (that I know of). On one hand, I appreciate that simplicity of the renix, and on the other, I need to satisfy the computer nerd that I am.

The easiest way to do this would be to sell my renix and get a newer XJ, but after all I have gone through to get this XJ running and driving well I have developed something of an attachment to it.

Is this even a practical idea or should I just let this idea go?

 

Just let it go. Not a cost effective idea just so you can add some gizmos to a rig that is at least 25 years old.

 

I've done it, not the easiest thing to do but possible. You'd need an obd2 rig and swap everything over. IE, wiring, engine accesorys, gauge cluster and much more. On top of that wiring colors changed a great deal through the generations. I can elaborate if you want...

 

You pointed out something that would be the deal breaker...the gauge cluster. I'd have to do something about the speedo and some other things that would require mods to the xmission, and that would make it not worth it.

Maybe I'll just buy another XJ and have two!

Thank you cheroheep and Bustedback!

 

Glad to help.
Fyi, if you do end up taking this on, the more stuff you swap over the easier the wireing gets. I decided to leave the dash and integrate the cluster on my swap, this made dash wiring a bish. On top of all that, you will need to make brackets to mount the ecu, fuse boxes, and other electronic hardware. Ever since I did the integration, I haven't been able to get my heater blower to work. Non ac renix system had like 4 wires where the 97+ hvac had 7 or so...
Best of luck with whatever you decide to do. I'll do my best to help!

 

Buy a used SnapOn MT 2500 "Brick" with the Renix adapter and cartridge and monitor all that stuff.

 

Thanks Cruiser. I just now looked into what it entails to use that. That is going to be about a $600 option, but not unreasonable or terribly hard to install.

One option I was considering is using an Arduino-type system to create something of a standalone monitoring system. That would be quite inexpensive, but would have a sharp and tall learning curve..

 

A guy I'm working with to sort out his stroker got one from ebay with everything he needed for $325.

 

Is it just a passive reader, or can it alter signals for modification of fuel curve? I aim aiming to put a 4.6 stroker in it, and I want to control all of it. Not immediately, of course.

 

Reader, just like the DRB is.

 

At this point you might want to check out what megasquirt can do. It'll have all the readout and tune-ability you want. It's relatively cheap but comes with a steep learning curve. You'll have to research alot.

I've always had the idea to build a MS into a renix ECU housing and just swap it out at my leisure. Nobody has a burnt ECU they want to ship or sell to me though.

 

That megasquirt device is grotesquely overpriced. A Raspberry Pi will do everything the MS can and way more for just $35. The Pi does have a steep learning curve if you are not familiar with Linux and code editing.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/raspberr...lot-1424200008

I do thank you for sharing the idea though.

 

I don't think you are grasping all that the megasquirt was developed to do.

I don't disagree that the Pi is powerful, but you're gonna have to develop alot of code and hardware from scratch unless someone has already done it. What are you going to do about the EFI program, injector drivers, circuits to read sensors and convert them to inputs readable by the Pi if not already, etc. I mean how much work do you expect to put into this?

I mean if you only intend to read the sensors and such to get a readout, that's one thing, but to tune and manipulate air fuel ratio, pulse widths and what not, that's gonna be a big feat with a Pi.

Here's a thread of someone who wanted to use a RPi for EFI. The OP wanted to go through with it despite all the wise advice against it. The OP eventually gave up a year later (post #34).

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/project...ed-ecu-sheild/

I mean as a pretty hard core DIYer, I'm the last one to discourage you if you really want to do it, but nobody likes unfinished projects and I think you'll find how much of a value a MS is especially compared to some of the more commercial aftermarket standalone systems available.

 

I have some really unique ideas I want to express through this Jeep. Something a bit like a mobile ISP and communications center.

What I will probably do is just buy another XJ, probably a '97+ and just modify it instead of this '88.

I am going to research the megasquirt more though and see what it does. Thanks again SuperRa!

 

Well for something like this I'm sure you'll be able to do. It'll be interesting to see what you achieve with the RPi. You'll be glad you get to spend time doing new and fun stuff like this rather than figuring out engine management and control programming.