Ok, we were talking about this in the engine section but I figured this might be a beter section for my problem. I have an ecu from a 2.4 in my 280z... Some research shows that it is from a maxima. I have 2 questions:

-Is it safe to leave this ecu in the z?

-If not, if I replace it with the right ecu how do I match it to my afm?

I have searched this "matching" topic and have not received a def answer. Some say it is not the a11 number but the real Nissan part number to match. I cannot find this 10 didgit part number anywhere.... Only what is on the stickers... I was told the "right" ecu is a11-600 000. This seems to be accurate. Manual trans.

Current ecu sticker:

A11-602 240

Lot: 7728

For: L24

Current AFM:

A31-060 001

Lot: 7523 Q

For: L28

Than you.

The A11-600 000 ECM works from all 75-78 North American 280's.

If that maximum ecu is working for you, relax. Drive it and forget it.

It's tune is for a smaller engine, so your mixtures might not be "correct" but if your plugs look okay (brown, not white or black), your mileage is reasonable, and you've had it working fine for a couple of years, be happy.

If you really want a A11-600 000, let me know. Some say I'm cheap, I call it affordable.

We just pick up the z and just got it "almost road worthy". So no miles on her yet by us. Plugs were almost fouled and very black.

Can some please answer my question about "matching" ecu and afm...

As far as I know the only difference in AFM's from 75-78 is that the 78 AFM no longer has the fuel pmup switch contacts and corresponding pins. Other than that all are identical. Even the 79-83 NA afm's can be used, they just mount differently to the car. This can be overcome with a bit of creative bracketry.

It would help to know what you mean by "matching the AFM to the ECU."

It seems to me you have two options.

One, stick some new plugs in it, gapped correctly, and see how she drives with the Maxima ECU / AFM combination currently in it. You're not going to HURT anything. After a tank of gas check your mileage, pull the plugs, and if they're STILL black and fouled, and less than 20mpg or thereabouts, then it's time to make a change.

Two would be to go to the junkyard and get an AFM and an ECM out of a '75-77 280Z, or find someone here to sell you those parts. As earlier posters have commented you can use just about ANY A11-600 000 and AFM, it's just that you'll have to hotwire your fuel pump if you use a '78 or later AFM.

The earlier AFMs hve contacts which KEEP the fuel pump running as long as air was flowing through the ECM. This isn't needed while cranking, only after the engine starts, and it SHUTS DOWN the fuel pump if the engine stalls. An oil prssure switch can be rigged to do the same thing, or nothing at all. There's really no harm/no foul in having the fuel pump running anytime the ignition is on assuming you don't sit there listening to the radio. It's also helpful if you crash the car so the fuel pump doesn't empty the tank on you while you're upside down and on fire.

There is no "matching" to be done; it's not like the AFM and ECM are calibrated to each other or anything.

The ECM IS, however, calibrated to the displacement of the engine, the size of the injectors, etc. Which is why you want a 280Z 2.8 liter ECM and not a Maxima 2.4 liter ECM, despite the fact that the engine may start, and run "well enough."

It seems to me you have two options.

One, stick some new plugs in it, gapped correctly, and see how she drives with the Maxima ECU / AFM combination currently in it. You're not going to HURT anything. After a tank of gas check your mileage, pull the plugs, and if they're STILL black and fouled, and less than 20mpg or thereabouts, then it's time to make a change.

Two would be to go to the junkyard and get an AFM and an ECM out of a '75-77 280Z, or find someone here to sell you those parts. As earlier posters have commented you can use just about ANY A11-600 000 and AFM, it's just that you'll have to hotwire your fuel pump if you use a '78 or later AFM.

The earlier AFMs hve contacts which KEEP the fuel pump running as long as air was flowing through the ECM. This isn't needed while cranking, only after the engine starts, and it SHUTS DOWN the fuel pump if the engine stalls. An oil prssure switch can be rigged to do the same thing, or nothing at all. There's really no harm/no foul in having the fuel pump running anytime the ignition is on assuming you don't sit there listening to the radio. It's also helpful if you crash the car so the fuel pump doesn't empty the tank on you while you're upside down and on fire.

There is no "matching" to be done; it's not like the AFM and ECM are calibrated to each other or anything.

The ECM IS, however, calibrated to the displacement of the engine, the size of the injectors, etc. Which is why you want a 280Z 2.8 liter ECM and not a Maxima 2.4 liter ECM, despite the fact that the engine may start, and run "well enough."

Every time I google 280z ecu replacement I find that they have to match. I thought this meant the numbers, or lot numbers or something. I guess I just read into it too much. Thank you all for the info.

The afm does belong to the z (look at first post), so I'll just get the right ecu. Anyone reading this that has a a11-600 000 for sale pm me. If not its off to eBay.

Thanx again guys.

Send a PM to zKars. He mentioned that he might have one he can sell.