Page: 1/3
How to install a Dodge SMEC (single module engine controller) into a Ford 2.3 turbo powered vehicle
Okay, first off a list of items that you well need to gather on your next trip to the junkyard.
1) The SMEC itself.
You need to locate any 88-89 turbo chrysler product. This shouldnt be hard, since Chryco put turbos in EVERYTHING in the
80s. Anything from a Dodge Caravan to a K-car, Daytona, Laser, Aires, LeBaron, etc will do. If you are unsure of year, it
is very easy to tell by looking at the ECU itself, which is located near the driver's side fender behind the headlight. The
SMEC is easily identifiable by its 60-way and 14-way connectors; no other dodge ecu has this configuration.
2) The wiring harness.
Many times this can come from the same vehicle that the SMEC above did, however some are less desirable than others. In
particular, some are routed through the firewall and some simply pass along it in the engine compartment. Naturally, the
one routed through the firewall should be avoided, as it is very hard to extract. Once you find a suitable donor, get out
your wire cutters and go to town. Start by disconnecting all sensors and connectors that you can get to. Then, cut the
harness where it enters the firewall. It is very thick here, so some kind of a saw may work better than wire cutters. Cut
the harness loose from its mounting as you go around the engine bay, making sure to retain mating connectors wherever
possible. Cut the wires leading into the headlight/bumper area on each side, as these just go to the lights and are not
required. There are several relays attached that should also be retained. Don't forget the injector harness, as it does
unplug from the main harness just like the Ford ones.
3) Sensors.
You will need to grab the following sensors: coolant temperature, oxygen sensor, knock sensor (if you choose to use one),
map sensor/baro-read assembly, and charge temperature sensor. If you are lucky, you found a Turbo II setup that already has
a charge temp sensor, but most will have to scrounge one off another vehicle (any year turbo car will work). The coolant
temp and charge temp sensors are electrically identical, but physically the coolant temp has a brass body while the charge
temp is plastic. Here is a picture comparing the two, and pictures of stock locations of the sensors:
**example pics here**
For the oxygen sensor, you could buy a new one from the parts store if you want, but they are expensive. the SMEC ustilizes
a 4 wire heated sensor with external signal return, unlike the 1 and 3 wire Ford sensors. They do share the same thread
size though so are completely interchangable. A hint for lossening the sensors: hit the base of hte sensor with a small
hammer to break the rust loose. After this small tap, many sensors can be unscrewed by hand with no other tools required.
The SMEC also relies on a speed sensor for various functions such as dashpotting and cruise control. Using one is not
required, however the car will tend to idle down too soon when decelrating and may die easily at stop lights. Those with
transmissions from 87-88 thunderbirds that have a speed sensor on the tranny will be able to use the signal from that
sensor as it is compatible. Others will have to add the sensor or do without.
4) Throttle body.
Most will want to pass up the 4 cyl Dodge turbo throttle bodies as they are only 48 mm. However, 3.3L V6 Caravans have a
compatible 52 mm throttle body (same size as the stock Ford unit). Or a 58 mm or larger tb can be sourced from 3.8L Caravan
engines or other mopar products. I am still working on sources for these larger throttle bodies. If being used on a race
car or other application where idle control is not important, any throttle body that incorporates a 5v max output tps can
be utilized; the SMEC is smart enough to adapt to just about any tps. However, it can only control a stock type stepper
motor for idle control, not the linear actuator type as used on Ford engines.
**picture of 52 mm tb here**
5) Distributor.
This one gets a bit tricky. You will ned 2 distributors: the one from the same car you got the harness or SMEC from will
work for the Dodge side, and you will also need a Ford 2.3 distributor. These two will be cut apart and welded back
together to make a hybrid distributor. The details for this will be given below. If you will be making your own spark plug
wires, you will also want to clip off the distributor ends of the spark plug wires, or just grab the whole set.
**pics of dodge distributor here**
