Can my obd1 car be converted to obd2? I wanted to use one of the many digital apps to monitor my engine but they all use a wifi obd2 device. Any advice on how or if it's possible. Thanks
Not possible. But if you'd like to purchase a haltech ECU then you will have OBDII compatibility... No I'm not seriously suggesting that's a good use of time and $$
US Spec 1996 Model Z32's are OBD2, if you are serious about converting from OBD1 to OBD2 then you would need to source the ECU & any associated wiring or sensors from the US. Ideally you would want parts from what they call a Federal emissions vehicle this would be any vehicle not sold in California. Z1 Motorsports would be a good place to start sourcing what is required.
Your best bet would be sticking with obd1 and getting an old PDA to run consult/datascan or simialr, newer BT and android type stuff http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/showthread.php?t=331882&highlight=datascan http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332350&highlight=datascan http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/showthread.php?t=292025&highlight=consult Of courst you could also go the way of ECUtalk unit
You would have to check the Diagnostic Data Link plug, as OBDI & II plugs are different. The US Government legislated mandatory OBDII systems in all vehicles from 1996. The Australian Government mandated OBDII from 2006. No idea what the Jap's did.
OBD2 was only available in US vehicles as I believe it became an formal standard for all vehicles in US to have OBD2 from 96 on, it may be possible the OBD2 plug was fitted to non US vehicles that used a non OBD2 ecu (they were on mitsi's and Subaru's). What are you hoping the OBD2 ecu would achieve for you?
Its a convenient way to be able to read all the data you could want without the need to flood your car with gauges
I really believe that it would be easier to set up a permanent consult or datascan display etc than convert to obd2, I would not be surprised if Nistune had support for this and finally ECUtalk is designed for this very purpose.
I trialled the HKS obd2 BT unit with the HKS andriod software on our previous mitsi outlander. TBH the amount of data I could see was at best equal to ecutalk. Probably less.
I realize I'm a little late jumping into this convo, but if you're seriously about swapping so many parts just to have OBD2, I'm telling you its probably not worth it. I have a 96 US Spec, and it is AWFUL to mod. So bad it makes LESS HP on more boost. Check out this article written by specialty Z http://specialtyz.com/blog/?p=1020. If you could manage to get OBD2 and mod it, that would be nice. I would stick to ECUTalk IMHO. If you go for it, I'd love to see if you swap the ECU for a OBD2 Spec one how you go on modding it.
To be honest you will only need one thing to go obd2. And i consider it an upgrade. Aftermarket ecu with canbus. I have all the gauges i will ever need on my phone when i need it. No gauges in the car itself. Dont miss them either.
Very interesting reading. I had no idea there were that many cam profile changes for the OBD2 US car. Realistically changing to OBD2 on a OBD1 car won't have the same performance shortfalls. Just a complex job for a few extra sensors and different ECU.
I should have corrected that to obd2 compliant aftermarket ecu. Like i now see you suggested yourself further up in this thread. You said Haltech, but there are others as well. I just hardwired an bluethooth obd2 adaptor to the canbuswires an configured it in the ecu. Plx kiwi adaptor and vipec ecu in my case