Any issues in doing this? I 'hopefully' assume it is plug & play. However which ECM should I use?

I am considering doing this because the V6 that is in the 1986 has been rebuilt with a different cam and is destroked. The 1988 it is potentially going into has some body modifications that I like.

Thanks

The engine block is similar but there are some differences in assembly.
If you are just installing the engine onto the 88 sub-frame there should be no issues.
The early cars have different engine mounts and use that dampener near the oil filter.
I think the water pump has different routing for the hoses? It may take a plug to block off the heater hose nipple.
The heater hoses on an 88 take off from below not above.

Also make sure you keep the flywheels with their respective engines since the earlier engine have externally balanced cranks using weights on the flywheel whereas the '88 engine is internally balanced and uses a neutrally balanced flywheel. I would use the later ECM although I doubt there is much difference if any at all.

The 88 ECM does not have a rev limit. Just FYI

quote Originally posted by mcguiver3 :The engine block is similar but there are some differences in assembly. If you are just installing the engine onto the 88 sub-frame there should be no issues. The early cars have different engine mounts and use that dampener near the oil filter. I think the water pump has different routing for the hoses? It may take a plug to block off the heater hose nipple. The heater hoses on an 88 take off from below not above.

quote Originally posted by Bloozberry: Also make sure you keep the flywheels with their respective engines since the earlier engine have externally balanced cranks using weights on the flywheel whereas the '88 engine is internally balanced and uses a neutrally balanced flywheel. I would use the later ECM although I doubt there is much difference if any at all.

I would transfer the whole drivetrain. It is a 4 speed.

[This message has been edited by hcforde (edited 06-05-2014).]

Earlier motor doesn't have the improved y pipe heat shielding, since it had the fans in the trunk to cool the ignition system. The y pipe is also a different length, connecting with the cat pipe at a different spot. I'd recommend keeping the 88 exhaust from the y pipe back. If you're putting a 4 speed in the 88, you'll need to route your own wires for the reverse lights. An 86 4 speed has the switch at the shifter, wired through the body harness. 88's w/ 5 speeds run from C500 (by the battery) to the trans in the engine harness. An 86 wire harness should have the getrag style wiring in the harness, dead ending around the water pump where the harness T's. Just run those 2 wires into the car, and install the switch when you swap shifters.