SVT ECU help please

[2002XR]

Hey guys. I just bought a 2000 2.5 SVT motor for my cougar. It doesnt come with the ECU so I obviously need to buy it. There seems to be a couple diff. SVT ones on car-part.com when I search. Could someone possibly search for the ECU on there and tell me exactly which one I will need?. Thank you very much.

[mond12345]

Your best bet would just to be to get it dyno tuned. You will get way better results, more power AND you wont have to re-program your keys.

[2002XR]

Your best bet would just to be to get it dyno tuned. You will get way better results, more power AND you wont have to re-program your keys.

Right...yeah..well the place im getting the motor swap done has the dyno and would be dyno tuning it, but I still need the ECU right?

[scrupul0us]

i think he intends for you to use your stock non-svt one and they will tune it accordingly

[2002XR]

i think he intends for you to use your stock non-svt one and they will tune it accordingly


Ohhh...well I learn somethign new everyday..I didnt know they did that sorta thing..... :bowdown:

[mond12345]

Yes thats what i meant just tune with your regular ECU.

[2002XR]

Yes thats what i meant just tune with your regular ECU.


Wiring harness is all the same for the 2002 cougar and the 2000 svt motor right?

[mond12345]

I'm pretty sure it is but I'm not 100% sure. You might want to search here or on CEG to be sure.

[2002XR]

I'm pretty sure it is but I'm not 100% sure. You might want to search here or on CEG to be sure.

I did some searching...seems as tho you only need the svt harness if you swap the motor into an ATX cougar? Can anyone verify this..Im getting ready to finalize everything and order so I just want to make sure I'm good to go. Just so I dont sound like such a n00b, is there maybe a thread that has a list of parts needed for this swap or is it just the motor and ECU?

[RodneyBur]

Some info on which SVT ECU you need if you are going to go that route.

http://www.newcougar.org/forums/showthread.php?t=96851

[2002XR]

Some info on which SVT ECU you need if you are going to go that route.

http://www.newcougar.org/forums/showthread.php?t=96851

Ok...so I buy the right ECU (2000 SVT) get the motor and ecu in then bring it to the dealer and they will repogram my keys? Simple as that? (with a price) This may sound idiotic, but does the ECU have to be already hooked up and installed on the car before they can reprogram my keys...Gonna suck when I have to get it towed over to the dealership after the motor is swapped in before we can even test it out to see if it works haha

[2002XR]

Ok...so I buy the right ECU (2000 SVT) get the motor and ecu in then bring it to the dealer and they will repogram my keys? Simple as that? (with a price) This may sound idiotic, but does the ECU have to be already hooked up and installed on the car before they can reprogram my keys...Gonna suck when I have to get it towed over to the dealership after the motor is swapped in before we can even test it out to see if it works haha


EDIT: This is the closet ECU I could find that matched up to what Rodnebur suggested.

Elec Cont Unit (ECU), (behind PS reservoir), 6-155 (2.5L), SVT, (XS2A-AAB)


Would that work? From a 2000 contour.

[2002XR]

I just got off the phone with the dealership and asked him about the reprogramming of keys once the SVT ecu is installed, and he said that I wouldnt have to reprogram them cause the PATS system is inside the dashboard or something? I dunno, thats what he said.

[RodneyBur]

That dealers a dooshbag. The old pats system (Pats I) on the early Contours (build 97) are that way. The cougar is running a PATS II system and the codes are stored inside the ECU.

WHen you buy your ECU ask the seller if you can get the keys from the car the ECU was pulled from. Call around maybe one of them would have the keys. If they do then you don't have to get the pats redone at ford. Send me a PM and I'll explain what to do.

Also, keep your ECU in the car, drive it up to ford and switch to the SVT ECU at the dealership before they do the pats rekey. It only take them about 15-20 minutes if they do it right. Of course you'll proably have to wait around all day before they get to it unless you sett up an appointment.

Make sure you test the SVT ECU in the car before taking it up to them. This way you know that the PATS light on the dash is saying everything is OK with the ECU and stuff. The security light on the dash should be blinking really fast after turning the key on to start. This lets you know that the keys need reprogrammed. The car wont tunr over at all, but everything else will work (lights, turn signals, wipers, radio, etc).

[2002XR]

That dealers a dooshbag. The old pats system (Pats I) on the early Contours (build 97) are that way. The cougar is running a PATS II system and the codes are stored inside the ECU.

WHen you buy your ECU ask the seller if you can get the keys from the car the ECU was pulled from. Call around maybe one of them would have the keys. If they do then you don't have to get the pats redone at ford. Send me a PM and I'll explain what to do.

Also, keep your ECU in the car, drive it up to ford and switch to the SVT ECU at the dealership before they do the pats rekey. It only take them about 15-20 minutes if they do it right. Of course you'll proably have to wait around all day before they get to it unless you sett up an appointment.

Make sure you test the SVT ECU in the car before taking it up to them. This way you know that the PATS light on the dash is saying everything is OK with the ECU and stuff. The security light on the dash should be blinking really fast after turning the key on to start. This lets you know that the keys need reprogrammed. The car wont tunr over at all, but everything else will work (lights, turn signals, wipers, radio, etc).



K...so Ill have them reprogram the keys, BEFORE I bring it to the shop to do the engine swap..correct?

[RodneyBur]

I think I may have confused you. Heres your choices:

A. Put SVT engine in car. Keep stock ECU in car. Drive up to delearship and switch to SVT ECU. Have them reprogram keys to start car with SVT ECU.

B. If car is drivable now. Then drive up to delearship. Put SVT ECU in. Have keys reprogrammed in SVT ECU. DONT RUN CAR WITH SVT ECU MORE THAN A SEC. I would disconnect coil and make sure turns over but dont run it. Put stock ECU back in. Drive car to repair shop. Put in SVT engine / SVT ECU. Be happy. You don't have to remove your ECU to do this. Just unplug the connector from your ECU, move power steering resevoir to side, and plug connector into the SVT ECU. Thats what I did with mine.

C. Put in SVT Engine. Tow to dealer. Put in SVT ECU. Have keys set in SVT ECU.

D. Get keys from car you get SVT ECU from. Put in SVT Engine. Put in SVT ECU. Take chip from SVT Keys put chip in your keys and start car.

Either way just test the SVT ECU before dragging car up to dealership and make sure the pats light is blinking rapidly.

[2002XR]

I think I may have confused you. Heres your choices:

A. Put SVT engine in car. Keep stock ECU in car. Drive up to delearship and switch to SVT ECU. Have them reprogram keys to start car with SVT ECU.

B. If car is drivable now. Then drive up to delearship. Put SVT ECU in. Have keys reprogrammed in SVT ECU. DONT RUN CAR WITH SVT ECU MORE THAN A SEC. I would disconnect coil and make sure turns over but dont run it. Put stock ECU back in. Drive car to repair shop. Put in SVT engine / SVT ECU. Be happy. You don't have to remove your ECU to do this. Just unplug the connector from your ECU, move power steering resevoir to side, and plug connector into the SVT ECU. Thats what I did with mine.

C. Put in SVT Engine. Tow to dealer. Put in SVT ECU. Have keys set in SVT ECU.

D. Get keys from car you get SVT ECU from. Put in SVT Engine. Put in SVT ECU. Take chip from SVT Keys put chip in your keys and start car.

Either way just test the SVT ECU before dragging car up to dealership and make sure the pats light is blinking rapidly.



Haha...thanks alot for clarifying everything for me...helps out alot:)

[2002XR]

But also...back to this question....is this the right ECU I need to buy off car-part.com?


Elec Cont Unit (ECU), (behind PS reservoir), 6-155 (2.5L), SVT, (XS2A-AAB)

Its the only one that mostly matches the one you showed me in your post about the different SVT ECU's (For year 2000)

[2002XR]

The part # you listed on your thread about the different ECU's matchs the ones im looking at exactly..its just they dont list the calibratin code..Im assuming its obviously the same for all 2000 ECU's..Im sorry im being impatient, but I need to order this today because I have to bring my car to the dealership next wed to get the keys reprogrammed...Can anyone put my mind to ease and say "Yes dumbass, just buy that one" ? Thanks!

[RodneyBur]

You will have to call the junkyard up and make sure that it is the right one. Tell them what you need and ask them to verify the part# and Calibration code by looking at it. Also ask them about getting the keys from the car they pull the ECU from.

The important thing is the calibration code..make sure that matches and you should be fine.

Also the SVT wiring harness should be the same as your harness, assuming you are swapping in the same fuel style of engine (return vs returnless). The engine wiring harness should connect right up to your engine bay harness. So you don't have to swap over the engine harness from your engine to the SVT engine. Just double check before you put it in the car.

[2002XR]

You will have to call the junkyard up and make sure that it is the right one. Tell them what you need and ask them to verify the part# and Calibration code by looking at it. Also ask them about getting the keys from the car they pull the ECU from.

The important thing is the calibration code..make sure that matches and you should be fine.

Also the SVT wiring harness should be the same as your harness, assuming you are swapping in the same fuel style of engine (return vs returnless). The engine wiring harness should connect right up to your engine bay harness. So you don't have to swap over the engine harness from your engine to the SVT engine. Just double check before you put it in the car.


Ok..awesome...Thank you very much for the info once again. Did the 2000 SVT ECU's come with more than the one calibration code you mentioned? Cause I bought a 2000 SVT motor..Thats why I ask, becasue it seems that if I buy any 2000 SVT ECU it should work? But as you can tell I really have no clue really so bare with me:crazy: