whats the difference?

[pitbull09]

Ok well my parts car is an 87 IS and my driver is an 88 cabrio. What is the differnece between the two other than the obvious of course. The reason I'm askin is because I'd like to use the ecu from the 87 in my 88 but that one is a 153 ecu and my 88 is a 173 ecu. Would I be able to use it at all? Would I have to swap out the whole wiring harness airflow meter and other things to make that work? What would need to be done to make it work? Does anyone know what the difference is between the two? What does the 173 do that the 153 doesn't or visa-versa? I assime the power plants are the same for the most part? Please let me know. ooo ooo also would the suspension from the 87 work in my 88 cab? or is it different?

TIA!

[Moberg12]

The 153 and 173 DMEs are interchangeable. Most people prefer the later 173 ecu over the 153. Stomp test won't work with a 153.

[pitbull09]

AAAAAh good to know you just saved me $250 for a new chip! What about the suspension would that just swap over too?

[TexasTerp]

173 ecu is the most updated and stable version of the Motronic 1.3 system (153 is Motronic 1.1). wiring harnesses are the same.

the 87 is will have the rear battery conversion on the car if you wanted to transfer the battery to the trunk

[RainierHooker]

Suspension is different, on account of the Cabby being heavier. The housings and trailing arms are the same, but the srings and struts/shocks will be different.

[pitbull09]

Would the chip that is in the 153 ecu give me a higher redline considering it's a custom chip for using nitrous? I believe it retards timing a little opposed to a normal performance chip that slightly advances timing a little?