So, this is supposed to be a 30 minute process of getting the UTEC into my dash. Everyone said it is so easy. Plus, I am very mechanically inclined. Heck, I wrote the manual for a crawford header install.

For the life of me I cannot get the UTEC into my dash. For those familiar, I can get the bracket onto the front screw or the back screw, but not both. Even if I try to force it, it just won't go.

I felt all around and there seems to be plenty of room on top, on both sides and in the back (by the firewall). However, up front by the dashboard, there is a metal bracket on the car that seems to prevent it from slipping into place.

Can anyone offer any tips? I just cannot believe it is this hard. I sware that it just won't go.

In case it helps, I have a 03 coupe. I also have the tuner serial cable and map switch hooked to the back. However, there seems to be space for these.

Lastly, I did notice something strange. The standoff with the rubber foot is not sitting flat on the bracket. It seems caught up on the ECU mounting tabs. I could take a picture, but this fact does not seem relevant.

Let me know if you can think of anything. I am going back down to the garage with an axe

 

I ended up creating my own bracket because i had the same problem. Couldn't for the life of me get that damn thing to fit! I just tied it into place while tunning, then created something to hold it better after i was done.

 

it is a chore to mount the UTEC in the G!!!

I ended up cutting the back half of the stock ECU bracket off.......so that it only uses the mount toward the back of the car. .Then, I removed the studs from the firewall that blcok the UTEC from being able to go up into the dash. I left the factory ECU mounting in its usual direction, which made me mount the UTEC upside from what the direction say......(UTEC side with serial cable faces the floor now) I then took part of the stock ecu bracket (previously cut off) and cut it again, so that I am using the part that mounts to the firewall. I fashioned it in such a way that it holds the bottom of the UTEC up in place.

Oh yeah, I also cut off the sides of the UTEC housing because they got in my way!!!

 

Subrwho and Quadcam,

Thanks for the replies. Not long after I posted the above, I found a thread that helped.

I ended up making a notch in the back hole where is mounts to the firewall. This was described in the thread. However, I notched it from the side. So, when slipped into place, it hooks onto the rear screw stud. I will take a picture tomorrow.

For everyone else, here is the thread I found:
https://my350z.com/forum/tuning/203523-utec-didn-t-fit-like-they-said.html

 

am I the only one who's had issues with the second bolt of the bracket (the one closer to the firewall) ???

despite using the 10mm socket as suggested, I managed to round it!! Used penetrating oil, nothing. That thing is welded on I tell thee

So I gave up trying to take the oem ecu off the car for today