# What is the absolute minimum number of sensors to run a 4 stroke engine? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 21, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-absolute-minimum-number-of-sensors-to-run-a-4-stroke-engine/679379 "2014-01-21T17:37:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-absolute-minimum-number-of-sensors-to-run-a-4-stroke-engine/679379/21 "2014-01-22T22:33:18Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > The sensors are integral to the engine. Pull engine, install mechanically, mount ECU, connect. Where’s the fun in reinventing the engine controls? Reprogramming, re-chipping or otherwise tweaking, sure. But… I dunno, it’s still a lot like “I want to put a Ford big-block in my VW… but I want to _hand carve_ a new crankshaft for it!” Good point. I was thinking of re-purposing the engine. Perhaps using it on a sawmill. All of the sensors except thottle position would work the same as before. I would just have to add to the wiring to get them to reach the new geometry. ---
**Author:** ![littlespeedysuperbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@littlespeedysuperbike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/littlespeedysuperbike)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-absolute-minimum-number-of-sensors-to-run-a-4-stroke-engine/679379/22 "2014-01-23T03:26:59Z")
The Grassroots Motorsports hobbyists use what’s called a “Megasquirt” in this application. It’s a few hundred dollars. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-absolute-minimum-number-of-sensors-to-run-a-4-stroke-engine/679379.md?page=1)