How to test an ecu

I am fitting a Mk2 GTI lump in my Mk1 and I have several parts including two ecu's and part wiring looms.

Is there a simple way of testing each ecu to find out if it will power up, as I do not know if either one works?
Obviously i could plug and play to find one that works but as yet im a long way from fitting the wiring loom.

Any help is great
Tom 

not really no, you need to have a running car to fully test them really. you could power up the ecu power pin and earth the main earth then see if the fuel pump relay earth trigger wire goes to ground for a couple seconds. if it does this you can be reasonably sure the ecu is ok. if it just earths the pin constant its probably fried

Thank you for the advice.