My latest Megasquirt install, MS2 w/ITBs, wasted spark, relay board and custom harness Options

[aircooledtechguy]

Megasquirt EFI is an amazingly capable system that is 100% tuneable. It is, however a mis-understood system and many of it's detractors have either not actually used it themselves or have used a cobbled together system of mis-matched parts. After 8 year of working with Megasquirt and doing installs, I have found that buying a complete, well engineered system with a quality harness is key to success. Also having an expert tuner can't hurt either.

Some may know that I work closely with Mario Velotta from The Dub Shop for all my Megasquirt parts and kits as well as tuning help. Here's a very typical install of one of his kits. You don't need the buy the most expensive kits to get a great running car and Mario will not up-sell you things you don't need for your application.

This install was on a 914 2.0L that had factory D-jetronic. Normally we would keep it plenum based re-using much of the factory parts, but with the TB badly worn and this clients desire to clean-up the engine bay, so we went with 40mm ITBs with modern 32# injectors. Ignition is a crank triggered (36-1 wheel mounted behind the fan w/ a bracket and hall sensor) using a coil pack and 8mm plug wires. Exhaust sampling is with an Innovate LC2 All sensors are wired through custom made harnesses. These feed into a relay board. This relay board is not a piece that is 100% necessary to use, but I feel it simplifies and cleans-up the install by getting all fuses and relays used into one neat, clean compact footprint.

The install took about 2 days. This included careful removal of the old D-jet system and installation of all the components is the new system. We chose to mount this system in the fwd, right end of the rear trunk. Probably the most difficult part of the install was installing the hall sensor bracket with the engine in place. While totally doable, it was a tedious part of the job.

Mario came out to assist in the in-car tuning. The result of a 2-2.5 hour drive is smooth as silk driving from idle to red line, under light throttle or heavy. Acceleration is smooth. No bucking, burping or farting Here is a short video of the test-drive and an over view of the install.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9rcczRTG_M...e=youtube_gdata

[DBCooper]

Huh. I haven't met anyone like that, are these people active any place other than the SDS forums? I sure don't know everyone, of course, but I know a lot of people who've switched to MS from other systems, no one who's pulled a MS system for SDS.

I think Nate actually answered your question. SDS is just that, simple. If it works for you, and you have no need for any other capabilities and never will then fine, not a problem, use it. In counterpoint MS will be there with all the capabilities you need, no matter how you or your motor evolve. More capabilities inevitably means more variables, so more complexity. You can't get away from that, but it's more complicated because it does more. Other side of that coin, be sure SDS will do everything you need, now and in the future, before you commit to it.

[nine9three]

Huh. I haven't met anyone like that, are these people active any place other than the SDS forums? I sure don't know everyone, of course, but I know a lot of people who've switched to MS from other systems, no one who's pulled a MS system for SDS.

I think Nate actually answered your question. SDS is just that, simple. If it works for you, and you have no need for any other capabilities and never will then fine, not a problem, use it. In counterpoint MS will be there with all the capabilities you need, no matter how you or your motor evolve. More capabilities inevitably means more variables, so more complexity. You can't get away from that, but it's more complicated because it does more. Other side of that coin, be sure SDS will do everything you need, now and in the future, before you commit to it.

I scan a lot of threads and wasn't even aware of a SDS forum. I have read Raby say he is a proponent of SDS. I'm very interested in building a large displacement engine and unsure of an induction system. These types of threads are very helpful. Nate, when I get to that stage maybe we can collaborate together on a MS system?