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

[kwlane]

I have a set CB fuel injection throttle bodies that I was today trying to figure out what to do with as megasquirt seemed to complicated. Now think I might keep them if can get more information on the megasquirt system that you used.

[aircooledtechguy]

This system brings the 914 into the modern world.

To me, this is what MS represents. Modern world control on classic cars. This is exactly why I converted my own car in '08. When you hop in your late model daily driver, you don't have to fill your trunk with tools and spares do you?? You shouldn't have to carry points, caps, rotors, fuel pumps, MPSs, injectors, switches and relays the way most do when driving to WCR or any destination out of town.

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?

Absolutely!

I have a set CB fuel injection throttle bodies that I was today trying to figure out what to do with as megasquirt seemed to complicated. Now think I might keep them if can get more information on the megasquirt system that you used.

Don't sell 'em; use them!! Do your homework and ask question of those who have done it. Don't be afraid to try something new. That's how we learn.

MS has many versions with an unbelievable amount of capabilities. It's easy to get caught-up in the latest and the greatest. In reality MS2 V3 with wasted spark is all most folks will ever need to have a smooth driving car. With my own car I'm running MS3X w/ full sequential injection and spark w/ LS2 coils and I probably didn't need it. For me it was an investment in learning and tuning. But I'm also running a pretty radical cam and it's smooth as glass at 900 rpms with no lumping along or high idle.