Cut Harness, Standalone management

[dareo]

If i buy a motorset with cut harness for 900 bucks, how hard is that going to be to fix? I want to get an SDS management system, if im not mistaken that can replace much of the engine harness. How hard would it be to wire that motor up to my car with SDS running the show instead? This could almost pay for the management system by going motorset instead of clip. I plan to do FMIC and good stuff that doesnt come with clips anyway.

[float_6969]

go SDS, you'll love it. I want it, but don't even have a motor yet.

[andrave]

Think he is asking how much of a ***** its gonna be to run SDS with no (cut) harness.

[CA19DET]

not a problem, you need to get a harness made for the CA/SDS, and Dee' the man boost_boy will hook you up, he does them all the time and get the SDS at agreat price, hold on a while and he will jump all over this post

[boost_boy]

The SDS's harness will replace your engine's harness (point blank)! You may want to keep some of your plugs off your old harness just in case you want to get creative. But if you're no wiring genius, don't play around with good money spent on an SDS and risk burning the ecu or coils (seen it happen). It's pretty simple (at least for me), but many people manage to screw up something and end up spending more money on repairs for a system that they've never used. The SDS does not your factory harness to run your motor and it's functions and you don't have to worry about no more MAF dramas (I wish everyone would purchase these for their CA18s and be done with driveability issues). As it stand and with my discount, individual systems that are pretty much loaded will cost around $1273. A system minus all the special features such as f/p relay, knock sensing and a few other things will run you in the $1100s. Once again that is with the discounts that I get. Don't think for one second that these system are cheap! They are very competent systems and sales are off the chain which will cause prices to go up pretty soon (see their website).

[CA19DET]

an increase in sales should mean that their prices should go gown???

[dareo]

I consider the SDS fairly cheap considering the other subpar fuel/engine management solutions. I want to go CA and go it well. You, BoostBoy, can do me up a harness for an SDS System+CA18DET? I would be very interested in a whole setup like that. Simplicity is nice, but if i have diagrams or instructions i can wire. It would take me a long time but i can do that stuff. A 900 dollar CA with a 1200 dollar SDS system puts me at SR clip prices or less. All i have to do is rebuild the CA with the shiznit and inject it and turbo it and i have my allmighty motor. I gotta buy all that Intercooler and exhaust crap anyway, who needs a clip?

[boost_boy]

Quote »an increase in sales should mean that their prices should go gown???[/quote] That's why I said see their website and you will see clearly that the prices are supposed to go up this month.Quote »You, BoostBoy, can do me up a harness for an SDS System+CA18DET?[/quote] This would not be a problem, but the magnets need to be installed in or on the crankshaft pulley and then the hall sensor bracket needs to be crafted. You will also be using spark plug wires instead because of the GM coils that comes standard with your system.Quote »I gotta buy all that Intercooler and exhaust crap anyway, who needs a clip?[/quote] Good you think that way! I don't know why people spend thousands of dollars on a whole front cut off a car that you can't use half the crap off of. I'll say one thing, if someone ever needed SDS's tech support, they are the best in the business when it comes to accessibility and helpfulness as well as friendliness.

[dareo]

Now can i use SDS and a distributer system? Installing the crank sensors looks like a major hassle that would require a lot of precision. Would it suck to have SDS do everything fuel and the distributor handle spark?

[boost_boy]

Quote »Now can i use SDS and a distributer system?[/quote]You can, but theoretically, the CA18DET used a crank angle sensor which means it's not a distributor. SDS have multiple systems to accomodate one's ignition system. The CA18 use the 4F system which is for distributorless ignitions and is the more expensive of the bunch. The D systems are for distributors and are cheaper than the F systems hands down. Installing the magnets require precisesness. Building a bracket for the hall sensor will cost you anywhere from $100-$300 if you don't do it yourself. Quote »Would it suck to have SDS do everything fuel and the distributor handle spark?[/quote] Since it's a standalone, it would be nice to just let the system do what you spent your money to do. It can control everything and I use it to do just that "Control everything" even control my fans.

[dareo]

I'm envisioning it now..i send you my crank and a lot of money and you install the magnets, make a bracket, make a harness, sell me the system, and we all live happily ever after.

[quest]

SDS will certainly get the job done, and have you up and running pretty quick. boost_boy experience with it and settin' up on the ca, can only be a plus.... taking away some of the frustration or guess work.

For the money, I've seen "better" standalones, BUT they were all imported by the users. Some individual, some group buys. They all used laptops with cool displays, ez to use and quality features. You can share files via email or disk, save 'em and stuff.Price is competitive because they can trigger off your CAS, use oe coils if u like. Aussies have had many systems on the market for a long time. Spawning lotsa spinoffs, so prices keep falling. Folks are catching on to these budget alternatives, which will be more than happy to fill the void as SDS moves upmarket in price.I know someone running standalone on a starion, maybe over a year now. $753 iirc, to his doorstep. Car runs flawless. He loves roasting tires.A buddy runs a microtech on his RB. under $950 landedShipping from oz is reasonableThere is a learning curve, so its less suited for a novice

ca18s have been known for worn cam/cas mating splines. Coils occasionally spook also.... so chalk it up as one more reason to go SDS, as you'd be starting with all new electronics

[slw240sx]

dee how hard is it to put togther the magnents and hall sensor?

im thinking im goin to buy it this winter since money is starting to flow in again. and the casino visits are goin to start again so phase two on the car shall begin soon as i have a beater. i plan on spending around 4-5 grand this winter on the car and motor. and a spare longblock w/ built internals and ported head.

if i came down for a week how much would install run me?

[boost_boy]

Quote »if i came down for a week how much would install run me?[/quote] I would do for you for about $700-$800 and this includes fabrication, installation and tuning! The magnets are not too hard to put in, but it has to be precise or you screw up the pulley and the magnets don't come out without destroying them.

[CA19DET]

$700-$800

thats a good price for fabrication, installation and tuning!

[boost_boy]

I figured it's a fair price considering what this one particular shop quoted me just to install my SDS minus tuning ($700). And they wanted $200 initially for tuning and $100 for every hour on the dyno (they were high). They charge like $1500 for the system and like a grand for tuning and fabrication (could be a bit off with the price, but not too much). I think it's a fair price as well without me low-balling my efforts and ripping people off.

[dareo]

boost_boy, what would you need to make an SDS/CA18DET harness and do the crank magnets and custom bracket? I wanna ship you the crank pulley, and receive a fairly bolt and plug kind of install. Can you pull off such a cool thing as a plug and bolt standalone for my CA18det?

And another question for your vast wisdom boost_boy, when i get my CA, should i up and rebuild the mother right while its out, or can i ride around a few 10k miles on the stocker? It would depend on the engine of course, but what 'could' a 'typical' CA18DET do with engine management? Initially, it would be stock turbo and injectors. I'd like to swap it, drive it long enough to get used to the new power, then do more upgrades. That way i never have a boring car. Or should i just hold off, collect parts, and build a strong CA to drop in at once?

One more thing, if you dont have the time or dont want to do my harness/magnet install, would you consider writing up some SDS/CA18DET specific instructions and diagrams? If i have all the information i could probably do it too. Naturally i would compensate you for such extensive information.

boost_boy is my new hero :ylsuper

[Nismo1182]

I would do for you for about $700-$800 and this includes fabrication, installation and tuning! The magnets are not too hard to put in, but it has to be precise or you screw up the pulley and the magnets don't come out without destroying them.

You know im coming down there again once I get enough money for this

[BookS13]

if i came down for a week how much would install run me?

tell me when you go down maybe i'll follow i'm hoping to do the same

[boost_boy]

Quote »boost_boy, what would you need to make an SDS/CA18DET harness and do the crank magnets and custom bracket? I wanna ship you the crank pulley, and receive a fairly bolt and plug kind of install. Can you pull off such a cool thing as a plug and bolt standalone for my CA18det?[/quote] Anything is possible! I can do this for you if you want. Just send the pulley, magnet, SDS harness and I'll tag the things that you need to add power and ground to and what wires to interphase into your cars instrument cluster (tach only). I'll handle all the other instrument cluster functions.Quote »You know im coming down there again once I get enough money for this [/quote] Hey Kev, you know my door is open to you anytime. The more people that do this, the easier it will be to just set everything and have pre-fabricated and pre-wired sets to be easily installed.

[boost_boy]

Quote »And another question for your vast wisdom boost_boy, when i get my CA, should i up and rebuild the mother right while its out, or can i ride around a few 10k miles on the stocker? It would depend on the engine of course, but what 'could' a 'typical' CA18DET do with engine management?[/quote] Since you asked, I would just leave it be and drive the thing till it breaks. But if you're using a programmable standalone system such as an sds, your chances of blowing a piston will be greatly reduced if I had my hand in it. Quote »One more thing, if you dont have the time or dont want to do my harness/magnet install, would you consider writing up some SDS/CA18DET specific instructions and diagrams? If i have all the information i could probably do it too. Naturally i would compensate you for such extensive information. [/quote] It wouldn't take a year to do it, but if something happened to me whereas i could only talk, i would do such a favor for you. SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT------- "Headgaskets blow because cylinder temperatures have reached wicked temperatures and the cylinder ring on the headgasket gets burned. When a crap load of boost goes flying through there, something has to give. If you got fuel, good programming and knowing the limits of your current set up, you can run the hell out of stock engine. All you guys that are running the stock ecu, I strongly suggest not running past 14psi or you too will be needing a headgasket or new pistons.

[dareo]

Excellent, when i financially can, i plan to buy a CA motorset, and get the SDS system going, with your help boost_boy. What kind of initial power can i expect, with nothing more than SDS, FMIC and exhaust? That will be stage 1 of my install. Then later i'll go nuts with forged parts and injectors and turbos and shred some rubber.

[ca240]

so basically i can get that whole system with the knock sensor, oxygen sensor, maf and all that other stuff for under 1300? is that shipped or shipping is extra? and when you make the harness are all the wires tagged or do they have any kinds of markings on em?also, will the wires already have the connectors to plug straight up to the proper spots? could you list every feature that comes with the $1273 "loaded" system you mentioned? i'm really considering running this system when i get my ca...with a motorset(considering engine and transmission are in good shape with belts/clutch/etc refreshed), sds system, fmic, and an exhaust and all necessary piping would i be ready to roll?any instructions included?... i really appreciate your help...thanks sorry for all the questions

[boost_boy]

Quote »Excellent, when i financially can, i plan to buy a CA motorset, and get the SDS system going, with your help boost_boy. What kind of initial power can i expect, with nothing more than SDS, FMIC and exhaust? That will be stage 1 of my install. Then later i'll go nuts with forged parts and injectors and turbos and shred some rubber.[/quote] Lets just say we take the stock T25 to it's maximum efficiency band= around or about 230-260 hp and 260 is pushing it. I'm here to help; just holla when you're ready.Quote »so basically i can get that whole system with the knock sensor, oxygen sensor, maf and all that other stuff for under 1300? is that shipped or shipping is extra?[/quote] Shipping would be about $25.00. Quote »and when you make the harness are all the wires tagged or do they have any kinds of markings on em?[/quote] All wires and connectors are tagged to plug and play. These guys really are very helpful, indeed.Quote »could you list every feature that comes with the $1273 "loaded" system you mentioned?[/quote] With my discount you'll get knock sensing, 3 bar map sensor, fuel pump relay, something else too I can't remember. Quote »with a motorset(considering engine and transmission are in good shape with belts/clutch/etc refreshed), sds system, fmic, and an exhaust and all necessary piping would i be ready to roll?[/quote] Yes!Quote »any instructions included?[/quote] If you're referring to the SDS, then the answer is yes.

Dee

[ca240]

damn man you really got me goin on this SDS stuff...i figured out every option i want with the system right after this post...here goes nothin:

-Mixture Meter w/ heated oxy sensor-Knock Sensing-2 Bar Map Sensor(would the be a need for 3 bar if i really dont plan to boost over 15psi?...or is it just that extra bit incase i do decide to go that far?)-Backlit Display-Fuel Pump Relay-A/C Solenoid -Fast Idle

How much would that run me roughly?

[boost_boy]

Quote »Mixture Meter w/ heated oxy sensor[/quote]This is the one that pushes you over the forecasted $1300, but is a tool that is well and worth; though you don't really need it. Now you're into the $1400s.

[ca240]

yeah i'd really like to have that since it'd probly help me alot with the tuning and stuff...do you have specs on what to set everything at just to get started or somethin...thanks for all these quick responses...just gives me more confidence that you will be very helpful in purchasing...thanks...and with that option we lookin at like 1425 or 1475..thanks

[boost_boy]

I recommend throwing in a set of 550cc injectors to get you started because it's much easier to tune, but if you want to use the 370s I can do them as well. The beauty of it all is you get to eliminate the bulky idle control section, the AIV valve, some of the smaller water lines on the intake manifold and the notorious MAF meter. Price-wise, you are in that ball park, but I don't even use the mixture meter or the O2 sensor only because I run the car off my settings. Basically, you get to play "GOD" to your engine.

[CA18Fastback]

hey dee, long time no talk, lol. i almost have the money for my SDS (sorry its taking so long). I was wondering, will I have to install any sort of sensors/bungs or anything in the intake/intercooler piping? if so, which ones and where? also, do i still need an O2 sensor? I dont have a stock downpipe or anything since my turbo and mani arent stock so a custom dp will be used. i know i have to install the magnets in the crank pulley and fabricate a bracket for the hall sensor, but what other major mods do I have to do to the piping, etc? Thanks for all your help and patience!-Ian

[boost_boy]

Quote »i almost have the money for my SDS (sorry its taking so long). [/quote] No problem (Take your time).Quote »I was wondering, will I have to install any sort of sensors/bungs or anything in the intake/intercooler piping?[/quote] You will have to install the SDS supplied air temperature sensor closest to the throttle body as possible. I put mine in the stock FWD/4WD elbow and it's perfect there. You will be removing you idle control section and covering the holes in the intake with a metal plate (simple). As far as an O2 sensor, I recommend using the standard single wire one just general purposes.Quote »Thanks for all your help and patience![/quote] You're welcome "Ian" and you know where to find me when you've gathered the necessary ingredients to make this all happen.