Megasquirt DIY kit vs Megasquirt

[480sx]

Hi im joining the ranks of KA-T owners out there, and im wondering if anyone has bought the MS kit. It seems you can buy a fully assembled MS unit for around 400, or the kit for 210ish. Has anyone tried to put one together? I just cant see paying someone 200 bucks to put something together for me.. (unless its obscenely complex)

[rotorimp]

Are you set up for fine soldering? do you have a ESD strap? have you ever put together a circuit board? It would all depend on how comfortable your with electrons. I am a do it yourself kind of guy.

[WDRacing]

I'm also a DIY guy, but I'd buy the prefabbed version. I can solder wires and install stereos. Circuit boards are a bit out of my "comfort zone".

WD

[S13FX]

let me tell you this, I love putting circuit boards together and everything and I'm quite good at it. But if you think about if you can buy pre made one already it saves a lot of hassle in the end.

[240sHorTy]

It's a toss up really. Most experienced squirters recommend you build it so you understand it better and can troubleshoot it if it fails.

Personally I bought an assembled unit first time around, but plan to build my next one. I was a bit intimidated by the soldering at first. I ended up frying my VB921 and having to solder in a new one. After having the PCB out and looking it over, I don't think it would be too difficult. I don't think it is really an issue of can or can't, but rather whether you want to build it yourself.

I bought a DIYautotune assembled unit and have had no problems.

-Steve

[480sx]

Thanks for the replys its good to hear of people who have had experiance putting it together. So the instructions that come with it are pretty strait forward and easy to follow? Im leaning twords the DIY kit, I have done a few simple solders on circut boards befor and i do know the basics. I can get an ESD strap from compUSA im sure, not a big deal there. What would you consider a fine soldering setup? I know i have some good, fine solder, and a 20 dollar radioshack soldering gun(its more of a rod..). Should i upgrade? Get one with a finner tip? Thanks again

[The_Chosen_One]

too be honest, and I being honest its really easy building the board. I never did any soldering before hitting megasquirt. Before doing the megasquirt board I practiced on the Stimulator than did the Megasquirt board. The only thing that sucks is that it does take awhile usually takes me 7 hours to assemble and test.

Heres a pic of my numerous ecu's. I build kits where you just tap into the ignition wire and off you go.