Megasquirt n' Z

[evildky]

fired up the 240ZT tonight with the megasquirt, it runs just not very well and won't idle on it's own, still need to dial in the timing and the HEI module is geting way hot so I got at least one gremlin to track down, but at least it is running on the megasquirt, spark is sparking and injectors are injecting just apparently not at the right time

[evildky]

it's running, much better, timing still needs some tweeking but it's running and idling, just a bit rich, I gotta add some dropping resistors then I can tune this thing a bit more

[PalmerWMD]

Can you tel us more about the Megasquirt?What does it do and how is it better than the stock set-up on your classic Z?

Fred..

[evildky]

for those not already in the know, Megasquirt is a build it yourself Fuel Managment system, with the option of adding hardware/firmware/software to ce a complete stand alone engine managment system , just about anything you can imagine it can do, there are nitrous spoolup controls for us turbo guys there are water injection setups for all aspirated engines, can be set up to use Fords EDIS, I am using HEI, and the total cost is around $300 but you gotta build it yourself and figure out your own spark/ fuel mapping, there are 8x8 maps or 12x12 maps, the options are limitless, if you can think it if it hasn't been doen yet you can make it happed with your own firmware/software

[eddiec]

which version software are you running for MS? i've been reading a lot about this in the last few days and may soon build up a MS II using EDIS when everything becomes available for the new boards. this all going on a ka24de in my 91 240sx.

[evildky]

I have board version 2.2 running MSNS code version 3.0, it runs but I have yet to drive it, havn't taken the time to rewire my fans and a couple of other small items I need to clear up like adding an intake filter not that the AFM is out of the way

[Chingon]

did you buy a pre-made harness or made your own? Also how time consuming is the tuning w/the computer already build? I've been seriously thinking tackling this project but want to know the average down time. Too bad UMS is taking so long, although MS II is coming out real soon.

[evildky]

well I am doing 2 cars at the same time so I kinda cheated and got one premade, my soldering skills have greatly improved as I have gone along the way, wiring the car can be a chore depending on how detailed you want it to be, in my case I am eliminating some items such as the afm and adding the map sensor, but the result is a clean harness that fits nicely and is routed as out of the way as I could make it unlike the stock harness, also I used weather tite connector housings so it can easily be removed in pieces or as a whole, it's definitely not a weekend job, but if someone had all the right stuff and the time to work on it I'd say it could be done in a good week and another benefit is that by the time you build and wore and program the unit you have something that you know inside and out so troubleshooting is a bit easier

[Z Style]

I am looking into this whole thing also but I am like a lost puppy. Can I run my stock computer to still control the lights, the heat, and stuff like that or do you just illiminate the whole wiring harness and run all new wires for that stuff?

[boileralum00]

MS is just for the injectors and ignition, etc. (general engine management). Your lights and climate control are independant of your ECU.

[81na ZX]

Have you checked out hybridz.org 's megasquirt section?

Quote »What does it do and how is it better than the stock set-up on your classic Z?[/quote]A blackboard and chalk is almost better than an L28ET's stock computer. The ECU is just about the simplest FI computer ever, and you can't really add piggybacks to it.

[Z Style]

MS is just for the injectors and ignition, etc. (general engine management). Your lights and climate control are independant of your ECU.

So to make this perfectly clear, I won't need my stock ECU at all?

[Chingon]

not so fast...megasquirt does not control ignition/spark, (it's not a full ems). It just controls fuel as far as I know. For spark you need an "add on" called megaspark or alternative ford "edis". I've heard of ppl using their stock ECU to control ignition + MS for the rest, but don't know the procedure of going about this.

[81na ZX]

From megasqirt.infoQuote »Q. What is MegaSquirt?

A. MegaSquirt is an experimental Do-It-Yourself programmable electronic fuel injection controller that will work on virtually any liquid fueled spark-ignition engine. Note that MegaSquirt is the controller only, you will have to gather the remaining fuel system parts yourself (from 1 to 16 injectors, sensors, fuel rails, fuel pump, etc.).

Experimental means that YOU are responsible for sorting out some details of your fuel injection that are specific to your application. Do-it-yourself means that you save money by assembling it yourself with a few basic tools and comprehensive instructions.

MegaSquirt will work on one to 12 or more injectors, of high or low impedance, and for any number of cylinders, even three and five cylinder engines and odd-fire engines.

Q. What is MegaSquirtII?

A. MegaSquirtII is an add on daughter card for MegaSquirt that allows the controlling of ignition advance and stepper motor idle air controllers (IAC), as well as having 12x12 tuning tables (for both fuel and ignition), and a number of other features.

You can find out more here:

http://www.megasquirt.info/ms2/...

Q. What if I need ignition control as well?

A. If you need electronic ignition control as well as fuel control (i.e. you can't, or don't want to, run a 'standard' distributor), you have a few options. Right now, the main thrust is by James and Phil on code that runs several ignition modules (including GM 7 pin HEI, Ford EDIS, and TFI, and a few others). It also has many other enhancements, like 12x12 VE tables, and much, much more. You can find out more at the MSnS site and ask questions in the MSnS forum.

Coming soon (a matter of weeks, not months) is the MegaSquirt-II daughtercard for MegaSquirts that will run the GM 7-pin HEI, GM DIS, and Ford EDIS, as well as some others yet to be determined. You can find out more at the MegaSquirtII site and ask questions at the MegaSquirtII forum.

There are other, older possibilities out there, like MegaSpark, but these are less well supported.

These run on standard (or slightly modified) MegaSquirt hardware. See Colin Gebhart's MegaIgnite page for more information.

Q. What is UltraMegaSquirt?

A. UltraMegaSquirt is a development of MegaSquirt that includes ignition control, idle stepper motor control, and built in wide band O2 sensor support. It is still in the planning/testing stages. Click here to find out more.[/quote]Cliff Notes: MS base controls fuel only (but can support sequential injection for upto 12 injectors, alot better than many OEM computers). Various upgrades (MegaSquirt n' Spark, etc) support ignition. MS II suports ignition, and is going to be released soon - supports GM HEI and Ford EDIS systems/coils. UltraMegaSquirt is a new chipset, and will support fuel and any OEM ignition.

[Z Style]

So with Megasquirt II, I would be able to eliminate the stock ecu and just use that to run my engine. Because all the ECU does is run fuel and ignition and nothing else.

[jEzTeR]

Dave you get that bad boy running with full boost yet?

[evildky]

not so fast...megasquirt does not control ignition/spark, (it's not a full ems). It just controls fuel as far as I know. For spark you need an "add on" called megaspark or alternative ford "edis". I've heard of ppl using their stock ECU to control ignition + MS for the rest, but don't know the procedure of going about this.

megasquirt can do as much as you want, not limited to just fuel, I am running Megasquirt n Spark, hooked up to my stock opticle dist, and using an HEI moduel to fire the ingniton and it's just a firmware upgrade that allows full ignition controll, boost retard whatever, three are EDIS systems that are pretty cool so yes you ccan ditch the stock ecu all together you just gotta replace all it's functions with hardware/firmware

and yeah I am still working out the tuning it pulls great up to about 6 psi I need to rework the maps just gotta find the time to do it