six

So this goes out to everyone running the Megasquirt 5.0 kits I belive Brain, and Jason I know are running them. Wanted to know how they where running and what kinda gains did you see threw tunning. Was ditching the MAF nice or problematic? Anyone else please chime in as I am getting ready to purchase, install and tune in the next week or so. Thanks.

cvx_20

Hmmm. Surprising lack of response considering the major players run the site I too would like to know, as I have an opportunity to get a complete setup with LC-1 reasonably cheap, and am considering putting it on mine, with a view to using MS on a future project after I get it sorted out.

Mike

six

just get use to it on here all trolls you will see tons of views and no response its just the users on the site I pretty much gave up along time ago.

MRM331

I'm still in the planning phase on this unfortunately. I am going this route, but probably will not get to it until the winter or spring. It is the next upgrade on my list when I get the time and money.

This summer was devoted to getting the chassis and drive line fully sorted, which happened a long with a lot of harnesses I made up.

I'll put up a thread of what I actually did upgrade this summer when I get the chance. The improvements made at least a 100% improvement in the usability of the car.

-Jason

Vic Harder

I got mine running with MSiiix. No PNP though. Just bought the wiring harnesses from DIYAUTOTUNE and spliced them in to the sensors as needed. Did my first tuning run, and am pretty pumped about this system vs the other two EFI systems I tried before.

MRM331

I'm joining Vic and going the MSIII route. When you don't count the harness, the price is almost the same as the DIYPIP MSII but has a whole lot more functionality.

Vic, are you running the MS3X Expansion card? Did you have to add a trigger wheel or does the stator coil in the distributor suffice?

How many O2 sensors do you have tied into it?

-Jason

Vic Harder

Jason

Yes, I am using the expansion card, as I wanted to run full sequential and get the benefit of individual cylinder trim. FYI, I have dialed in the trim, and my rear cylinders get 13.5% less fuel than the fronts in order to get the plugs looking the same! The car has never run better!

To get sequential, you need a crank and a cam trigger. I chose to use the AEM EPM. Sexy piece of kit. That said, you can use almost anything to trigger the MSiii, even points!

I also went with the BIP373 option, meaning I fire the coils directly from the MSiii without using an ignition amp.

I have one O2 sensor, but a second one is waiting for me at WMSRacing. I am also contemplating adding in four EGT gauges and tuning the cylinder trim better.

I am having some issues though. I have not been able to get my idle valve to activate, nor the tach to work... yet. Matt's support at DIYAUTOTUNE is great... and I can recommend buying from them. They have a 10% off promotion running right now, so it might be a good time to buy.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Vic

MRM331

Thanks Vic.
I'm actually glad that my MSII plans got held up long enough for the MSIII to come out. I always felt that the "batch fire" system I'd have to use is sort of a step back from the sequential that the a9l can do. I knew a MSII would give me a bit more power but didn't think it could help fuel economy. It sounds like the MSIII may be able to help on both fronts.

So the stock Hall Effect will work or the later Explorer cam sensor if I decide to go with coil packs...cool. How bad is mounting a crank trigger wheel?

You're running a distributor, right? Or are you running coil packs? I almost see no reason not to grab a set of Explorer coils and dump the distributor. How much more did the BIP373 option cost you or is it simply something different you do in the assembly?

Did you assemble yours yourself or get one already built up?

Related to another post I made: If one were to offer a plug-and-play harness for this would you have swung for it?

Sorry, one more: How much easier did it make things using GM sensors over Ford ones? Do you have to calibrate both or is there a reason the GM ones are preferred? Which sensors are GM on yours (air charge, coolant temp, etc.)?

Thanks Vic, sorry for the extended questioning. I'm really pumped about what I see as another way to narrow the gap between the Ford builds and the "perceived" advantages of going with an LSx.

-Jason

Vic Harder

Trigger wheel is no issue if you buy one from DIY, or salvage a whole EDIS-8 setup from a CrownVic.

I am using coil packs, the IGN-4 modules from DIY, and the AEM EPM
http://www.aemelectronics.com/engine...module-epm-24/

The BIP's are easy, especially if you get DIY to install them ;-) I COULD have built the whole unit myself, but opted to buy a pre-built one, mostly to get a surface mount version that SHOULD be more reliable in the long run.

Would I have swung for a harness? Likely not, as I LIKE doing things myself, and am very comfortable with the electronic side of auto mechanics. Would most people get huge value out of a pre-built harness? For sure!

MSiii comes pre-configured for GM sensors. Ford (or Mazda) sensors will work, you just need to calibrate them by measuring their resistance at Freezing and boiling to configure the MSiii. I am using all GM sensors. I actually have THREE water temp sensors... one for the MSiii, one for my gauge, and another to control the fans. I could get rid of these but was just getting the unit in first. Fan control is especially nice on the MSiii.

As for equalizing things with the LSx, I don't know that any amount of custom tuning will ever get close to what the factory can do. The LSx computers are awesome. A friend of mine here in Calgary specializes in tuning LSx's, and can do incredible things with them. People ship him their cars, and he sends them back with more power and better gas mileage!

Vic