DFI and ECM Discuss all aspects of DFI (Digital Fuel Injection), ECMs (Electronic Control Module), scanners, and diagnostic equipment. Fine tune your Third Gen computer system for top performance.

Microsquirt cheap ECM replacement

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-06-2012, 08:17 AM
  #1  
TGO Supporter/Moderator
TGO - 10 Year Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (12)
 
anesthes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SALEM, NH
Posts: 11,784
Likes: 0
Received 94 Likes on 79 Posts
Car: '88 Formula, '94 Corvette, '95 Bird
Engine: LC9, LT1
Transmission: TKX, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42, 3.23
Microsquirt cheap ECM replacement

I've been tinkering with a few different options on my new build and wanted to share some info with folks on a cheap aftermarket solution using Megasquirt technology.

I've always been both somewhat impressed by Megasquirt, mainly in it's functionality and nice graphical tuning software "Tunerstudio", but also put off by the complexity of building a Megasquirt and strange wiring harness connectors.

I've put together a project, based on a small number of relatively cheap components that allows you to make a fully functional standalone EMS based on Megasquirt that will directly plug into your factory ECM harness.

Now, I made a decision to pin the megasquirt as a direct replacement for the '165 ECM on a TPI car, since that is the most popular harness in junkyards and in the aftermarket (for guys with carb cars wanting EFI), however it uses the same connectors as you TBI guys so you could easily repin your harnesses OR do your EMS to your harness specifications.

In ALL scenarios, this is designed around using a MAP sensor, however there is enough wires available for a hybrid MAF/MAP system if that is your goal.

Some disclaimers:

1) This is NOT for emissions controlled vehicles
2) If you're not interested in soldering, loading firmware, this isn't for you
3) This is NOT for everyone.

Now with that said, here is a link to my site with the info:

http://members.cisdi.com/~anesthes/p...om/megasquirt/

Total project cost is around $300, assuming you have a junk '165, '746, '747 or whatever ECM case to donate to the project.

-- Joe
Old 09-06-2012, 04:26 PM
  #2  
Member

iTrader: (18)
 
gcpoland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 86 MCSS-87 Z28
Transmission: Auto OD-5spd
Axle/Gears: 3.73 both cars
Re: Microsquirt cheap ECM replacement

very nice job!
Old 09-19-2012, 01:19 PM
  #3  
Member

iTrader: (1)
 
LilSki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Car: 85 Trans Am
Engine: 98 Vortec 350 LT1 Cam w/ TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3:27
Re: Microsquirt cheap ECM replacement

Very cool. I sure wish I had a factory harness to work with but in the end I am happy with what I have. It sure would be cool to be able to use a factory computer case and make it look 100% stock.
Old 09-20-2012, 01:57 AM
  #4  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (15)
 
Tibo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Desert
Posts: 5,025
Received 76 Likes on 66 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: Microsquirt cheap ECM replacement

Joe,
Were you referring to any of these articles?

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/dfi-...asquirtii.html

http://www.diyautotune.com/tech_arti...pter_board.htm

http://www.diyautotune.com/tech_arti...lock_v8_v6.htm
Old 09-20-2012, 05:13 AM
  #5  
TGO Supporter/Moderator
TGO - 10 Year Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (12)
 
anesthes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SALEM, NH
Posts: 11,784
Likes: 0
Received 94 Likes on 79 Posts
Car: '88 Formula, '94 Corvette, '95 Bird
Engine: LC9, LT1
Transmission: TKX, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42, 3.23
Re: Microsquirt cheap ECM replacement

No. That is a possibility, however it becomes expensive when you get the MS-II, relay board, adapter board, etc.

For guys that want to assemble their own MS-II, the MS-II is $278 and the relay board is $73. The adapter board is $28 but you need a D56 header.
So you can do this as cheap as $380 but you need to ASSEMBLE the MS-II which is a whole lot of soldering.

If you did it with an assembled MS-II, it would be $432 for the MS-II, $94 for the relay board, and $28 for the adapter with minimal (header) soldering. $554 if my math is right.

The way I did it, it's a $300 investment with very minimal soldering.

There is a bunch of ways to do this. I wanted to prove a cheap entry point without major component soldering, which is what turns a lot of people off.

I've got to take some pictures of my finished unit but basically, all I had to do was solder jumper wires between the MS module and the D56 connector from Racetronix. I did make a stepper IAC circuit on a second board, and I have an internal relay for the fuel pump. I'll try to snap some pix tonight. Very minimal electronics skill required to do it this way.

-- Joe
Old 02-01-2013, 08:20 PM
  #6  
Member

iTrader: (1)
 
IROZINCO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colorado
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Microsquirt cheap ECM replacement

so - now that you've done it, how do you like it? I'm heavily modifying the engine on my 87 IROC TPI which is the 165 setup. Ive been looking at buying a megasquirt II and the adaptor, i don't really want to re-wire my car. But before I do that, i'd like to see SOMEONE running the system for a while, and how well it holds up.
Old 02-01-2013, 09:08 PM
  #7  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (15)
 
Tibo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Desert
Posts: 5,025
Received 76 Likes on 66 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: Microsquirt cheap ECM replacement

Originally Posted by IROZINCO
so - now that you've done it, how do you like it? I'm heavily modifying the engine on my 87 IROC TPI which is the 165 setup. Ive been looking at buying a megasquirt II and the adaptor, i don't really want to re-wire my car. But before I do that, i'd like to see SOMEONE running the system for a while, and how well it holds up.
I've been using MegaSquirt for a while. I have used version I, II, and now III extra. If you see yourself really getting into tuning and wanting lots to play with, I would push you towards the III extra that I run. MegaSquirt II will work great with a TPI engine. The hardware and processors used are very fast, much faster than the GM or FAST or accel stuff. It's just as reliable as the next ECM.
Old 02-02-2013, 10:00 PM
  #8  
Member

iTrader: (1)
 
IROZINCO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colorado
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Microsquirt cheap ECM replacement

cool, thank you.
Old 02-07-2013, 05:27 PM
  #9  
Banned

 
WASyL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Europe->Poland->Warsaw
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 LT1 intake&heads
Transmission: TH700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 10bolt GM
Re: Microsquirt cheap ECM replacement

Originally Posted by IROZINCO
so - now that you've done it, how do you like it? I'm heavily modifying the engine on my 87 IROC TPI which is the 165 setup. Ive been looking at buying a megasquirt II and the adaptor, i don't really want to re-wire my car. But before I do that, i'd like to see SOMEONE running the system for a while, and how well it holds up.
My car do run on MSII + adaptor board no problem, i do have it form very begining of adaptor being sold

best regards
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
specialized
TPI
27
06-18-2022 09:26 AM
dutch930
Engine Swap
5
09-11-2015 06:58 AM
mizz0313
Transmissions and Drivetrain
3
08-12-2015 06:45 AM
MustangEater82
Brakes
0
08-11-2015 07:52 AM
marcusaw
DFI and ECM
4
08-10-2015 08:13 AM



Quick Reply: Microsquirt cheap ECM replacement



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:40 PM.