Mega Squirt v3.0

[JeffMcKC]

I am going to make a new manifold and thinking of going EFI I am gettting to old to want to change jets all the time. I want to hook up to my old Holley ICT Ignition am I better off with a XFI Fast system or is the Mega Squirt just as well, I am looking for ease of use too, on my Drag Week Small Block N/A Car it makes a little over 600 HP. Thanks!

[QuarterHorse]

It's all going to depend on who you talk to honestly. I know somebody on this board that's going to suggest the Mega Squirt hands down. I had zero luck with it, sent it off to Oregon for help, got it back, still no luck. I actually called somebody somewhat local who's on this site and couldn't seem to hook up with him. I ditched my set up for something else.

Good luck with whatever you choose. I don't have any experience with the FAST stuff, but know it's a little spendy, especially compared to the Mega Squirt stuff. Sometimes you get what you pay for though.

[VWMMP]

It's all going to depend on who you talk to honestly. I know somebody on this board that's going to suggest the Mega Squirt hands down. I had zero luck with it, sent it off to Oregon for help, got it back, still no luck. I actually called somebody somewhat local who's on this site and couldn't seem to hook up with him. I ditched my set up for something else.

Good luck with whatever you choose. I don't have any experience with the FAST stuff, but know it's a little spendy, especially compared to the Mega Squirt stuff. Sometimes you get what you pay for though.


You probably had zero luck because of the guy who built it - I forget his name but he is in Oregon. He is no longer able to obtain product or support from bowling and grippo (the originators of megasquirt) due to his poor customer service. If you want to talk Mega Squirt, Dieselgeek on this forum is one of the experts. He has more experience then he lets on with this stuff.

[JeffMcKC]

Hope to hear from him about it then. Good or bad, It looks like the fast is more user friendly but I maybe all wrong and I need to learn to be able to tune it after its on, and I can barely e-mail

[QuarterHorse]

It's all going to depend on who you talk to honestly. I know somebody on this board that's going to suggest the Mega Squirt hands down. I had zero luck with it, sent it off to Oregon for help, got it back, still no luck. I actually called somebody somewhat local who's on this site and couldn't seem to hook up with him. I ditched my set up for something else.

Good luck with whatever you choose. I don't have any experience with the FAST stuff, but know it's a little spendy, especially compared to the Mega Squirt stuff. Sometimes you get what you pay for though.


You had zero luck because of the guy who built it - I forget his name but it is probably the same guy that goes by patatron on the vw forums. He is no longer able to obtain product or support from bowling and grippo (the originators of megasquirt) due to his poor customer service. If you want to talk Mega Squirt, Dieselgeek on this forum is one of the experts. He has more experience then he lets on with this stuff.




I'm not wanting to step on toes at all, but how do you know who built it?

I bought my stuff from DIY Auto Tune pre built. I had a gentleman go out of his way who made an adapter board for a Ford AODE trans in a 1st Gen Lightning so I could use the stand alone for the engine only. Not sure if this is where the problem was or not. I called Scott a few times with no luck. 1st few attempts to actually just put the MS in and tune it for me, the second to help trouble shoot. For whatever reason, he got busy, and couldn't return phone calls after I got it all installed. This wasn't his problem, I'm not bashing anybody.

I feel I'm pretty mechanically inclined myself, and decent at trouble shooting. Nothing was working in the system, after reformating my laptop and running several different patch programs to tune it all. I got sick of it, sold it for pennies on the dollar, and switched the truck over to Mass Air. (They were Speed Density stock).

I'm not bashing anybody or any brand, just my experience with MS. I won't ever try it again. If I go stand alone, it'll probably be something from FAST.

[QuarterHorse]

Hope to hear from him about it then. Good or bad, It looks like the fast is more user friendly but I maybe all wrong and I need to learn to be able to tune it after its on, and I can barely e-mail


I would definately buy pre-built if I were you if you do go MS. I had poor luck on the MS boards too, as I seemed to catch a little flack for not putting one set up together from scratch. I just all in all had poor luck with the system, and couldn't get any feedback for the issues I was having with the set up. I'm sure it's came a long way from a year and a half ago when I attempted the use of it.

[squirrel]

I think MS is aimed more at true believers...they'll do what it takes to make it work, and also be more likely to assemble the board themselves.

I have oan older MS board I put together a few years ago, never used it though, because I'm lazy. But I also like building electronic stuff, so I'm not a normal car guy.

seems if you put an assembled MS on ebay it should get a few bucks...????

[VWMMP]

It's all going to depend on who you talk to honestly. I know somebody on this board that's going to suggest the Mega Squirt hands down. I had zero luck with it, sent it off to Oregon for help, got it back, still no luck. I actually called somebody somewhat local who's on this site and couldn't seem to hook up with him. I ditched my set up for something else.

Good luck with whatever you choose. I don't have any experience with the FAST stuff, but know it's a little spendy, especially compared to the Mega Squirt stuff. Sometimes you get what you pay for though.


You had zero luck because of the guy who built it - I forget his name but it is probably the same guy that goes by patatron on the vw forums. He is no longer able to obtain product or support from bowling and grippo (the originators of megasquirt) due to his poor customer service. If you want to talk Mega Squirt, Dieselgeek on this forum is one of the experts. He has more experience then he lets on with this stuff.




I'm not wanting to step on toes at all, but how do you know who built it?

I bought my stuff from DIY Auto Tune pre built. I had a gentleman go out of his way who made an adapter board for a Ford AODE trans in a 1st Gen Lightning so I could use the stand alone for the engine only. Not sure if this is where the problem was or not. I called Scott a few times with no luck. 1st few attempts to actually just put the MS in and tune it for me, the second to help trouble shoot. For whatever reason, he got busy, and couldn't return phone calls after I got it all installed. This wasn't his problem, I'm not bashing anybody.

I feel I'm pretty mechanically inclined myself, and decent at trouble shooting. Nothing was working in the system, after reformating my laptop and running several different patch programs to tune it all. I got sick of it, sold it for pennies on the dollar, and switched the truck over to Mass Air. (They were Speed Density stock).

I'm not bashing anybody or any brand, just my experience with MS. I won't ever try it again. If I go stand alone, it'll probably be something from FAST.


I modded my response to say probably the same guy who built it- Not DIY Autotune - There is one outfit in Oregon who has a very bad reputation for poor assembly and worse customer service. I have seen Mega Squirt work on quite a few different cars with great success. Sorry to hear you have not had much luck.

My reason for going with MS was that I was running an off the shelf system that was supposed to be fool proof, they have been around for quite a while. I had the system crash on an upload of new software - back to the vendor to be fixed. I had the software crash and lose all my maps. Then the last straw was when It died competely on a run at Maxton. I parked it on the shelf. It is toast - and the vendor won't fix it. First of all Mega Squirt is not for the faint of heart. I did not want to go the bare bones build it yourself so I went with Scotts old company for mine. Someone who has support and a warranty for their Mega Squirt system. My suggestion for those who want to run an after market ecu- check around for others who have a similar engine, tranny, turbo, supercharger, nitrous or any combination of those to see what they are running. Mega Squirt might be for you, Might be the FAST system, or one of the others.

[TheSilverBuick]

After my own research and e-mails with DieselGeek, based on what I want and expect I plan on buying an unassembled MS kit and associated kits for my Buick in January (DIYautotune). It'll probably be early summer before I get all the FI hardware together and installed on my Skylark. So if you want to wait until Mid-Summer I'll let you know how I fare :)

[BBR]

MS V2.2 here. I've built 2, sold one and kept one. I am also using an EEC-IV to MS adapter board. I haven't reached the point of starting the engine yet though. It stims fine and uploads and downloads just fine so I don't really anticipate it being too big of a deal.

[Dynoroom]

I've run many different type of EFI systems, Speed-Pro/FAST, EFI Technologies, Accell DFI, Motec, Holley 950, Hilborn/Carabine, Haltech, BOSCH, Electramotive, & some I can't remember. They all have their pluses & minuses. I run the FAST system on the Bonneville Firebird we run. One thing I always find interesting is the guys who are ALWAYS see guys opening the laptop & tuning. I tune at home on the dyno and when I get to the salt we race the car. Never have used the laptop to tune the car at the track. It has a MAP sensor for altitude compensation, air temp sensor for density, & coolant, throttle position sensors so unless you didn't do your home work you shouldn't need to do anything (unless you want to) to keep the car consistant from run to run.
The '92 Firebird we run at the salt has run well over 300 mph with a turbocharged 368" small block with no tuning after the dyno.

[Saltfever]

I've run many different type of EFI systems, Speed-Pro/FAST, EFI Technologies, Accell DFI, Motec, Holley 950, Hilborn/Carabine, Haltech, BOSCH, Electramotive, & some I can't remember.

Mike, I have been seriously considering the Hilborn unit because you don't need a computer to tune it. Just a screwdriver for the 9 pots. However, it is fairly expensive and I was wondering what you thought about it. PM me if you don't want to go public on this. My car will be street only, Procharger, SBC 383, 69 Nova.

[JeffMcKC]

I run the FAST system on the Bonneville Firebird we run. One thing I always find interesting is the guys who are ALWAYS see guys opening the laptop & tuning. I tune at home on the dyno and when I get to the salt we race the car. Never have used the laptop to tune the car at the track.


I am in your line of thinking here. The Fast system does have support from Comp at Drag Week which is a plus

[dieselgeek]

Cool post!


I've tuned the following: DFI Gen 6 & 7, Autronic, AEM, MoTec, Electromotive, Haltech, FAST (older versions thru XFI), Link (M-link and Possum versions), lots of BigStuff3, Holley Commander (actually a nice little box with a good manual!), the Hillborn stuff, and played around a bit with the Pantera box. more than anything I've used Megasquirt. And you know what? THEY WILL ALL PISS YOU OFF AT TIMES. Never got my hands on any of the Bosch stuff (Dynoroom, you lucky mofo). I've done some HPTuners and SCT now as well.

The fact is, Megasquirt gets most of it's negative press because EFI and diagnostics are NOT everyone's cup of tea, and being the cheapest solution, most guys flock to it first. Try finding a "tuning guide" or any good documentation on a BigStuff3!

Self-installed EFI can be the most frustrating thing in the world because you don't always know what to look out for, what issues you may run into. NONE of the above systems are any better or worse than the others mentioned: some trade features for simplicity, others are so complicated you'll never know where to begin. My recommendation to anyone who wants to get into it, and learn to tune their engine, is to FIRST make sure you are good at knowing what an engine wants/needs. That means, knowing your carburetors. Second, is find a friend whose done this before who can give you pointers. Third, DO NOT HAVE A DEADLINE. Whenver a guy calls me for help and says "I want to be ready for a race in three weeks" I automatically know he's screwed. Deadlines kill everything when you're learning something so new.

I bet Dynoroom can expound on this. Mike, at some point YOU had to be new to this. Can you discuss the learning curve? Some people take to it like a fish to water (usually, guys who have been tuning carbs on multip0le engines and really know their stuff, who aren't afraid of a computer). Other guys seem to have no luck, and in my opinion NO system will work for them...


Jeff McKC, you live less than 3 hours from me and I have a number of customers in KC. I am going to be there in a few weeks working on a car at Procharger if you want to hook up and discuss some options. I do a lot of testing for the megasquirt guys, I recommend it because it is used by more people than all other EMS's combined. Great online support, and it has the best tuning guide available. The fact is, your first EFI install is going to be a learning curve no matter what system you choose.

Of the people on here who also might have good input, CDMBill recently went through his first EFI install. He did the entire installation himself, then had me visit when it was time to start the car. We had some intake leaks in his new manifold that took a few days to get ironed out, after that, I showed him what I was doing and he "got it" right away. He was a hardcore carb tuner like Jeff McKC. Brian Rock is getting ready to go through the same, perhaps he can chime in. he rode in Bill's car during drag week, and by the second day they were tuning the car entirely themselves. Adding pump shot to pick up sixty times, frankly it was entertaining watching them apply their track tuning carb knowledge to the EFI system. I think they're both pleased with the results, and it wasn't a lot of headache for ANY of us.

Jeff, send me a PM and we can talk offline.

To the kid with the truck, I hardly remember but it was probably sometime last year when I was working on the eMS-pro. I literally spent 18 hours a day, for 11 months, "in development" and I had practically no time for anyone. Apologies for sure, although there are a TOn of other helpful resources out there if you just take your time.

-scott

[dieselgeek]

I've run many different type of EFI systems, Speed-Pro/FAST, EFI Technologies, Accell DFI, Motec, Holley 950, Hilborn/Carabine, Haltech, BOSCH, Electramotive, & some I can't remember.

Mike, I have been seriously considering the Hilborn unit because you don't need a computer to tune it. Just a screwdriver for the 9 pots. However, it is fairly expensive and I was wondering what you thought about it. PM me if you don't want to go public on this. My car will be street only, Procharger, SBC 383, 69 Nova.


I have a hard time recommending the Hilborn system, which is "Alpha-N" (as opposed to Map-N, or Speed Density), for a streetable application. The problem is, no compensation for variable load. IF you're going up a steep hill at 1/2 throttle, or level cruise at 1/2 throttle, you will need drastically different fuelling yet the Alpha-N system won't know the difference. Map-N give you load compensation. Again I'd recommend going speed density, and having a friend or someone guide you during the process to get you up to speed.

Do you know Gary Hart? He races the '53 Studebaker in BG/ALT. Twin turbo BBC. He's seventy years old, picked up his FIRST laptop last year and now the fart doesn't even need me for help. He spends hours looking at datalogs from bonneville and our test sessions. He needed a little coaching from us, and that was it. His wife is a librarian who is very computer literate, and she told me that she could NEVER get him to even sit down at a computer until he decided he needed EFI. Now the guy drives his pickup into town (Springfield MO), parks in the Starbucks parking lot, and pirates their wireless connection so he can send me datalongs and tuning files. The guy is a riot!

-scott

[KeithTurk]

Scott... I know you feel bad about not getting back to someone...it's kind of the way our lives go at times... frustrating cause you want to be all things ... just not reality...

I tried to give you geeks a tuning room for this... but you let it slide into the obissssss

Gary is simply a nice guy... he needs to get in the 2 club...

K

[shaun callaway]

Scott has taught me alot about what efi can do in the time that i worked with him over at a place we dont talk about. your first one you do is frustrating as was stated earlier in this thread. my first car by myself was a small block chevy corvette used for down hill racing. easy car to do but came with plenty of frustrating moments, once i got it started up i was happier than flies on shit (that car was cool for a 89 vette). tuning is the easy part its the start up that will kill you.

all i can say is scott is hard to get a hold of but when you do the 50 or so messages you left him will pay off.(lol)

as far as diy auto tune goes, jerry and matt over there are awesome. matt is super smart at figuring things out.

[Robert1320]

Jeff,

I see no one brought up Big Stuff. There are alot of systems out there that can do the job.
Stop by the Turbo Forums and check out the EFI section.
Most have tech help and experts for each over there.
I am not an EFI guy but would recommend BS3 or Fast.
Contact Don Bailey for Tuning. Tell him Robert sent you over.
Don tunes some the quickest and fastest drag car around.

If you need get in touch with me and I can hook you up with Don.

[JeffMcKC]

Thanks for the input, I think I may make the switch to the Darkside, ::) to try to keep up with the SB/NA guys this year ;)

[QuarterHorse]

To the kid with the truck, I hardly remember but it was probably sometime last year when I was working on the eMS-pro. I literally spent 18 hours a day, for 11 months, "in development" and I had practically no time for anyone. Apologies for sure, although there are a TOn of other helpful resources out there if you just take your time.

-scott


Haha at the kid comment.

I really am not worried about it. I hated to call you and ask, not sure what your days were like, it's not a big deal. I don't sweat it, you shouldn't either. I don't go on websites to bash people. ;)

[shaun callaway]

I hardly remember but it was probably sometime last year when I was working on the eMS-pro. I literally spent 18 hours a day, for 11 months, "in development" and I had practically no time for anyone.


oh how i do remember those long days we were pulling, but we were having some fun at the same time

--shaun

[Saltfever]

Scott: Thanks for taking the time to spell it all out. Excellent posts and right on the mark! A lot of great practical experience that I could never duplicate. I agree with you that the MS guys, that make it work well, already are comfortable around a circuit board and generally have a good foundation in electronics. Being a gear-head has limited my exposure to theoretical electronics. However, the two fields have now merged into a symbiotic relationship probably starting with Chrysler's use of CDI or "electronic" ignition system in the ‘60s and then EPA’s emission mandates forcing everyone to go to EFI.

The "other" side to computers is software utilization and/or programming. Its been a frustrating path through the years, but I am now semi-efficient, or at least willing to spend the effort, to understand software issues. The time has come to embrace the engine-to-EFI marriage. Even though my first Heath Kit was successful I don’t want to duplicate that effort. I am looking for a well engineered, robust EFI system that I can install. I did not even know what “Alpha-N” was or that the Hilborn unit was designed that way. I understand the other two and how all the sensors play into a design. I know it will be a continual education but I would like spend my time on the tuning side of things, rather than trouble shooting a badly engineered design or inferior components since I don’t have that kind of electrical background. Many thanks, again for sharing your experience.

I don't know Gary but it sounds like we have a lot in common. He is slightly older so he had a head-start but I'm trying to catch up technically ;D

[squirrel]

Even though my first Heath Kit was successful I don’t want to duplicate that effort.


Heathkits were a blast, we still have the TV my brothers and I put together in 1973....I was 12.....

Some guys drive the mechanical injection systems that have no "load sensing" system on the street, they work, but you gotta deal with the fact that the engine won't be getting the right mixture all the time.

[JeffMcKC]

Yeah they work on alky fine on the Street its more forgiving than gas, at least on mine.

This is more of what I would call a Max effort, and it needs to be right before it hurts something in the middle of banjo country on Drag Week.

[Saltfever]

Mechanical FI on the street! Are we talking the Rochester unit or Hilborn? If its a Hilborn how do you handle starting? (priming the pump, etc)?

[JeffMcKC]

We have used a Barn Door and a Birds on the street, we only had to prime first light off with them rest of the night they would self prime just fine.... but you give them a squirt for the cool factor, they where Pro Street Cars after all, we did not have all the leanouts and controls they have now just worked on the barrel valve

[revolutionary]

I've got to agree with the learning curve on any efi system. It seems the hardest part is getting the engine to actually run. 90 percent of those initial problems are wiring or setup related, very few are mechanical in nature. We ran into all last weekend on a car. Nissan with side mount injectors that the guy didn't install lower orings on - poured gas into the engine. Mechanical problem, fixed. injectors still pouring fuel in and found wiring problem grounding the injectors - wiring problem fixed. Engine bucks and spits, set the trigger offset that was initially at 102(???) back to 40. setup problem fixed. engine fires and runs fine.

We always try to break everything down to the basics before pulling out our hair. Just pretend it is a carburated points-type engine and trouble shoot it from there. compression? fuel? spark? are all three happening at the right time? If not isolate the problem and go from there. Again, look for wiring probs first. Goofy distributors like opticals can offer a challenge but those can be remedied.

[shaun callaway]

its cool to see so many efi believers.

in the time me and scott worked together and the cars we threw efi on, surprisingly enough we had very little problems getting them started.

[dieselgeek]

its cool to see so many efi believers.

in the time me and scott worked together and the cars we threw efi on, surprisingly enough we had very little problems getting them started.


that's because I'd done 150+ installs and tunes before you started working with me. believe me, I spent hundreds of hours scratching my head. Experience is key. That's why I think that anyone new to EFI tuning and installation, should have someone nearby to help show them the ropes.

[shaun callaway]

true!

[squirrel]

I've only done a couple efi installations, both using OEM computers/harnesses that I hacked to make fit the cars, and they both started right up. I think you just have to pay attention to all the details, just like with anything else you do on a car. The thing about efi is there are a hell of a lot more details!

[shaun callaway]

you are right when you are using an existing harness make sure you have the correct wiring diags before you start. also do your reaserch on the car if you dont know the car that well. i have always tried to find if there are any known mechanical issues with a car before working on it. thats not saying anything is wrong with the car when you are working on it but if something isint working properly try and be prepared for other things you arent even touching.

[kick_the_reverb]

This is a good post, very interetsing for guys (like me) who want to limit the headaches to how to make the car run properly (and not to wonder if they put a cold solder joint somewhere in the circuit).

[dieselgeek]

This is a good post, very interetsing for guys (like me) who want to limit the headaches to how to make the car run properly (and not to wonder if they put a cold solder joint somewhere in the circuit).




I can see as someone new to EFI, that you'd possibly think that not assembling your own EFI system would save you headaches.

Based on experience, I'd disagree with it. Going the megasquirt route, you'd have a "stimulator" which lets you test the functionality on the bench, before putting it on your car. Given that it's more likely for a board to be manufactured in a boardhouse improperly, as opposed to hand assembly of through-hole components (think legos - MS is bone simple to assemble). Also, I like the fact that, as I took my time on my first megasquirt project, I actually learned what went into each of those circuits you need - how a temp sensor works, etc.

Other people have deduced (incorrectly) that you get "better" support with one of the high dollar, commercial EMSs. I'll disagree with that also. I've talked to almost all of them and while best efforts are always there, big corporations are far more careful telling you how things work in detail than the Open Source community behind megasquirt. Think of Megasquirt as the Linux of standalone engine management. Better than windows for some people, definitely more value per dollar than the competition, but requires a little more work to make it fit your particular application than the competition.


You can always go middle ground with the $800 emspro. Live tech support, practically unconditional warranty (ZERO field failures except for the guy who pressure washed his interior, and even then only a tach output died), comes with instructions etc. It's even the only USB connected standalone out there...

Megasquirt software, IMO, kicks the crap out of the competition. but that's just my opinion. No other boxes out there can support as many ignitions, crank/cam inputs as a Megasquirt. The other guys all have "multiple part numbers" - megasquirt has "minor mods" to make it compatible with far more.

Also, megasquirt comes with a built in low impedance injector driver. This means, it will run LARGE injectors NATIVELY. OTher systems require a resistor pack that makes fine tuning more difficult, or they require you to buy a $300+ "injector driver" separate part.


Additionally, you're more likely to have a bad solder joint out in the harness than on a megassquirt board.

And finally, the sad thing is that I've observed an equal amount of headaches for "average hotrodders" learning new EFI, regardless of the system they chose.



-scott

[BBR]

What I think is killer about MS is that it is CONSTANTLY being fiddled with and new add on components/features are constantly being developed. That type of continual development just doesn't happen with a commercial unit.

I'm looking forward to getting this thing running fuel only, then popping in the MS2 chip and utilizing the timing control and the Alpha-N/MAP hybrid mode. ;D

[QuarterHorse]

I think bottom line one over the other is personal preferance, and experience FWIW. I see a lot of opinions based on what's better, little facts. I myself can't give anything better than opinion.

[atomicsix]

Biased Opinion here.

I really like the megasquirt,the thing was flawless on Dragweek in the Fairmont.

Like Geek says you have to WANT to learn about the system before you can use the full power of the Squirt.

So much of the system can be configured anyway you want,you just have to know what you want.

We are going to do some cool stuff on the Nova, and the squirt will let us do some things I don't think we could otherwise.

[Saltfever]

Experience is key. That's why I think that anyone new to EFI tuning and installation, should have someone nearby to help show them the ropes.

Scott, could you please PM your phone number to me again. I accidentally erased it. TIA :)

[dieselgeek]

I think bottom line one over the other is personal preferance, and experience FWIW. I see a lot of opinions based on what's better, little facts. I myself can't give anything better than opinion.


any specific "facts" you're looking for? I can give detailed comparisons if you want, however I think the point is, almost no one finds themselves at a dyno shop wishing they'd bought a differnt system; generally, it's either "I was able to make it work" or "I was not able to make it work" - a feature comparison is going to favor the system that you don't like, however.

[QuarterHorse]

I think bottom line one over the other is personal preferance, and experience FWIW. I see a lot of opinions based on what's better, little facts. I myself can't give anything better than opinion.


any specific "facts" you're looking for? I can give detailed comparisons if you want, however I think the point is, almost no one finds themselves at a dyno shop wishing they'd bought a differnt system; generally, it's either "I was able to make it work" or "I was not able to make it work" - a feature comparison is going to favor the system that you don't like, however.


If I were in the market or wanted to go stand alone, I would have all kinds of questions for you. I honestly havn't thought about it since then due to my experience. The only thing I'm pointing out is there are several guys posting in this thread that have nothing to do with any other system than MS.

For what I personally ran into was little to no help with the problems I was having, and little follow through on the boards for MS at that time. I'm sure it has changed, otherwise it probably wouldn't still be around. I know the system works, you'd be ignorant to say it doesn't.

As far as "the system I don't like" comment. I didn't just "not like it" for no reason FWIW.

[dieselgeek]

I think bottom line one over the other is personal preferance, and experience FWIW. I see a lot of opinions based on what's better, little facts. I myself can't give anything better than opinion.


any specific "facts" you're looking for? I can give detailed comparisons if you want, however I think the point is, almost no one finds themselves at a dyno shop wishing they'd bought a differnt system; generally, it's either "I was able to make it work" or "I was not able to make it work" - a feature comparison is going to favor the system that you don't like, however.


If I were in the market or wanted to go stand alone, I would have all kinds of questions for you. I honestly havn't thought about it since then due to my experience. The only thing I'm pointing out is there are several guys posting in this thread that have nothing to do with any other system than MS.

For what I personally ran into was little to no help with the problems I was having, and little follow through on the boards for MS at that time. I'm sure it has changed, otherwise it probably wouldn't still be around. I know the system works, you'd be ignorant to say it doesn't.

As far as "the system I don't like" comment. I didn't just "not like it" for no reason FWIW.


I hate to point out the obvious, but it sounds like you're bitter because you couldn't figure out how to get it working on a TFI application. Given that there are thousands of other MS/TFI guys running around happily driving, did you ever take the time to diagnose what was wrong before you gave up?

-scott

[QuarterHorse]

Haha bitter? Not really. It did sour my taste of it though. Mostly the lack of help from the forums of which everybody stated it was so easy. That I'm a little bitter about.

I also had Aaron (Kook) try to help me with it with zero success, as well as another gentleman in Oregan who built an adapter board for the Ford set ups with AODE's so the stock ECU would control the trans, while the MS would run the engine managment.

Did I ever figure out what was wrong? Nope, never did. Not sure if it was hard ware or software. Aaron stimmed it out for me and said it must be software. We tried several different patches, nothing worked. I think I spent 80+ hours of diag on it, as well as other peoples time that helped me. I never got it to work. I got the truck to start and idle, but that was it. It's been a while but it seemed no matter what I did to solve one problem, another would come up. The last was a TPS issue, where the MS wouldn't recognize it. As soon as I converted the truck from SD to MA she ran great.

I got your pm and responded. Thanks but no thanks. I want to make sure everybody that reads this is aware I have zero attitude about the set up. I've already acknowledged several times that it's obvious people have gotten it to work well. It didn't for me, tech help sucked for me, and so did my confidence the further I got involved with it, until I sold my stuff for nothing.

I'm not trying to sway people one way or the other, just stating my issues I had with it. Good luck on your decision whatever you decide to the original poster one system to the other.

I don't want to make this a wordy post either, I've put up several times what my issues were, but I no longer have it, and honestly forgot a lot of the problems I was having. Aaron said a few times he just didn't understand it, whom has also had a car on MS very happily.

[JeffMcKC]

Hey Scott, you guys Snowed in yet?

[QuarterHorse]

I'm not sure what the weather is in Nebraska, but in Central Iowa we're getting snow as we speak. It's getting old, I'm ready for summer again. :D

[ksj1]

Jeff, have you called the number I gave you?Im sure between Scott and him they can get you on the right track.And yes I am snowed in!Wife always wanted nine inches.Her dream came true. ;D Global warming my ass!

[JeffMcKC]

Yes we have talked, thanks, the power of the Dark Side is strong.

[dieselgeek]

Hey Scott, you guys Snowed in yet?


weatherman called for 5" and we got NOTHING up here. I think it snowed everywhere around us though. Still, we've had out share already this winter - it's been on the ground since Thanksgiving.


I got your message Jeff, I'll have two on the way shortly! Make sure Doc has the right hard parts and call me if you need help sizing injectors, etc. Make sure you guys get high pressure regulators, maybe call Aeromotive - they're good at helping put that stuff together,

-scott

[JeffMcKC]

Jeff Stacy is a long time friend and will hook  us up with what we need, he already has the Magna fuel stuff, His Holley Comander only had 50  pounders running at 97% He has the new Fast ones to put in this time

6-8 here with 16 inch drifts

[TheSilverBuick]

I just assembled a JimStim today. Big confidence booster, it was pretty easy to follow the directions and pretty relaxing at the same time :D I intend to assemble an MS2 v3.0 board tomorrow. And for DIYautotune, I decided last week to get the MapDaddy real time barometric correction chip and it showed up two days after I paid for it, very quick! Fun fun fun.

[purplecobra]

I'm on my second MS install, 1st was a tbi jeep, now a 347 in a f150. Jerry at DIY rocks. maybe someday I will understand 1/2 of what Dieselgeeek says!

[TheSilverBuick]

Don't forget Matt, Jerry AND Matt rock. The assembly is going good so far, hooked it to the sim and MegaTune and got to play with the gauges on the screen :D

[TheSilverBuick]

Well I just bought a Holley 600cfm TBI unit on E-bay, so I guess I'll be TBI'ing my Thunderbird before I get my Multiport Buick 455 going. Think I'll go with a simple MS1 installation. BTW I have finished the assembly on my MS2 and have been scouting out good places on my Skylark to place the MS unit and a Relay Board. I think I've caught the sickness....I intend on trying to control the timing on the Skylark before I get the whole EFI setup together (against better judgement :o), possibly as early as my next days off depending on my motivation.

[JeffMcKC]

Good luck I just got my EMS Pro today ;D