What brand EMS?

[91z24build]

Hi,
I was just wandering what is the best type of standalone EMS for a boosted engine, and how good the megasquirt EMS' stand up to all the rest. I'm looking to get a moderatly priced standalone, and $250.00 for a unassembled MS II, is looking pretty good, just wanted a couple opinions from you who have delt with them.

[ForcedFirebird]

My MS2.2 with spark control and knock circuit is comming in the mail. Got it from KingEFI for $245 delivered, after the install I can get back to you. I have not heard anything bad about the MS, probably because so many people have them, are user friendly, easily expandable, and even better - they're inexpensive! I was going to get the MSII, but I got the good price on the assembles MSI(the big difference between the two is processing speed - 8 vs. 24 mhz). If you go to the MS site, they have a forum to see other peoples' thoughts on their install.

[sharkey]

ive been running my megasquirt 2 for 4 months now, no issues. it was not that hard to build and install took a day and a half. im now building a second megasquirt 2 for the ecotec swap im doing (ecotec into a 90 sunbird). the thing i like most about it is its user based support (through www.msefi.com) and open source code, meaning its avalible for anyone with the skills to modify it.

what to go with depends on what you want to controll. if you want to run a stepper iac motor, you need to run ms2, as ms1 cant controll it. both have the capability for ignition and fuel as well as running 21lb boost.

[91z24build]

All I am wanting is fuel and spark control, the stepper IAC maybe. I was mainly wondering how well it performs on a boosted app. compared to others. I will probably be running 12-14lbs so the onboard MAP sensor should be fine. As for building it I have plenty of experience building electronic circuits so thats not an issue. I just need something that performs well with boost.Also does anyone know how I can keep my gauges working, like the speedometer and tach, dont they run from the stock ECM.

[sharkey]

the tach is run from the coil module, the fuel level, oil pressure, voltage and coolant have nothing to do with the ecm. the speedo is a bit tricky as the speed sensor feeds the stock ecm and it converts the signal to 4000ppm for the speedo. to fix this you need a vss buffer from a 90 camaro/firebird 5.0l vin E (thats the only one i can find thats 4000ppm instead of 2000ppm).

the megasquirt performs very well with boost. there are a few people making more than 1000hp running more than 30psi (with the map daddy 4 bar map upgrade) using the megasquirt.

[91z24build]

I figured the speedo was the only thing to do with the stock ecm, but I wasnt quite sure on the tach, I knew the other stuff was probably seperate. Where is this vss buffer located at on those cars? Or, would it be possible to use my stock ecm for the speedo only?

[sharkey]

you could use your stock computer for the speedo only, just get rid of every wire but the power, ground, and speedo wiring. im not sure were the vss buffer is in those cars, i was not able to find one of those cars in the junkyard so i had to order it from the parts store. it was $70 iirc.

[91z24build]

Is this it?

If thats it, part number 20571437, its $34.00 USD from gmpartsdirect.

[sharkey]

could be, the one i ordered hasnt come in yet

[ForcedFirebird]

could be, the one i ordered hasnt come in yet

So have you been driving around without a speedo?!?

[sharkey]

no, its actualy for my budys ecotec swap im currently working on. mine being an 86 with digi cluster has the buffer built into it.

[SHOoff]

So have you been driving around without a speedo?!?

I have.......

This VSS buffer, should work on the 3rd gen as well I'm assuming? I belive it's still 4000ppm.

[sharkey]

iirc, the 3rd gen cavy cluster is controlled completly by the stock pcm. i beleive its still 4000ppm.

[SHOoff]

iirc, the 3rd gen cavy cluster is controlled completly by the stock pcm. i beleive its still 4000ppm.

I think that may be true on the 00+ cars. The 95-99 seems to operate the same way as the 93-94 2nd gen's. My fuel level works, without the PCM there. And for the 2.2 at least, according to the wiring diagrams, the tach pics up right off the ICM. (2.4 I think goes through the PCM first).

[91z24build]

Ok, so I just baught my Unassembled Megasquirt-II pcb v3.0 w/black anodized case, for $253.00 USD from diyautotune.com. Cant wait to get my engine ready...