Megasquirt ECU's?

[BenzBoy]

I've ordered a Megasquirt ECU from the States, and to be quite honest I'm sh*tting myself at the prospect of building it, and setting the thing up!

(For those who aren't familiar with Megasquirt it's a build it yourself, mappable ECU. Find out more at

I know there's a massive forum dedicated just to MS ECU's, but I was wondering if anyone here run the system, and whether they found it easy to build / set up, and what kind of power gains you got?

[stuyizz]

Sounds very interesting and I can't wait to hear how you get on with it, I haven't had any experiance with them myself but I was very interested in the article in retro last month about d.i.y e.c.u's and am seriously considering messing about with one for my fiances mini as the dizzy is fcuked. obviously it's for your behemoth of a v8 then?

[Revolution 9]

I've no experience of those systems but I've heard the Megasquirt type ECUs are comparitively easy to put together (I say comparitively easy, but I'd rather not have to do it myself until I saw an instruction booklet! ;D ;D)

[PonchoJ]

got one powered up in my car now...

Built it a few weeks ago...so far everything works and it was easy enough to build. on a scale of 1 - 10 in car jobs i would say its about a 6...

Making the loom after is the worst bit really...just time consuming.

If youre nearby (derby) then youre welcome to come and see it....or i could take some pics of it installed/wiring loom etc...

Car isnt running yet, but ECU powers up, MAP sensor works, Temp sensors work, and TPS sensor works. Laptop connects and shows readings.

Youll manage ok, just take your time and read up about it all.

[BenzBoy]

It is indeed for the V8! (As if I didn't have enough to do on it!). They recommend practising soldering beforehand (haven't done any since school!!)
It's cheaper than I thought - about $150 for the complete kit including shipping. I have to source injectors and suchlike (another headache ), but hopefully I should get plenty of BHP! ;D

PonchoJ: I'm very nearby - Nottingham. It'd be great to see one working! Isn't BGTMIDGET nearby too? Doesn't he run Megasquirt?

[PonchoJ]

Yeah your only 15 mins away...

BGT is not running it yet, but he is considering it i believe.
Youre welcome to come up anytime....

It should be runnning in the capri in a week or two...

let me know when you want to come and see it.

[BenzBoy]

Cheers mate, will do! ;D

[Ratdat]

I've been thinking about having a play with one of these systems for a while now. The only thing that put me off up to now was the lack of ignition control as it was a fuel only computer. I see there are now some options coming along to do both and that makes it a much more interesting prospect.

I have to say I don't really have a requirement for the system on anything as such but the idea of building it and setting up myself is too tempting by far. Maybe something for the SR20DE when I get it into my 510?

[BenzBoy]

Yeah, they have UltraMegasquirt now with CDI control aswell! That's really good but I thought I ought to take it one step at a time . The Merc already has breakerless ignition (CDI would be great!), but it's getting rid of ye olde Bosch K-Jetronic injection that I'm concerned with at the minute
I wonder if you can add on the CDI bit later, or whether you have to get a whole new ECU? I'll have to look into it...

[PonchoJ]

Yeah....The Megasquirt Is a fuel only ECU.....but you only have to add a resistor and a diode or so, and add a bit of code off the website to the ECU and it has ignition capabilities aswell....

like is said earlier, ive converted it to run on the TFI ignition that ford uses....gives it full ignition map etc..

There are problems with using the TFI setup.....but if that doesnt work properly ill just go and raid a zetec at the local scrappy and whack some coilpacks on it, which megasquirt has been tested and works with.

Id just do that mate, get a coilpack setup off a zetec....and half hour extra of work gives you a dizzyless setup.