power upgrade to efi3.5???

[davew]

Ooh, Ooh, that's me ^^

As far as MegaSquirt is concerned, the nature of the beast means that you have to have, or be willing to learn, a good all round knowledge of fuel injection systems and have a LOT of patience when it comes to fine tuning. Once you get the basic wiring sorted out it's not difficult to get it running but getting it running well in all circumstances takes time. It took me about an hour to get the basic map sorted so it ran well in the main areas but cold start and so on can still be temperamental. On the run from Melbourne to Broken Hill my co-driver will still be making the odd change to the economy fuelling map. I never did have time to get the vehicle on a rolling road but it seems to go well....

I'm running distributorless ignition so the MS ECU controls everything... I also have the original EFi and ignition system in place and ready to go and a ready programmed spare MegaSquirt ECU... just in case !

[Philip A]

Fridgefreezer, you are a great proponent for Megasquirt. As I said I think it is very exciting, and I may install one in the future.
But surely you are not suggesting that it is installed with sensors out of range? or worn injectors that will drool constantly.
My point was/ is that it should be running PROPERLY with the current system as a baseline before you start playing. I was not suggesting that you have to buy new sensors to fit megasquirt, I was suggesting that you have to fit new sensors because they have been diagnosed out of range IE stuffed.
NObody would suggest that the old flapper system is perfect, as it isn't even a digital system.

I am currently putting a Thor mainfold on my 3.9 to run with my 14CUX initially, then maybe a Megasquirt. The little things get you. I will have to install an aftermarket pressure regulator as the Rangie one fouls the new manifold. So I have to have some sort of adaptor welded to the rail. Some of the features inherent in a 14CUX are now really old hat eg the IACV and I would replace with more modern stuff when fitting a Megasquirt, BUT one thing at a time. Get it running right first.

I would point out that the Megasquirt is currently quite crude in this area, with IACV only now coming in, when it has been on factory units for at least 15 years. This illustrates my point that the Megasquirt may disappoint non enthusiasts. People used to a even a 14CUX which had IACV in 1989, may not like the crudity of the engine slowing or stalling when their aircon comes on, or they turn the wheels to lock, or both.

Re Success stories on the site. Look at them. One car stalled in the middle of a puddle because the megasquirt went full rich. You may not know the problems until they happen.

With respect, it is completely different breaking down in the UK, with no part more than 70 miles from the sea , and breaking down on the Connie Sue track where nobody may come by for a few weeks, by which time you are a crispy snack.
Maybe there are dyno people in the UK who know it. Does anyone know anyone anywhere in Australia????. I mentioned it to the leading Rover specialist in Sydney yesterday, who fits Microtech and Motec and has a 4WD dyno, and he looked at me blankly. By its nature it will probably never have professional support.

Thats not a massive problem for you and me, but other guys like smac have not done a basic troubleshoot on their system before having to go to a dealer it will be a problem. If he doesn't have the skills to read the troubleshooting guide, how will he know what values to put in the Megasquirt look up table. If the sensors are out of range, how will the Megasquirt run properly??
Fridgefreezer, you and I are in a tiny minority of people who understand how cars work, and I am weak on electronic theory, but can bumble through. I couldn't successfully build and test a battery controller. To be fair to me the testing instructions were written by a nerd. I thought they were wrong but followed them anyway. The point I am making is that MOST of the people on these forums come to ask questions because they are internet users not car enthusiasts. MOST do not know one end of a car from the other and do not want to know. MOST are primarily interested in saving money, by having an enthusiastic amateur diagnose their problem in the hope that they can just replace something and fix the problem.

I get a bit cross when , as soon as someone says "I have been told that my AFM is crook", somone says fit a Megasquirt. If someone said, "I have done full diagnostic on my injection and have crook injectors, crook sensors, and crook AFM and feel its not worth saving", tell me about Megasquirt, then Go Thunderbirds.

Your spirited defence of the Megasquirt has given me confidence that an old dolt like me may be able to get it to work, however I would want the full deal with crank sensing, ignition control, and IACV control, which (from reading the site)I think are still in the embryonic development stage. AND I think may be a bit harder to set up. Maybe I could do it in stages. What about a Knock sensor??
Reagrds Philip A

[smac]

got the Rangie back tonight - runs beautifully, and all for the low price of $82. I cant remember what it was called (some valve do with the injectors being turned off) was stuffed, the mechanic (British4X4 in SA) made a loop back plug so it isnt used at all.

I will be taking it back in, as he said it needs the injector hoses all done, and at that point he will clean out a few other systems as well, this will cost about $250.

so all up, im up for about $330. That is a lot better than that earlier quote of $1300 from a different workshop !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Loanrangie]

Good to hear it wasnt as drastic as first thought.

[smac]

yeah, i now will keep the rangie and have a few long term plans for the old girl.
eg, suspension upgrade, different block/heads etc etc