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how to build your own ecu

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2003 10:54 pm
by bazooked
http://www.bgsoflex.com/megasquirt.html

so wat ya think will this thing be any good? playin with a few ideas for injection..

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2003 11:45 pm
by robbie
looks decent..

but tuning it up might be a bit of a pain in the ass if you have no idea about that sorta stuff

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 7:12 am
by Damo
robbie wrote:looks decent..

but tuning it up might be a bit of a pain in the ass if you have no idea about that sorta stuff


But if you had no idea about that sorta stuff would you really contemplate building your own EFI system? :roll:

It could even be a good opportunity to learn something new ;)

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 1:34 pm
by dumbdunce
you'd never do it to save time or money over buying an aftermarket programmable ECU - the skills, tools, and time involved make it not economically viale unless yo're already in the game and know what you're doing.
someone build one and tell us all how much fun it was!

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 1:35 pm
by robbie
dumbdunce wrote:you'd never do it to save time or money over buying an aftermarket programmable ECU - the skills, tools, and time involved make it not economically viale unless yo're already in the game and know what you're doing.
someone build one and tell us all how much fun it was!


agreed

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 1:40 pm
by Damo
Err, did you guys actually LOOK at the site that Bazooked listed???

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 1:46 pm
by robbie
yes I did

Q: How complete is the system, and how many cars are using the system?

MegaSquirt is complete and tested system, and has been installed in two vehicles, soon to be placed in many more.


like said, if he hasn't got the experience, he will have a hard time setting it up, only 2 cars run this system so there is all of two people who could give the right advice..

damo, since you seem to think its a great idea, why don't you explain how easy or hard it will be to set it all up?

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 1:49 pm
by -Mick-
I know electronics like I know atomic science but I'm gonna show these to my little bro who is studying to be an electronics engineer, see what he reckons.

Be a good way to cheaply deal with starvation on carby engines without goin to gas :D

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 1:51 pm
by Ferwoaza
Looking in the comments section there are a lot more than 2 cars running this now, motor bikes as well.

Looks pretty easy to actually make the thing...soldering is easy..lot easier than welding :) Hardest part is installing it but looks like their mailing list is very helpful...

Something different at least..and I like the idea of giving the knowledge/info out to anyone who wants it..

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 1:54 pm
by robbie
heh, sounds a lot like open source `nix

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 2:14 pm
by Damo
robbie wrote:...only 2 cars run this system so there is all of two people who could give the right advice..


If you have a good look at the link you'll see there are a lot more than 2 people running this EFI

I'm not looking to start anything here but you said it'd be a pain in the arse if you knew nothing about EFI etc, I feel that even if your knowledge is limited you'd be able to build and run this system, ESPECIALLY considering the help you could get from the online forum.

If I didn't already have EFI I would definitly be keen to try this out.

Hmmm, anyone wanna buy a G16B :D

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 2:28 pm
by robbie
bring it..

and setup one of these systems..

:finger:

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 3:46 pm
by mickrangie
:rofl:

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 3:59 pm
by Damo
robbie wrote:bring it..

and setup one of these systems..

:finger:


Damn mexicans :finger:

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 9:35 pm
by RUFF
Does any one else see Holley Projection in a new wrapper?

Hell yeha!!!!

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 3:52 pm
by DangerousDave_17
from what the site shows that EFI system looks and sounds great, i work with a few electrical engineers and i am now for sure hitting them up to have a look at the plans for it. If they can get their heads around it and explain to me what i have to do then i will definitely give it a go! i own an old ford LTD and i think it would enjoy a new computer :) then if it all goes good i'll make another when i get my fourby and it'll be sweet too!!!!!!!!!

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 2:08 pm
by landy_man
this is no toy and definately not expensive...
There are many guys running megasquirt with chat groups formed around it....check out http://www.replica-cobra.co.uk/Page30.htm he is just one of many guys who have built and installed it...if you know how to solder and know your way around electronic components it does not look hard or expensive to make..

there was a huge discussion on aus rover pages a while back http://members.boardhost.com/blumx/

Re: how to build your own ecu

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 5:12 pm
by Rainbow Warrior
bazooked wrote:http://www.bgsoflex.com/megasquirt.html

so wat ya think will this thing be any good? playin with a few ideas for injection..


What you want for around $300 is an industrial PLC (Programable Logic Controller), burn a copy of the software and plug it into a laptop.

They usually have about 8 inputs and 8 outputs, only problem is most are 240v AC or 24vDC

As others have said programing & tuning it could be a nightmare.

I have points, the PLC and a 12v to 24v converter, just not the time ATM.

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 12:53 pm
by Loanrangie
Nothing really hard about the tuning, just load the software onto a laptop and then tune it on the road, it comes with a basic tune map so you can get it running straight away and then you make adjustments from there.
There are also different versions of the software that have been modified by users for different purposes. I am seriously considering getting 1 to fit ot my Rangie.

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 1:42 pm
by murcod
Does anyone know if there is a similar kit available that does ignition timing control as well? Or even just a kit for ignition timing control only?

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 3:41 pm
by cbr
murcod wrote:Does anyone know if there is a similar kit available that does ignition timing control as well? Or even just a kit for ignition timing control only?


Have a loot at the site. There are links to others that have modified it to do timing as well. Apprently they are working on a new version that will do timming as well, but it is still in the development/testing phase.

Chris.

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2004 12:45 pm
by -Scott-
cbr wrote:
murcod wrote:Does anyone know if there is a similar kit available that does ignition timing control as well? Or even just a kit for ignition timing control only?


Have a loot at the site. There are links to others that have modified it to do timing as well. Apprently they are working on a new version that will do timming as well, but it is still in the development/testing phase.

Chris.


Jaycar electronics (and others too, no doubt) sell a kit for a programmable ignition system. The original design is from Silicon Chip - try http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.a ... &SUBCATID=

Scott

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2004 2:37 pm
by murcod
Yes, I was contemplating that kit- but have been unable to find any info on it? I take it it would only do a basic timing curve with set rev points mapped and not a 3D type arrangement like EFI systems can?

The Feroza's got EFI, but the distributor is an old crappy vacuum advance with centrifical weights piece of poo! I would love to replace it with either a totally new EFI system with timing control- or just add an ignition timing controller.

Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 6:12 pm
by murcod
Just some more info on the Megasquirt.

There is now an add on module that will do timing control:

http://www.megasquirt.info/ms2/index.htm

Plus the new Ultramegasquirt with new CPU and integrated ignition timing control is well on the way to being finished:

http://www.megasquirt.info/UMS.htm