Anybody else using a stand-alone EFI system?

[ForceFed70]

Been using Megasquirt in my Turbocharged 1970 Mustang for about 5 years now.

Started with simple fuel-only control, then went to direct coil control (to control timing/spark) and eventually when to a distributorless ignition system.

Overall, I'm very happy with the results. Runs WAY better than it ever did with a carb. Tuning with a laptop is really cool. And datalogging has proven to be really useful.

Plenty of frustration along the way tho. There's a steep learning curve and it takes a lot of research and screwing around to get it setup correctly. I've also encountered bugs in the firmware (that was a battle to get them to actually take me seriously and fix), the direct coil control never did work right, and I've decided that my wideband O2 sensor is a POS.

Just wondering what other people's experiences have been? What ECU did you use? How was the transition?

Attached is a screenshot from the Tuning software. This is the Spark advance table in 3D view. You also have the option to view as a flat table.

 

[Tscott]

I have researched it for my 78 corvette, but have yet to make the move. I think we would all be interested in more detail about your set up.

Tom

 

[Kyle86]

I have researched but not taken the plunge yet.

 

[1steve]

Are you a member on there forum at http://www.msefi.com/
Alot of info there, might help.

 

[Stinger]

ForceFed70, you should ditch MegaTune and use TunerStudio...it's WAY better and is the official tuner software for the Megasquirt community now (and has been for a few years).

I use a PiMP Engine Management ecu in my 85 SVO, as well in our race car. We've exceeded 4hp/ci with our race car and it's not anywhere near maxed out yet (got another 10psi or so to go and we gain about 25hp/psi) and it's been flawless.

The PiMP is megasquirt based but it isn't a DIY kit. It uses a custom board with surface mount components so it's assembled just like a factory ecu. It fits in a factory ecu case and is "plug and play" in nearly all 84-95 Ford EFI vehicles. It plugs right into the factory harness which makes it easy for beginners. It also has "auto tune" which will tune itself and works VERY well. I tuned an SVO with it in less than an hour start to finish. The best part is it's only $700 which is dirt cheap compared to all of the $1500-$3000 ecu's that are no more capable.

 

[MBfreak]

I have been a Megasquirter of the ******** DIY strain since almost the beginning. Great system, for those who want to learn, participate and contribute.
Squirted about 20 cars for friends, from a VW Golf to a vary hot Cobra Replica. The one car I stayed away from was a LAMBO Countach, it seemed a pity to tweak such a car. V12 with 7800 redline.
The winter project is a Pantera with 350 W engine, will use MS1 with EDIS 8

Ola

 

[ddawg16]

You would have to bring this up.....like I don't have enough to do right now.....

I was looking into some of the DIYFI. Lot of sites out there with good info....I wanted to make some changes to the EFI on my jeep (SBC TBI)....

Here is one website.....lots more...I just don't have the links on this computer..

http://www.aldlcable.com/

There is one DIY site that has a ton of info on processors and programming tools.

 

[fredybender]

I just run Megajolt for ignition at the moment, on my worked W/C VW engine, runnin it with Webers. I got a full SDS kit just waiting to get my twin charged 1.8T with M62 Eaton & T3-T4 TC.
Love the tunability, but hate the learning curves; but you never have anything if you don't work for it

 

[classic boost]

i used the accel thruster efi for my turboed '68 mustang. i love the dfi software. one of the main reasons for getting accel.
i started out with the blow-thru route, too.

 

[ForceFed70]

Thanks for sharing guys.

A quick run-down of my combo.
- Ford 351W (5.8L v8)
- MSII v3.0PCB
- Holley 900CFM TBI unit
- EDIS8 ignition
- Single T70 Turbo currently only set for 7PSI
- Borg Warner T5 Transmission
- I estimate approx 400HP at the wheels. Never been dyno'd.

Yes, I now use TunerStudio. The screenshot above is quite old.

 

[RVDan]

My efi systems are standalone, but they're factory ford parts. I pulled all the parts off a CFI 87 Thunderbird and managed to make it work on my 69 F100. I used only the thunderbird inline pump, and it's gravity fed from the in cab fuel tank.

My jeep runs a 93 5.0 mustang motor complete with the fuel injection.

My old Datsun 510 I had a basterdized system mostly out of an 88 jeep Cherokee with throttle body injection. It used a crank position sensor originally but I managed to make it work tied into the distributor pickup coil.

 

[Cobra6]

Been using Megasquirt in my Turbocharged 1970 Mustang for about 5 years now.

What does a setup like this cost?

 

[jomobco]

I researched a bunch a while ago before going with EFIlive and using the LS1 ECM on my chevy powered jeep wrangler. Very versatile and stable. Plus you can make it emission legal.

http://www.efilive.com
http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/default.aspx

 

[evildky]

I'm also a megasquirter. The firmware and tuning software has come a long way since I did my first system back around 04 or 05. First I did the L28ET in my 71 240Z, then a few years back I did the VG30ET in my 87 Z31, both systems are MS1. I plan to upgrade to MS2 when I rebuild my 240z. It is a steep learning curve, and it appears that the newest software makes tuning much easier.

 

[Twiggss]

Megasquirt here. and you are right it has one hell of a learning curve if you are just a knucklehead who can turn a wrench.

 

[ForceFed70]

What does a setup like this cost?

It's been a while but I think the ECU was about $250. But I also had to acquire all of the other fuel injection components which cost more than the ECU. Fuel pump, sensors, injectors, etc.