Nice clean set up. Where did you get your boards made?

Very nice work! Takes me back 25-30 years when I used to make my own circuit boards. I'm guessing that these days you use a circuit board design program and email the design to a circuit board maker to execute?

Thanks all.

wsinsle/Hornman: I used FreePCB and Free Autorouter and then submitted the Gerbers to http://www.pcbcart.com/ China I know Sadly the quickest and one of the most recommended low quantity (not quality!)  PCB manufacturers.

BB: You can still order several different versions of the MS in kit form and assemble it all yourself. I ordered the completed MS3/3X simply because it was on sale and I had a discount code! My project is a 1995 Ford Lightning. These came factory speed density (a VERY mod unfriendly setup), batch fire, and the biggest kicker is a computer controller trans, E4OD. I could spend a pile of money swapping the engine over to MAF with a Msutang kit, but then I'd have to spend more money setting up a stand alone trans controller or running two PCMs. One for the engine and one for the trans. The Megasquirt (engine) and Microsquirt (trans) can be connected via CAN and will talk to each other. So in the software it's basically one unit. I've been messing with Ford computer tuning for a very long time. Way back when there was an EEC-IV mailing list hosted by Tom Cloud I used to sell both EEC-Tuners, then later TwEECers and finally became an SCT dealer. I am tired of working around the factory programming, I wanted something straight forward and I feel the Megasquirt has matured to that point. I also feel that for the money it cannot be beat. The truck has a 410w, Novi 2000 blower, TFS 11R 205 heads, 160lb injectors, LS2 coil near plug, Explorer cam (no distributor) and crank sensors, etc, etc. It will be running on E85, but with a flex fuel sensor so timing and fueling can change should I find myself needing standard fuel or some mix in between (like summer or winter blends).

afnid: At first the factory setups seem to be cheaper with aftermarket tuning support. And in a lot of cases they are, but I would argue the more mods that are done to the vehicle an aftermarket EFI starts to be a better value. Like anything it always depends. I have never used the QH stuff, they came on to the scene when I was on my way out, but their prices can add up by the time you buy the hardware and software.

Last edited by Raymond_B (4/09/2015 12:15 PM)

It's funny, the first generation Lightning (93-95) was SVT in badges only. It was the truck group that came up with the idea. A long while back one of the engineers used to be on my Lightning mailing list and the early days of the National Lightning Owner's Club forum. He had so much good information, but always bristled at how the SVT folks swooped in and took over the idea after is was all planned out

Anyway, I'm not sure I am the most informed person on therory of engine operation, but I can tell you *my* reasoning for sequential over batch fire. In the Megasquirt full sequential uses cam and crank sensors for very precise engine timing and fueling. To me that equates to better idle and part throttle manners, especially on a heavily modified vehicle. Wide open throttle it's probably debatable as far as max power, but street manners are what every tuner chases after no matter what you use (carb or FI). Unless you are just tuning race cars.

If you are building everything from scratch and getting your feet wet with EFI I would go simple, heck maybe even fuel only at first. Then move up. A microsquirt can be had brand new for under 400.00 shipped. There's a lot of guys that hook it up to an old EFI throttle body and go. Then later on you can add ignition control using the same Microsquirt. When you start adding on more and more bells and whistles that's when you move up to a more complicated setup.

I'd check out this stuff;

http://www.msextra.com/manuals/

and then download the free version of Tuner Studio. Keep in mind it's daunting at first, but just play, read the tooltips, and get used to it.

http://www.tunerstudio.com/

Yeah I am running that large of an injector for E85 and future growth

An FMU and boost timing retard can be very effective on a relatively stock Mustang with a blower. Not perfect by any means, but they'll get the job done.

MAN!!! I've said it before.........and will say it again..................."we got some smart folks on this board"!
Waaaaayy over my head!
6s6

josh-kebob wrote:

Bullet Bob wrote:

Very nice work, Raymond.  I was all excited about Megasquirt maybe 15 years ago and did a bunch of reading but never got into itl.  In the begining you bought the parts and built your own but I guess those days are gone. 

Just curious, why was it better for you to go to the MS instead of running the EEC-IV and a Quarterhorse, etc.?  You said, "Hot Rod" engine...major?

BB

Whoa, whoa, whoa there BB-boy......that avatar......thou should seeketh thee permission, me thinketh, before using.....
 

 
HaHa....I thought it was great!!

Raymond_B wrote:

jydog wrote:

Is there anyway I can get a copy of your circuit board? It looks like you have done a great job with interfacing it with megasquirt. I have a microsquirt and a speeduino I'd like to hookup to my 302.

I can, but it is based on the Lightning PCM pinout. Which computer are you running?
 

I am running a speeduino ecm 
speeduino.com

I mainly need the layouts for the connectors. Anyone you would like to share with me would be appreciated especially the one with the amp connector. I can make the changes that would be needed. 

The link below is my project.
speeduino.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=210

I am currently running a a9p computer.

Sorry the links are not hyperlinked I have not posted enough on this board for this to work.

Raymond_B wrote:

No problem, shoot me your email and I can get you some information. To be clear you're interested in the EEC-IV 60 pin connector size and spacing and the AMP connector right?

Yes please. I might have to change it to a 40 pin ribbon cable but that would be great!

I will PM my email. 
 

Last edited by jydog (10/27/2015 6:07 AM)

Awesome, I haven't forgot about ya, just have to find my files Be sure to clean as much solder off those pins as possible, the desoldered 60 pin connector can be kind of cranky lining back up.

Any luck finding your files?

Thanks Raymond, I really appreciate this. I've been trying to create an adapter but this stuff is really beyond what I am used to. Let me know if I can help you out someday.