MegaSquirt on a Challenge Budget???

We'd like to run MegaSquirt on our challenge car (Trine University Challenge Car). It is a 1988 BMW 325is; I-6 M20 engine; 4-speed automatic transmission. It is all currently stock so it's Motronic Fuel injction with a distributer for ignition. We need megasquirt sot that we can run forced induction for more power.

We've done some research and in order to just take control of fuel injection we'd need a different TPS, an IAT sensor, and a wideband O2 sensor. Pricing on those components isn't too bad (<$150) all together.The next step would be taking control of the ignition system which means installing a wasted spark system. Then we'd add the forced induction.

My question is, how/where can I get the megasquirt system (the board and components) at a challenge friendly price? A new DIY PNP system from DIYAutoTune is more than $420 with taxes and shipping. We're having a hard time justifying spending more than 20% of the budget on one part. I know that many previous Challenge cars have run MegaSquirt, so it is possible.

Any help is appreciated.

I'm not sure if this can't be done using the stock Motronic and some tricks on the ignition side for a slight retard under boost. Also, you could tune an MS (or anything else) with the wideband, then remove all of that hardware once tuned and have a narrow band in place and only have that shown on the budget. Right? Someone else should chime in on that and the rules should be checked to be sure.

The PnP integrations make life easier but they make your budget weep; I'd look to a home built harness and try to source a used MS2 to save cash.

Just my 2 cents, never played with MS myself.

buy used...

Make you own board from scratch?

Raze wrote: buy used...

This.

You guys should look at a MS 1 kit from DIYAutotune. I think they're only ~$150 these days, but you need to assemble the board yourself. The PNP isn't really necessary as long as you're comfortable doing some wiring.

This is probably what you want for a budget build: LINK Should have all the features you would want and the capability to upgrade to a MS 2 processor later, all for a pretty reasonable $200. I've had trouble finding used ones this cheap and it's nice to start with a clean slate anyway.

You have to scour the boards out there and when a MS deal comes up jump.

Another thought would be to get a MJLJr and convert to EDIS. Use the EDIS and coil pack and wiring for it out of a V6 Ford. A 94 mustang would be a good donor to look. There are three of them in my local P&P.

This gives you complete control over the spark for dealing with boost. Then add a RRFPR again used and preferably an adjustable one and use a WBO2 to tune with. You could remove the WB once you get boost versus fuel versus timing sorted. Total cost with EVERYTHING would probibly not be mnore than $200 towards your budget as the WB comes off the car. Not nearly as elegant a solution but it would get the job done.

I have one that I would be willing to part with for $200, along with the M20 ECU wiring harness and the stimulator (a friend borrowed my stimulator but I can have him mail it to me or to you). It was never used in a live application, but it did seem to test OK with the stimulator. Let me know if you are interested.

ugle30 wrote: I have one that I would be willing to part with for $200, along with the M20 ECU wiring harness and the stimulator (a friend borrowed my stimulator but I can have him mail it to me or to you). It was never used in a live application, but it did seem to test OK with the stimulator. Let me know if you are interested.

I can vouch for this - and umm... can mail the stim if need be.

ugle30 wrote: I have one that I would be willing to part with for $200, along with the M20 ECU wiring harness and the stimulator (a friend borrowed my stimulator but I can have him mail it to me or to you). It was never used in a live application, but it did seem to test OK with the stimulator. Let me know if you are interested.

We're definitely interested. Send me an email

93EXCivic wrote:

Raze wrote: buy used...

This.

What they said. MSI fuel only CL'ed regularly for $100 and less. MSII+extra+ harness $200 or so.

http://yuma.craigslist.org/pts/2906122862.html

Look used. If you have somebody handy with electronics on your team, you can also fix bad ones for almost free. I've got a smoked MS1 that is just collecting dust, probably needs $30 worth of parts to fix the injection control circuit and I haven't got around to it (I bought a new MS2 at the time). I ran it with TBI and GM HEI ignition, FWIW. I've also got a pile of spare sensors around, I always have extras around since they're extremely easy to get while at the pick-n-pull and I use GM sensors for lots of projects. I'd probably trade the MS1 and sensors for something really cool if you guys had something to offer. I bet there are others that would help similarly if you ask around on the MS forums.

Bryce