Megasquirt Kits- Group buy/build??

[N61WP]

What are the opinions on these new Weber systems?

A full blown, fully programable FI kit that would replace the down draft is under $1000. Would that be enough of an improvement to replace a carb with?

Then they also have the sidedraft throttle bodies to replace the DCOE. More expense, but more bang? What about just running 1 (2 barrels on a SSD manifold), instead of the dual setup? Would be cheaper with just 1, and would still have the straight shot of the sidedraft.

Again, are these enough increase in performance over a carb to justify the price?

I'm very interested about this topic right now because I'm still fighting with my 45 SSD with it's transition stumble, but it goes like hell on the top end.

James

[nobody]

Just a couple things come to mind. For that price plus a manifold is geting up there. Running down draft on a stock manifold, it's not worth the money and headache for the minimul gain.

As far as your 45 SSD it sounds like the chokes are over sized. I don't know all the sizes you are using for jets and chokes but what you describe is common on a side draft without the proper venturi air speed thats determined by choke sizing at low RPM. Your also at a low altitude so the air density is higher. I run a size lower than recommended on chokes at altitude to keep the low end torque. James our motors are extremely close now that you went side draft, you have a bit more valve size and I have a little more cam is about it for differences.

[markandson]

I used to build FM transmitters and stuff when I was in college. So I have quite a bit of "old" knowledge where electronics are concerned. I also have a 2.2 motor sitting on the bench that I was going to change to carbs, but if a good FI system can be had, I might stay with what is presently bolted to the motor. Does anyone know what is contained in the kit. Circuit board assembly is no problem if all of the parts are supplied.
Jeff

[neuropel]

Originally Posted by tekenaar And if run with low pressure (~12psi) injectors, this would essentially emulate an '80s TBI . . . better emissions control than a carb, but still moving a "wet" mixture in a non-optimal intake manifold. The whole point of EFI is to avoid moving a "wet" mass around all the bends and curves of the intake! "Move only air and add fuel mix at valve (or now, direct into the combustion chamber)" is what FI is all about. Everything else is just another form of carb. If you do want to use the "stock" intake, modified or not, a far better, less expensive option would be tuned Weber 38DGES! You're not going to improve anything here using the TBI approach. Best bang for the buck, IMO!

I suspect this might be true for daily drivers in nice climates, but I'm not so sure with regard to cold (and I mean COLD) starting. Every carb I have had, including webers, and my new out-of-the-box Edelbrock, are tough to start in cold weather when they're not driven every day. Even the TBI systems give you that reliability...perhaps it's related to just having an electric pump get fuel up to the engine? I haven't had the electric fuel pump/carb combo before. Is it really the case that a megasquirt with a TBI-like system wouldn't be more reliable, more easily tuned, and offer better cold starts than a 38 weber?

[oklaopel]

Originally Posted by RallyBob As far as I know, no person has been singled out as being 'in charge' of the group buy. And the holidays were indeed partially responsible for the delays. I think the buy-in needs to be timed so that every one is solvent at the same time (easier said than done!). I have a project that needs a Megasquirt soon, so I may just say the heck with it and spend the extra 20 bucks and circumvent a group buy-in.

So, are there any volunteers? and if not, can we nominate, like, nobody??

[californiagting]

I am ready to buy a Megasquirt. Who do I send my money to?

[T-6 driver]

I'll be ready in a month, I'm in!

[simplemind7]

now i know this might sound like a stupid question, but FI isn't one of my strong points... if fact i know pretty much nothing about it, but what would need to be bought and done after i buys the kit? i'll be in for one if there isn't too much else to buy, effort to put in isn't much of an issue

[markandson]

Count me in on the group buy, sounds better than converting my 2.2 to Carbs.

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by neuropel I suspect this might be true for daily drivers in nice climates, but I'm not so sure with regard to cold (and I mean COLD) starting. Every carb I have had, including webers, and my new out-of-the-box Edelbrock, are tough to start in cold weather when they're not driven every day. Even the TBI systems give you that reliability...perhaps it's related to just having an electric pump get fuel up to the engine? I haven't had the electric fuel pump/carb combo before. Is it really the case that a megasquirt with a TBI-like system wouldn't be more reliable, more easily tuned, and offer better cold starts than a 38 weber? Originally Posted by nobody Just a couple things come to mind. For that price plus a manifold (TBI), it's getting up there. Running down draft (TBI) on a stock manifold, it's not worth the money and headache for the minimul gain.

Hit the nail on the head, especially with the stock, "joined" manifolds.

After shut-off, even with good heat insulation, some fuel in the carb bowl will boil away. If car is left to sit for a while after that, some additional fuel in the bowl will evaporate . . . EVEN in cold weather! When you go to "cold" start it the next time, the fuel bowl first has to be refilled so the jets can meter it properly for starting the engine.

Cold fuel doesn't emulsify as well in cold air, compounding your "cold start" problem. That's why more choke is required, and for longer, in cold weather "carb" starting. Remember, liquid fuel doesn't burn readily and an engine depends on properly emulsified (aerated) fuel to start and run.

An electric fuel pump, whether used solely or as a booster, will fill the bowl much quicker as it does not rely on turning the engine over to provide pumping action like a mechanical pump does. This helps "starting" a lot in cold weather, even more so when car has not been started for a while.

As far as carb vs. TBI on a stock manifold, as I also posted earlier, I have to agree with Dave (nobody) on this one . . . TBI is just a very expensive carb replacement and not worth doing for the small potential gain received for the price paid . . . IMO.

[Gary]

Originally Posted by oklaopel So, are there any volunteers? and if not, can we nominate, like, nobody??

I am in contact with a person who sells assembled and tested kits. He may reply here.

[nobody]

Just let me know, I do seem to have a bit more time to kill lately.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Gary I am in contact with a person who sells assembled and tested kits. He may reply here.

I'm in for two units then Gary, Gregg probably wants two as well.

Bob

[oklaopel]

Originally Posted by RallyBob I'm in for two units then Gary, Gregg probably wants two as well. Bob

I'm in for one. I can send money by paypal to whoever, whenever...just tell me who and when.

[72GT]

I just did a search on google for "megasquirt kits" and this page was first in the results, ahead of the official megasquirt site!

[Hiro]

Originally Posted by oklaopel I'm in for one. I can send money by paypal to whoever, whenever...just tell me who and when.

same for me for one unit please,
could someone ship the stuff to Europe?
I will pay for the shipment of course,
paypal also to whoever.
thanks,
Hiro.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Hiro same for me for one unit please, could someone ship the stuff to Europe? I will pay for the shipment of course, paypal also to whoever. thanks, Hiro.

I think I already have a 'pile' of stuff for you Hiro, so I could ship it to you at the same time.

Bob

[DIYAutoTune]

Guys- My name is Jerry Hoffmann and I've been building and selling MegaSquirt ECUs, Relay Boards, and Stimulators and selling them via Ebay for a while now. Gary tracked me down via one of my auctions and asked if I'd be interested in a Group Buy or Individual sales. I can do either or both. Your call.

My prices are pretty reasonable and I try to keep everything in stock ready to ship.

Prices are as follows:
MegaSquirt ECU $270
Relay Board $95
Stimulator $75

I've currently got 7-8 ECUs and Stimulators ready to ship. I was just recently hit up with a ton of orders for Relay Boards so I'm out at the moment but parts are on order and I expect to have more available in about 7-10 days. I do my best to keep my stock updated on my web site so you'll know before you place your order if I have your items ready to ship. If I've got them in stock they almost always go out next business day.

There are other people out there who sell assembled MegaSquirts and Kits. And I've even ordered from one of them before- The kit was great but it took over a month to get to me. I was in agony! I want to do my best to keep that from happening to you. My goal at http://www.DIYAutoTune.com is to overcommunicate to you what is going on so you'll know what to expect and won't get left hanging waiting for your order with no way to know when to expect it.

So can you trust me? Of course I'm going to say yes.... but can you trust me when I say yes you can trust me . All I have for you to go on are the reviews others have left me. Check out my Ebay feedback here (UserID Integritycr). There are several positive marks just in the last couple of months for MegaSquirt sales Also you can check me out on paypal where my account is foundsoul9 at yahoo dot com. Put that string in email address form and you can pull my rating there too.

Anyways I hope we can do business together... Check out my website at http://www.DIYAutoTune.com and you can place your orders on the order page and pay via paypal.

As for a group buy I'd be glad to work with you guys on that. I could do $255 each on the ECU for 10 or more. Paid via a cashiers check or money order to save me the paypal fees. I'll need to know an order like this is coming so I can build up my inventory so keep me posted.

If there's anything else I can do for you guys just let me know.

Thanks!

Jerry Hoffmann
DIYAutotune.com

[Hiro]

Originally Posted by RallyBob I think I already have a 'pile' of stuff for you Hiro, so I could ship it to you at the same time. Bob

thanks Bob!
yes I guess next time we'll need to rent a container!
cheers,
Hiro

[Gary]

Price for individual purchase:

Originally Posted by DIYAutoTune Prices are as follows: MegaSquirt ECU $270 Relay Board $95 Stimulator $75

Price for group purchase.

Originally Posted by DIYAutoTune As for a group buy I'd be glad to work with you guys on that. I could do $255 each on the ECU for 10 or more. Paid via a cashiers check or money order to save me the paypal fees.

Unless we have 10 who are ready to buy right now, my feeling is to go the individual route. I know I do not have the time to assemble one myself.

Any other thoughts?

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Gary Unless we have 10 who are ready to buy right now, my feeling is to go the individual route. I know I do not have the time to assemble one myself. Any other thoughts?

I don't have the knowledge to comfortably assemble one of these myself, electrical is not my forte. So as soon as I get paid for a fabrication job I just completed, I will be ordering an assembled Megasquirt unit...probably next week.

I will probably throw it on my Nissan daily driver as that car is slated to receive a turbo, and is already EFI equipped, making the transition easier.

Bob

[oklaopel]

Originally Posted by RallyBob I don't have the knowledge to comfortably assemble one of these myself, electrical is not my forte. So as soon as I get paid for a fabrication job I just completed, I will be ordering an assembled Megasquirt unit...probably next week. I will probably throw it on my Nissan daily driver as that car is slated to receive a turbo, and is already EFI equipped, making the transition easier. Bob

If we go individually, which sounds like the "lean" right now, would it be best to buy all the components at once? Does one need a "stimulator"? I guess I need to go to his website and learn a thing or two.

[davegt27]

http://www.rs-autosport.com/

http://www.mini-ms.com/

HTH
davegt27

[DIYAutoTune]

I've never dealt with mini-ms.com so I can't speak to that. However when I first experimented with the MegaSquirt ECU I purchased a unassembled kit from one vendor who is probably the most popular seller of kits currently. And I purchased a wiring kit from Rodney at rs-autosport.com. Rodney seems like a good guy and was always nice enough, and after I paid him and waited a couple weeks I emailed him asking on a status and he did reply to my email saying he was shipping my order immediately. Then the next two times I emailed him 1 week later and then 2 weeks later he didn't respond. Then finally out of the blue I recieved my order about 5 weeks after I placed it.

As for the unnassembled MegaSquirt kit I ordered it took 31 days to get to me. I also had a mix of answered and un-answered emails. Finally it showed up. The kit was beautifully labeled, very nice indeed. Very easy to put together.... until I went to slide the board into the case and found that the seller had substituted a cheaper case than the recommended LMB Heeger EAS-300. The case was just slightly shorter than the EAS300 and the circuit board wouldn't slide all the way in because the screws that hold down the MAP sensor hit the side of the case and brought it to a stop. I had to use my Dremel tool to grind the screw heads down and then it fit tightly.

With both of these my biggest gripe was the time to receive my order and the lack of consistent communication. These two experiences are the ENTIRE reason I got into this business in the first place. If I didn't think I could do it better then I wouldn't be doing it at all.

So currently I'm selling assembled units. Kits are right around the corner. They'll be every bit as well organized and labeled even better. And they'll be shipped within 1 business day of receiving orders. If for some reason I'm short on stock (like I am on Relay Boards right now) I will fully communicate this on my website, just like I am for the Relays now.

That's where I think my value lies. That's why I started DIYAutoTune.com. It's your call, I wouldn't presume to tell you what to do with your money. These are just my experiences.

-Jerry
www.DIYAutoTune.com

[DIYAutoTune]

Just a quick update as I've got some Relay Boards assembled now. I have 4 ready to ship, 2 ECUs and 5 Stimulators as of this AM. I can build more ECUs up but I'm lowering my assembly production as it causes quite a bit of eye strain and my eyes are worth more to me than a few bucks. I will probably continue to trickle some assembled units out over the next few weeks but not as many as I was doing. I am tooling up to begin to offer nicely packaged and labeled kits in the next month for the DIYer.