Megasquirt Kits- Group buy/build??

[Gary]

Owning 2 fuel injected Opels has forced me into a fast learning curve on F.I. systems. Naturally the next step is how to update this 30 year old technology. From the little reading I have done, the laptop programmable Megasquirt FI controller seems to be the best low cost unit.

Megasquirts come in kit form for ~$160.00 and they are sold fully assembled on eBay for ~$325.00. Is there enough interest to start a possible group buy of the kits and is there anyone here who has the soldering skills and time to assemble the kits (for a fee)?

Add your thoughts and comments or additional megasquirt info to this thread.

[RallyBob]

Well, you already know my thoughts on this Gary after we talked recently. I was thinking maybe trying to buy 10 kits or so, and maybe as payment to the assembler we, as a group, buy him or her a Megasquirt unit so they get a freebie? Then maybe I could prep a bunch of fuel rails/injector packages with a modern TB and we'd have a nice 'bolt-in' programmable EFI system.

Bob

[garrymc]

Check out the forums...http://www.msefi.com/index.php

Read the MegaManual...http://www.megasquirt.info/manual/mtabcon.htm

MegaSquirt II is coming soon.

[nobody]

Let me see you need an electronics guy and it would help if he was an Opel motor head. Sorry I'm laughing so hard it's hard to type. I started doing the electronics some 30 years ago and I'm looking at doing injection and have a bunch of free time.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by nobody I started doing the electronics some 30 years ago and I'm looking at doing injection and have a bunch of free time.

Better watch what you say on a public forum, you may end up getting drafted....

[nobody]

I was watching what I said and was volunterring. Cut cost and do the db39 cable in house. Sorry about fell of my chair laughing as the timing is well, pretty darn funny. I do CNC tech work as a business so adding another interface program to the laptop is it's sole purpose too.

[benncojr]

I know some one that fits that profile also, Opel Head and is very good with the sodering iron. I will see what he thinks and get back to you folks. He is currently out of a job down in FLA.

[Derek Greenwood]

Building the megasquirt is quite easy. I built one and the megastim which tests megasquirt. The stim took only an hour or two and is the perfect thing to do first. Then I built the megasquirt in one evening while watching TV. It took me 6 or 7 hours and I had never done anything like this before. I am installing it on my twin cam turbo Fiat 850 Coupe. I will probably also build one for my GT that I am putting the Ecotec in.

I bought the board and then bought the components from a guy who supplys all the parts all bagged and ready to go. It was way easier for a first timer this way.

[Gary]

Does it work well Derek?

[Derek Greenwood]

On the test bench it works great. I haven't finished the installation into the coupe. The coupe runs 4 injectors on gas and 4 on alcohol. It is a little complicated, for me at least. I have talked to lots of guys who have had great luck with them. Coming out in the next couple of months is Megasquirt II. It has ignition built in. The nice part it that it is an upgrade to Megasquirt. You just pull the chip in MS and plug in the upgrade. I will wait until that upgrade is released before I finish. I really like the programable ignition to go along with the turbo.

I also have purchased megaview which is an onboard LCD display that allows you to see everything that is going on with MS and also do tweeks to the programming. I say tweeks because it is easier and faster to do it with a laptop but if you are on a trip and want to tweek it you can with megaview.

[Travis]

FWIW, it took me 2-1/2 hours to assemble my megasquirt at a fairly aggressive pace. As I spent roughly 1/3-1/2 of the time searching for component locations on the board(they didn't re-number and back annotate) I'd guess a build of 10 systems to take less than 1-1/2 hours a piece, maybe closer to an hour...

I've verified communication and a few of the inputs work properly but haven't run it on a motor yet.

-Travis

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Travis I'd guess a build of 10 systems to take less than 1-1/2 hours a piece, maybe closer to an hour...

So....you up to the task? Seeing as you already have a Megasquirt it's probably futile to offer another unit as payment. But I'd be willing to offer up parts/services to you to get these things made. So, what's missing for your racecar?

[Travis]

Originally Posted by RallyBob So....you up to the task?

Yeah, I'm up to it. I could likely bang it out in a few evenings or so...

-Travis

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Travis Yeah, I'm up to it. I could likely bang it out in a few evenings or so... -Travis

That being said, it looks like we need a show of hands. How many people out there are interested in buying a Megasquirt EFI system for their Opel?

This is for just the ECU, you'll need to procure an intake manifold, injectors, fuel rail, pressure regulator, fuel pump, high pressure fuel lines, and the necessary sensors (coolant temp, air temp, and TPS if I recall correctly). Owners of stock Opel EFI systems pretty much need only the sensors and a modern throttle position sensor to work with the Megasquirt.

I am interested in one unit now, potentially 3 more later on. I think Samdog could use a couple as well, Gary has mentioned he's interested. Anyone else?

Bob

[nobody]

Well I've been looking at it very close for the last couple of days and I won't go for a speed run production of the pcbs. I'd need a modified chipset for the turbo and the sensors are pretty easy. I'd need the Stim, regular PCB control and the relay PCB. Send me a price and the pieces and I'll go from there.

[Travis]

Originally Posted by nobody I'd need a modified chipset for the turbo

You shouldn't need anything special for the turbo unless you're planning to run staged injectors or in excess of 20lbs boost or something else beyond a typical turbo installation

-Travis

[nobody]

acording to the things I've read there is a different chipset for turbo aplications. I think if I choose this route i'd like the warranty and contacts to be in my name. Sorry it sounds good but maybe not for anybody away from the crowd.

[Travis]

Unfortunately I don't know which part you're suggesting needs to be changed as 'chipset' doesn't really apply to any of the parts of the system. If you can give a link I'd be happy to take a look.

-Travis

[Travis]

Originally Posted by nobody I think if I choose this route i'd like the warranty and contacts to be in my name.

Except that there isn't any warranty and all support is from the 'open community'. There is no official list of purchsed systems and such. Also, Bruce and Al(the main developers) gave the OK to group buys years ago.

-Travis

[Derek Greenwood]

There is no special chipset. If you run staged injectors there is a different bit of software that has two maps but thats all. If you go to the megasquirt forum there are tons of success stories. I have emailed guys with similar products and most have been happy to share there experience. The best part is you can have programmable Fuel Injection for a few hundred instead of a few thousand dollars.

[neuropel]

The Weber systems designed to replace side draft webers are beautiful. They also cost an arm and a leg. Has anyone seen the individual components for sale. I'm wondering if one could find the necessary parts and use the megasquirt controller just how far off it would be $$-wise from purchasing new dual weber carbs? It'd be awesome to have a housing that would mount in place of the dcoes and allow the use of aftermarket injectors from somewhere like Summt. I have a 2.4 on the way over from Europe along with a set of dbilas manifolds and was thinking I'd be running 45s on it, but I've drooled over the thoughts of having a nice laptop programmable fuel system for it. Also, last I read the newest megasquirt system was in testing and was adding ignition control (and a nicer processor). It may sound weird, but I'd be less apprehensive about working with this type of homegrown EFI than trying to get dual carbs set up right with all the various jets, emulsion tubes, etc. I'm used to electronic controllers and programming computer-controlled devices (I'm designing and building an automated brewery using electronic controllers to support my other hobby)...but I'm far less comfortable with all the mechanical unknowns of side draft carbs. If someone is on track to go in this direction, I'm all ears!
Todd K.

[nobody]

Ok I may have said it wrong as it may just be a software that is loaded to the eeprom. Either way from the pages I've read in the last couple of days you need to be sure you have a correct version loaded to work with a turbocharged system. Just symantics I guess

[Gary]

Originally Posted by neuropel It'd be awesome to have a housing that would mount in place of the dcoes and allow the use of aftermarket injectors from somewhere like Summt.

Now this would be an excellent project for unemployed Opel fabricators.....

[neuropel]

Glad to see you caught that hint Gary. Let's hope others do as well

[Travis]

Originally Posted by nobody Ok I may have said it wrong as it may just be a software that is loaded to the eeprom. Either way from the pages I've read in the last couple of days you need to be sure you have a correct version loaded to work with a turbocharged system. Just symantics I guess

Yes, there is alternate firmware that can be used with turbos. However, it is not needed with 90+% of turbo applications. The dual table code, which I expect is what you've seen references to, is to provide seperate control of a second set of injectors(only on at high RPMs) or proportional control of a water injection system or other similiar things beyond the scope of a normal turbo installation.

-Travis