New to MS-II

88SS-355 · Post by **88SS-355** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:07 pm

I'm new to the Megasquirt world and plan to build a nice FI setup for my 357 chevy. I do not have any of the equipment and figure buy the best stuff from the beginning. For my initial setup, I'm gonna just run a normal HEI but eventually wanna utilize timing control with my 88 CCC distributor. Can I just use the MS-II for fuel control at first, then upgrade later for ignition?

Also, for th MS components, I will need
-MS-II kit
-MS Relay board kit
-MS tuning cable
-MS relay cable

Sound right?

Thanks guys, I'm pretty excited about getting this going. I'm sure I'll have a bunch of questions along the way.

Bernard Fife · Post by **Bernard Fife** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:20 pm

Nick,

That sounds right. Yes, you can use a 4-pin HEI at first, and add a 7 or 8-pin HEI later (this is what I did on my SB Chevy).

The only thing to be aware of is that when you switch from the 4-pin HEI to the 7/8-pin, you will change triggering modes. The 4-pin tach trigger comes directly off the negative side of the coil, so it has high voltage and a fair bit of noise. Install the Dave cap (C30 on the V3 board), etc., and you will be fine. But when you switch to the 7/8pin HEI, you will want to go back and pull some of the components out of the trigger circuit (these are identified in the assembly manual), as some of the caps and diodes interefere with the clean, low-voltage signal you get from a computer controlled ignition module (they can either eliminate it, or delay it - not a good thing for controlling timing!).

If you have any questions when the time comes, feel free to ask!

Lance.

88SS-355 · Post by **88SS-355** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:35 pm

Looking at prices, its $190 for the MS-I kit, and $250 for the MS-II kit. To me, it makes sense to start w/ the best from the beginning.

I'm gonna use an old TPI harness for the connectors, CTS from my 88SS, a second CTS for the IAT, and use a Holley stealth ram setup with a 58mm TB and TPS, and 30lb SVO's. Now I understand a heated o2 is really needed. I also have an innovative motorsports wideband setup. Can I use that wideband o2 or is there a factory heated o2 I should use?

Those are really the only questions for now. My plan is to get the MS setup, build all of it and test it. Then pick up the wiring, pull the motor, install the FI intake and make the wiring harnessl

Overall, does this sound like a plan? Im gonna look out for bargains when it ocmes to the injectors, intake, and TB. Those are gonna be the $$$ I need.

Bernard Fife · Post by **Bernard Fife** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:55 pm

Nick,

Your wideband O2 set-up will be fine (lots of people here use one of the Innovate WB-O2 set-ups), there's no need for anything else.

MS-II has the advantage of being able to run the stepper IAC on the throttle body. It has some other advantages as well (like higher fuel pulse width resolution). MS-II will also work with the CAN enabled products coming down the pipe. So you can't really go wrong with it.

Lance.

88SS-355 · Post by **88SS-355** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:00 pm

I have the LM-1 WB setup which includes its own standalone controller. Now first off, how owuld I go about wiring this up with the MS-II? If I did use this, can I just use the o2 or do I need to use the whole controller and then keep the controller powered and in the vehicle at all times?

Also, regarding auto tune and the o2....is the WB something I will keep installed at all times and activated or just use it to set the VE table then save the changes, then at that point when the laptop and tuning software are disconnected, the o2 sensor becomes inactive?

Bernard Fife · Post by **Bernard Fife** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:06 pm

Nick,

You need the controller, MegaSquirt (or MS-II) do not have a built-in WBO2 driver at this point.

The WBO2 is used continuously to update the fuelling in the regions you have defined, it doesn't need the laptop to provide EGO feedback for fuelling (without modifying the VE tables). However, if you want to use auto-tune to modify your VE tables, then you need to have a laptop connected and MegaTune running.

MS-II will soon have automatic mixture control (AMC), which will modify the VE table similarly to auto-tune, and will not require a laptop to be connected.

You can leave the WBO2 in the car permanently, or you can remove it. That's a decision you will have to make.

If you remove the WB controller, you should also remove the sensor, leaving it it unppowered can destroy it.

Lance.

88SS-355 · Post by **88SS-355** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:27 pm

So with the laptop disconnected, there is no use for the WBo2 installed?

Any idea how to interface the LM1 controller with the MS-II? I know there are write ups on the LC1 but couldnt find any LM1 info.

Bernard Fife · Post by **Bernard Fife** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 7:40 am

So with the laptop disconnected, there is no use for the WBo2 installed?

Nick,

No, that's not right.

The WBO2 is used continuously to update the fuelling in the regions you have defined, it doesn't need the laptop to provide EGO feedback for fuelling (without modifying the VE tables).

So MegaSquirt can use the wide band O2 to adjust fuelling in 'real-time' without the laptop attached (this is how I use mine 95% of the time), it adjusts the fuelling to the desired Air/Fuel ratio.

What it doesn't currently do without the laptop attached is permanently modify the VE table to 'self-tune' the VE table for you (though this is coming with AMC, as mentioned above).

Lance.

88SS-355 · Post by **88SS-355** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:49 am

Ahh I understand now. The WB w/ the laptop will tune the VE tables, but realtime itll just adjust itself at that point. I understand now. I think the LC1 would be better option as its more compact and I could keep it installed fuel time w/o the need for a bulky extra controller box.