ECU option

SteveS1 · Postby **SteveS1** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:40 pm

Just considering an ECU option for my NA8. A haltech e6k has become available for a bit under $500 and I thought it may be a good option. However, I notice the Plug-and-Play Megasquirts are about $850 or so (ebay including postage).

Obviously for a non-electrical person such as myself, the plug & play option with inbuilt standard MX5 map seems the easy option. And it can be retuned in the future when I start making track orientated engine mods.

Is the Megasquirt PNP as good as or better than the old Haltech e6k?
Is the PNP option and relying on standard MX5 sensors limiting the performance?
Is it hard to install a haltech e6k into a na8, currently standard?

cheers
steve

sabretooth · Postby **sabretooth** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:57 pm

I went from a Haltech E6A (bit older than that E6K) to a DIY MegaSquirt (not the PNP). It's been good so far - glad I made the change, but not everything is finished yet.

The PNP is a good option. But does the $850 also include the air temp sensor? And if you want to tune it yourself, you'd have to add an Innovate LC-1. And you'll probably want to spend some time fine-tuning the tune.

The Haltech's going to require some wiring knowledge obviously. I didn't do the E6A install in my 94, but it wouldn't be as straightforward as the MSPNP.

Personally, I'd say no to the Haltech and get a MSPNP. It costs more but your options are greater, and you don't have to fiddle around with harness diagrams.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:13 pm

I am hoping to get a a MSPNP MM9495 very soon, and it'll work out to be just under $1,000USD. (inclusive of shipping)
But that includes:
- MSPNP unit
- Lambda sensor
- Air temp sensor

Getting an air temp sensor will allow you to ditch your AFM for a better flowing intake.

I am in the same mindset as you Steve, I would pay a little extra for something that is literally plug and play.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:08 pm

But technically, are they legal to use on the road?

ampz · Postby **ampz** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:50 pm

Technically, until you pass an emissions test. No. With any ECU that is adjustable.

Also, technically once you pass your emissions test, if you make any changes to the tune that passed the test your certificate is voided.

bark · Postby **bark** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:28 pm

I personally wouldn't worry about an lambda sensor... In my recent weeks of learning more about tuning (via my MSPNP) I have learned that tuning to an AFR is only an average of the gas mix, what's important to get right is the combustion (mix of gases) in the engine. You can have an acceptable AFR but the mix could be all wrong which could lead to all kins of problems.

Just my 2 cents of recent learnings...

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:33 pm

But does your MSPNP read your stock Lambda/O2 sensor ok?, ie. any tricky wiring involved?

sabretooth · Postby **sabretooth** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:24 pm

1red5 wrote:But does your MSPNP read your stock Lambda/O2 sensor ok?, ie. any tricky wiring involved?

There is a range of O2 sensors it can read - including the traditional narrowband ones as present on stock vehicles.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:52 pm

I was gonna go the slightly cheaper route and try those Apexi Super AFC Neo's, but I really like the fact of being able to remove the AFM with the MegaSquirt.
I wish I can buy cams at the same time

But I look at it this way, EMS first and ditch AFM and quantify the gains I can make with a stock engine, then when cams come, I can then quantify how much more power they make in combination.

There's nothing wrong with the Haltech by the way Steve, but if I learnt just one thing with modifying cars, is that having something that is truly \"bolt-on\" and \"plug-n-play\" saves LOTS of stress.

SteveS1 · Postby **SteveS1** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:08 am

thanks for all the feedback guys. i think either unit will exceed my requirements for the car. its just a case of what is the most cost effective, and, to quote 1red5...

There's nothing wrong with the Haltech by the way Steve, but if I learnt just one thing with modifying cars, is that having something that is truly \"bolt-on\" and \"plug-n-play\" saves LOTS of stress.

so i've dealt with 949racing before, and the megaquirt prices seems pretty constant, so I'll enquire. don't need to buy the lamda sensor - looks like someone else is getting one ..

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:43 am

I'm gonna go get it from these guys, cause who was it, Tinscfi?, got it from them and received good service:
http://www.diyautotune.com/
If you get it from 949, tell them that DIY will do free shipping.

Have you been reading the \"Megasquirt owners thread\" up the top of this section done by Sabre?

Oh... and you can't borrow my lambda sensor, once I install something, I really hate taking it off again. It's one of my few obsessive-compulsive things. :mrgreen:

Well.... maybe if I'm in a good mood when you ask I might.

You do know what a lambda sensor is right? :wink:

you are an engineer of sorts after all

Oh and by the way .... I did consider setting up a mini-group buy of 3 or so sets, but one set JUST sneaks under the fable $1000 mark.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:40 am

Oh and Sasso, I realise the removal of the AFM may not reap huge gains now, but with the cams, and associated higher revs, I want it to breath as easily as it can.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:42 am

Wolf now has a lifetime warranty though, so you get better value.

And as for what I want to do, simple goal (but not simple to achieve) is to make at least 90kW@wheels, anything over is a bonus.

I'm staying away from artificial aspiration :mrgreen:

My car is not a daily driver, so I can put up with rough idling and poor bottom end.

I'll probably get the MS at the end of the month, and then cams around June.