mx5cartalk.com

Hi,

I figured I'd document the build, install and tune process for installing a MS3 Pro Module into 02 NB - the car is street dríven, but will be tracked so hopefully the build will cover the basics of a plug-n-play ECU install that doesn't require large $$$ and specialized tuner skills to complete.

Hopefully the details provided in this thread will help others - I'll share the component and tuning maps used.

G

Yes please!

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This will be very helpful as will be going through the same process in a month or two. As for the COPs I already have the ignition harness and the spark plugs, just need to get the coils from the wrecker.

Starting off with what to buy...

MS Pro Module
http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/ms3p ... p-544.html

N122 DIYBOB (but ask for a full case like the DIYPNP)
http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/diyb ... p-537.html

LC-2 Wideband
http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/inno ... p-566.html

Sensors IAT & Bung
MAP GM-3 bar & GM-Pigtail
http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/sensors-c-36.html

Another options is that I could have also just ordered a full plug-n-play ECU that requires no building at all
http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/mega ... p-582.html
This kit would be identical to Adaptronic or Haltech in that it is a single board with no assembly and professionally engineered.

Just curious, why the mspro module instead of a ms3x with v3 or v3.57 board?

bartmanftw wrote:Just curious, why the mspro module instead of a ms3x with v3 or v3.57 board?

1000x easier!

Haha true although it's a fair bit more expensive than buying a v3.0 board to build yourself. Keen to see how this goes though.

bartmanftw wrote:Haha true although it's a fair bit more expensive than buying a v3.0 board to build yourself. Keen to see how this goes though.

Not so sure, as when you combine main board, daughter card, ms3x, rtc, knock, and a fair bit of your time, the difference is only marginal. Plus less dodgy home soldering and mistakes means a better outcome and more reliable.

Using a ms3 module is probably not much worse than directly wiring up a Haltech or Adaptronic - you just need to mount the board securely in a case. Not at all the same with a ms3 built from a v3.x board and stacked daughter cards.

Anyway, I wanted to focus on the best value way of building a seriously capable ECU for a later model MX5 and still maintain factory drive-ability without spending much time building the ECU - essentially showcase what anyone who can solder wires could tackle.


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Few extra bits etc

The MS3 Pro Module comes as complete and working ECU, but with no connectors and requires wiring to everything that connects to it, as such, other than the case with the OEM connectors (DIY BOB) I will also need to plug into a few 3rd party things - like O2 wideband, custom MAP sensor, and future boost controller etc.

I'll need something that can mount to the case and offer an easy wire-up and plug for these connections - having explored a few options (and to keep costs reasonable) I've landed on the following IP67 plug/socket in 6 pin configuration. This would be a good plug that can withstand heat/water and be suitable for connecting/disconnecting and not cause joint issues etc. Not too hard on the $$$ and easy to wire up...

http://www.jaycar.com.au/Interconnect/P ... g/p/PP0546

I'm also going to need a USB connector for ECU communications...

http://www.jaycar.com.au/Interconnect/P ... A/p/PS0782

Parts arrived and now assembly

Just laying out a few of the key parts for assembly. The next step will be to drill holes for the stand offs, and then start the wire up. It will be fairly straight forward and to help, I'll make up a wireup spreadsheet so I can tick off what I've done and know what I've got left to do. The soldering up of the wiring takes about 1-2 hours depending on the tools and how good you are - should aim to do some of this over the weekend.




In the pic above I've added a 12V line out so that I can power the ECU on the bench, and you can see I've mounted the IP67 din plug 6 pin. I've got another din plug to add if we need another 6 pins, and I bought them opposite sex so you won't confuse which plug is which when it is wired into the car. Could damage a sensor or the ECU if you plugged the wrong thing in the wrong DIN plug.

The bluetooth cable is for serial communications, logging etc. you can also see on the ECU board (the MS3 Pro) that it has support for internal SD logging and a battery for real-time clock. The entire board is a single PCB with no building and assembly required - you simply just wire it up to the right OEM pins on the connector and tune!

G

I'm surprised how few chips there are on the board... I thought as these ECU's get more advanced there would be a lot more circuitry!

madjak wrote:I'm surprised how few chips there are on the board... I thought as these ECU's get more advanced there would be a lot more circuitry!

It is actually a very advanced bit of electronics hardware. The board is multi-layer and there are chips on both sides (the main ECU is on the other side!).

People think "MegaSquirt" = home built electronics project, but truth is, they are as advanced or more so than commercial alternatives (that cost heaps more)...!!

G

gslender wrote:

madjak wrote:I'm surprised how few chips there are on the board... I thought as these ECU's get more advanced there would be a lot more circuitry!

It is actually a very advanced bit of electronics hardware. The board is multi-layer and there are chips on both sides (the main ECU is on the other side!).

People think "MegaSquirt" = home built electronics project, but truth is, they are as advanced or more so than commercial alternatives (that cost heaps more)...!!

G

It wasn't a criticism... more a compliment. I'm sure if you open up the latest Motec or a Haltech Elite they are very similar. It's just a case of my expectations as at odds with actuality! These days modular circuits like I/O, switching circuitry, memory etc has been miniaturised so far they can be fit into a single chip... which probably accounts for the increased speed and capability of these modern ecus.

F*** yeah, thankyou Grant.

Dann

madjak wrote:It wasn't a criticism...

I didn't think it was - I was simply just putting the details out for others that have always been suspicious of the brand and had a view that it was a Tandy Electronics kit project.

G