NB8C computer in NB8A

irwin83r · Postby **irwin83r** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 11:22 am

hey all.

just wondering, i found a good aftermarket computer but it says on it that its for the NB8C.

would this still work in the NB8A? i asume the only things that would be a worry are the VVT and maybe ABS(maybe?) thats present in the latter models and not in the NB8A.

cheers

a.irwin

Fatty · Postby **Fatty** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 4:59 pm

no idea.

but if you're looking at a new ecu i would suggest you consider the megasquirt. you can build it yourself, or you can buy it already built and ready to install, from diyautotune.com. there is a goood write up on his site about how to install it in a \"miata\" too .

i'm into \"bang for buck\". this thing has gotta be near top of the list of \"bang for buck\" mods on an mx5.

CT · Postby CT » Sat Nov 04, 2006 5:58 pm

Andrew, ABS is totally within the ABS unit so it's not a worry. But, the thing you need to be concerned about is Alternator Field Control. I know for sure that in the NB8B/C/SE/SP, the alternator is regulated by the ECU. Secondly, the VVT will probably cause issues as the ECU is looking to control somthing your engine does not have.

It's been said a million times, there is no cheap ECU solution for the NB cars. It's either full decent standalone, Motec, Autronic, Haltech, Hydra as I know these can do alternator control, there may be others but I can tell you Haltech only just cracked it recently. Or, to get the ability to play with maps and tune, the easiest solution is a piggyback/interceptor.

Fatty · Postby **Fatty** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 6:16 pm

CT wrote:It's been said a million times, there is no cheap ECU solution for the NB cars.

aaah, yes there is. the megasquirt.

to quote the diyautotune site:
Application: 1990-1997 Mazda Miata, or later models by swapping in the 90-97 CAS

CT · Postby CT » Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:19 pm

Fatty wrote:
CT wrote:It's been said a million times, there is no cheap ECU solution for the NB cars.

aaah, yes there is. the megasquirt.

to quote the diyautotune site:
Application: 1990-1997 Mazda Miata, or later models by swapping in the 90-97 CAS

Yep, add the most unreliable component from the NA cars to an NB - excellent thinking :mrgreen:

. The mega doesn't do alternator control either so I think your website might have missed something. Oh, but that's OK, they've surely played with all the different models......... :roll:

Fatty · Postby **Fatty** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:07 am

well i was just tossing an idea in there for him to have a think about and do his own research and come to his own conclusions. no need to be a condescending dick about it.
i know there is at least one guy in the states running his '99 on a megasquirt.
and steve here at this forum has an nb motor in his na, on a megasquirt.
not saying it is the easiest / best solution or anything like that. i have no idea how much stuffing around is involved. all i know is that it is a relatively cheap option, so i mentioned it.

irwin83r · Postby **irwin83r** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 4:34 pm

to run the mega squirt basically need to replace the alternator and the CAS with the NA units. the NA alternator i hear is standalone?

but i guess ones you factor in those costs your starting to save less and less. still a saving im sure.. but i think ECU is one part i wouldnt mind spending big biccies on..

only reason i asked about the NB8A and NB8C compatability was i found a cheap second hand fcon ecu which aparently are the Bee's knees and it was at a price that was below even the mega squirts! :shock:

but it sounds like i wont be buying it now :roll:

once i get my pay rise ill start looking more seriously. going to do CAMs and ECU at once. that should tie me over till i save enough cash to do the turbo

Craig · Postby **Craig** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 4:41 pm

Just buy an NB8B and be done with it! :mrgreen:

irwin83r · Postby **irwin83r** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 4:47 pm

Craig wrote:Just buy an NB8B and be done with it!

but then i might end up with a camel :shock:

hehe
nah dont want abs or vvt

Craig · Postby **Craig** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 4:48 pm

irwin83r wrote:but then i might end up with a camel

You wish!

CT · Postby CT » Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:02 am

irwin83r wrote:to run the mega squirt basically need to replace the alternator and the CAS with the NA units. the NA alternator i hear is standalone?

but i guess ones you factor in those costs your starting to save less and less. still a saving im sure.. but i think ECU is one part i wouldnt mind spending big biccies on.

Spot on with the NA alternator Andrew, alternatively source an external reg by bosch and wire it in as another alternative controller (for the NB) but the NB alternator may require modification for it to work - not sure how compatable field control is with regular voltage dump regulators - I suggest talking to an export in the ECU brand of preference on this one.

For clarification, the NB8A will be the simpliest to get running with an aftermarket ECU as they are very basic - like all NAs. The NB8B and beyond get a little trickier (but certainly not impossible given $$ and time) which is where my comments re the megasquirt are directed. I have also found through experience that when performing serious mods such as ECUs, keeping as many OEM components as possible increases the reliability and ease of repair should something go wrong. Much easier to order a Mazda part than one from an obscure supplier that doesn't have a presence in your area. Similarly, I prefer a path of least resistance as I have also found that trailblazing is not always the best way to go and will invariably give you more hassles and cost you much more than you first thought. But again, each to their own.

For Fatty, sorry to have offended you - pretty sure I didn't make a personal attack just one doubting the vailidity of a product's suitability for a role and I didn't seperate the NB8As from the NB8B+s in my post. Next time, I will endeavour to provide a more articulate explanation of my thoughts.