I bought a '95 NA with a VVT engine already in it. The car was built for CSP auto-x. It's still has the early ecu in it and the VVT is disconnected. I'm not sure how the cam timing is set, but the car does run well. I don't know if this means anything,but the ECU is a BPS1 which is supposed to from a '96. I want to get the VVT working and wonder if I can use the VVT tuner on this. I know that a full Megasquirl is the best option, but I'm already spending quite a bit setting this car up for hill climbing. If I can make the VVT work for this year, I can add the Megasquirt next year. I've read through the mega thread, and I'm still not sure if the tuner is a viable option.

 

Yes you can add the VVT Tuner. You would simply wire the NB cam and crank sensors up to it and it will control VVT while leaving your stock ECU to use the CAS and control the rest of the engine.

 

If you are going to end up with a full standalone Megasquirt next year anyway, I would just hold off on the VVT Tuner. You say the car runs very well as is, I can't imagine you'd gain more than a few horses with the VVT tuner. If you wait and get an MS3, you can control the VVT without an external VVT Tuner box. Unless you think it's worth having VVT active now, and you sell VVT Tuner next year when you get Megasquirt.

 

I have been through this exercise myself. The VVTuner will not really add much peak HP as the default for the VVT actuator is fully retarded, but with the VVTuner you will see a HUGE improvement in torque and HP in the low and mid-range.

If I were you, I would save up my money and get a Megasquirt that could control the VVT, like a MS3X. You should also check your rules for your hillclimb series. You may not be able to add an aftermarket ECU at all.

 

A DIY MS3 is within reach, but I don't know how difficult it is to setup compared to a MS3PNP. I am familiar with building circuit boards. What does it take to connect and interface with the wiring harness? Is there a baseline stock setup program to get the car running? I am not up for months of experimentation, and multiple trips to a tuner. I do have someone local that is very well known in the Honda community with tuning. He wants 700.00 to do a tune on his dyno. If that's all I would need, that's not so bad. I would need to have the car up and running to get it there.