So I'v been trying to build up a v3 board with an MS1 processor on it. Only problem is, its been worked on by three different people in the last few years. I'm not even sure what instructions they were running off of. I assume they were planning to run MS-Extra firmware so we could have ignition advance on the MS1. But the board does not look like it was built for that. The ECU is intended to be built for a 94 turbo miata. So I have some questions:

1. I remember reading somewhere that when doing the general assembly of the board (not the mods), it is ok to put all the components on the board. So when the instructions tell you to leave certain components out, you could put those components in and it will not effect the board's operation. Is this true?

2. I have a completed MegaStim that someone completed. Once the general assembly of the board is completed (again, no mods yet), I was planning to test the main board to see if it will respond to the MegaStim's input. Is it possible to test the board using the MegaStim when no mods are on the board?

I've been putting a lot of time into getting to understand this board and I'd really appreciate some advice to get me moving in the right direction. Thanks for your help in advance!

 

1. not always. some people (like myself) populate the non-used parts with custom circuits
2. yes

My advice, ditch the MS1 processor and get an MS2 or MS3 processor. Then follow my guide at Frank's Westfield MX5 |

 

Ok. What makes you recommend that? And I was looking for just the processor by itself and couldn't find it anywhere.

 

because the MSI is small potatoes like Frank Pentangeli.

 

It's also worth adding that it is not a plug and play system. I see your instructions are for plug and play. Would it be possible/ make sense to get the 40 pin socket that fits with the miata and make the system pnp?

 

Alright I found MS2 by itself at diyautotune:

CPU - MegaSquirt-II Daughterboard DIYAutoTune.com

But it costs over 100. If I could get it to run on MS-Extra with the MS1 processor that would be great. I'm not concerned with optimal performance, I just want the car done. So long as MS1 won't cause my car to stall or detonate I will be happy with it.

 

Santa bump. Will I still be able to safely run the car with an MS1? If not I can buy the MS2 and build using the westfield instructions.

Westfield you said that the general board layout isn't always the same. When would it differ? Only if the person writing the instructions wants to make room for his own custom circuits?

 

yes. msI works fine.

 

Seriously, you have a lot of reading to do. Read the MSExtra documentation and search through this forum, all your answers are out there.

If you want people to help, please at least make it look like you've done a little work on your own.

 

Well to start off, you have at least listed that the unit is an MS1 processor on a V3 board - you have a decent enough starting platform for things to be fairly easy for you but first you need to answer a couple of questions....

Year of vehicle - 94... Good
Turbo or Na? - Intended turbo....Good
Do you need electronic boost control or intend on using only the wastegate...?
Original 94 engine or a later model engine with VICS or VVT.....?
Low impedance or high impedance injectors....?
Do you want to run batch or sequential injection...?
Can you solder or read an electrical schematic...?

Answer these questions at the very least and provide pictures of the board (both sides clearly showing where any wires go). Many V3 boards or being used on miata's currently and I'm sure we could walk you through it, but be forewarned it is easier to understand how the entire system works and how to troubleshoot it if you take the time to learn how each little component adds to the big picture.

Oh, and MS1 will get the job done but MS2 is much more powerful - plus if you utilize the factory ecu connector you aren't limited to only 4 additional output pins on the DB37 (x11-x14). I'm really liking the EGO resolution on my MS2

 

Could you elaborate on this setup? Why a v2.2 with a MS-II daughter board?

 

You built a non-standard (and very clean) modification to a common ECU, and you placed a label containing the documentation for said modification inside the case itself, right next to the board containing the mod.

I love you.

 

I was about to say, that picture is very Joe Perez.

Looks like a VICs controller? Or it just happens to have VICs in/out and I have no idea what it does.

 

Looks like it does a bunch of stuff.

The TIP120 will be for controlling the idle valve, there is also a 4N25 which will likely be used for the crank/cam input signal. I'm not au fait with the V2.2 board though.

 

it's more than one circuit. The TIP120 is for idle, the VICs is controlled with that little transistor on Q5, and the integrated circuit appears to be a 4N25 so probably the cam input.

last time I put a TIP120 on a v2.2, I just put it on a standoff like this:

 

Yep a 2n2222 is there for the VICS (currently attached to the ms2 but not the db37)
The tip 120 is for idle control and the 4n25 opto is for the cam signal (I kept getting resets from the normal pull-up mod on the cam so I had to build this)
I designed the layout in a program called DipTrace and layed it out for a standard bread board setup that used a series of busses to keep everything neat.
I'm working on a DIY style breakout board that will incorporate these 3 small circuits so I can use the factory ecu case. Ill post up pics if anyone is curious.

Oh and to answer the question of "Why?" Posted above....simple

I'm cheep and had the ms2 and V2.2 board laying around. Next step will be making it sequential injection and fit in the factory ecu case (although I'm thinking I'm going to have to build my own pcb to stay in the small space and have sequential injection)