Build Thread The Hoopty Chronicles - New House, New garage, New Car?

Hate to complain, but Im kinda over this megasquirt DIYPNP system. There are 3 different sites for support and information seems to be scattered here and there. Frustrating trying to blindly feel my way through the setup. Going to install it in the car today and hope it starts. I don't have any confidence in the base tune because "it looks like some of the information in the base tune didn't carry over" according to the guy at DIYAutotune. I realize he's busy, but would have been cool to offer to look at the tune and make sure I was at least headed in the right direction.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the documentation for the DIYPNP seems to be an afterthought compared to how well written the standard MS hardware is. A good example - There is a DB15 connector on the DIYPNP and absolutely no information anywhere (that I have found) on how to use it.

Rant over, just needed to get that out.

Wish me luck, will report back with how it went.
It is frustrating that the company will not dedicate more of a tech staff. It's hard to believe that the difference between a kit built from pieces-parts that comes in for less than 500.00, and a complete Holley system commands 1500+ dollars more is just because there is a guy on the other end of the phone that you can count on for answers. But in reality,thats really about the only thing that sets them apart. My MSII will do everything that one of the branded units will/can do. Is it worth paying 2 grand for peace of mind?

I'd say it probably is, when it comes to throwing away 500.00 and 40 hours build time because you can't get somebody to spend more than 60 seconds talking with you, when something doesn't work, or you don't understand something.

I didn't even have the benefit of a base tune to work with, and the Wizard built in to the software was close enough to get the car started the first turn of the key. Good thing,...cause if I'd have to count on getting help from a human, at DIY there'd be a blow through carburetor on that engine instead.

But mine is far from tuned,...there still is an issue getting the thing to trigger the water pump based on engine temp, I have no idea where to look to enable the boost control mod, and I don't trust how it's wired into the board.

You'd think they could come up with a pay for tech service where you "opt in" where they give you say......8 hours of tech for......500.00, or 4 for 250.00. I'd have gladly payed them the extra 60.00 an hour just to know that I'd done everything right, and still be in this ecu for less than half of a Holley Terminator.
 
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These are the reasons why I ruled out a MS for me. I'm still hoping mine will work "ok" with the stock electronics. If it doesn't run correctly, I will switch over to the Holley system if I need/want to. It will be overkill on mine but at least gives me plenty to grow into.
 
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It is frustrating that the company will not dedicate more of a tech staff. It's hard to believe that the difference between a kit built from pieces-parts that comes in for less than 500.00, and a complete Holley system commands 1500+ dollars more is just because there is a guy on the other end of the phone that you can count on for answers. But in reality,thats really about the only thing that sets them apart. My MSII will do everything that one of the branded units will/can do. Is it worth paying 2 grand for peace of mind?
There's way more difference between anything in the MS lineup and the Holley (or a bs3, pro-m, etc) than just the tech support. The Holley has faster hardware, is native sequential vs batch fire (you'd have to go ms3x for that), tfi adaptation actually works, has onboard data logging, less problems with vr/hall effect noise, and the software is insanely easy to understand (not to mention free so you can mess around with learning it long before you buy like I am). And that's just half of what I remember offhand.
 
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There's way more difference between anything in the MS lineup and the Holley (or a bs3, pro-m, etc) than just the tech support. The Holley has faster hardware, is native sequential vs batch fire (you'd have to go ms3x for that), tfi adaptation actually works, has onboard data logging, less problems with vr/hall effect noise, and the software is insanely easy to understand (not to mention free so you can mess around with learning it long before you buy like I am). And that's just half of what I remember offhand.
Very good points. Also add that the Holley will trigger 36 fuel injectors, you can put like 4 different tunes that change with the flip of a switch. I know there are more features as well. I went with a Fast XFI and love it. It does not do some of the Holley stuff right out of the box, but you can add them on later.
 
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Very good points. Also add that the Holley will trigger 36 fuel injectors, you can put like 4 different tunes that change with the flip of a switch. I know there are more features as well. I went with a Fast XFI and love it. It does not do some of the Holley stuff right out of the box, but you can add them on later.
I have one sitting on the shelf for mine to go in this winter


Sent from my iPhone using my fingers while my auto correct makes me seem illiterate
 
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There's way more difference between anything in the MS lineup and the Holley (or a bs3, pro-m, etc) than just the tech support. The Holley has faster hardware, is native sequential vs batch fire (you'd have to go ms3x for that), tfi adaptation actually works, has onboard data logging, less problems with vr/hall effect noise, and the software is insanely easy to understand (not to mention free so you can mess around with learning it long before you buy like I am). And that's just half of what I remember offhand.

I guess I should have added the words " for the most part".

For the most part, the fact that Holley supports sequential natively isn't relevant on either mine, or Collins application. From what I understand, past a certain RPM, an engine doesn't see a benefit to SEFI, anyway. Again, maybe in a super critical fueling situation on a very high HP application, but not on my 350 HP banger. For the most part, haggling over processor speeds, is another nit pick.
I haven't experienced any VR sensor noise, and was careful to wire it to avoid any issues.

The tuning software on MS isn't rocket science, however, it'd be nice to have an ABC/123 set of instructions to truly be sure of what you're doing. It'd be nice to not have to struggle to find an answer to a question when you don't.
 
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Did you buy Tunerstudio, or are you using the free version?
Free for now. I read a post from Matt Cramer that the auto-tune function in the upgraded version tunes to 14.7 AFR which is useless in a lot of the RPM band. I *think* I have a good enough understanding of reading datalogs and adjusting the VE table to not need it.

The setup/settings are what's eating my lunch. I need to email the .msq file to Matt and have him look it over before I feel good about firing this thing up with any confidence.
 
Free for now. I read a post from Matt Cramer that the auto-tune function in the upgraded version tunes to 14.7 AFR which is useless in a lot of the RPM band. I *think* I have a good enough understanding of reading datalogs and adjusting the VE table to not need it.

The setup/settings are what's eating my lunch. I need to email the .msq file to Matt and have him look it over before I feel good about firing this thing up with any confidence.
Well,..that was my point of hesitation too. (Worried about a Raceoholic wash down).
I bought the software solely for the auto tuning capability. I was under the impression that you could dictate your target AFR though, and have it tune to that target.
 
Well,..that was my point of hesitation too. (Worried about a Raceoholic wash down).
I bought the software solely for the auto tuning capability. I was under the impression that you could dictate your target AFR though, and have it tune to that target.
I thought so as well, but that statement he made said otherwise. And if you asked me to find it, I'd tell you there are better chances winning the lottery. I may look into the software and see if I can find more proof
 
My major complaint about megasuirt is they have zero phone support. Everything is email. Call me old fashioned, but it's alot easier to ask/ answer questions verbally as opposed to ping ponging emails back and forth.
 
My major complaint about megasuirt is they have zero phone support. Everything is email. Call me old fashioned, but it's alot easier to ask/ answer questions verbally as opposed to ping ponging emails back and forth.
No,...they don't have "zero" phone support. There is a number. You can call and alot of the times you get Matt Cramer
61YgkxBP3qL._SX389_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

This guy.^^
Co authored with the other guy that is involved w/ DIY. I have this book. Does it make it easier to understand the tuning software/ initial setup?.......Not one damn bit.
The guy will talk to you, but it only takes a minute to know that he isn't gonna spend one more second than he has to to answer your question, and isn't interested in helping you beyond a simple yes/no if he can get away with it.

There is a immense satisfaction in building the brain that runs your car,...but at the same time that is offset by the terror that what you did will most assuredly stab you in the eye one day, and you wont have a clue whats wrong to fix it.
 
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No,...they don't have "zero" phone support. There is a number. You can call and alot of the times you get Matt Cramer
61YgkxBP3qL._SX389_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

This guy.^^
Co authored with the other guy that is involved w/ DIY. I have this book. Does it make it easier to understand the tuning software/ initial setup?.......Not one damn bit.
The guy will talk to you, but it only takes a minute to know that he isn't gonna spend one more second than he has to to answer your question, and isn't interested in helping you beyond a simple yes/no if he can get away with it.

There is a immense satisfaction in building the brain that runs your car,...but at the same time that is offset by the terror that what you did will most assuredly stab you in the eye one day, and you wont have a clue whats wrong to fix it.


That is one elusive phone number then. Do they hide it like on3 hides their number? And i agree with the less than willing to help attitude you get from them.. I sent in some data logging once to ask why something funny was going on. Matt replied with, get this: "It looks like a fueling issue."
LOL. NO CHIT? Like i told Collin, i think maybe you are past the learning curve it's ok, a lot of people do great with it. It's just hard to sit down with a book and teach yourself chinese without an instructor.
 
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That is one elusive phone number then. Do they hide it like on3 hides their number? And i agree with the less than willing to help attitude you get from them.. I sent in some data logging once to ask why something funny was going on. Matt replied with, get this: "It looks like a fueling issue."
LOL. NO CHIT? Like i told Collin, i think maybe you are past the learning curve it's ok, a lot of people do great with it. It's just hard to sit down with a book and teach yourself chinese without an instructor.

Ohh Noo Noo!. Dont think I'm past the "learning curve" for one second. I haven't begun to do anything yet. (Remember, the engine has maybe ran for a total of 20 minutes,...and that is idling) When I decided to move onto the bodywork, I disconnected the fuel system, and the battery and that was the last time that engine has run in 3 months.
 
Matt Looked at my tune and made a couple of suggestions, but said everything else looks fine. Im going to do my best to get it going Saturday. Should be a short checklist:

plug in ECM
splice analog wideband into harness
run vacuum line
Calibrate Wideband/Sensors
Start Car

...Sounds so easy, doesn't it?
 
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Matt Looked at my tune and made a couple of suggestions, but said everything else looks fine. Im going to do my best to get it going Saturday. Should be a short checklist:

plug in ECM
splice analog wideband into harness
run vacuum line
Calibrate Wideband/Sensors
Start Car

...Sounds so easy, doesn't it?

Do not, i repeat, do not pull power from the eec relay for the wideband. The voltage will not satisfy it and it will fluctuate wildly.

Edited. Stoopid phone