Anyone Here Ever Mess With A Megasquirt EMS?

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Well, I am bored and have time on my hands, so I have been doing some research. I am thinking about building a more modern car with EFI and traction control. This brings me to the Megasquirt EMS. It has features that would allow me to run these systems in a car that has been swapped. My current thinking is a 1987-91 BMW 318IS or 325IS with a Ford DOHC 4.6 from a Lincoln MK8 and the T-45 trans, clutch and flywheel from an SN95 Mustang GT. I figure I can use the MS to either cut timing at launch or somehow read the ABS sensors to tell it when this is necessary. I figure I may also be able to close the secondary intake valve butterflies at the same time and bring it all in incrementally. It even has a nitrous controller, if memory serves, so I could do that too. Anyhow, any thoughts or ideas regarding the Megasquirt, it's assembly, implementation, etc would be greatly appreciated as I have never done anything like this before. I may take a electronics course next semester so that I can learn how to solder, etc., before I attempt this.

 

[jerrycad472]

I have not heard much with about Megasquirt, I think it is a system that is more commonly used by Import Crowd, not sure why. The more common ones I have seen in V8 applications are Accell DFI, FAST and Big Stuff III. Those are some other options you can explore. John Meany who runs Big Stuff III was creator of Accell DFI and the orginal FAST System. The one down side I have seen with FAST is it requires a separate box to run the ignition timing, it may only be an issue when the motor is running the coil packs like an LS1.

As for the traction control idea. My buddy is doing that right now on his Neon SRT-4. He is running a Mopar Stage III Turbo upgrade and traction is a huge issue. He built his own box and tied it into the ABS Sensors just like you said. It counts the difference in the number of rotations between the front and rear wheels, If one is faster than the other, it sends a signal to bleed more boost pressure. I think its tied into the wastegate or blow off Valve, not sure exactly. He is still tweeking it, but it seems to work well. If you get into the project, I can probably get you the design for the box he built.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Yeah, all of those are very expensive by comparison. The Megaasquirt is only $180, the rest are at least $800. Plus, the MS is open source so you control the source code, etc. The basic kit only controls fuel, but the spark management is not too much more to add on. Car Craft had an article on them a while back.

That's cool that your friend is trying to figure that out! I would be interested in how he did it if he succeeds. I did find an aftermarket system, but at around $800, it was more than I wanted to spend. The whole idea is to buy and build the whole car including everything for under $2,000. I may just do a HO 302 out of an LSC with a EEC IV ECU instead because it's simpler and a smaller engine in dimensions compared to the Modular DOHC. I dunno... I am just working on the theoreticals right now. I just got back from the junkyard and taking measurements from a variety of Fords and BMW's to see what I can squeeze into the little 2500 lb car.