Figuring out if MS is right for me

[litebulblsc]

I have a 1988 Pontiac Fiero running a 2.5L L4 with DIS and TBI. I would like to continue running the DIS, but switch to a sequential fuel injection. I have the ability to make a custom intake with injectors and throttle body from a different car. I have a decent understanding of fuel injection and engines. I have worked with a Halotech system too.

I just want to know if this system is as good as it seems. Would I be able to Make my motor run like I want just using the megasquirt system for ignition and fuel injection, or do I need to piggyback it? By the sounds of it, it comes with a program already in it, right?

I will go do more research on this and check back in.

Thanks in advance,
Josh

[litebulblsc]

After reading up some more I come to the conclusion that I would run batch fire and dis. I would need the megasquirt II system. Sound right?

Forgot to mention this car is and will be naturally aspirated.

[PSIG]

Would I be able to Make my motor run like I want just using the megasquirt system for ignition and fuel injection, or do I need to piggyback it?

What do you mean by "run like I want"?

David

[litebulblsc]

Well I just want it to run good. I should be able to get both better fuel mileage and make more power. I just want a nice smooth running car. And my car is a daily driver that gets ran in all climate types. So it needs to be dependable in different weather.

I guess for the price, it just seems to good to be true.

[PSIG]

MS can do that for you using your existing setup. Although different emissions guidelines applied, I 'squirted a GM TBI truck and gained substantial fuel mileage and noticeable power increase, due to the crappy factory tune to meet those emissions requirements. No hardware changes - just spliced-in MS. You can do even better changing things like MPFI, sequential injection, etc. Why so cheap? Well, part of it is because it's not a complete system. Plus, you can't just plug it in. You have to learn about it and adapt it. No biggie, but it takes time, effort, patience, and understanding. Here is a nice comparison page and list of terms used in MS.

David

[litebulblsc]

When you say not compete system, what do you mean.

U am inder the assumption that you can get the MS2 for $400 assembled and $100 for the harness. What else do you really need besides sensors and the actual fuel injection stuff?

Other stand aone computers like this sell for $1500- 5000

[PSIG]

Just that it doesn't include sensors, TB, etc., and you can't just 'plug it in' to your GM and crank it up. Other cost considerations are that, while it is primarily spearheaded by a couple brains on the east coast, much of the development, debugging, coding, testing, and application knowledge comes from volunteering individuals on forums like this. There is no phone number to call and whine that something doesn't work - you have to figure it out for yourself with some possible help from the documentation and voluntary responses. While you can't just call for tech support, the forums do actually provide a great deal of help and creative solutions, but DIY troubleshooting isn't everyone's bag. The costs for developing a full system, debugging, troubleshooting, configuring, and a hundred other tasks would be monumentally expensive and time consuming without this volunteer help. That is the greatest savings and likely the primary reason for the much lower cost to the user.

David

[litebulblsc]

Cool. It all sounds good to me.

I will probably be buying a system and trying it out next summer