New Guy Questions

[78CJ]

I am new to Mega Squirt, heck I am new to EFI. My buddies rag me about having a Carb on my AMC 304 in my rock crawler, so I figured I would check into my options. I know most people just buy the $1500 Howell setup, but I'm not that guy. I know they use all GM parts, and from reading I noticed a person did something similar to a AMC 360 V8. I was wondering if you guys had any input into what I should use(as far as hardware).

Here is what I know right now:

Use the 80s model Chevy 305 TBI parts, but I am not sure what I should be looking for. My buddies have done custom EFI and tuning before, so I am not as concerned with the actual install and function, but it is my job to go through and make sure i have everything they need. Please any input would be great!

[bleoh]

Have you looked over the manual yet?

http://www.megamanual.com/mtabcon.htm

Also DIYAutoTune has a good tech article on converting from carb to efi. PS: They are a great vendor to deal with.

http://www.DIYAutoTune.com/tech_article ... 1-nova.htm

The main boards for sale now are the v2.2 and v3.0 and a machine built version of the 3.0 called the 3.57. I would go with the 3.0/3.57 because it is much more robust and not that big of a cost difference over the V2.2.

For the brain there is MS1, MS2, MS3, MS3X. For just a simple carb replacement I would think you are looking at MS1 or MS2. MS3 with MS3X is still fairly new and is still ramping up production. I think of it as more for the folks going to full sequential with coil on plug, etc... but MS3 does have USB support (MS1/2 is built around a serial connection).

You'll need to figure out if you want to control ignition or not (the jeep howell systems do not). Even if you do want to control timing, do fuel first and then add it later, helps with the learning process.

The relay board makes it easier to install in an old jeep (I have an 84 CJ7) but I would not put it somewhere where it can get real wet/muddy. I am getting ready to pull mine out and redo the harness without the relay board because I think I can make it look cleaner that way. But that is just me, I am sure plenty of people have clean installs with a relay board.

Hope that helps. Brian.

[Bernard Fife]

78CJ,

In addition to the excellent advice Brian has given you, check out the MegaSquirt FAQ: http://www.megamanual.com/index.html

Be sure to read the introduction to the manual, and especially the part about 'what you need': http://www.megamanual.com/v22manual/mintro.htm#applic

Lance.

[78CJ]

Yes I started looking at the Manual. I will def read it before I buy.

@Brian Did you go the GM route for all your parts and pieces. I saw someone on here did one with a 360 and I've read about someone doing it on an International for cheap.

But first and foremost I need to finish the manual...I just wanted to introduce my self to the MS community and see how it works from actual users.

[bleoh]

I did not go with GM parts. I have the 4.2 straight six with the 4.0 HO head, so I used all the fuel injection parts from a 1994 4.0 Jeep. I grabbed the intake, TB (with TPS and IAC), IAT, CLT, O2 sensor, injectors, fuel rail, fuel pressure regulator and a bunch of the wiring and connectors from a junked Cherokee. The only issue with using non GM stuff is that I had to find the specs on the Jeep IAT and CLT and input them into MegaSquirt.

For an explanation of all the alphabet soup above go to the megamanual link in my first post. The first section of the manual is Introduction to MegaSquirt-EFI and the last sub-section is a glossary of terms.

Brian