MSefi.com read only forum (Jan.15,2018)

Ok so I realized it's been about 6 years since I originally email a company to get info about megasquirt and see it's came along way since I wanted to do one before. Unfortunately like most people I don't have a need just a want. I was a partner at performance shop and have had my share of project cars over the years so I'm no stranger to mechanical work and electrical wiring/diagnostics. I would like to build my own and test it the entire way, unfortunately I do not have a car to play with so I'm thinking I might steal my buddies on VW Bug air cooled engine that we know works and use that as my tester, but I'd like to use much technology as I would use on a modern car. Full EFI, distributorless ignition, idle control and wideband O2 etc. I understand this setup will require some custom work for an intake and exhaust that won't be a big deal. Ok what all should I buy I'm assuming the following, let me know if I'm missing something, have something wrong or if you'd recommend a different route.
[MS230-K] MegaSquirt-II Programmable EFI System PCB3.0 - Kit w/ BLACK CASE
[MSRelay-K] MegaSquirt Relay Board - UnAssembled Kit
[jimstim-k] JimStim v1.5 MegaSquirt Stimulator w/ Wheel Simulator -Unassembled
[MSRelayCable] MegaSquirt Relay Cable
[TuneCable6] MegaSquirt Tuning Cable (DB9 Straight Thru)
[MSHarness8] 8' MegaSquirt Wiring Harness (MS1 / MS2 / MS3 Ready)
Sensors, crank wheel, ignition, IAC etc.

I've read so much on here that my brain is kinda overloaded with information and figure once I get it and start going then things will click a little better. I want a toy setup that I can learn and expand on so say once I get things working good with this engine I could maybe put on a small turbo and run a very low amount of boost just for the sake of learning to tune against that.

Thanks,
Bruce

As far as wiring goes, you may want to think where you're going to mount the MS box itself, relay board, etc... The relay cable is only 4 ft long... (probably not long enough if you want to mount the MS box around the dash area, and the relay board in the engine compartment of the bug). Also, the MS harness does not work in conjunction with the relay board from what I've read. If you want to run the relay board I believe you would be better off buying one of the wiring bundles. The small is 23" long, which would probably be perfect if you were going to mount the relay board in the engine compartment.

Taken from the DIY Autotune website...

Note that the Wiring Harness and Relay Cable are 'mutually exclusive', meaning they are not designed to be used together. If you are using the wiring harness then you are wiring everything directly back to the DB37 on the ECU with relays and fuses where needed. If you are using the Relay Cable you are connecting the DB37 on the ECU to the Relay Board directly (so there is nowhere to plug the harness in anymore) and you then wire everything directly to the screw terminals on the relay board. Our Wire Bundle comes in handy for installation with a Relay Board.

Aside from that stuff, I think you're probably on the right track, but I'm pretty new to the game myself working on my own first MS project.

If you've got the wiring skills, make up a new loom from scratch. Or if there is a version of your engine later fitted with EFI, use a loom from that as a basis. The fewer joints and connectors you have the better.

But do draw it out before making. Much easier to see a mistake on that and correct than after making it.

Ok I'll order this stuff up soon then. As for where I'm going to mount it for now I'll probably be just getting a running engine on my back porch as the car he has isn't it driving order probably for a few years to come. I research the wiring a little more then and just make up my own then.