liam.mccaffrey
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| posted on 15/6/05 at 10:57 PM |
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ecu decision
right here goes i can't decide what to do
i have my shiny bike throttle bodies coming soon and i can't decide whether to go with an emerald ecu, one of the new cheap cut down ones (if
they are available yet) or go witha megasquirt n something. what does everyone think?
the engine is a 2lt ecotec
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big_wasa
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| posted on 15/6/05 at 11:02 PM |
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Any idea on the price of the new Emerald???
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liam.mccaffrey
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| posted on 15/6/05 at 11:05 PM |
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ive heard that its "substantially cheaper" than the full one. But what is substantially cheaper than 600 quid?
i am going to ring emerald tomorrow i think and see if i can find out more
[Edited on 15/6/05 by liam.mccaffrey]
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bimbleuk
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| posted on 16/6/05 at 05:05 AM |
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Have you considered the OMEX 600 series ECU as its a very capable unit.
Not much info out there on the net yet but call them for pricing.
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zetec
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| posted on 16/6/05 at 07:47 AM |
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The Emerald is very good. The software they supply is very simple to use and the backup service is first class.
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bigandy
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| posted on 16/6/05 at 10:28 AM |
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I've been debating almost the exact same decision for the last 12 months nearly. I'm unsure whether to splash out £600 plus all the other
bits needed, and the rolling road setup that would be rude not to do.
At the moment I am leaning towards using megasquirt with one of the ignition codes written by James Murray. The advantages are that it is a hell of a
lot cheaper, and you will get an intimate working knowledge of putting the device together. the downside is that it all takes time, and effort, and
if it goes wrong, there is nobody to send it back to!
I reckon if I am able to build a car, then the ECU should be doable too!
Cheers
Andy
Dammit! Too many decisions....
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CairB
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| posted on 16/6/05 at 11:40 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by bigandy
I've been debating almost the exact same decision for the last 12 months nearly. I'm unsure whether to splash out £600 plus all the other
bits needed, and the rolling road setup that would be rude not to do.
At the moment I am leaning towards using megasquirt with one of the ignition codes written by James Murray. The advantages are that it is a hell of a
lot cheaper, and you will get an intimate working knowledge of putting the device together. the downside is that it all takes time, and effort, and
if it goes wrong, there is nobody to send it back to!
I reckon if I am able to build a car, then the ECU should be doable too!
Cheers
Andy
After building one you'll be able to diagnose and repair the unit yourself.
As the parts are relatively cheap it makes sense to build 2 and keep one as a spare. To save a few bob you don't need to case the second unit.
This also helps if you want to test software / hardware mods off the car.
The build is exceptionally well documented and the support from the MS site is impressive.
Cheers,
Colin
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stevebubs
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| posted on 16/6/05 at 04:00 PM |
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I've had two Emeralds (one M3D and one M3DK) and found them very simple to setup and use.
Megasquirt has a very good reputation and looks a very good product.
Personally, I'd take the route you are happiest with. If you're good with electronics etc then the MS shouldn't be too hard a
route.
If not, then the Emerald is definitely the easy option.
Plus - if you go the emerald route, you can always swap it for a MS later, and re-use the Emerald on another project....that's likely to be the
route I'm taking.
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garage19
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| posted on 16/6/05 at 05:13 PM |
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The new baby Emerald ECU is called the K2 and costs £380 + VAT.
Bargain!
But then again a fully built MS can be had from RS Autosport for £175.
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bimbleuk
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| posted on 16/6/05 at 06:40 PM |
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OMEX OMEM150 - £345 + VAT
OMEX OMEM600 - £545 + VAT
I guess the true locost choice would be the MS
I believe the Emerald has probably the easier software to use and some useful self learning modes.
The OMEX ECUs based on GEMS technology have lots of feature in them.
MoTec are one of the best but expensive e.g. the software has a time limit on it!
I used to use MBE but they've moved away from the individual buyer.
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Volvorsport
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| posted on 16/6/05 at 08:17 PM |
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MS n Edis for me , with a 3 bar MAP sensor .
the units i got from bill shurvinton , with a warranty , since theyve been tested on a bench by a qualified techy .
i was at mr vesseys today helping map the T5 with a gems system , seems very useable , but its only got one map , and has no correction factors - ie
it uses a MAP sensor .
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
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Dave Bailey
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| posted on 16/6/05 at 09:30 PM |
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Anyon know if the megasquirt setup can be used on the VVT engine i.e the not so duratec st170 Focus engine. (A Zetec with variable valve timimg)
thanks
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CairB
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| posted on 17/6/05 at 11:44 AM |
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Dave Bailey,
I'm not aware that the Megasquirt supports VVT at the moment, but depending on the method of control I would have though that it should be
feasable to add it. The MS has spare IO capacity and the algorithms shouldn't put too much extra loading. There is also the MSII version that
uses a more powerful processor if it runs out of steam at higher rpm.
Do you have any details of the ST170 VVT, drawings of the mechanism and control details? I'm interested as I was involved with continuously
variable closed loop valve timing back in the mid '80s.
From discussion on the MS site I think that there may be other people interested in this feature so you may find that someone may incorporate it.
Cheers,
Colin
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Dave Bailey
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| posted on 17/6/05 at 05:12 PM |
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I will dig out what I have over the weekend and take some pictures of the cams etc on the engine. I have the ford TIS disk and I think there is some
info in there. I do not know much about the system yet but looking at some of your pictures I take it that that timing is done from the 36 tooth wheel
and not the flywheel sensor.
thanks for your interest I'll see what I can find out!
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Dave Bailey
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| posted on 22/6/05 at 03:12 PM |
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Colin,
I have attached a block diagram from the ford TIS system in my Photo archive (sub directory engine). Not sure if this helps. VVC is only
active on inlet cam apparently.
thanks
Dave
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CairB
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| posted on 22/6/05 at 07:06 PM |
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David Bailey,
Thanks for that, do you have any diagrams / pictures of the actual VVT device on the inlet cam, cross section would be good.
The 36-1 tooth wheel in my photo archive was for the EDIS ignition module that provided ignition control which in turn is controlled by the
Megasquirt, when I first fitted it to the pinto engine. I'm now running the Megasquirt on a Duratec that came with its own 36-1 tooth wheel.
Cheers,
Colin
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Dave Bailey
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| posted on 22/6/05 at 07:11 PM |
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Colin,
I will take some pictures and post them in my archive. It may take a couple of days....Suffering after the effects of wisdom tooth
removal......
thanks
Dave
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CairB
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| posted on 22/6/05 at 07:16 PM |
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Dave,
I've been a long term sufferer from wisdom removal, never mind the teeth, much sympathy, in your own time with the piccys.
Are you considering the Megasquirt route?
Cheers,
Colin
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Dave Bailey
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| posted on 22/6/05 at 10:13 PM |
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Yes!,
But as yet I am not too familiar with the setup so I have some reading and learning to do......
Dave
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Dave Bailey
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| posted on 25/6/05 at 04:30 PM |
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Colin,
Pictures are in my Engine archive. There is a sensor at the back of the engine to measure cam position and there is an actuator at the front
to change the inlet timing. I'm told that the inlet ports vary in length also but as yet I haven't checked this....
Dave
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tks
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| posted on 25/6/05 at 06:34 PM |
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would go megasquirt..
you learn the principles
you learn how to setup
its cheaper
when there is an error you can fix it..
Tks
The above comments are always meant to be from the above persons perspective.
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