If you could have DIYAutoTune.com make an MSPNP for any car, what would it be?| Shop and Garage Talk forum |

MadScientistMatt Dork
10/6/11 11:38 a.m.

Suppose you could have DIYAutoTune.com build a new MegaSquirt Plug and Play model, similar to the ECUs we currently offer for Miatas, although it could also add some of the new developments in the MegaSquirt lineup. Like the current MSPNP, they'd come ready to install in under an hour, with a base map set up to run a stock motor. If you could commission us to make a brand new MSPNP for any car out there (with factory EFI - otherwise there's not much for a plug and play ECU to plug into!), what car would you pick?

92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork
10/6/11 11:52 a.m.

1990-1993 FWD Celica w/ 3sgte swap. Unfortunately, i think it would matter which 3sgte would go into it.

Or Escort with KLZE.

aggravator New Reader
10/6/11 12:44 p.m.

I think PnP is the opposite of DIY so my answer is none!

Bobzilla SuperDork
10/6/11 1:07 p.m.

86-88 GM L98's?

familytruckster Reader
10/6/11 1:18 p.m.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: 1990-1993 FWD Celica w/ 3sgte swap. Unfortunately, i think it would matter which 3sgte would go into it. Or Escort with KLZE.

Actually a KL in any mazda....I'd like to do that swap in my Protege5 if the FS-DE ever dies...

92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork
10/6/11 1:20 p.m.

familytruckster wrote:
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: 1990-1993 FWD Celica w/ 3sgte swap. Unfortunately, i think it would matter which 3sgte would go into it. Or Escort with KLZE.
Actually a KL in any mazda....I'd like to do that swap in my Protege5 if the FS-DE ever dies...

Put 2psi of boost to it, or a 25 shot of nitrous. It'll die.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork
10/6/11 2:07 p.m.

BMW M50/S50/M52/S52 6 cyl w/ COP and working VANOS.

It was a sonofabitch to get working myself as a first MS project. It never ran quite right and I ran out of patience trying and went back to a Bosch unit. I hope to retry over the winter when it isn't costing me track time. There are plenty of racers in E36 cars being held in the clutches of OE chip tuners that would go standalone if they weren't 3 grand like the KMS stuff.

I will be your test mule if you like. I do have a genuuuuuwine race car with a few spots left for decals too if you were to make mine closer to free :)

DILYSI Dave SuperDork
10/6/11 2:22 p.m.

Hondas with whatever plugs make it most adaptable. There are a lot of adapter harnesses out there that might allow you to cover a wide spread, if you pick the right plug.

Some kind of PNP for swapped LSx motors seems like it would have potential.

mrhappy Reader
10/6/11 2:54 p.m.

Dave doesn't honda have quite a few programmable stuff to work with a chipped ecu?

+2 for bmw

aggravator New Reader
10/6/11 3:00 p.m.

DILYSI Dave wrote: Hondas with whatever plugs make it most adaptable. There are a lot of adapter harnesses out there that might allow you to cover a wide spread, if you pick the right plug. Some kind of PNP for swapped LSx motors seems like it would have potential.

LSx motors already have a good standalone option using the oem ecu and HPtuners

DILYSI Dave SuperDork
10/6/11 3:11 p.m.

mrhappy wrote: Dave doesn't honda have quite a few programmable stuff to work with a chipped ecu? +2 for bmw

They do. MS is more powerful (though I don't know if one built in the confines of a PNP would be).

MadScientistMatt Dork
10/7/11 8:23 a.m.

Thanks for the feedback, guys! To answer a couple of questions raised in this thread:

We try to get at least a few items into an MSPNP that aren't on a factory ECU. For example, the current Miata ones have 2 step rev limiters and boost control, and we added an extra connector not in the factory harness to bring them out.
Some of you mentioned engine swaps. With an MSPNP, the ECU would be matched to the harness. For example, the common 1.8 swap into a 1.6 Miata keeping the 1.6 harness uses a 1.6 MSPNP. On the other hand, a 1.8 swapped into an MG with the 1.8 harness would use the MSPNP from the engine donor car.

FoundSoul New Reader
10/7/11 9:32 a.m.

Another way to think about it-- You always use the MSPNP (or DIYPNP if you build it yourself) that matches the ENGINE and HARNESS that are being using in the car. The Engine/Harness don't give a crap whether they're in the stock chassis, swapped into another, in a kit/homebuilt creation, or on a stand for that matter. The ECU should match the engine and harness, and everyone will be happy ;).

Ranger50 Dork
10/9/11 5:43 p.m.

I'd love to dump the idea of reusing one of my PITAPOFS Dodge PCM's for myHemi swap next year...

PseudoSport Reader
10/13/11 1:47 p.m.

91-95 Jeep Cherokee, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee. I know there are a bunch of people who are running stroked 4.0L Jeep motors but have no good solution for tuning them. Also many people swap the 4.0L harness into older Jeeps.

DILYSI Dave SuperDork
10/13/11 2:19 p.m.

FoundSoul wrote: Another way to think about it-- You always use the MSPNP (or DIYPNP if you build it yourself) that matches the ENGINE and HARNESS that are being using in the car. The Engine/Harness don't give a crap whether they're in the stock chassis, swapped into another, in a kit/homebuilt creation, or on a stand for that matter. The ECU should match the engine and harness, and everyone will be happy ;).

Yeah - my thought on the LSx swap harness is that you could drop the LS into whatever without having to futz with having the stock harness, untangling it from all the other car electronics (dunno if that's an issue or not - I'm used to cars where the ECU harness is tied into all kinds of other crap that isn't specific to running the motor though - gauges, general under dash, etc) , dealing with the immobilizer, etc.

MadScientistMatt SuperDork
10/13/11 3:44 p.m.

DILYSI Dave wrote: Yeah - my thought on the LSx swap harness is that you could drop the LS into whatever without having to futz with having the stock harness, untangling it from all the other car electronics (dunno if that's an issue or not - I'm used to cars where the ECU harness is tied into all kinds of other crap that isn't specific to running the motor though - gauges, general under dash, etc) , dealing with the immobilizer, etc.

We've kicked around the idea of swap harnesses as well - a ready to run MS harness with all the connectors crimped on and every wire cut to the length it needs to be to fit on the engine. This would be more aimed at people doing engine swaps, while the MSPNP targets (mostly) people modding the stock engine. There's a couple production hurdles we'd have to clear with this, but it may happen too.

scardeal HalfDork
10/24/11 8:44 a.m.

I'd say a 2007-2008 350Z w/ HR engine.

Cotton Dork
10/25/11 10:40 p.m.

DILYSI Dave wrote:
FoundSoul wrote: Another way to think about it-- You always use the MSPNP (or DIYPNP if you build it yourself) that matches the ENGINE and HARNESS that are being using in the car. The Engine/Harness don't give a crap whether they're in the stock chassis, swapped into another, in a kit/homebuilt creation, or on a stand for that matter. The ECU should match the engine and harness, and everyone will be happy ;).
Yeah - my thought on the LSx swap harness is that you could drop the LS into whatever without having to futz with having the stock harness, untangling it from all the other car electronics (dunno if that's an issue or not - I'm used to cars where the ECU harness is tied into all kinds of other crap that isn't specific to running the motor though - gauges, general under dash, etc) , dealing with the immobilizer, etc.

This. I really like this idea.

ProDarwin Dork
10/26/11 9:43 p.m.

Saturn. Only because I've tinkered with them for a long time. Pretty much anyone running beyond bolt ons is running an MS in their car. A PNP option would be sweet. Especially if it could control the stock IAC valve.

The OBD1 cars are possible to tune the stock ECU... but its a poorly documented DIY affair / black magic.

But, if I ran a business making such things, the choice would be much different.