Cheapest Programmable ECU !

MightyBoy tech questions and answers.
boosted_alto
Posts: 122
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 8:54 pm

Hey,
I wanted to know which ECU (Programmable) is cheapest in Australia. I've seen Haltech and Adaptronic Sites. I need it for a friend who might be converting his F8B to EFi cuz he is quite impressed by JONO's attempt.

Which ECU is JONO using ?! and Which throttle body ?

And another question, can someone modify the intake manifold for EFi and then I'll buy it from him ?! How much would that be for ?

Cheerz ! Looking forward to the answers !
User avatar
Brayden
Posts: 9101
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 3:09 am
Location: Canberra ACT
Contact:

The cheapest programmable computer in the world in my mind is MegaSquirt. I haven't seen anything cheaper.
F8B EFI turbo - Three pots and a snail.
User avatar
jono
Posts: 453
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 6:18 pm
Location: Hobart, Tassie

I'm using EMS (Engine Management Systems) Dual Sport.
Speed Limited: I'm Pedalling as Fast as I Can
1987 Mighty Boy
Injected F8B (love it!)

http://www.freewebs.com/fitre/
boosted_alto
Posts: 122
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 8:54 pm

@ Jono

How Much is it for ?

@ Brayden

Does Megasquirt has a good reputation and is it good for an F8B ?
User avatar
jono
Posts: 453
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 6:18 pm
Location: Hobart, Tassie

Wouldn't have a clue, sorry. I bought my EFI setup all read to bolt on and connect up off a guy on these forums.
Speed Limited: I'm Pedalling as Fast as I Can
1987 Mighty Boy
Injected F8B (love it!)

http://www.freewebs.com/fitre/
User avatar
Brayden
Posts: 9101
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 3:09 am
Location: Canberra ACT
Contact:

MegaSquirt has an excellent reputation worldwide, and is customisable for any engine really.

Cost for an unassembled kit is about $250 USD and from memory about $410 USD for a pre-assembled V2 ECU (Version 1 is cheaper!).
There are an infinite amount of add-ons and accessories available because it is pretty much open-source.

Check these sites for info:

http://www.megasquirt.info/
http://www.msefi.com/
http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/mega ... -p-65.html
F8B EFI turbo - Three pots and a snail.
User avatar
Kartman
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:42 pm
Location: Melbourne

You can get various add-ons for the Ford EEC-IV computer which can be got from free to $40 from the wreckers. There's a crowd in the 'states that sells add on modules so you can program it up.

You really want to control fuel and spark - just doing fuel alone won't gain you too much over a carby. With spark control you can run more advance in most situations and the computer (assuming it's setup correctly) will retard it when its needed.

Personally, the EEV-iV and Delco ecus are dime a dozen, and better engineered than many aftermarket programmable computers. Worst case you need to pay someone with the tools to set them up. Besides, you really want to put it on a dyno to set it up anyway.
User avatar
niiko
Posts: 221
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:15 pm
Location: briz vegas

The ems start from about $800+

www.wolfems.com
User avatar
jono
Posts: 453
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 6:18 pm
Location: Hobart, Tassie

Yeah, but mine is not a Wolf EMS. The brand is actually EMS. The product's website is at http://www.fuel-injection.com and there is some info on my EMS here:

http://www.enginemanagement.com.au/foru ... .php?t=509
Speed Limited: I'm Pedalling as Fast as I Can
1987 Mighty Boy
Injected F8B (love it!)

http://www.freewebs.com/fitre/
boosted_alto
Posts: 122
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 8:54 pm

So The Cheapest I was able to source out was a Microtech LT-4 ECU for 795 $ ! Is that any good ?
User avatar
Brayden
Posts: 9101
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 3:09 am
Location: Canberra ACT
Contact:

The LT4 is a fuel-only ECU, and there are cheaper ones around. Personally I'd go the whole way and install an electronic ignition and Fuel + Timing ECU.
F8B EFI turbo - Three pots and a snail.
boosted_alto
Posts: 122
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 8:54 pm

Which cheaper ones are around ?! :roll:

And how am I going to convnert it to Electronic Ignition ? I mean are these bolt on or a custom fit from a donor vehicle? Has any one done this yet? If yes, then plz do post some pix here !

Cheerz !

@ All

You guys help me alot ! If I ever come to Australia, I'll give you guys a treat ! :D
User avatar
ToranaGuy
Posts: 1589
Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:38 am
Location: In the Shed!
Contact:

The Ford EEC-IV computers are cheap, very cheap. They also do all the engine stuff you could want it to do. There is a couple of points to think about tho, if you were to be using one in a home brew EFI setup. I don't mean to sound negative when stating these points, but they do need to be thought about. Hell, i like the EEC for the most part. My daily drive runs a EEC-IV Manual ecu, a EB GT Mockup. It's now a 5spd hence manual ecu.

#1 - 99% are Auto ECU's that go awol if the auto is missing - can be fixed by wiring mods ( read up on it on fordmods forum )
#2 - if you want less hassels, a manual ecu would be a good starting point, but rare & $$$, highly sort after item!
#3 - IIRC It's ignition timing is initally setup on the dizzy ( base timing ), adv & retard controlled by ECU
#4 - SMARTLOCK! - Prior to EB series II not a problem. Smartlock can be worked around, but time, $$ & wiring. Better to go for an earlier ECU so you don't have to deal with it.

Possibly a couple of other points i've not thought about. But one big advantage is they have the ability to self learn from it's base program via it's sensors. BUT that base program is setup for a 4ltr 6cyl. Unless it was reprogrammed to suit a smaller engine.

Personally, i'd go either MegaSquirt or a Holden Delco unit, which is much easier to reprogram, and you can also setup the ignition to run with the grunty coil packs the v6 runs. Strip a Mb dizzy & convert to act as the position sensor and you would be laughing.

I'd love to have EFI on my MB, but i just don't have the time & $$$ atm. Doesn't hurt to think it all out tho. :wink:

Cheers

ToranaGuy
It's update time MB Parts list! send part info to toranaguy74@optusnet.com.au|
User avatar
jono
Posts: 453
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 6:18 pm
Location: Hobart, Tassie

Sounds cool! I'm just glad someone had already done all the thinking for me and all I had to do was "bolt" it on and connect everything up :D
Speed Limited: I'm Pedalling as Fast as I Can
1987 Mighty Boy
Injected F8B (love it!)

http://www.freewebs.com/fitre/
User avatar
Kartman
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:42 pm
Location: Melbourne

ToranaGuy - you just reprogram the EEC-IV ecu with the required setup! You do need the right equipment though - probably easier than doing it with a Delco. No, the self learn won't cope with a dramatically different engine.

In most cars, the base ignition timing is set by either the crank angle sensor or the dissy. This is in case the ECU fails and the ignition system reverts to the base timing.

Even using a Delco box, the DFI ignition requires the use of a two channel crank angle sensor. To make one of these for a dissy is not easy, I have though of machining one up for my MB, but I am trying to use electronic means to simulate the crank angle sensor for pulses from a single channel sensor. My goal is to have a small module that bolts onto the cam instead of the fuel pump cam and dissy drive. As I've mentioned previously, its for the technical challenge rather than any performance advantage. There has been suggestion that an electronic dissy from another Suzuki vehicle fits - that would be a much more sensible solution.

My MB is nearly driveable with the transplanted Matiz gearbox, so soon I'll get some time to fiddle with the ignition system and then I can look at reworking the head and intake system for some performance increase and fuel injection.

By the way, does anyone have any anecdotal information of my many kw the stock pistons, rods and crank can tolerate? Also, how many revs are considered safe for the stock crank and rods? Is there the possibility of more robust rod and piston transplants from other engines?
Post Reply