RE:Megasquirt FI

[406Special]

If you look at www.turbobricks.com you will see by any enquiry that Megasquirt is the FI of choice by all byut the latest Bosch LH2.4 units on hot Volvos. On my 2.5litre Penta version I am running LH2.4 plus Fred's chips.

Megasquirt is highly regarded, but no one seems to make it easy or simple to install. Takes a lot of effort from all the reading on the TB site.

Clyde

[406Special]

I thought it might interest some of you, especially the very gifted or analy retentive as far as fuelling systems go and post the references I have kept on Megasquirt, in particular in case I was to use it on my Volvo turbo motor or keep the later (better) Bosch LH2.4 system. I decided the effort was hardly worth it and potentailly costly and exteremly time consuming. Better to use an after market proven chip upgrade to the Bosch unit.

http://www.msefi.com/index.php (this is their main site).

On www.turbobricks.com there are lots of articles and discussions about getting the best from MSEFI systems. But more interesting are the articles on getting MSEFI working with MOPAR engines (of all ages):

http://www.diyautotune.com/tech_arti...par_engine.htm

Have a read and consider your EFI options.

Clyde

[RGSchmitt]

Clyde -

Thanks for the MOPAR references, which I'll pass to the Imperial Club
mailing list. Over time I've recall seeing one or two attempts to
put FI on the RB (big-block) engines, but not success stories. Seems
like it should be possible for around $1,000, but detailed "how-to"
instructions would be "priceless".

Bob

[406Special]

Bob,

No worries, the important thing is that the MSEFI success is over
there so much more accessible.

MS even suggest you can EFI a lawnmower engine! An RB block ought to
be not much more difficult - it's the mapping and programming that
takes the time, not the correct and appropriate sensors and injectors/
intake plenum, all off the shelf stuff. As you say the know how -
the IPR (intellectual property rights) stuff is priceless especially
if it can be readily and easily replicated!

Clyde

[Kevin H]

As this thread is not Bristol specific it has been moved from "6cyl Bristol cars" to Forum: "Restoration and Repair - non specific".
---------------------------------------------

I don't see how you can capture any significant IP in the mapping and programming, because it will be different for every engine - there are too many variables.

Kevin

Originally Posted by 406Special

MS even suggest you can EFI a lawnmower engine! An RB block ought to
be not much more difficult - it's the mapping and programming that
takes the time, not the correct and appropriate sensors and injectors/
intake plenum, all off the shelf stuff. As you say the know how -
the IPR (intellectual property rights) stuff is priceless especially
if it can be readily and easily replicated!

Clyde

[RGSchmitt]

Hi Clyde -

In the spirit of DIY, open source, etc. I suspect the RB Mopar EFI
mappings are probably done and available somewhere, by someone who
was happy for the peer recognition. Or it will happen that way.

I already have received a private email from an Imperial owner with a
354 hemi who expressed an interest in trying EFI on his
"restored/updated" '56! However, I really, really doubt we'll see
the same for the 6-cyl Bristol engine. Not mine, ever!

Bob

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by RGSchmitt

In the spirit of DIY, open source, etc. I suspect the RB Mopar EFI
mappings are probably done and available somewhere, by someone who
was happy for the peer recognition. Or it will happen that way.

From what I know, I believe this would only be of use for engines with exactly the same spec - same cam profile, valve size, intake manifold, throttle body, air flow, CR. As soon as you move from a non standard spec the mappings would need to be changed for optimum performance. There can't be too many B, RB, A or LA engines out there that haven't been rebuilt and modified in some way in the process.

[406Special]

Disagree Kevin. A basic std spec RB engine of a specific
configuration ought to run using the same IP program (Mapping) for
another similar/same RB engine just in a modern EFI set up for any
same engine. The Bosch LH2.4 system used on my Volvo motor as an
example works with tolerances for variables around a basic map.
Provide a better basic (more optimised) map from say Fred's Chips and
it still "learns" how to optimise dependent on fuel octane rating,
temperature, etc, all the time it is in use. MSEFI is also an
intelligent EFI system with configuration alterations to suite a
specific engine whether highly customised or say a std RB 383 with
set config. If someone has already generated a baseline map for that
engine which suits the config, then the variables and settings (from
MSEFI and other sources) can be shared. Just like Fred's Chips for
the Bosch system, as long as the engine config is within certain
tolerances, the mapping will optimise and work. Otherwise every
install has to be customised. That's why many of the MS dealers
round the globe have pre-packaged MS solutions (IPR) of specific maps
against set engines and configs. It is in that sense I define IPR -
the map that is loaded into the MSEFI system. From all MS info read,
once the hardware is set up the time is taken creating a decent
mapping solution. I have an interesting article by the Swede who
owns Fred's Chips (they do lots of different types of engines). If
interested I can post it as a guide to what it takes to manage EFI.

Clyde

[Kevin H]

Thinking about this a bit more, a mapping for a factory standard engine would be a useful starting point. However, to quote from the MegaSquirt site;

.... there are a couple of ways to get 'head starts' on things like VE table, etc. One is to use the VE table generator built into MegaTune.

The other method is to copy the setting from someone who has a similar combination of parts. You can look for similar vehicles in the 'Success story' forums. here: www.msruns.com,

However, please be aware that you will have to tune the parameters, even if you are using settings from an apparently identical set-up.

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by 406Special

MSEFI is also an
intelligent EFI system with configuration alterations to suite a
specific engine whether highly customised or say a std RB 383 with
set config.

Pretty much all aftermarket ECUs can be programmed to suit a specific engine. My point is, you cannot use off the shelf mappings and hope to have an optimum system. You can use them for a starting point, but you will still need to hook a up a notebook PC to the system and tune the ECU on the road.

By the way, there's no such thing as a "std RB 383" (the 383 is a B block - you should know, you had one in your 411 S3!).

[406Special]

Agree Bob, I never suggested the Bristol six, but the Chrysler RB and
other Mopar engines. I am sure fellow enthusiasts will share stuff,
but if an MSEFI agent with the "packaged" hardware to suit your
application can put it in for a set fee, you may well ignore the DIY
route, although the basis of same was the MSEFI unit. Many Volvo
people have gone down the route of both DIY and shared maps and
almost all who do it DIY have a great time (lots of it) getting it to
work. I know what I would do if I had a relatively std config, buy a
good package solution - even if it meant tweaking it afterwards.

Clyde