Standalone ECU, Anyone use them here? Options

[Yota]

So as I near the completion of my rebuild...the basic swap issues resurface. Instead of the original ecu and wiring, would it be beneficial to use a Standalone ecu? I'm aware that they cost a lot, but I think it might be better off in the long run to go this route...Any advice/suggestions/opinions?

thanks

[nik]

its alot easier to wire in a standalone IMAO

i personally went with SDS but there are alot of good ones out there

Megasquirt
Redline
Autronics
etc

[WannabeGT4]

Someone just completed a MSnS setup on a ST185 at alltrac.net. He's gotta tune it but he seems happy with it so far... besides the fact that he blew his processor somehow.

[WannabeGT4]

Here's the link:
http://alltrac.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8581

[Yota]

Thank you guys. Do you know how much it cost by any chance?

[nik]

mega squirt

http://www.msefi.com/msinfo/index.html



sds

http://www.sdsefi.com/



Autronic

http://www.atsracing.com/autronic_stand_alone_ecu.htm



etc

[97sccelica]

megasquirt is the cheapest at around $500 depending on what you get, requires that you make the harness, and has a lot of capabilities if you have the time to get them all to work

SDS requires drilling of the factory crank pulley and will cost around $1400 for a full blown 4cyl setup(i think)

not sure on the price of the others

[ice23q]

i have an "EMS 8860" its works good with what i have ....

http://www.emsnorthamerica.com/

[ZoomZoom]

I'm running Haltech e6k
no problems so far

[presure2]

for you guys that are running some form of EMS, you should list in your post what your using it on.
watching with interest

[nik]

i'm using the SDS F ems and its going on my hybraid 7AGTE

Systems Include:
ECU
LCD programmer
Air temp sensor
Water or CHT sensor
Main wiring harness
Injector harness\
Fuel trim control, +, - 50%
Comprehensive manual
Crank sensor
Timing magnets
Coil/amp unit
Adjustable Parameters
RPM - every 250
Manifold pressure - 64 locations
Water temperature - 32 locations
Start function - 33 adjustments
Acceleration - 3 adjustments
Closed loop - 5 adjustments
Boost limiting
Rev limiting
Ignition timing - every 250
MAP retard - 64 locations
Knock control
RPM switch - every 250
Nitrous ignition retard
Fast idle temp cutoff - 32 locations
Data logging AFRs vs. RPM

stuff i bought extra

MAP sensors 3 Bar
Knock sensors
Oxygen sensors
Fuel pump relays
Fast idle solenoids
LED mixture meters ( i got free)
RPM switch
TPS
Electric fan switch relays
Air conditioning solenoids
Backlit LCD programmer

[celica3000]

THE STOCK ECU CELICA ST CAN REPROGRAM TO MAKE 8OOO RPM?

[lagos]

So as I near the completion of my rebuild...the basic swap issues resurface.  Instead of the original ecu and wiring, would it be beneficial to use a Standalone ecu?  I'm aware that they cost a lot, but I think it might be better off in the long run to go this route...Any advice/suggestions/opinions?

thanks
[right][snapback]331776[/snapback][/right]

it all depends on what your goals are, and what parts you have right now. if you just plan on keeping the stock turbo, and have a 3sgte ecu and harness, then just have your harness rewired like the rest of us do. if you plan on making 300+ hp, a bigger turbo, bigger injectors,etc then now would be a good idea to go standalone.

[Yota]

The motor has been rebuilt to withstand over 300 hp. I think the standalone will be the best option for me...

[Yota]

How would I determine which one is most beneficial for me? My motor has been rebuilt. fully ported/polished head, JE pistons, shot-peened/heat treated rods, re furbished crank, re furbished cams, ferrea valves, new springs, obx cam gears, UR crank pulley, ported exhaust manifold, new downpipe, rebuilt ct-26 turbo, etc.

Any thoughts for the best 'bang-for-my-buck?"

[ems3s]

When it comes to standalone ECU's, you get what you pay for. I will probably get shot down by many for this but I watch so many people using cheap products, blowing their expensive engines to bits and wondering why.

If you've gone to the trouble of rebuilding an engine and want it to last, then use the best you can possibly afford. I recommend Motec, Autronic, Haltech, Electromotive or EMS and find a workshop that has a firm reputation with your particualr engine (3sgte I'm assuming). The above systems require no major modifications to your crank angle pickup or rocket science to get running well. You are only limited by your injectors and your tuners ability.

Think of a quality full standalone as the best mod you can do to your car. Don't skimp now, it will cost you dearly. Not only do these systems have great features they also have serious processors and circuitry to gurantee consistent control of your engine.

I'm using an EMS 8860 with 4 coils setup on a 3sgte. It was straight forward to install myself and has all the frills like the motec and autronic units. Its cost me around US$1500 with new ems brand ignitor and 4 coils (optional). I did the wiring myself and got the thing running pretty well with basic knowledge. Now i just have to get a proper tune ($300) and it'll be done.

If your consider what it cost compared to inferior products like meagsquirt or SDS than its definitely bang for your buck. I don't mean to dis anyone but i guess it all depends on what you can afford or prepared to sacrifice elsewhere.

If the system is tuned properly for a given setup than you will never have to worry about it blowing pistons or such due to running lean or ecu malfunctions. (within reasonable expectations ie boost press.)

Be warned, You get what you pay for!

[brianforster]

bringing this thread back:

do you all think that a standalone ecu would make the 3sgte swap much easier? without having to extend the wiring harness so basically you could drop in the standalone and your engine and be done the swap in like a week, couldnt you?

[playr158]

also a hydra nemisis could work on an ST185 or TEC-3..?

[soulshadow]

iM BUILDING MY Megasquirt II v3.0 now.
SO far I have built the Megaview, Relay Board, and Stimulator and they look HOT!!!~~
I just had to stop on the unit cause my solder tip broke and Radio shack was close every time I went there to buy some extra parts. I might even consider making a living off of the Megasquirt by building it and selling it too people. I might just charge $70 to build it for people.

[nik]

well i went with an SDS system cause i have know of two other cars that have came out of the same shop that my cars at one S2000 pushing 654 whp and a teg running low 10's at the track with 570 whp both using the sds system its not the cheapes but its not the most expensive either and the dyno shop has experience with them around here so im not saying SDS is the the best but it works well

[celicast3sgte]

^^^ I second that. 590rwhp IS300 running the SDS 6F tuned to perfection.

[Green_MachToy]

Has anyone got the megasquirt running? I saw a couple people were working on them, but never saw the end results. A friend of mine was telling me I should go Megasquirt but wanted to do some research on it. I heard the hardest part was the wiring harness. True?

[stephen_lee]

who all has Megasquirt here??
im quite interested in it