Megasquirt talk (split from robokills project thread)

[JMR_AW11]

Mux213 Wrote:Robo, that sais more about your engine then the ecu

I have no idea what is better, only thing I can imagine is that when you change the specs of your engine so much from stock, a stock ECU wont make the right desisions.

From the explination of JMR_AW11 though, I'm wondering if MS is the right choice, but agian, I have no knowladge of these things

Good points. I would still ask the question about ignition timing.

Can the MS control ignition timing too? I thought it had to be modded to MS2 and you have to fit Ford ignition parts. (this may be old data)

This is why I reckon you would be better off buying a Unichip from Ebay and getting the modified car mapped by a tuner.

The stock (UK) ECUs also feature a failsafe function. Even if the ECU MCU chip fails (unlikely) then the ECU can still keep providing a spark and fuel to keep the engine running. The engine will run badly but it will keep the engine running. This is probably a safety feature as an engine that can suddenly cut out is dangerous.

This is a serious issue and cannot be disregarded. If people do build their own ECUs they should only do it if they are very experienced and can solder with high quality on a proper anti static ESD workstation.

An ECU is subject to years of vibration and temperature changes. The ECU is bolted direct to the chassis on some cars. These two things are the worst things to affect reliability. Any poor soldering or poorly secured components will eventually fail. The factory ECU is meticulously designed to withstand decades of temperature and vibration stress without failing. It may look old fashioned inside but it is very well built.

I work in the electronics industry and I can assure you the easiest way to find a weakness in a circuit board is to put it on a special vibrating platform or to give it thermal shock (by heating it or cooling it in cycles over several days)

If you do go down the MS route then at least go for the MS2 with the bigger tables, but most important of all, make sure it gets built for you by an expert.