Megasquirt The cost of an MS3x
#26
Engine, Not Motor
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 29,791
Likes: 0
Received 113 Likes
on
95 Posts
You can remove the factory connector and then just push in your own.
The DIY harnesses now come with two shielded inputs, one for cam and one for crank, so you shouldn't need to modify if you have one of the newer harnesses.
The connector isn't shielded. It's not typically a noise source. Your CAS connector needs to be high quality and weather tight. Only ground the shield at the ECU side.
What are these other modifications you speak of to allow to MS3x to work on an FC?
How to MegaSquirt your FC RX-7
Not really, as long as it's in good shape. The shielded cable is pretty high quality. Just be aware that the colours may swap depending on series as it transitions from the engine to the front harness.
#27
yessir
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sebring FL
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found this pic on some guys Ms3x install. Looks like a solder cup to me. But I'm not sure if the complete harnesses they sell are different. He may have ordered a "do it yourself" style harness.
Also I'm glad to hear that they now come with shielded wires for both the inputs. I read somewhere you have to hook both up to the crank angle?
Also I'm glad to hear that they now come with shielded wires for both the inputs. I read somewhere you have to hook both up to the crank angle?
#28
Engine, Not Motor
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 29,791
Likes: 0
Received 113 Likes
on
95 Posts
That looks to be someone's own harness, not one of the manufactured harnesses.
Both CAS wheels are used. It's explained here:
How To Megasquirt Your 2nd Gen RX-7
Not updated for MS3 yet. MS3X requires no board mods unlike the older MS since the MS3X expander board comes with a 2nd VR input.
The new MS3-Pro from DIY Auto Tune comes with newly designed adaptive VR inputs (two of them), shielded wire for both the crank and cam inputs (no harness modification necessary) and weather tight Delphi main connectors.
Both CAS wheels are used. It's explained here:
How To Megasquirt Your 2nd Gen RX-7
Not updated for MS3 yet. MS3X requires no board mods unlike the older MS since the MS3X expander board comes with a 2nd VR input.
The new MS3-Pro from DIY Auto Tune comes with newly designed adaptive VR inputs (two of them), shielded wire for both the crank and cam inputs (no harness modification necessary) and weather tight Delphi main connectors.
#29
yessir
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sebring FL
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So two lengths of two core shielded wire is required?
I think the pro is a bit overpriced for that plastic case and those connectors/harnesses.. You can build all the options into an old case for much cheaper. The cost of that plastic case is 173 more than the regular case, and the harnesses cost 170 more...
I think the pro is a bit overpriced for that plastic case and those connectors/harnesses.. You can build all the options into an old case for much cheaper. The cost of that plastic case is 173 more than the regular case, and the harnesses cost 170 more...
#30
Engine, Not Motor
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 29,791
Likes: 0
Received 113 Likes
on
95 Posts
It depends on which harness and which version you have. If everything is recent, then you probably don't need to add any shielded wire. If you have the new MS3 harness but the old MS3X harness, then you need to add two conductor shielded to the MS3X harness. If you have a very old MS harness, then you need to add shielded two conductor there as well because the stock harness comes with single conductor shielded. Until you get the harnesses, you don't know.
There's more to the pro though.
It comes with the Real Time Clock ($80) and knock input ($65) options. So the cost starts to even out over the base MS3X unit with the same options. Still more expensive, but those Delphi connectors aren't cheap. Plus, the MS3-Pro has much better VR conditioners. DIYAutoTune redesigned the circuit to use Maxcell chips (I forget which ones...I'd have to open up my unit which isn't with me at the moment) that are worlds better than the old comparator/LM1815 based circuits. A big deal for the CAS, which can be a bit challenging to get a stable signal from. And no more twiddling pots.
Also a manual. Don't underestimate the niceness of having a manual which has all the features in one place.
I think the pro is a bit overpriced for that plastic case and those connectors/harnesses.. You can build all the options into an old case for much cheaper. The cost of that plastic case is 173 more than the regular case, and the harnesses cost 170 more...
It comes with the Real Time Clock ($80) and knock input ($65) options. So the cost starts to even out over the base MS3X unit with the same options. Still more expensive, but those Delphi connectors aren't cheap. Plus, the MS3-Pro has much better VR conditioners. DIYAutoTune redesigned the circuit to use Maxcell chips (I forget which ones...I'd have to open up my unit which isn't with me at the moment) that are worlds better than the old comparator/LM1815 based circuits. A big deal for the CAS, which can be a bit challenging to get a stable signal from. And no more twiddling pots.
Also a manual. Don't underestimate the niceness of having a manual which has all the features in one place.
#31
yessir
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sebring FL
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I factored in the clock and the knock. It does cost nearly 400 more for no other options other than the harnesses, the case, the manual and the chip you mentioned. I even matched the price for the usb cable it comes with lol. DIY neglected to mention on their site, or in the emails I had with them that that chip has been upgraded. Thanks for mentioning that.
#33
Kick 'er Sh*tty
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok so I'm sitting here staring at the DIYAutoTune website with my credit card in my hand and I can't figure out what all I need to buy. I can build engines, turbos, transmissions but when it come to ECUs I'm like a 10yr old in a nuclear power plant, what all do I need to buy to run the MS3/MSX assembled unit in a 1989 TII swapped vert? I know you guys covered what is needed in the beginning of the thread but are those not individual custom setups?I considered the MSPro but that seems like quite the chunk of change.
#34
yessir
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sebring FL
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The first list is still pretty valid S5 vert. The only things that are optional are the boost control solenoid, the tunerstudio upgrade (for VEanalyzer auto tuner) and the air temp sensor/pigtail. The rest you pretty much need unless you have. You do also pretty much need a wideband.
Also, on the shielded wire convo, do you need all 4 wires shielded? If so, why don't you use a 4 wire core? I'm sure I could split it down to a two wire for a short length to tap into both of the harnesses.
Would this type of wire work? DIY has 22 gauge though... (it says 20 ga. in there Iexplorer title)
10 Feet 24 AWG Shielded Silver Plated of Wire 4 Twisted Kynar | eBay
Also, on the shielded wire convo, do you need all 4 wires shielded? If so, why don't you use a 4 wire core? I'm sure I could split it down to a two wire for a short length to tap into both of the harnesses.
Would this type of wire work? DIY has 22 gauge though... (it says 20 ga. in there Iexplorer title)
10 Feet 24 AWG Shielded Silver Plated of Wire 4 Twisted Kynar | eBay
#35
yessir
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sebring FL
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Painless Performance Weatherpack Connectors 70404 - SummitRacing.com
Painless Performance Weatherpack Connectors 70403 - SummitRacing.com
Add these two guys to the list for tps connector(3 wire)and CAS connector(4) ^
Also I plan on crimping everything, all of the orignal connectors I posted and these will require a 30 something dollar crimping tool. Else you can buy all of these connectors with a bit of wire hanging out of them for you to solder to, for a dollar or so extra per connector.
Painless Performance Weatherpack Connectors 70403 - SummitRacing.com
Add these two guys to the list for tps connector(3 wire)and CAS connector(4) ^
Also I plan on crimping everything, all of the orignal connectors I posted and these will require a 30 something dollar crimping tool. Else you can buy all of these connectors with a bit of wire hanging out of them for you to solder to, for a dollar or so extra per connector.
#36
Kick 'er Sh*tty
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The first list is still pretty valid S5 vert. The only things that are optional are the boost control solenoid, the tunerstudio upgrade (for VEanalyzer auto tuner) and the air temp sensor/pigtail. The rest you pretty much need unless you have. You do also pretty much need a wideband.
Also, on the shielded wire convo, do you need all 4 wires shielded? If so, why don't you use a 4 wire core? I'm sure I could split it down to a two wire for a short length to tap into both of the harnesses.
Would this type of wire work? DIY has 22 gauge though... (it says 20 ga. in there Iexplorer title)
10 Feet 24 AWG Shielded Silver Plated of Wire 4 Twisted Kynar | eBay
Also, on the shielded wire convo, do you need all 4 wires shielded? If so, why don't you use a 4 wire core? I'm sure I could split it down to a two wire for a short length to tap into both of the harnesses.
Would this type of wire work? DIY has 22 gauge though... (it says 20 ga. in there Iexplorer title)
10 Feet 24 AWG Shielded Silver Plated of Wire 4 Twisted Kynar | eBay
Can I not run my factory coil packs? And I have an AEM wideband. What you have priced up is more expensive than the MSPro.
#37
The CMP input on the MS3X harness is *not* shielded. However you can order shielded wire off our website for a few bucks. You can find single or dual core here:
MegaSquirt Wiring Harnesses, Wiring Connectors, CLT and IAT Sensors Megasquirt Kits / Assembled Engine Management Systems, Wideband o2 Sensor Systems and tuning products - DIYAutoTune.com
The MS3-Pro harness *does* use shielded wire for CMP, as well as CKP and TPS inputs (you RX7 guys probably usually refer to CMP and CKP and G and NE).
Would not recommend using 2 MS3 harnesses. You would be making a lot of extra work for yourself. An extra shielded wire can be added to the MS3X harness easily enough -- or the MS3 + MS3X solution (as an assembled system) is pretty close in price to MS3-Pro EMS, which as stated above includes more shielded wires. I'd go MS3-Pro for assembled systems or MS3+MS3X for a kit MegaSquirt. MS2 can also be a good choice for a very low cost kit solution for the very budget conscious.
MegaSquirt Wiring Harnesses, Wiring Connectors, CLT and IAT Sensors Megasquirt Kits / Assembled Engine Management Systems, Wideband o2 Sensor Systems and tuning products - DIYAutoTune.com
The MS3-Pro harness *does* use shielded wire for CMP, as well as CKP and TPS inputs (you RX7 guys probably usually refer to CMP and CKP and G and NE).
Would not recommend using 2 MS3 harnesses. You would be making a lot of extra work for yourself. An extra shielded wire can be added to the MS3X harness easily enough -- or the MS3 + MS3X solution (as an assembled system) is pretty close in price to MS3-Pro EMS, which as stated above includes more shielded wires. I'd go MS3-Pro for assembled systems or MS3+MS3X for a kit MegaSquirt. MS2 can also be a good choice for a very low cost kit solution for the very budget conscious.
#39
Kick 'er Sh*tty
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Because when you start adding the real time clock and knock modules the price starts to go up on the MS3/MSx, after I added up everything that the MSPro comes with to the MS3 it came out to about $160 cheaper than the MSPro with the 3bar map sensor and accessories. Which is why I'm ordering the MSPro this Thursday when I get paid.
Last edited by TurboS5Vert; 01-20-13 at 11:55 PM.
#40
Yes, you can save some $$$ on MS3X if that's best for your project. I think we have a great solution for pretty much any price point.
#42
yessir
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sebring FL
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The pro is a Ms3X with these features built in...
The knock chip $95 installed value
The clock chip $75 installed value
It also uses a 3 bar external map which costs $65 extra compared to the regular ms3x having a 2 bar built in. (4 bar internal map available for 75 installed with a realtime barometric on board)
So you need $1260 (1195+65 for the $65 for the 3 bar map) for just the pro itself.
It also comes with...
USB cable $7 dollar value on DIY
Tunerstudio software $50 I do believe
A SD card
And the waterproof casing and connectors
Compared to $645 for the assembled Ms3X
+139 for both harness ='s 748
+95 knock box ='s 843
+75 clock module ='s 918
+50 tunerstudio ='s 968
+7 usb cable ='s 975
+75 4 bar map ='s $1050 total.
So if you can lose the plastic case and weatherpack connectors, you can save $210 bucks and upgrade to 4 bar map.
Really I think the pro is only good for if you actually desperately need a waterproof ECU. Aaron Cake did mention that some circuit in them has been upgraded? But that adds no special features, or anything like that.
The knock chip $95 installed value
The clock chip $75 installed value
It also uses a 3 bar external map which costs $65 extra compared to the regular ms3x having a 2 bar built in. (4 bar internal map available for 75 installed with a realtime barometric on board)
So you need $1260 (1195+65 for the $65 for the 3 bar map) for just the pro itself.
It also comes with...
USB cable $7 dollar value on DIY
Tunerstudio software $50 I do believe
A SD card
And the waterproof casing and connectors
Compared to $645 for the assembled Ms3X
+139 for both harness ='s 748
+95 knock box ='s 843
+75 clock module ='s 918
+50 tunerstudio ='s 968
+7 usb cable ='s 975
+75 4 bar map ='s $1050 total.
So if you can lose the plastic case and weatherpack connectors, you can save $210 bucks and upgrade to 4 bar map.
Really I think the pro is only good for if you actually desperately need a waterproof ECU. Aaron Cake did mention that some circuit in them has been upgraded? But that adds no special features, or anything like that.
#43
yessir
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sebring FL
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It depends on which harness and which version you have. If everything is recent, then you probably don't need to add any shielded wire. If you have the new MS3 harness but the old MS3X harness, then you need to add two conductor shielded to the MS3X harness. If you have a very old MS harness, then you need to add shielded two conductor there as well because the stock harness comes with single conductor shielded. Until you get the harnesses, you don't know.
Alright, my order showed up the other day, the ms3 harness does have the shielded wire, but the ms3x harness does not. I did order 20 foot of shielded wire just in case, but I'm sure you can depend on having one of two harnesses shielded, and just buy 10 feet.
But when I took the connector apart to remove the regular wire, I didn't really see how the wires are held in, they all just slip into a black plastic piece that has the males pins on the other side. It doesn't appear be crimped and popped into the connector either. I suppose I should get a pic.
#44
MegaSquirt Mod
#45
yessir
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sebring FL
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I placed my order for the prebuilt MS3x with knock module, the harnesses+shielded wire, an air temp sensor and all the engine bay connectors I needed for $1010 shipped. This doesnt include a wideband ($200) afternarket coils ($268 you can use stock coils) or boost control solenoid ($65)
#46
Engine, Not Motor
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 29,791
Likes: 0
Received 113 Likes
on
95 Posts
Alright, my order showed up the other day, the ms3 harness does have the shielded wire, but the ms3x harness does not. I did order 20 foot of shielded wire just in case, but I'm sure you can depend on having one of two harnesses shielded, and just buy 10 feet.
But when I took the connector apart to remove the regular wire, I didn't really see how the wires are held in, they all just slip into a black plastic piece that has the males pins on the other side. It doesn't appear be crimped and popped into the connector either. I suppose I should get a pic.
But when I took the connector apart to remove the regular wire, I didn't really see how the wires are held in, they all just slip into a black plastic piece that has the males pins on the other side. It doesn't appear be crimped and popped into the connector either. I suppose I should get a pic.
Not really sure what you mean about the connector. The harness wires are crimped onto pins which are then inserted into the connector body. Generally I just cut the existing wire short, solder on the shielded and heat shrink to insulate.
And that sucks, because on video (my next Cosmo video is a full MS3-Pro install, start to finish) I said "Delphi" about 4 times.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
renjiv2
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
57
01-25-24 03:34 AM
NickNac113
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
13
10-01-15 09:25 PM
24awg, casing, connectors, cost, harness, input, megasquirt, ms3x, price, sale, separate, waterproof, wideband, wire, wiring