Stand Alone Users

[fourwhls]

From my conversation with Tom, it appears that there are very few stand alone users in the FFS community.

I know Gordon is using a LINK, and was told that there was somebody in NC using an AEM, and one other person in the process of installing a MegaSquirt PNP.

I would like to hear some input from those of you using stand alone ECUs. How are your results compared to Tom's full kit with the 2-PC Pros? Are you using eCool? Water Injection?

I will be adding a FFS C/S to my car starting next month. I have one more track day and one more autocross to finish off the season and then the transformation begins.

I have a '92 Sunburst with a '00 engine. I am currently running a LINK ecu and have been happy with it to date. I am getting a little irritated with it when looking into the boosted application, but hopefully WI will help out where the LINK falls off. (100*C limit on the IAT sensor)

I will be running a set of 440cc Supra injectors and will be cooling it down using an AEM Water/Alcohol injection kit with the nozzle located at the 5th injector port.

I have attached a dyno sheet of my car, showing before and after the LINK install. Notice I didn't pick up a single peak HP, but look at the difference in the area under the curve. That was a true seat of the pants difference.

I have seen how valuable of a tool the LINK has been while NA, I am hoping for similar results on the dark side. I guess time will tell.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Although it is hard to forget Gord, I did. Sorry. In our conversation on the phone I was thinking only about the kits sold direct by FFS. Gord was one of the 30 or so sold through BRP. BRP supplied the engine management for those and I have no idea how many are running stand alones. Of the FFS kits, only two, so far. One AEM and one Mega Squirt.

[socal pat]

As of now most people running a FFSC are doing so for the easy, safe 190-200whp. For that reason both your questions RE: standalones and Water injection won't get a whole lot of response here. As time goes on though there will be more FFS hybrid cars out there. Heck, we can learn from you.

Most of us are running stock injectors on stock ECU's and need that 5th injector for fuel as well as cooling. Please keep us posted on the results of your project, and welcome to the forum!

[Snakeoil]

I have attached a dyno sheet of my car, showing before and after the LINK install. Notice I didn't pick up a single peak HP, but look at the difference in the area under the curve. That was a true seat of the pants difference.


If this is not the place to discuss this, please tell me. I am still learning all about the new computer engine management systems, having grown up on points and condensers, weights and springs, jets, etc. The improvement in torque thru the use of the LINK is quite impressive and may just be what I'm looking for.

I assume the LINK allowed you to adjust the timing and fuel map to provide the improved performance. Will the installation of a LINK prevent the OCBII from functioning and hence prevent it from passing an emissions test in a state like NY?

I'm going to Google LINK to see what I can learn. But a jump start would sure be appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob

[fourwhls]

LINK, or at least the version I have, is a product sold by Flyin Miata. It is a full stand alone ECU that allows me to adjust both timing and fuel.

I'm not sure about the OBDII, as I was OBDI.

The LINK used to be the cream of the crop for the Miata, but is far from it nowadays. If I were to buy a stand alone today, it would be a Megasquirt or Hydra. I have the LINK and it has done what I needed so far, hopefully it will continue to treat me right. If not, there may be a used one up for sale.

[Snakeoil]

Thanks. I went onto Miata.net after posting my message above to see what they had to say in the performance section. It looked like the consensus there was the Megasquirt was the way to go as well.
Appreciate the feedback. Sorry to divert the topic.
Rob

[Gord96BRG]

Although it is hard to forget Gord, I did.
:eek: :seeya: ;)

There's actually not very many people using MegaSquirt on Miatas yet - just some quite vocal people! ;) I would certainly not call it a consensus. In terms of user base, the Link will have by far the most, partly by virtue of it being about the only plug-n-play standalone ECU option for many years (and the best supported). I bought my Link just 2 years ago, before MS was really developed - at that time, you had to build your own MS circuit boards! Even the Hydra was just barely introduced, and there were no NA versions. If I were shopping now, I'd probably go with the plug-n-play MS (with full timing control as well - early versions were fuel only). The Link would still be a good choice if you got a great price on one, or if you want the FM support. The Hydra is much more capable, but the learning curve is steeper, and it is still locked into some proprietary options (like the Wideband O2 system) that are not that attractive to me.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

I should add a note here that I am perfectly happy to sell Coldside kits all day every day without engine management. I just need to add that I am not familiar with the Link, MegaSquirt, Hydra, etc. and, therefore, am not much help in supporting them. The pricing is :

Coldside kit complete $3695 plus shipping
Coldside without E-COOL $3395 plus shipping
Coldside without Engine Management $3295 plus shipping
Coldside without Engine management and without E-Cool $2995 plus shipping