Possibility of MS setup

[Nemesis]

i've been toying around with the idea of doing a big block swap in the dakota, most likely a 440. I would like to keep the injection system from the 5.9l if possible. Mounting the injectors and such wont be much of a problem. I'm just wonder if the MS will be able to run something like a 440?

[Matt Cramer]

It's been done before; in fact, the 440 is easier to get ignition control on than the Magnum motors. Just be sure your injectors are big enough. We've got an article on setting up Megasquirt to work with vintage Mopar ignitions here:

http://www.diyautotune.com/tech_articles/how_to_megasquirt_your_vintage_mopar_engine.htm

[Nemesis]

im already have a brand new mallory ignition system so i won't need the MS for that, just to control the fuel.
Also the only pickup the MS would need is somekind of crank possition sensor like a crank trigger from msd? no knock senor or o/2 senor hook up needed?

[Matt Cramer]

If the Mallory is like an MSD, you just need to hook the Megasquirt up to its tach output pin and that will work just as well as a crankshaft position sensor when it comes to a batch fire setup.

You do not need a knock sensor or O2 sensor - a wideband O2 sensor is useful for tuning, but the Megasquirt does not need it to run.

[Nemesis]

would it also need a TPS sensor also? also does it have to get the crank position after the ignition system or can it be taped directly from the crank trigger?

EDIT: also would i be able to keep the factory ecu in and keep my stock gauges in and be able to use them along with the rest of the factory equipment? would i just need to leave hooked up the crank position, tps and other wires such as oil pressure, fuel gauge, volts and such and it be able to run the gauges, i dont really care if it throws the check engine light on, i can just remove the bulb.

[Matt Cramer]

would it also need a TPS sensor also? also does it have to get the crank position after the ignition system or can it be taped directly from the crank trigger?

A TPS is good to have. It can use either crankshaft position sensor setup; I thought that after the ignition would be easier if you're using normal 440 sensors.

EDIT: also would i be able to keep the factory ecu in and keep my stock gauges in and be able to use them along with the rest of the factory equipment? would i just need to leave hooked up the crank position, tps and other wires such as oil pressure, fuel gauge, volts and such and it be able to run the gauges, i dont really care if it throws the check engine light on, i can just remove the bulb.

I don't see why not. Adapting some of the Magnum sensors for crankshaft position and cam position might be a pain, however.

[Nemesis]

im pretty sure the ecu gets the crank position from the magnetic pickup on the back of the motor and the cam position from the distribtor pickup.

[Matt Cramer]

Yes, but the distributor pickup on a 440 is very different from on a Magnum motor - an 8 toothed wheel vs a single tooth wheel, with a very different voltage output.

[Nemesis]

im going to be using an antometer tach, and never liked the fact of running 2 tachs at once. would the factory ecu still function with out an rpm imput from crank and dis.

also would the new sequential system be able to work with running this setup?


BTW: thanks for all the input your giving me. Im glad to hear that the MS should work for doing a injected 440 swap and with the MS being priced to keep this whole project in budget.

[Matt Cramer]

Can't answer the question on whether the factory ECU could drive the other gauges with no RPM input - I suspect it could, but I've never tried it.

The new sequential version could work with a dual sync distributor or Magnum type triggers. You will need something to identify the #1 cylinder, which a stock 440 distributor does not do.

[Nemesis]

about the only think stock that going to be left on the 440 if i do the swap would be the block, lol
i was planning on use a mallory unilite distribitor

[Nemesis]

ALSO:
does the MS only control fuel and spark? or can it be used to control a transmission as far overdrive and convertor lock-up?

[Matt Cramer]

It can control basic on/off inputs and outputs. A lock-up torque converter wouldn't be too hard to deal with, but as there is not normally a VSS input, overdrive might be a bit more complicated.