where to start???

[danbap]

i just did an engine swap in my 94 dakota and now i need a way to control the stock 318 computer will run the 402 but not to well. with all the different mega squirts where do i start to look for which one i can use. basically i want the "cheapest one" ( yeah i know dont yell at my i have no money) but also one i dont have to put together i can splice wires and such. what is all involved to install and tune one of these system i am very new to the standalone/ piggy back market.



your time and help is greatly appreciated
dan.

[Matt Cramer]

Probably the easiest option would be to take an MS-I V3.0, build it from a kit, and stab in a Lean Burn distributor. We've got some pretty detailed documentation on that method of ignition control:

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

The downside is that it doesn't control the stepper IAC valve; that requires MS-II.

There's a lot of tips in the MegaManual on getting the engine started and running. The plus side of a stand-alone ECU is that you can set the fuel and ignition to wherever you want them to be; the negative is that you can set them to rather dangerous settings such as to flood your engine while cranking or advance the timing to 50 degrees at full throttle. You'll probably want to start by looking through the main MegaManual:

http://www.megamanual.com/index.html

[danbap]

so to setup the megasquirt you really have to understand tuning. i mean yes you need to know tunning but it seems like you need a degree just to get your truck to run it just seems a little to complicated for me.

[TurboBlew]

do you have a stock computer or a mopar one?

[Matt Cramer]

Pretty much every standalone engine management system will require setting up your base fuel tables and ignition advance. Unless your seller has done their own work making a base map for your specific engine, teaching the motor to get started is part of the tuning process. There is a lot of information, but if you break it down into small steps - "How do I wire up the harness?" "What size injectors do I need?" - and attack them one at a time it's not too bad.

[danbap]

i have the stock 318 computer. with setting up the fuel and ignition how hard is it to do it? do you have to be a professional to do so?

[Matt Cramer]

Most of the people who set up our products aren't professionals, but it does take a good degree of studying up on the manuals.

[danbap]

yeah the biggest thing thats keeping me away right now is the tunning of it.