I'm new to MegaSquirt and stand-alone EMS, and I've read over the FAQ's on this forum (great info guys). But I saw something that scared me-I almost bought a MSII PCB3.0 today but I'm kinda glad I held off now. The FAQ's here said that nobody's been able to get the MSII daughterboard to work with the S4 CAS yet. Does this still hold true? I like some of the advantages the MSII offers over the MSI, but I don't want to get the MSII and not have ignition control. Is there a mod I can do now to use the S4 CAS with the MSII?

I'm trying to do my homework and figure out what I need to know by reading and searching so I'll try not to be a pest to anybody here unless I absolutely need help with this. Thanks in advance for all your time, help, and cooperation...

 

You're reading info from over a year ago. MS-II Extra firmwares run 13B's, myself included. Paul, H4Inf, has a good PDF on the mods necessary to run MSII/E on a 13B.

 

Cool-thanks. I'm still a bit confused on the MS-II Extra firmware-that's another board to add to the MS-II, isn't it? Most all the info I've found so far hasn't gotten me deep into the technical aspects of the unit or been rotary-specific, but I'm getting there...My time online is limited, so I've been copying and pasting every bit of info I've found to a wordpad page to read it once I'm home...

Gross polluter (or anybody else for that matter)-can you tell me what hardware and mods you've installed on your MS-II? I think I'll just order the MS-II PCB3.0, the stim, power adapter (for stimulator), USB adapter, and tuning cable for my first order (to keep the total under $400), but I'll have to eventually get the GM sensors and wiring harness when I'm ready to install it. Is there another relay board or other hardware that I'll need to use the ECU with a turbocharged 13b?

Thanks again for all your time, help, and cooperation...

 

The MSII is actually a little daughtercard that plugs in place of the MSI CPU. It can be used on the V2 or V3 board, though really the V3 is designed for it and includes all the ignition circuits.

The MSII Extra firmware is software that gets loaded on the MSII CPU to replace the standard MSII firmware. Basically the same as MSnSE replaces the standard firmware on the MSI.

The MSII essentially requires the same hardware mods as the MSI, since they share the same board. You will need to build the LM1815 circuit for the 2nd wheel in the CAS, and add ignition pullup resistors to the LEDs to drive the ignitors.

The "tuning cable" is simply a straight through 9 pin serial cable. Available at any local computer shop for $0-$10.

You don't really need the power adapter for the 'Stim if you have a small 12V battery handy, or a bench power supply. A 9V works in a pinch.

 

It's been awhile since I've checked this thread-thanks Aaron. I've always been more of a "car guy" and not much of a "computer guy", but I'm getting the hang of it. I've got to work on my soldering techniques before I start on the Stim, but I'll get it down. I've still go so many questions to ask about it, but I think my best bet is to just go ahead and get the MSII V3 with the stim and all the accessories that I don't have. I've copied and pasted all the info I've found on it from the web to a word document and read each page at least once-some twice if I didn't fully understand it...

The MSII really seems to be a far better deal than any other EMS out there, as long as you don't mind building it yourself. And you get familiar with all the parts, hardware, software (firmware), etc along the way. I'll just get it, build it, then search for some baseline maps/settings and ask more questions if and when I have problems. Thanks for your help, guys!

 

I think an overhaul of the FAQ is in order. Anyone concur?

 

i concur especially because ill be building one soon and i have no idea what im doing.

 

I'm working on one that will blow some minds right now, actually.

 

like ill have no idea what goes on while reading it....or i will be amazed by the knowledge i learned.

 

As in, most people with only passing electronics knowledge should now be able to mod their 'Squirt and get it running in their car by only viewing the contents of the FAQ.

 

great! when can we expect it?

 

No idea. I have a lot of projects on the go right now.