anyone know about megasquirts?

MitsuMadness · Post by **MitsuMadness** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 3:06 pm

If you're looking for cheap ECU's, there's even fairly good model Microtech's going for around the $400-$500 mark on eBay every few days at the moment!

If anyone has trouble finding them, I'm happy to buy some and pass them on for the same price. I have a search always running for all types of ECU on eBay.

I wouldn't say Microtech is my preference, I prefer Haltech or Link personally, but yes they are more expensive. I have used Microtechs before and have a one now as well, and am thoroughly happy enough with them, and their after sales support and repairs is great and cheap too. That's why I'd chose one over a Megasquirt any day.

I had a blown ignition output on a Microtech - send to Microtech, for $120 they fix it, and run a full 24 hour test on the whole thing and confirm everything is good and then send it back. Pretty darn good support. They've also helped me over the phone with wiring issues too.

The only reason I looked at doing a Megasquirt myself at one stage was just because I wanted to be able to edit the source code and interface protocol to do whatever I personally wanted. That's the advantage of Megasquirt's, not the cheaper price, but the fact you can customise them, and edit the code, etc.

So I would only recommend getting a Megasquirt if you're into electronics, or microprocessor programming (which is what I do for a job). Then you can troubleshoot or repair it yourself. If you're looking for cheap, I'd definitely say buy a cheap Microtech (again I prefer these over Wolf, but maybe personal preference).

There's my thoughts :)

Mick · Post by **Mick** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 3:47 pm

things are cheap for a reason, a cheap ECU will has cheaper parts and components and less QA on the workmanship/amount of labour. You not only risk the outlay of the ECU to start with, you risk the things that are most important... the pistons in your block.
Big names have a good rep for a reason, and other brands are largely unknown for a reason too.

thrash · Post by **thrash** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 5:30 pm

this kind of does not apply to megasquirt though

megasquirt was never marketed as an "off the shelf" computer to run your car. Sure, resellers are doing so now to make an extra buck, but if you follow the history of Megasquirt, it's sole purpose was to be a learning tool, to teach, learn and experiment with the building of car computers.

So it's a bit like using training wheels on your bicycle. They were made to help you learn, but to be used forever.

Luckily, however, the megasquirt isn't a particularly bad piece of equipment, and has been improved upon, so it CAN actually be used to continually run your car engine.

Mick · Post by **Mick** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 4:38 am

but everyones talking about them on a budget? why waste your money if its only a learning tool or a stepping stone?

thrash · Post by **thrash** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:55 pm

because tightarses will always be tightarses rofl

OLD FART · Post by **OLD FART** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:12 am

thrash wrote:because tightarses will always be tightarses rofl

I always thought that being a tightarse was the number 1 requirement for acceptance for Austarion membership

:? :) LOL

Mick · Post by **Mick** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 12:27 pm

amen to that

jwebb2876 · Post by **jwebb2876** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 2:41 pm

Not much point in jumping straight in the deep end, you want all the learning tools/stepping stones you can get. Besides, they're cheap, simple, very versatile and do the job just fine, so why not?
Some folks like doing everything humanly possible themselves, guess an MS wold be perfect for them.

thrash · Post by **thrash** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 10:06 am

jwebb2876 wrote: Some folks like doing everything humanly possible themselves, guess an MS wold be perfect for them.

yeah but in the context of THIS thread, that's not the case - he's lookin for a cheap option and getting someone else to do the work

enthuzed · Post by **enthuzed** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 11:07 am

Mick wrote:things are cheap for a reason, a cheap ECU will has cheaper parts...

Haven't seen him on here for a while :p

What MM said if looking for a cost-effective solution.

Otherwise expect to learn lots and spend more than a good second hand unit to sorting it!!

jwebb2876 · Post by **jwebb2876** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:30 pm

thrash wrote:
jwebb2876 wrote: Some folks like doing everything humanly possible themselves, guess an MS wold be perfect for them.
yeah but in the context of THIS thread, that's not the case - he's lookin for a cheap option and getting someone else to do the work

Yeah, fair enough.

Mick · Post by **Mick** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 2:59 pm

enthuzed wrote:
Mick wrote:things are cheap for a reason, a cheap ECU will has cheaper parts...

if you've got a gripe mate get it off your chest.

enthuzed · Post by **enthuzed** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 11:50 pm

Keep your knickers on Mick, it's not about you. It's a play on words...

There's a gent from Melbourne called cheater parts, sometimes running an
NA sigma, other times a turbo one (same car).
He's a fabricator and he hasn't been seen on here for ages.
He was a wealth of info on car mods, particularly for racing.
Anyone know what happened to him??

Mick · Post by **Mick** » Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:52 am

sounded pretty specific mate. play on which words? i went to school too...

enthuzed · Post by **enthuzed** » Tue Mar 27, 2012 12:31 pm

http://forums.austarion.com/profile.php ... file&u=414

anyone know about megasquirts?

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