Hey guys, searched around for a bit and really cant find much info on the link ecu. I've seen quite a few people's posts saying they have it on their car and what not, but nothing about tuning it, what it does, how good it is or anything really specific. Can someone give me some details on it please? As in, how is it compared to xede, ms, etc....does it control fuel and timing without any problems, what are the limitations, etc. I know everyone and their mother will want to post: go ms, but unless someone wants to step up and help me build this ****, thats not happening any time soon. I am a complete failure at soldering/wiring/electronics and am looking for something to plug in and go for the time being (I have not dismissed ms at all, merely set it back) I found this on the fm site, but its pretty much the same mumbo jumbo "the best absolutely awesome blah blah blah" that they write about all their products on the site to sell them: Quote: Total control. This fully programmable ECU (Engine Control Unit) gives you the ability to change everything from fuel and timing curves to the temperature at which your fan turns on. If you want to produce safe power out of a forced induction engine, it`s a must - so it`s included with many of our kits. Also eliminates the stock airflow meter for less intake restriction. Naturally aspirated cars benefit as well! This is the most popular engine management for the Miata, and for good reason. The software that the ECU runs is written specifically for the Miata and is not available anywhere else. Instead of adapting a generic computer and sensors to your car, this will start up the first time and has been developed to make your Miata run as well as possible. To safeguard your engine, it will even go into a limp-home mode if the certain sensors indicate a problem. Naturally it comes with Flyin' Miata's full support by both phone and email. So I wanted to get some real miataturboers' opinions on this. This would be something I am considering running for the time being while I work on trying to build an ms2 for my car. Everything is ready to start my turbo install, and I have a voodoo box and am wondering if I should pick up a link (that I found for a good deal) or stick with the voodoo box and its 8psi/no timing control limitation till I build a ms. From staying up all night reading about this, I have gathered it is a bit old technology. Something about people upgrading to ms or hydra and making more power. What is limiting the link from being a good engine management? Its old/crude way of controlling fuel/spark? is it really that bad? I honestly want some input on this. I suck at the whole circuit boards/wiring ****, and want to get my car boosted at low psi to quench my boost addiction while I try and try understanding how to build/wire up ms, OR they finally get off their asses and build up a pnp version.... Basically this is what I'd be looking to get out of it for now, tell me if it wont fit my needs: a solid 200whp running the hks gt2535/fmic/supra 305's/custom tubular mani/3" downpipe link? voodoo box? am I crazy? (sorry if I mistyped something I've had a few beers)

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You will probably need to go to M.net for Link info.


Tony

I'm reading up over there as well, but want some honest opinions from people here too. this forum is SOO much more knowledgeable imo

Megqsquirt. Magna runs a MS. If he can do it, anyone can.

If you suck at understanding electronics, read up. They really aren't that bad. Order some simple electronics kits and build them first to get familiar with it and get your soldering skilzz up to snuff. If you tried before and failed, odds are it's cause you didn't know what you were doing. Again, read up. There are plenty of people who building a MS is the first circuit/computer they ever built and it works. Just do your research and practice before building the MS.

Damn it Pat, I swear to God I'm trying to understand this **** lol

I think the biggest thing that scares me off every time I start is all the problems I see posted up with miswiring something or other. I will build a ms yet, if it kills me I'll do it. but for now, what do you think? I am planning to start the whole shabang in about 2-3 weeks (REALLY HOPE SO), for a temporary fix what do you think about the friggin link? I would be getting it for a very good price locally.

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I run the Link and I like it. However, I have nothing to compare it against as that is the only aftermarket ECU I have run in my car.

If you want MS, why don't you just buy a pre-made unit?

Tony

because I have a 2000 and they dont have PnP for my year yet

so you are running the link?

did you have to install a secondary set of injectors?

Get on the list for a Zoom 3 if you are planning at stopping at 200 WHP. PnP, 8PSI, stock injectors for about $700.

I have the Link on my '95, however, I don't have to have the secondary injectors, it runs the RC 550cc that came with the FMII kit that was originally on the car.
It's not too bad of a system for what it is, pretty easy to tune (especially with a WB), covers all the basics, is cheaper than other options depending on the seller, etc. However, I've been reading that some of the newer ECUs like the AEM, Hydra, etc. have been able to pick up a gain in power over the Link.

Well, I still say get a MS first and be done. Taking baby steps is more time, more effort, and usually cost more. Kinda like buying a RRFPR and a Bipes, then ******* with it, oh, and then you need a fuel pump too, oh, and also a O2 clamp, and it works but still ain't pefect. Then you finally grow tired of it and sell it all off for a loss. Then you do an MS. It's frustrating at first, but once it's done, most agree it's worth it and will tell you they should have done it from the beginning.

Just do a MS. Hell, do a MS2. I'll help you best I can. I made a CD recently that has everything under the sun for MS2E. I could send it to you. It's not exactly a tutorial, but should have all the software, basemaps, word documents of various needed parts of the megamanual, pictures of the MS2 board assembled, wiring diagrams and a 99' Factory service manual w/ complete wiring diagrams, MS2E specific firmware (though old), and a few other things too.

If you have the time and money, it's really not that bad.

AFAIK - the last year for the Miata LINK standalone was 97. Unless you're talking about the LINK piggyback, and that's not worth the money or trouble.

Do the turbo setup on the bandaids (since you have them) first. Get that all sorted, then start working on the MS.

thanx for the input man.
The more you talk about it the more I am all for it
Alright man, I will start a thread in a while here about building my ms, and hopefully with everyone's guideance I just might be able to pull this off. Thanx for your input man, and I will definitely contact you for a copy of that cd in the future if you dont mind.

Guy selling it says its not a piggyback, and took it off his 99. weird

I've never heard of a link for nb's.

Also, i agree you should just go ms right away. I ran bandaids for a while, they never ran right and pissed me off alot. Not to mention to toll they most likely took on my motor. Not worth it at all imo. I still have the bipes and afpr sitting around doing nothing. And now days they arent worth much at all.

If you do go with bandaids, get a wbo2 asap.(I'm sure you know this, just my .2 cents).

Like others have said, I believe the standalone link was only up to '97. I pulled the link piggy of my '01 last year and it requires a modified manifold to hold four auxillary injectors. The piggy controls only the auxillary injectors under boost, the stock ECU always controls the stock injectors.

Yeah, I think you guys are right: did a bit of research and dont see any standalone for a 99+...just the piggy

the 4 extra injectors is a retarded idea, I would never modify my manifold for 4 extra ones when you could just run bigger ones with other piggybacks/ecu's.

Oh well, looks like I wont be going this way: I'll just keep reading up and trying to understand ms parallel, if by the time I put everything on I havent built one yet I'll just temporarily use the voodoo, if I will then 440's+ms+14psi here I come

thanx again everyone for your inputs

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