ECUs and Tuning Discuss Engine Management, Tuning, & Programming

New PNP Ecu option - Motorsport Electronics ME221

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-10-2015, 07:51 AM
  #1  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
snotrag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 36
Total Cats: 13
Default New PNP Ecu option - Motorsport Electronics ME221

( FYI, my build thread here - https://www.miataturbo.net/build-thr...3/#post1169741 )

Any of you aware or interested in this?

I was all set to buy a DIYPNP MS2 a few weeks ago until this company started a group buy on a UK forum of their first 'PNP' ECU to suit the NA. Spoke to them a few times, all seemed quite promising and their was an enticing price for the group buy so I've taken the plunge.

The idea is the ECU board/assembly is built into the factory ECU casing, giving a neat install and minimal wiring. I understand that on my 93 at least, there are enough spare pins on the factory ECU to be used for additional outputs, e.g. boost control, which I'm told is on its way soon.

I'm not completely sold on the benefit of using the stock case c/w something like an MSPNP - mainly because of the problem with connecting your data cable up, but still, its a neat solution. An on-board blue-tooth serial connection would be neat though for true wireless tuning.

The ECU can be plugged straight into a stock car and will run, however I'm using the options of deleting the AFM and running off MAP (sensor included), with a temp sensor (included) and the wideband output is fed down the existing 02 sensor wire to the ECU.

As I've a 1.6 I'm also upgrading to the BMW fully variable throttle pot, an adapter plate was included with the ECU. Again, this uses the existing connection and wiring for the factory sensor.

I've a trackday next weekend so im leaving as is (Emanage) till then, then I'll be installing and doing some road tuning. A local tuner has also expressed interested in this kit and I am going to book some Dyno time with him and see what we get.

From the initial feedback of a few fold on the group buy, it seems positive, with good results. The proprietary software 'MEITE' seems a little bit clunky, but comprehensive, from my initial trials.

contact and help from the manufacturers is good, they are obviously pushing this at the moment and all over the UK forums, and easily available on the end of the phone. A good motorsport background which I hope bodes well in terms of hardware reliability etc.

ME221 MX-5 Miata Plug-n-Play ECU | Motorsport Electronics




ETA - no relationship between me and them - I'm just a customer who's taken a gamble (saved a few hundred quid c/w megasquirt) and thought you might want to see.
Attached Thumbnails New PNP Ecu option - Motorsport Electronics ME221-80-20150330_152457_30320e9e2a7ae28debda0427d4ade2e51859b136.jpg  
snotrag is offline  
Old 06-10-2015, 08:52 AM
  #2  
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
 
Braineack's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,490
Total Cats: 4,079
Default

good luck.

hopefully those extra squids buy good Acetaminophen.
Braineack is offline  
Old 06-10-2015, 09:08 AM
  #3  
VladiTuned
iTrader: (76)
 
18psi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 35,821
Total Cats: 3,481
Default

umm, yeah good luck. I think using the oem case is slick, but it really only matters on an NB where there are serious space and mounting limitations, on an na it's in the easiest/simplest place ever.

What I learned over the years is, the biggest thing about EMS systems and tuning is support/documentation. People that blazed trails and documented each step, or serious technical support form the builder/vendor who would be willing to spend hours and hours on the phone or online with you explaining and teaching you everything about the ecu.

Without that, you can have the coolest ecu ever and it will still be a nightmare.

Post your feedback once you've got it all set up and working perfectly. Variety is always a good thing
18psi is offline  
Old 06-10-2015, 02:28 PM
  #4  
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
deezums's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,146
Total Cats: 201
Default

This can't not be jacked MS1/2 code, for more money?

Unlicensed stolen unsupported hardware for extra money, or am I missing something? Besides the 16x16 ignition table it sounds verbatim MS2.

What is MEITE tuning studio, google knows nothing.

I lost track of the guy who sold something like this, anyone remember? It used licensed mirosquirt cards IIRC, and he sold a bunch of other reverant-esque CAN add-on cards.
deezums is offline  
Old 06-10-2015, 02:42 PM
  #5  
Elite Member
iTrader: (8)
 
bahurd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,381
Total Cats: 314
Default

Originally Posted by deezums
This can't not be jacked MS1/2 code, for more money?

Unlicensed stolen unsupported hardware for extra money, or am I missing something? Besides the 16x16 ignition table it sounds verbatim MS2.

What is MEITE tuning studio, google knows nothing.

I lost track of the guy who sold something like this, anyone remember? It used licensed mirosquirt cards IIRC, and he sold a bunch of other reverant-esque CAN add-on cards.
You can download the MEITE software but without the ECU it doesn't do/show anything. Just says it doesn't support "offline" mode.

ME221 MX-5 Miata Plug-n-Play ECU | Motorsport Electronics

At $852 USD + shipping/duty I doubt it'll take over the MS world at least in the US.
bahurd is offline  
Old 06-10-2015, 02:49 PM
  #6  
VladiTuned
iTrader: (76)
 
18psi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 35,821
Total Cats: 3,481
Default

852? hahaha
Yeah good luck
18psi is offline  
Old 06-11-2015, 02:58 AM
  #7  
Junior Member
 
Vuti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Finland
Posts: 79
Total Cats: -9
Default

Free tip for the guys who are making these:
With those limited features and crap software it will die against Rev's Enhanced MS2 or MSPNP2.
Vuti is offline  
Reply
Leave a poscat -1 Leave a negcat
Old 06-11-2015, 03:31 AM
  #8  
Elite Member
 
Zaphod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Schwarzenberg, Germany
Posts: 1,553
Total Cats: 101
Default

The guys are very active on mx5nutz.com in the UK and they seem to be very professional and willing to develop very fast and throughout. I don't think they will be a "one-hit-wonder", but knowing that development and research takes quite a lot of time AND money - I also don't think that they will be a big competitor for the REV/DIY-units, because this time and money will certainly show in the price for the units.
Zaphod is offline  
Old 06-11-2015, 03:38 AM
  #9  
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
 
richyvrlimited's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Warrington/Birmingham
Posts: 2,642
Total Cats: 42
Default

They've pitched at a price similar to Rev's units in the UK.

The features aren't all implemented yet, but from the way they've described how it's built adding new & complicated features is a relatively simple job.

Agreed that it'll live or die from it's support / manuals though. I have my fingers crossed it's a success though. Competition is a good thing.

This can't not be jacked MS1/2 code, for more money?

Unlicensed stolen unsupported hardware for extra money, or am I missing something? Besides the 16x16 ignition table it sounds verbatim MS2.
It's not MS code AIUI it's built from scratch. 16x16 tables are hardly unique.

Last edited by richyvrlimited; 06-11-2015 at 03:48 AM.
richyvrlimited is offline  
Old 06-11-2015, 07:38 AM
  #10  
Elite Member
 
Zaphod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Schwarzenberg, Germany
Posts: 1,553
Total Cats: 101
Default

Originally Posted by deezums
This can't not be jacked MS1/2 code, for more money?

Unlicensed stolen unsupported hardware for extra money, or am I missing something? Besides the 16x16 ignition table it sounds verbatim MS2.

No they are in the ECU development scene for a long time and do their own stuff completely as it seems. I don't think there is any illegal relationship to the MS.
Zaphod is offline  
Old 06-11-2015, 08:02 AM
  #11  
Cpt. Slow
iTrader: (25)
 
curly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 14,175
Total Cats: 1,129
Default

Fully Sequential on 1.8 version
With a little wiring switch, it should be sequential on a 1.6 as well. I think Rev showed me how to use the charcoal canister solenoid wiring and something else to allow my harness to have the two extra injector wires that a Cal ECU has.
curly is offline  
Old 06-11-2015, 05:57 PM
  #12  
Elite Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Reverant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Athens, Greece
Posts: 5,976
Total Cats: 355
Default

Originally Posted by richyvrlimited
They've pitched at a price similar to Rev's units in the UK.
Actually, it's quite a bit more expensive than mine, which also includes the IAT, USB to serial cable and shipping.
Reverant is offline  
Old 06-12-2015, 09:53 AM
  #13  
Supporting Vendor
 
Matt Cramer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,332
Total Cats: 67
Default

Originally Posted by Zaphod
No they are in the ECU development scene for a long time and do their own stuff completely as it seems. I don't think there is any illegal relationship to the MS.
I can definitely understand why somebody would suggest that, given M-Tech's history. But I think this is a different design.
__________________
Matt Cramer
www.diyautotune.com
Matt Cramer is offline  
Old 07-13-2015, 03:41 AM
  #14  
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
 
richyvrlimited's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Warrington/Birmingham
Posts: 2,642
Total Cats: 42
Default

<p>
Originally Posted by 18psi
I don't think he really cares about supporting MS. He's just stating the obvious, which is, that interface looks like poo. If he cared about MS, he wouldn't talk crap about some of the dumb stuff that MS has right now, and the utter lack of proper documentation.
</p><p>The interface isn't that bad, it's just all basic readouts rather than analogue style gauges., it's also configurable like TunerStudio.</p><p>IMO TunerStudio isn't exactly a looker either, but it's also been in development for the last 6-7 years, MEITE is brand new and not even at version 1 yet, so it's a bit unfair to deride it without anything constructive offered for improvement. I remember using MegaTune back in the day, MEITE is miles better than that already.</p>
richyvrlimited is offline  
Old 07-13-2015, 07:43 AM
  #15  
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
concealer404's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,917
Total Cats: 2,201
Default

I don't hate the UI totally. It's like a clunkier version of Haltech ECU Manager. Whatevs. You get used to what you're used to.
concealer404 is offline  
Old 07-13-2015, 06:21 PM
  #16  
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
 
richyvrlimited's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Warrington/Birmingham
Posts: 2,642
Total Cats: 42
Default

<p>I disagree with brain on the analogue gauges, I find them very useful for things like AFR which won't ever be static, they're also easier to glance at and know the vaue rather than having to read text/numbers.</p>
richyvrlimited is offline  
Old 07-17-2015, 08:48 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
WestfieldMX5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Belgium
Posts: 999
Total Cats: 73
Default

I like what I've seen so far. A lot.
WestfieldMX5 is offline  
Old 08-07-2015, 01:46 PM
  #18  
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
 
richyvrlimited's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Warrington/Birmingham
Posts: 2,642
Total Cats: 42
Default

<p>I partly disagree with Skuzzle.</p><p>Once tuned it does seem to be absolutely spot on, and for a tuner with a dyno I can see it being as quick if not quicker to tune, but for an on the road tuner MS is quicker.</p><p>But it's only the software that allows this VE Analyse / Autotune, full copy/paste facilities&nbsp;&amp; just a slightly easier to use UI. I'm positive that it'll develop quickly and will be a non issue.</p>
richyvrlimited is offline  
Old 08-07-2015, 03:08 PM
  #19  
Elite Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Reverant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Athens, Greece
Posts: 5,976
Total Cats: 355
Default

Is Skuzzle the guy that dumbed down one of my ECUs because he couldn't be bothered to email me for instructions?
Reverant is offline  
Old 08-11-2015, 08:06 AM
  #20  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
snotrag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 36
Total Cats: 13
Default

Well as the Op I should really keep on top of this thread.

Mine is now in, and working. Bit of a false start due to holidays, lack of time, and some difference in fuel pump circuits etc - of course with MS this is all well documented, but as a 'guinea pig' I had to sus it out myself - basically by x-reffing similar problems people with MS had in the past.

Bear in mind I'm not coming at this from a MS background - I was about to drop the £££ on a DIYPNP MS2 when this came up, I'm a newb at standalones all together (though I'd done a lot of work on my Emanage, and lots of research, and was very confident/happy to go the MS route - I saw this simply as an alternative to try, and the initial pricing was good).

Currently running wastegate pressure and not far off the basemap provided.
It takes a few spins to catch, and doesn't quite start like OEM but its not bad after a second or two. I think the warm up curves need work as it begins the warm up overly lean IMO and then richens up - its not aggressive enough.

I've got mine with a VTPS and I have to say the throttle response as per basemap is excellent - waay better than OEM/emanage setup and that is the biggest thing I can 'feel' right now.

Another interesting function is the engine appears to have more engine braking, not sure how, presume that's a function of fuel cut etc.

Without of AFM and piping it feels like the turbo is boosting marginally earlier, but it is fecking LOUD so I need to deal with that.

Plans - little bit of road tuning to lean it out a bit, bit of work on the warmup curve maybe. Re-install my boost solenoid and get that working, and I need a blow off valve as I'm getting serious compressor surge/chop noise.

Also not keen on having to have the lid off the ECU to plug in the cable - I think a neater solution might be a short extension cable poking out of a u-shaped hole in the casing, then you can screw the lid down and refit the cover plate, carpets etc and still plug in to tune.

Definitely think more faux-analogue gauges in the software would help - I'm very surprised some people see analogue tyle 'guages' in other software that as a negative.

But so far, not I've eventually got round to getting running, I'm pleased.
snotrag is offline  


Quick Reply: New PNP Ecu option - Motorsport Electronics ME221



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:17 AM.