I see that you can buy a simulator board to test your megasquirt.. Here is my issue.. I can solder, and i understand electronics in basic.. I am comfident i can build the megasquirt... but during the build are you provided instructions to check things as you go, so you dont get it all put together and realize that you had a 2k ohm resistor where a 2m went.. or do you have to have this sim to test your unit after completion? What did you guys that built your own do?

kool question, i just got mine today and i was expecting some instructions or some pictures... no luck... after looking at all the parts i got (MSII v.3) its pretty much self explanatory. Everything is labeled, then the PCB silkscreen has the same labels so you look at the label of a resistor, then find it in the board and solder away... there is also a site that will lead you in a step-by-step process. Like a checklist or an order that will help you out...
http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/V3assemble.htm

i'm not sure about the sim, it does help, so basically you can
solder a little section and check if your soldering is making good
contact and stuff like that, i haven't started soldering so i'm not
sure how viable this tool is but i'm really considering buying it...

The stim is usefull for testing the MS at various step during the build. It is also usefull for loading/reloading code later on.

Errr I'd follow the 'checklist' as you put it. It's actually the build instructions, it's not a case of soldering every part to the board ***** nilly. Follow the step by step instructions and get a Stim and use it at the appropriate times.

If you build your MS the way I think you're suggesting you are really asking for a lot of grief.

Do yourself a favor and buy (or borrow) the sim, it'll save you a lot of headache later on should something not work correctly. Follow the build guide, and double check your components before you solder them in, and then use the sim to check your board as per the instructions. The sim will also allow you to load your code and settings without having to install the MS in the car so you can essentially make it, set all your settings, then have a PnP unit which will need some fine tuning with a WBO2.

oh I'm all ears, let me know if i'm getting something wrong here...

by checklist i mean that i won't get a random piece and solder it,
i'll go in the order of the instructions cause i don't think i'll finish it
right away and after the first hr i'm probably taking a break, lol...

anyway i have an engineer from a tv station checking my work
every now and then, originally he was gonna build it for me but
i want the experience for bragging rights... lol...

but what do you mean, "not a case of soldering every part to the board"?

I'd suggest reading the build manual at least once before starting, you don't need every component on the board for the MX5, MS ca controll pretty much every engine going, that's lots of different sensors to have the ability to control.....

interesting point, i forgot that megasquirt can be used on just about any vehicle, not just miatas... thanks for the tip...