Five Star build thread
07-06-2013, 05:43 PM
#162
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Nearly twice as big as stock. I may order some parts from brain and build a harness myself, maybe this is a bad sign and my car is trying to tell me something
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07-06-2013, 06:44 PM
#165
If you paid with a credit card, you can always return. It's called protesting the charge and then working it out with the vendor.
I hate being a dick to Dimitris, but, honestly . . . he knows Miatas. You can't build something that big and expect customers to just deal with it. He advertises PNP solutions. That's not what you got. Were you advised how big it was going to be or that you would need to fabricate a long extension harness to make it work?
You've got a really nice car this time around. I'd take pains to keep it clean and reliable. 5' extension harnesses are not a step in the right direction.
Off soapbox.
I hate being a dick to Dimitris, but, honestly . . . he knows Miatas. You can't build something that big and expect customers to just deal with it. He advertises PNP solutions. That's not what you got. Were you advised how big it was going to be or that you would need to fabricate a long extension harness to make it work?
You've got a really nice car this time around. I'd take pains to keep it clean and reliable. 5' extension harnesses are not a step in the right direction.
Off soapbox.
Last edited by hornetball; 07-06-2013 at 08:54 PM.
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07-06-2013, 06:54 PM
#166
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Unfortunately if I protested I would only be fighting for half of my money. I traded in the MS2 and upgraded for this. PayPal allows 45 days for a claim, it's been months and months since I originally bought the MS2 from him.
I have been pm'ing Dimitris about it, I will see what I can come up with. If I didn't have to run the extra harness for the wideband, sensors, etc... then I could make it work. The adapter hits the firewall and just doesn't seem likely to fit snug and out of the way of your feet. The only way to make it work is a harness extension, bummer
I have been pm'ing Dimitris about it, I will see what I can come up with. If I didn't have to run the extra harness for the wideband, sensors, etc... then I could make it work. The adapter hits the firewall and just doesn't seem likely to fit snug and out of the way of your feet. The only way to make it work is a harness extension, bummer
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07-06-2013, 08:54 PM
#167
Dimitris cares about his reputation, especially here. Pretty sure he'll do the right thing, whatever it is.
You might ask him if he's running this in his car. If so, how did he mount it and can he supply you with instructions for a clean mount.
I suspect if you research PayPal, you might find you have more options due to the delay in shipping.
You might ask him if he's running this in his car. If so, how did he mount it and can he supply you with instructions for a clean mount.
I suspect if you research PayPal, you might find you have more options due to the delay in shipping.
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07-06-2013, 09:20 PM
#168
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From Dimitris
Originally Posted by Reverant
Good question - all european 90-05 Miatas have the ECU on the original 90-93 location, so it hasn't actually troubled me so far. ANd without a vehicle to look for good spots to mount, I can't offer any advice on that.
Originally Posted by Reverant
One of the reasons I started building the new-style MS3 is to avoid doing the harnesses. A typical 99-05 harness takes about 5 hours to build. You can ask Boomslang to build you a custom longer one. It won't be cheap, but then again, I'm charging $120-150 for a replacement harness anyway.
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07-07-2013, 05:36 AM
#169
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It fits fine on my 2002. All miatas all over the world except for the US have the ECU on the same location as the 90-93.
I would love to be able to see for myself a 99-05 US Miata so that I can advise how to mount it, or in the case of US customers, provide an additional extension harness if there's no way to make it fit.
I would love to be able to see for myself a 99-05 US Miata so that I can advise how to mount it, or in the case of US customers, provide an additional extension harness if there's no way to make it fit.
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07-07-2013, 10:34 AM
#171
How big IS this thing? I thought it was around the same size as the hydra which fits in the NB even with the stock ECU in place.
How important is your A/C? if you remove the A/C you can fit it in the spot where the evaporator was and run the mazda tube there instead.
How important is your A/C? if you remove the A/C you can fit it in the spot where the evaporator was and run the mazda tube there instead.
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07-07-2013, 10:42 AM
#172
I'd venture to guess that MOST Miatas are US spec. Why would a Miata-based business enterprise design a part that would not fit most Miatas?
There also is no reason that an ECU in 2013 would be 2X as large as an OEM ECU case designed (probably) in 1997 or 1998. These cars as small, and small size gives mounting flexibility. Why is it so big?
As for "mount it anywhere," true enough. But why should we have to? An extension cable is weight and dozens of little potential failure points. Plus, Justin's car is no hack job. It's super clean. It's an entirely reasonable expectation that a replacement ECU would mount in the original location. If it won't, the vendor should at least warn the potential customer that there will be an issue.
There also is no reason that an ECU in 2013 would be 2X as large as an OEM ECU case designed (probably) in 1997 or 1998. These cars as small, and small size gives mounting flexibility. Why is it so big?
As for "mount it anywhere," true enough. But why should we have to? An extension cable is weight and dozens of little potential failure points. Plus, Justin's car is no hack job. It's super clean. It's an entirely reasonable expectation that a replacement ECU would mount in the original location. If it won't, the vendor should at least warn the potential customer that there will be an issue.
Last edited by hornetball; 07-07-2013 at 10:50 AM. Reason: Delete wrong ECU location per Leafy
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07-07-2013, 10:44 AM
#173
There are plenty of pictures on the web of US ECU location behind the passenger seat. I'd venture to guess that MOST Miatas are US spec. Why would a Miata-based business enterprise design a part that would not fit most Miatas?
There also is no reason that an ECU in 2013 would be 2X as large as an OEM ECU case designed (probably) in 1997 or 1998. These cars as small, and small size gives mounting flexibility. Why is it so big?
As for "mount it anywhere," true enough. But why should we have to? An extension cable is weight and dozens of little potential failure points. Plus, Justin's car is no hack job. It's super clean. It's an entirely reasonable expectation that a replacement ECU would mount in the original location. If it won't, the vendor should at least warn the potential customer that there will be an issue.
There also is no reason that an ECU in 2013 would be 2X as large as an OEM ECU case designed (probably) in 1997 or 1998. These cars as small, and small size gives mounting flexibility. Why is it so big?
As for "mount it anywhere," true enough. But why should we have to? An extension cable is weight and dozens of little potential failure points. Plus, Justin's car is no hack job. It's super clean. It's an entirely reasonable expectation that a replacement ECU would mount in the original location. If it won't, the vendor should at least warn the potential customer that there will be an issue.
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07-07-2013, 11:06 AM
#176
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No space to mount, as I said earlier.
This is not a track/hack job car. With Texas heat I would be insane to remove.
I was not aware. No where in the Basic MS3 thread does it state this.
Stock Location
Comparison
With the ecu pushed as far forward as possible (towards the driver) you are putting serious pressure on the ECU harness. While the ecu is pushed as far forwards as possible, the harness included to install your wideband, sensors, grounds, etc... will not fit due to the clearance between the MS3 and firewall.
Stock Location
Comparison
With the ecu pushed as far forward as possible (towards the driver) you are putting serious pressure on the ECU harness. While the ecu is pushed as far forwards as possible, the harness included to install your wideband, sensors, grounds, etc... will not fit due to the clearance between the MS3 and firewall.
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07-07-2013, 12:02 PM
#178
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Yes It would fit if I did not have to fit the db37. With the MS3 pushed back as far as possible it leaves me 2" of space between the firewall and MS3. The db37 would need close to 4" of space in order to not completely crush the wires coming out of it.
I am not sure how low it will sit and if your feet would hit it or not though. I think my clutch foot may scrape it if I can get it to fit.
I am not sure how low it will sit and if your feet would hit it or not though. I think my clutch foot may scrape it if I can get it to fit.
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